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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - LRB Stripped Lower (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/10/2013 4:59:46 PM EDT
| I ordered one of the LRB stripped lowers from Wideners one of the times that it popped up in the lower thread. After picking it up, I have to say that it has the strangest finish on it and has some dings in the threads for the lower receiver extension tube. The only way to describe the finish is to say that when you touch it, it's almost chalky. I painted it today with Brownells Aluma-Hyde II in Coyote and it's 10x better. So far between my friends and I, I've seen 3 of these lowers ordered post-panic and they've all been the same. Anyone else experience this? |
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Hmmm... Thanks for the pics. Certainly is a chalky finish compared to the Spike's If I keep mine, I may have to Cerakote. Those pictures are as good as I can do with my phone too. I'd definitely recommend using Cerakote on them. It'll look perfectly normal after that. I'm glad to see that the 3 that I've seen aren't the only ones. Is Wideners selling blems or are all LRBs like this? |
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I didn't think the chalky finish was anything to be concerned about. may duracoat in the future, but not too worried. a few minor dings as well though kinda sucked. nothing that kept it from going together right though, and overall nice lower.
though i will admit my opinion is tainted by the gawdawful lowers i received from AR57. finish chipped off, nothing was in spec. this one went together like a dream. for $150 i'm happy. fuck all those $225 stripped lowers being offered by vendors. |
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Hmmm... Thanks for the pics. Certainly is a chalky finish compared to the Spike's If I keep mine, I may have to Cerakote. Those pictures are as good as I can do with my phone too. I'd definitely recommend using Cerakote on them. It'll look perfectly normal after that. I'm glad to see that the 3 that I've seen aren't the only ones. Is Wideners selling blems or are all LRBs like this? It's worth emailing LRB, I suppose. When I ordered, I did some searches, and the pictures I saw were a typical deep black finish. Not trying to be a Barbie whiner, I just imagine it will be tough to match an upper. I had a 18" + precision build planned for it, but hell my CMMG lower that I was going to sell seems to have a better finish I have plenty of lowers and rifles, so I can be bitchy 
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Hmm...wonder what they look like after a good dousing in gun oil & being wiped off? I ordered one as well, but haven't received it yet. That is what I was thinking. I was going to give it a CLP bath if it ever arrives. Looks like all the ones from the 24th went out, but mine. |
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Hmm...wonder what they look like after a good dousing in gun oil & being wiped off? I ordered one as well, but haven't received it yet. That is what I was thinking. I was going to give it a CLP bath if it ever arrives. Looks like all the ones from the 24th went out, but mine. My LRB was delivered to my FFL today, I ordered on 1/25. I'm waiting to hear from him to go pick it up. Edit: I'll report back if my lower has the same finish. It'll get a coat of paint for sure or some hydro graphics if the finish is the same as posted. |
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I just gave my LRB an oil bath. I'll post up some more pics next to the Spikes when it dries.
I think all the recently released LRB lowers are going to be just like mine and the OP's. I do have a RRA lower that initially had a greyish/chalky finish and holy sh!t did a coat of oil help to make it more visually appealing! |
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Just picked up my LRB from my FFL and it does have a chalky finish like the OP. I compared mine to a Stag lower he had laying out and it definitely doesn't match. It looks good otherwise!
Edit: Heres a shitty iphone pic: 
And a lil something extra that was lodged where the rear takedown pin is, assuming its something to smooth and polish the finish: 
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Maybe it's this http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/finishes/H-190Q/
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Any uppers receivers out there match the LRB lower matte finish? An LRB upper 
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000354 They should be back in stock somewhat soon. Or you can find someone hawking one on the EE... http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_22/1121604_New_LRB_Stripped_Upper____150_Shipped.html |
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Just picked up my LRB from my FFL and it does have a chalky finish like the OP. I compared mine to a Stag lower he had laying out and it definitely doesn't match. It looks good otherwise! Edit: Heres a shitty iphone pic: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/nitrostarter/D50FBBC3-0904-4AB5-8324-A670315D4800-195-00000009EADA1D7C_zpsb0da8d8d.jpg And a lil something extra that was lodged where the rear takedown pin is, assuming its something to smooth and polish the finish: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/nitrostarter/7C826250-7B05-4CDA-87C2-94D394F48BD8-195-00000009F28C895D_zpsfa48e891.jpg That is a "stone" from a vibratory finishing machine. You are correct it gives the surface a nice even finish and smooths out any sharp edges or tooling marks. I have a few LRB uppers and lowers and they look much better after giving them a spray of CLP allowing them to sit a bit and then wiping them down. I agree their finish is sandy compared to others but they are a quality lower. I've no complaints, especially when Wideners was selling them for $69 |
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That is a "stone" from a vibratory finishing machine. You are correct it gives the surface a nice even finish and smooths out any sharp edges or tooling marks. I have a few LRB uppers and lowers and they look much better after giving them a spray of CLP allowing them to sit a bit and then wiping them down. I agree their finish is sandy compared to others but they are a quality lower. I've no complaints, especially when Wideners was selling them for $69 I knew I had seen those stones before on "How it's made", probably made of some type of ceramics. I have to agree, after inspection, this is a very nice lower. Even my FFL made mention of it a quality lower as it was the first LRB he had pass through his hands. |
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I doused the LRB in some gun oil and have been letting it dry for several hours. It's not dry enough to take pictures for a proper re-comparison, but the finish looks much, much nicer. We'll see how it looks in the morning and then I'll post some pics. Right on. Look forward to it. |
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I doused the LRB in some gun oil and have been letting it dry for several hours. It's not dry enough to take pictures for a proper re-comparison, but the finish looks much, much nicer. We'll see how it looks in the morning and then I'll post some pics. Hopefully that's all it takes. Granted, my friends and I were planning on painting ours anyway so it didn't make too much of a difference to us but I was just curious for others |
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I doused the LRB in some gun oil and have been letting it dry for several hours. It's not dry enough to take pictures for a proper re-comparison, but the finish looks much, much nicer. We'll see how it looks in the morning and then I'll post some pics. Hopefully that's all it takes. Granted, my friends and I were planning on painting ours anyway so it didn't make too much of a difference to us but I was just curious for others So that nice sandy texture will give your paint something to hold onto. |
| I ordered 3 on 1/25 and haven't got my shipping confirmation yet. I have a LRB lower I bought last summer locally with a PSA upper, I never really noticed before but I looked and they don't match real well. The PSA matches my S&W more closely. Not a real big deal and I was thinking of refinishing the lowers and uppers anyway but does it make sense to pay $150 for a lower that doesn't have a great finish? Does anyone who has used Duracoat or Cerakote think there might be a problem with adhesion? |
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I own 5 LRB lowers. The finish is a little chalky/rough when you get them.
I always take the lower and spread some militec on it and leave it in a plastic food container for several days. The militec will get into the pores of the metal. You can even take a blow dryer and heat it up a little. The finish is perfect for me when finished. YMMV |
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Another question about the LRB lower. In the magazine forum, a member is saying that his newest PMags aren't fitting the LRB. Anybody else tried fitting the newer MOE Pmags in the LRB? I've heard this complaint a few years ago but I've never had an issue. The older lowers I have can be a little snug but I like that. The newer ones just seem like a normal fit. Like my stag or spikes. |
| it looks like the lower has had the anodize stripped and re-plated. It is actually what would be considered a second and should be marked in some way to indicate so. An easy way to check for this is if your pin holes are over sized and sloppy. Stripping anodize will also remove around .001 aluminum in the process. Anodize plates between 50/50 and 60/40. 60% out 40% in or under the surface 60% build up. It looks like a re-plate to me. |
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I have never seen an LRB lower that did not have that same matte finish... I've had one for several years. Same finish. And, PMAGS do not drop free from them. No problems with my PMAGS. Quoted:
it looks like the lower has had the anodize stripped and re-plated. It is actually what would be considered a second and should be marked in some way to indicate so. An easy way to check for this is if your pin holes are over sized and sloppy. Stripping anodize will also remove around .001 aluminum in the process. Anodize plates between 50/50 and 60/40. 60% out 40% in or under the surface 60% build up. It looks like a re-plate to me. The holes on mine seem to fit fine. |
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I have never seen an LRB lower that did not have that same matte finish... I've had one for several years. Same finish. And, PMAGS do not drop free from them. I've never had an issue getting Pmags to drop free from my LRB lowers. Interesting... maybe they have addressed that issue. I just checked mine again... It would seem that SOME PMAGS drop free from it. None of my magazines with an 09 date code drop free...SOME of my magazines with a 10 date code drop free... and Gen 3 mags appear to drop free just fine. Every time I have seen an LRB at a gun show, or gun store, and asked them to try a PMAG in it, it never dropped free. |
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I have never seen an LRB lower that did not have that same matte finish... I've had one for several years. Same finish. And, PMAGS do not drop free from them. I've never had an issue getting Pmags to drop free from my LRB lowers. Interesting... maybe they have addressed that issue. I just checked mine again... It would seem that SOME PMAGS drop free from it. None of my magazines with an 09 date code drop free...SOME of my magazines with a 10 date code drop free... and Gen 3 mags appear to drop free just fine. Every time I have seen an LRB at a gun show, or gun store, and asked them to try a PMAG in it, it never dropped free. I've just tried it with 3 different LRB lowers and 2 PMags from 2 different years. No issue at all. The newer keyholed lowers definitely have a little bit different finish on them. The difference in the two back to back is subtle on camera but much more noticeable in person. One is treated with Militec and the other isn't. I took pics of the newer ones compared to the older. Notice the keyhole on newer ones near the trigger guard. The older completed rifle is about 5 or 6 years old. LRB lowers are solid and have never given me an issue. Just my .02 
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I have never seen an LRB lower that did not have that same matte finish... I've had one for several years. Same finish. And, PMAGS do not drop free from them. I've never had an issue getting Pmags to drop free from my LRB lowers. Interesting... maybe they have addressed that issue. I just checked mine again... It would seem that SOME PMAGS drop free from it. None of my magazines with an 09 date code drop free...SOME of my magazines with a 10 date code drop free... and Gen 3 mags appear to drop free just fine. Every time I have seen an LRB at a gun show, or gun store, and asked them to try a PMAG in it, it never dropped free. I've just tried it with 3 different LRB lowers and 2 PMags from 2 different years. No issue at all. The newer keyholed lowers definitely have a little bit different finish on them. The difference in the two back to back is subtle on camera but much more noticeable in person. One is treated with Militec and the other isn't. I took pics of the newer ones compared to the older. Notice the keyhole on newer ones near the trigger guard. The older completed rifle is about 5 or 6 years old. LRB lowers are solid and have never given me an issue. Just my .02 http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/glocklife/353570FE-275D-40C0-A1C9-141D353A4D43-1298-0000008AC8B5CA98.jpg http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/glocklife/26A1B6F3-0A62-4357-A8AA-C6E244B6B01E-1298-0000008ACCD96476.jpg Mine has no key hole marking. Serial # range 012XXX. It has a nice dark matte black finish. |
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I have never seen an LRB lower that did not have that same matte finish... I've had one for several years. Same finish. And, PMAGS do not drop free from them. I've never had an issue getting Pmags to drop free from my LRB lowers. Interesting... maybe they have addressed that issue. I just checked mine again... It would seem that SOME PMAGS drop free from it. None of my magazines with an 09 date code drop free...SOME of my magazines with a 10 date code drop free... and Gen 3 mags appear to drop free just fine. Every time I have seen an LRB at a gun show, or gun store, and asked them to try a PMAG in it, it never dropped free. I've just tried it with 3 different LRB lowers and 2 PMags from 2 different years. No issue at all. The newer keyholed lowers definitely have a little bit different finish on them. The difference in the two back to back is subtle on camera but much more noticeable in person. One is treated with Militec and the other isn't. I took pics of the newer ones compared to the older. Notice the keyhole on newer ones near the trigger guard. The older completed rifle is about 5 or 6 years old. LRB lowers are solid and have never given me an issue. Just my .02 http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/glocklife/353570FE-275D-40C0-A1C9-141D353A4D43-1298-0000008AC8B5CA98.jpg http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/glocklife/26A1B6F3-0A62-4357-A8AA-C6E244B6B01E-1298-0000008ACCD96476.jpg Mine has no key hole marking. Serial # range 012XXX. It has a nice dark matte black finish. I have 3 without and 2 with the keyhole. It's definitely something new. I'm local to LRB so I stop by from time to time because they usually keep a batch on hand to sell to local people. Next time I go by ill ask about the keyhole. Here's a pic of an older LRB I picked up a few years ago. The serial of the one in this pic is 007xxx. 
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I have 3 without and 2 with the keyhole. It's definitely something new. I'm local to LRB so I stop by from time to time because they usually keep a batch on hand to sell to local people. Next time I go by ill ask about the keyhole. Cool...Ask them about the magwell too, if you don't mind. Mine definitely has issues with some PMAGS...And I have tried others that did as well. |
| My LRB lower was part of a large batch (50?) that my FFL ordered direct from LRB before the fit hit the shan. The batch was delivered Jan 2. My lower has the same rough, flat finish. Honestly, I liked the finish, except that it doesn't come close to matching my AO Precision upper. I think it is a case of extremes. The LRB is dark and matte, but the AO upper is light, and very smooth. A good soak in CLP did smooth out the look and feel of the finish, but kept the dark color. The AO upper was a bit of a panic buy, so I'm taking my time now trying to find a higher end upper for a precision build. Hopefully the upper I finally decide on has a darker ano. |
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I have recently gotten two LRB lowers and they are chalky as well. If you put them next to the Aero or the Spikes I have, they look unfinished.
I know this is minor but I was disappointed with the finishing on the inside of the trigger guard. It is a mess with left over flashing all over the place. I know, I am anal. I feel like the finish and the lack of attention to detail leaves them out of the list of top lowers. Keep in mind these points are really only important if you plan on putting them in your lower museum. |
I just received a BCM upper and matched it with one of my LRB lowers. See image below. I'm actually surprised at how close they match. I know the pic is crappy lighting but the finishes are pretty damn close.  this light actually brings out the difference in finish. If your just looking at it in person it's pretty good.
I have an aero upper that was just shipped. When I get that I'll do another comparison pic. Note: I haven't treated this lower with anything. 
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Mine just showed up today, no shipping notice from Widener', nothing. I picked up my Aero, and it just happened to show up at the same time 
Here is a pic next to my new Aero, not as nice, but I think it will oil up just fine. Doesn't appear as chalky as some of those other pics. I will toss it in the safe for another spare. 
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - LRB Stripped Lower (Page 1 of 2)
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