User Panel
Posted: 1/22/2022 2:28:09 PM EDT
First it was the whole URG-I debacle. Then the silent switch to using cheap black oxide finish on their barrels. Now they are using the shittiest anodizing on their handguards that I have ever seen on AR-15 components . I’ve seen cheap engine block paint that has a better feel and look than the crap that’s on the MK14 rail that I just received.
This anodizing has a very "gritty" feel to it and a very cheap look to it. This anodizing is so shitty that handling the handguard with your bare hands creates a white, chalky finish on the surface of the handguard. The white finish can be scrubbed off with CLP, but as soon as you handle the handguard with bare hands again, you're back to the white chalky finish. None of this has ever occurred with the older black Geissele handguards that I have. Yes, it’s “just a tool”. But for the $268 that I paid for this handguard, the anodizing should be better than what's found on cheap airsoft components. I specifically purchased this handguard in black because that’s what Geissele recommends that you should do if you’re not interested in the constantly varying shades of their DDC components and you’re unable to appreciate the “unique” black lines found in the finish of the DDC MK16 handguards sold to us civilians. Maybe Geissele should just advertise the color of this new black anodizing as ZEBRA. This is all truly pathetic for a handguard that Geissele is charging $275 for on their website. PATHETIC. Buyer beware. The handguard pictured on top is what black anodizing should look and feel like. The handguard on the bottom is the piece of shit that I just received. …. Quoted: From Geissele: “High pressure sand blasting is not as aggressive as shot blasting but the parts inevitably have a dull black, chalky finish after anodizing.” https://geissele.com/support/#anodize-shade-variations-and-finish-methods View Quote Geissele is saying that is how other manufacturers do their cheap finishes and claiming Geissele doesn't finish their components like that. Instead, they're saying that Geissele is finishing their components by: "Geissele weapons stand out on the firing line. I want it that way. Their distinctive color and smooth and lustrous finish is immediately noticeable when a shooter picks up a Geissele rifle. One way to make a weapon with this velvety, luxurious look that feels so good in the hand is to use very gentle hand and machine finishing methods to smooth the surface of the aluminum." So Geissele has clearly stooped to doing the cheap method of finishing their components while still charging their high prices and not being honest with their customers that this is what they have resorted to. PA-THET-IC. .... ..... Quoted: Recent (non-blem) DDC receiver set I ordered looked the same. Dull, chalky finish quality. Nothing like the older Geissele/ALG products I own. Pretty disappointing. View Quote Quoted: I had an older SSA, 2016 era that was great. I decided to get another in 2020. It felt far worse and had noticable grit, even in multiple lowers, grease, no grease. Tried emailing GA's CS, no dice. Tried calling, was on hold for 50 minutes. Gave up then. View Quote Quoted: Ordered a fed green G rail a few years back which was an obvious blem. I emailed CS regarding it and never received a response back. I ended up just putting the damn thing on a rifle, but I was disappointed in how they treated me as a customer. Used to be a G fan, no more. View Quote Quoted: I’ve dealt with Geiessele customer service twice, first time I so pissed I hung up after being on hold for 38 minutes if I remember, called ban about a hour later and was put on hold again, then got passed around with no resolution, emailed them and nothing. I love their rails, was going to order up another one this week and a barrel, now I don’t know? I refuse to use their CS and would rather call the IRS or Verizon. View Quote Quoted: I'm in the category of was a G fan boy before the MK16 stuff. I messaged them on IG asking what happened to the MK16 thread on arfcom and wanted to know what their statement to the public officially was and they blocked me without replying. After spending thousands on G products and recommending G to my friends and selling thousands more for them this was a stiff slap to the face. View Quote Quoted: I have seen several posts and threads here citing the poor CS & sub par product. View Quote Quoted: G's CS is terrible. View Quote Quoted: G is having plenty of comments about QA issues and extremely poor CS. View Quote Quoted: Go to the G industry page. You can’t say anything questioning G without massive fanboy blowback. View Quote Quoted: Not only is Geissele getting a reputation for crumbling quality, the company's stance on cornering instances such as posts like this one has always been to pretend like it's not happening. View Quote Quoted: The thing is G’s quality or lack there of has seemingly become common place. View Quote Quoted: a large amount of people are upset about the quality of Geissele's product and service View Quote ..... |
|
Dude... Maybe you should moisturize if your hands are that chalky?
Just saying |
|
|
|
I've Had new anodized parts that are chalky at first and over time with oil and use they feel and look better.
|
|
Is there a little Blemula dude on the bottom of that handguard?
That looks quite shitty IMO. |
|
lol my SR15 was chalkier than that.
Rub some oil on it, wipe it off, good to go. |
|
Quoted: Rub some oil on it, wipe it off, good to go. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Reading is fundamental. From my original post . . . Quoted: The white finish can be scrubbed off with CLP, but as soon as you handle the handguard with bare hands again, your back to the white chalky finish. None of this has ever occurred with older black Geissele handguards that I have. |
|
I swung by their booth at SHOT and handled some rifles. I was not impressed with the look and feel of their handguards. The one I handled was so shiny and slick. I'll stick with my BCM uppers.
|
|
|
white is part of the anodizing and not unusual; should resolve as oil absorbs in to the finish
just liberally apply basic lubricating oil and allow it time to soak in before wiping the excess (might have to repeat a few times): hold off on the CLP for now as it has solvent properties |
|
As an owner of original and recent MK16 handguards I agree the finish feels crappy and gritty now.
It's a shame. The old stuff I have is damn near perfect. I wish they would address what the deal was with the Mk16s bending so easily. Now put some lotion on them ashy hands! |
|
|
|
|
Quoted: I never had to do any of that with my older Geissele black handguards. .. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: just liberally apply basic lubricating oil and allow it time to soak in before wiping the excess (might have to repeat a few times): I never had to do any of that with my older Geissele black handguards. .. i know its such a colossal inconvenience.... if it doesn't resolve it, there may have been issue during the anodizing. give Bill a holler if so |
|
|
|
Yep, they use to make some great stuff. Seems like they've fallen into the , just consider yourself lucky to get the box. Hell I can't even keep the floor staffedd.. Well tough shit, I'd rather not have anything than subpar shit.
|
|
Quoted: white is part of the anodizing and not unusual; should resolve as oil absorbs in to the finish just liberally apply basic lubricating oil and allow it time to soak in before wiping the excess (might have to repeat a few times): hold off on the CLP for now as it has solvent properties View Quote I've owned over 25 different AR-15s plus an AR-10 and an M1A and I'm most likely missing some. I have NEVER see a finish like this at all and I would be as pissed a Molon is. I am not an apologist for shoddy work especially at those top tier prices. |
|
Anodized parts have to be oiled. The surface is rough to trap and retain lube. Oil it up and be done.
|
|
Several folks didn’t seem to even read the entire post before responding.
Some here seem to also forget that anodizing isn’t just for aesthetics; properly anodized products are more protected against corrosion than their raw counterparts. Companies shouldn’t market their products as premium if they’re going to put out shit like this. KAC’s can come ashy as some have mentioned, but they darken up with oil unlike this one. Geissele also markets their finishes as a selling point and KAC is more of a “tool brand”, which I prefer. I feel the same way about LMT. Oil will also not remove the gritty texture. @Molon, the good news, if any, is that Geissele CS has made leaps and bounds in the last two years. I generally avoid their products, but they do make a good HK rail and they were quick to help me out. Two years ago they would just ignore emails about out of spec LPK’s. |
|
and also the dumb asses discontinued their line of ALG handguards which were my personal favorites.
I wonder if their $400 arca rail handguard has the shit finish. |
|
|
the Mk8's from years ago are damn near perfect.
the Mk14 i bought 2 years ago, damn near perfect. the Mk16 i bought 2 weeks ago looks the same as the rail you have, it has more of the KAC and BCM anodized finish. if i accidentally drag my finger nail down any of them while putting on a attachment it leaves a mark, but it easily rubs off. idk what they changed but the finish just aint what it was. at least it isnt as bad as the 17 Design stripped lowers that shit is horrible. i tried adding oil to the lower, but now its just a greasy ass navy blue color. |
|
Quoted: Anodized parts have to be oiled. The surface is rough to trap and retain lube. Oil it up and be done. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Anodized parts have to be oiled. The surface is rough to trap and retain lube. Oil it up and be done. From my previous posts . . . Quoted: The white finish can be scrubbed off with CLP, but as soon as you handle the handguard with bare hands again, your back to the white chalky finish. None of this has ever occurred with older black Geissele handguards that I have. |
|
I’m not in the market but I’d be curious to see how the PA expo arms rails stack up against the G rails.
|
|
This not like the typical Molon post we are used to…and I love it!
I agree with the quality slip of G. |
|
Quoted: Anodized parts have to be oiled. The surface is rough to trap and retain lube. Oil it up and be done. View Quote Anodization is a process whereby the surface of the aluminum is chemically hardened with pores that can accept dye or be left undyed. Post-dye, it needs a second run in the tank to close the pores up. There could be several possibilities on what is going on here. If the part sit out too long post-deox, they will oxidize back up (aluminum oxidizes amazingly fast!) leaving a poor surface from the get go and will not give a good finish no matter what. Only cure here is to drop it in the deox again, then rinse and put in the anodizing tank. I suspect in this case, however, it's never gotten the seal or it has not gotten enough seal. Anodizing well is a pain in the ass and requires a lot of QC at every step (is the tech keeping an eye on the tank temp and makeup?) I would personally return that rail and explain exactly what you see. A properly anodized part should NEVER have a permeable finish. Nick |
|
|
I can just see Geissel fan boys all over the country rending their clothes and crying, “SAY IT AIN’T SO MO!”
|
|
|
They have a comment about the anodizing on their website. I agree, the lack of a smooth deep black finish is not preferable. I still love the handguard though.
Your nail brushing up against the finish is annoying because of the line it leaves due to the rough texture. I have a cheap blem PSA lower that came with the same finish. The finish on my other anodized parts like my Aero Precision handguard & receivers, and my BCM receiver extensions is more pleasing. I have considered painting it, but I'll get over it. I would not have accepted a purple handguard. Now that shit is unforgivable. https://geissele.com/anodize-shade-variations-and-finish-methods/ |
|
There will be excuses and attempts to normalize it. But the truth is even China manages to anodize without this happening.
|
|
|
|
I've had a black ALG V2X EMR in a box for about 2 years, it went on a build recently and the first thing I noticed handling it was the amount of "ashyness" all over the rail from my dry hands. Doesn't seem to happen with my other black aluminum handguards. However I also didn't pay the money you did so it doesn't bother me.
|
|
Shoot it? My rail(s) get multiple scuffs, scratches dings etc.. but meh. I understand paying XX amount for something an expecting quality to be such, case in point my $530 knife, that actually did have mediocre anodizing. But it's carried near daily, so whatever not a wall hanger.
|
|
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.