The second one looked like the first, because that's what the most recent subcontractor sent them. It's not confined to just one supplier either. All the aftermarket AR people buy their action and other small parts from the same few subcontractors, and if someone turnes out a junky batch of something, it starts showing up on half a dozen different brand names.
Having learned this lesson the hard way, I now build my ARs, to the greatest extent possible, with GI surplus Colt parts. I'd rather have a used Colt piece in the rifle than almost anybody elses new stuff. This is why I keep going to gun shows[:D] Haven't bought a new gun at a show in years, but I've sure picked up a lot of parts, assemblies, and even a complete AR (Colt M16A1) barrelled upper.
That way I don't have to worry about quality of what I'm getting. Nearly all the aftermarket folks put out high quality uppers, lowers, and barrels. With the internals tho, it's catch as catch can.[;D]