I have a preban Colt A2 which the gun is the older grey color.Right now the upper is the original upper, but I have put a DPMS 1/8 HBAR w/ free float tube on it. I am going to get a Bushmaster M4 upper, which will be black of course. If I send the lower Colt Reciver out to refinish black, will it decrease the value? Is a preban lower worth the same regardless. Do I have to keep the original upper with the gun. If I ever try to sell it, will it be worth the same, more or less with the M4 upper and matching colors, or if I keep the original upper with the noodley 1/7 barrel. Does any body have the grey lower with a black upper, does it look weird? Or is this just being anal wanting it to match? Would it be worth more with the M4 upper matching? Thanks for any help or comments
           Thanks Foldemfast

The value of a preban is in it's ability to add such "desirable" features as a flash suppressor and collapsable stock.  Whether it retains its original finish is immaterial, as it is not a true collectors piece such as a Luxembourg Mauser.

Whoa...whoa....whoa....it just doesn't matter.  Who cares what color an AR is?  It could grey, light grey, dark grey, medium grey, black, light black, dark black...who cares?  It doesn't matter at all.  It's a gun, not a car.  Learn to shoot it well and safely and forget about the color.  

...and for the other view. I have been watching for a grey (the lighter the better) Colt lower and upper or complete. Color DOES make a difference to me...

I'll try to post some pics of my SP1 for you.

C:\Documents and Settings\e149687\Desktop\P1010075.JPG

Okay,

Everyone here is smarter than I am. What is the correct format/syntax for posting images in messages so I don't look so much an ass. Too late, I guess....

Thanks.

color does matter to most collectors, but there are always exceptions. If you refinish your lower, how can a collector tell the true condition of the gun was in before the refinish?

I would keep it, shoot it with whatever upper(s) you have and enjoy. Meantime, keep your eyes peeled for a grey upper to go with it. That would be a fantastic looking gun.

Ive seen some serious color mismatching on preban Colts right from the factory.  Brownish looking uppers with grey lowers and various color greys and dark greys.  The military arsenal has many guns in service that don't match.  I believe in keeping the original Colt finish on lowers, if it is mint.  Original finish guns are almost always more valuable than refinished guns, especially collectors.  I would refinish the upper to match the lower, if anything.  DPMS offers a reanodizing called Horsey Grey, for $45.00 they will match the upper to the lower quite well.

Colt Pre bans should not be re-finished. I am a Colt person and I personally would not buy a Re-finished Colt unless I could steal it. Gene