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Retro build question...

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  • Ric-san

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    Was wondering if anyone knows if the Brownells gray lower(s) actually matches the Colt gray of the SP1 era....I'm picking up a NOS Colt slick-side upper, and Brownells has their gray retro lowers in stock now. Thanks for any heads up...
     
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    From what I have seen of the Brownells lowers, they do not match the Colt gray (XM Gray). They have sort of a greenish tint to them. They appear to look okay, but are not an exact or really close match. Only XM Gray Nodak Spud receivers match original Colt uppers. Bear in mind, even Colt had some variations in anodizing hues depending on when a batch was anodized. If it were me, I would distress the upper and lower and you could probably get them to look closer in color. Here is a thread from ARFCOM that shows pics of the Brownells and Nodak Spud along with a Colt SP1 upper.

    https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Brownells-lower/123-723984/
     

    Ric-san

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    Thanks Tackleberry....that's exactly what I was looking for. Decisions, decisions....Nodak Spud waiting list is like 6-8 months, Brownells has their in stock now, or I can foot the bill by finding a Colt stripped lower, which aren't cheap.

    OR back to the drawing board and get a matched set from either Brownells or Nodak Spud and use that as a starting point.
     
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    Ric-san

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    I e-mailed Brownells and their reply was “ The original Colt gray anodizing is not available at this time...”
     
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    I e-mailed Brownells and their reply was “ The original Colt gray anodizing is not available at this time...”

    I figured that. Nodak Spud has theirs done in the Early Gray Type III hardcoat anodizing at US Anodizing. It is about as close as you can get. Another option is to use the Norrells Grayish Black Flat Molyresin. Brownells also has their ALUMA-HYDE® II which is available in Dark Parkerizing Gray which has been said to be an excellent match as well.
     

    Ric-san

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    I received my Brownells lower today, thanks Little Jacks Guns for the FFL love. In case anyone is wondering what their gray color looks like next to a standard black Spikes Tactical lower here ya go:

    CF2D89EA-DBEB-407E-A976-E17B22EB5AE3.jpg

    759E2944-6D21-47C9-8DBC-0FD110ED1032.jpg
     

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    Ric-san

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    Kinda pissed now that I have both a retro lower and upper from Brownells...turns out thier color scheme is way off in the gray color, check out my picture enclosed. Was all set to put the buttstock on today, but lo and behold I don’t have a butt stock end plate, must have overlooked ordering one. Will e-mail Brownells on the color mis match to see what they have to say. Also was able to physically match up the lower with a Colt SP1 slickside upper...color is close match. Of notation, upper photo had correct pistol grip and mag release button changed out.

    Brownells upper/lower combo
    D9FD7339-1D14-42A0-A811-5FBF6B9F130A.jpg

    Colt SP1 upper, Brownells lower
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    Ric-san

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    Better photo in natural light of Brownells combo...

    486D583A-25F7-4B13-B561-D5BD90A11C69.jpg
     

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    Ric-san

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    After reading up on buttstock install, realized no butt stock plate required on A1 buttstock...rookie mistake on my part. Back to work....

    13F8E54E-ACC2-4929-BEB9-1B5603A6F71A.jpg
     

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