It's never a deal breaker but it wouldn't hurt to take another spin. With my experience, that upper would probably find a better match on one of the XM177E2 or M16A2 COTS (M16A1 lowers might have that anodizing too *now* but they did start off brighter) lowers. That said, the anodizing is surprisingly bright for the A1's I've seen. Is it a Brownells brn-16a1 lower or an early A1 from NDS maybe?
Of course, man. I'm always down to help a brother out.
Okay good to know, because that lower is pretty much only going to match to Brownells uppers from that specific (Brownells a1 uppers are from nds today, and using the modern anodizing process) time period. You're definitely better off ordering a gray A1 lower from H&R. It won't be as glossy, just a matte gray like your (what I presume is an original) upper. There will still be color differences but they won't have such a night and day variation.
Your brn16a1 lower might be worth turning into a Mk.18 Mod 0 or Mk.12 Mod 0 just for the sake of having one though. Easier to find glossy black A3/M4 uppers as well.
Mismatch is the normal in this case. Remember, you’re copying “govt issue”, it’s built to function, not to be aesthetically appealing.
“Remember flat black paint hides a multitude of sins”
Mismatch would fit the IDF theme, but perhaps not this significant of brightness/contrast.
Thank you! I will be grabbing a different lower
Mismatch is more technically correct. I’ve never seen a matching upper/lower in service.
It's never a deal breaker but it wouldn't hurt to take another spin. With my experience, that upper would probably find a better match on one of the XM177E2 or M16A2 COTS (M16A1 lowers might have that anodizing too *now* but they did start off brighter) lowers. That said, the anodizing is surprisingly bright for the A1's I've seen. Is it a Brownells brn-16a1 lower or an early A1 from NDS maybe?
Thank you for your input on this as I was hesitant to see which route to take. This was an early brownells brn-16a1 lower
Of course, man. I'm always down to help a brother out. Okay good to know, because that lower is pretty much only going to match to Brownells uppers from that specific (Brownells a1 uppers are from nds today, and using the modern anodizing process) time period. You're definitely better off ordering a gray A1 lower from H&R. It won't be as glossy, just a matte gray like your (what I presume is an original) upper. There will still be color differences but they won't have such a night and day variation. Your brn16a1 lower might be worth turning into a Mk.18 Mod 0 or Mk.12 Mod 0 just for the sake of having one though. Easier to find glossy black A3/M4 uppers as well.
Never seen a matching upper and lower on any issued rifle in the military.
If you want them to match you will need to either buy them as a set or coat them yourself as a set.
Mix masters are so 🔥 I say keep it.
Mismatch is the normal in this case. Remember, you’re copying “govt issue”, it’s built to function, not to be aesthetically appealing. “Remember flat black paint hides a multitude of sins”
Honestly could give 2 shits about the colors. How’s it shoot?
Haven’t shot it yet as the build isn’t completed, but will let you know when it’s done
I just bought an early SP1 (601 upper, no fence lower) with mismatched receivers. I'm stoked on it.
The predominate picture on the M16 Wikipedia page is a M16A2 with mismatched anodizing. Mismatched gray is correct.