Interesting. Any idea how long the older foam has been out of use?
The Shark has original Colt A2 full furniture kits…He’s kind of slow to ship, but you just accept that aspect and move on. Similar to Botach, never had an issue with anything from him and it is always exactly as described, usually at a fairly reasonable price.
I wouldn’t do business with that shithead if he had the last AR part on earth. I bought three Colt surplus bolts what he said were in very good condition and they were worn slam out. He said they would outlast any new production bolts. [emoji23]
I gave him a pass because he refunded my money. Then I ordered a new Colt BCG which he emailed me saying he didn’t actually have in stock so he could ship an FN BCG. I got the FN and it had very visible wear with probably at least 200-500 rounds.
I saw similar posts from others on TOS. Fool me once, twice, etc.
Not sure exactly when they made the change, but it seemed like the older hard yellow foam was being used in all the early 2000s A2 stocks… At least up through 2003.
By the time the Colt AR15A4 came around the internal foam on the A2 stocks coming on those was the softer off white/yellow foam.
I wouldn’t buy from Shark either. As you said, he’s the scammer type and he’s pulled some pretty shady stuff. Just looking at how badly his website is set up is big red flag indicator to not buy from him.
Got a tracking #, will be interesting to see what I get.
Interested to hear how they compare to the ones you’ve been getting through the other sources, so I hope these are still the same as the ones I’ve received through AR15Sport. I think my last order was about 2, maybe 3 years ago.
I will make you some pics of both.
Bushmaster on bottom/Colt on top
Bushmaster on left/Colt on right
Bushmaster is definitely more of the grey color of yore, texture completely different between the two. Both feel solid and chonk.
That Colt stock is definitely different and it’s more than just the external finish. It looks like they came out of molds from different manufacturers… My examples of the Colt stocks from a couple years back look like the BCM stock in your pictures.
Not a fan of change.
The Bushmaster stock has kind of a film or treatment on it–I remember that from my older colts. The new Colt did not have that.
Bushmaster used to mention in their manuals (decades ago, IIRC) that their rifles were finished with some sort of clearcoat. Possibly similar?
I think it’s similar to cosmoline, not a permanent solution but maybe helps keep things pristine in storage. Was easy to clean up and didn’t make a mess/didn’t stink.
I remember in the description of their receivers that they were sealed with Nickel Acetate after anodizing. Nothing about the entire rifle, just the receivers.
You’re correct - just the receivers. Although I’m not sure what nickel acetate does exactly.
I could be wrong, but I believe the Nickel Acetate is a seal coat for the dye and doesn’t so much have anything to do with protecting the anodizing itself.
Do it
PRI A2 In FDE arrived today, will post side by sides tomorrow. Feels heavier, will weigh.
Wonder if it’s older stock with the hard yellow foam… I believe the hard yellow foam is more dense than the new light colored soft foam.
Is the trap door metal or plastic? The metal doors will add some weight over the modern polymer doors.
Does anyone know if they will be doing and H & R 601 rifle or upper assembly? I noticed they offer a 601 lower in gray but it appears you would have to use the 604 upper they sell for the 601 upper.