Maybe it’s been covered, but all the searches yielded results about BCG logos or removing barrel nuts. Forewarning: I’d like to share something, as well as ask a question.
I just built an M16A4 Clone. I bought the lower receiver stripped from PSA an almost forgettable amount of time ago. This build was special to me because, as a Lance Coolie, I carried this exact rifle in Iraq and PSA had a neat lower receiver sale a while back.
It wasn’t meant to be a “shooter”, more like a wall hanger that I’ll shoot occasionally, but I couldn’t pass up BCM’s deal. When a BCM with a BCG is only $50 more than a no-name brand, it’s foolish to go with the other guys. However, BCM has a very large billboard on the side.
Normally, I don’t care about this. But this rifle is something I plan to keep forever, and I want it to look authentic as possible. That also means in the process of removing the laser marking, I’d rather not mess it up.
So, how does one go about doing that? I’d like to remove it from the bolt carrier as well, but that’s less of a priority.
I would at least give a rattle can a try, given that it can be removed easily. The high temp krypton stuff might match the upper pretty nicely. When taping off that area, playing with the existing lines on the upper might help. I would tape off the area from the rear of the receiver, follow the existing line that sits just under the pic rail forward to the brass deflector and do something similar while taping off back toward the rear of the receiver. When you remove the tape, the lines left behind will blend with existing lines.
It’s sort of like body work on a vehicle. You can’t always make it perfect, but you can use existing lines to hide unavoidable imperfections. In this case, if it sucks you can just remove it.
Man, this is not good news. I thought it’d be easier than that. You mean I can’t just scrub it off or something?
Tracking on painting with existing lines, but the problem is that I won’t know what matches and what doesn’t until I’ve painted and its already dried.
I’m building a 300BLK and need an upper, this may be the route I go if someone doesn’t have a foolproof idea. (I am a fool, after all)
I can always try painting, and then swap uppers if that doesn’t work. It appears BCM sells uppers without the markings for $30 less than the going rate for a Colt.
If it bothers you being white it will probably still bother you if you paint it. You will still see the engraving. It’l just be a different color. I’ll join the crowd… You can buy a quality assembled upper for a hundred bucks. You could probably sell the BCM upper for that.
Laser etching. And the industry has gone completely insane with it. Every little part from every company is laser engraved with company logos, phone numbers, NSN numbers, stars, zombie heads… rifles end up looking like NASCARs with all the advertising.
People like what they like; I’ll always be a sterilized slide 1911 kind of guy. And I transfer that over to my AR builds. Factory engraving is fine but I don’t like lasered logos, clever sayings and skulls on my shit. Stupid as hell.
Yeah I overpaid for one of those, once. Turned out it was nothing more than a rebranded Sharpie, which is indigo rather than black (looks dark purple in direct sunlight). I used a black Papermate felt marker to “subdue” the BCM logo, which is a true black. I’m proud to own a BCM, but I don’t need a glaring white billboard on the side of my upper to brag about it.
Even when it dries it can be removed pretty easily, but I hear you. If I were putting together a build that is meant to be a wall hanger I wouldn’t see spray paint as an optimal solution, even if it was unnoticeable. You’ve already stated the best option. Get an upper that you want.
Well, since it’s going to be mostly a wall hanger and just shot occasionally. I would close the dust cover and hang it up with the “BCM” logo facing the wall! Yes Lance Corporal, problem solved. Oorah!
