Heavily worn finish on AR 15

You can smooth the edges without refinishing and see if you like it. If you don't like it then just refinish it.

You could just put more miles on it. Take it with you, carry it, use it, don’t baby it.
I appreciate a well worn look... but the wear, dings and dents should tell a story too.

Smooth`em.
Black`em
https://www.amazon.com/BW-Casey-Alu...ocphy=9008148&hvtargid=pla-420957419894&psc=1

Forget its sitting on the bumper of your pickup.
Drive off with the sling caught on the trailer hitch. Drag for a good while then remember and drive back to look for it. Park and look around for a while, then realize its still thankfully stuck to your hitch.

Then take a good minute to knock the rock stuck in the flash hider out with a cleaning rod.

Replace rear sight and font post since they disappeared or were broken off.
And Viola! Instant aged finish.

This is a really good distressed worn look, I especially liked this method when I looked into it but in the end I decided to just use my rifle hard and get authentic wear on it.... but this is very cool






Watch "Post Apocalyptic Paint Job | Take 2" on YouTube

I actually prefer a weapon with some honest patina vs. an unused NIB look, especially if I'm the one who used the gun enough to give it that patina. Unfortunately, I don't get to use many of mine enough to put a patina of use on them, partly because I'm also inclined to take care of them as best I can when I have them out. I have guns with thousands of rounds through them that still look pretty much new.

No offense to anyone who goes for a fake distressed look, but for me, I'd just as soon be seen wearing a pimp hat and platform shoes as to be toting a weapon with faked patina trying to look like it's been to hell and back.

Get a less sharp handguard if it must stay pretty.

If a working gun, go head and get the scotchbrite wheel on, and buzz it smooth. Q-tip lots of aluminum black or just rattlecan it to give some protection or... ignore it.