I understand why parkerized rifles are the norm, but I haven't ever seen an assault/battle rifle offered with some of that old-school deep, rich blueing like on my Colt 1911 National Match. I have seen M1 barrels blued but I think a blued receiver on an AR15 or a FAL would be gorgeous. Has anyone ever seen this? Any reason why it isn't done except for the fact that most receivers are aluminum?
Blued assault rifles?!!
- Thread starter Motega
- Start date
- Status
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Bluing isn't a finish. It's a tradition.
Jake Tyler
Member
Ive seen AKs with a nice salt bluing not high polish but not bad.
AR receivers aluminum not blueable, cant think of another reason as you ask thats enough reason I think
AR receivers aluminum not blueable, cant think of another reason as you ask thats enough reason I think
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I've seen some nicely blued AKs, SKSs, and other mid-century assault rifles, carbines, and battle rifles. Aluminum obviously can't be blued which leaves out the M-16s, M-4s and civilian variant AR-15s.
As modern weapons of war -- and their civilian counterparts -- are generally designed around the principles of maximum durability in the face of battlefield conditions, a blued finish begins to look awfully fragile compared to parkerizing, hard anodizing, and more modern surface treatments.
[Mod Talk: Let's drop the sidetrack argument over terminology and answer the question at hand.]
As modern weapons of war -- and their civilian counterparts -- are generally designed around the principles of maximum durability in the face of battlefield conditions, a blued finish begins to look awfully fragile compared to parkerizing, hard anodizing, and more modern surface treatments.
[Mod Talk: Let's drop the sidetrack argument over terminology and answer the question at hand.]
451 Detonics
Member
The Browning imported FN FALs back in the 60s and 70s had a very nice bluing job on them...
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Yes, if you wanted to and had the machinery and skills you could build a steel AR-15 and blue it.
Why doesn't some manufacturer do so? Where is the demand? You? One rifle? You and a friend? That's two!
Manufacturers build things to make a profit. Convince them that they will sell and they'll make one out of play-doh.I'd love to see a photo of one of those blued FALs... if anyone can dig a pic up post it if you don't mind. I did a google image search but nothing came up.
Here is a photo of my favorite .45, it's a 1968 National Match THIS is the kind of blueing that I love and think would be a piece of art if and entire rifle was done like this.
Here is a photo of my favorite .45, it's a 1968 National Match THIS is the kind of blueing that I love and think would be a piece of art if and entire rifle was done like this.
Attachments
jerkface11
Member
I've seen blued Garands and M1A's.
Remo223
member
Seems to me like the czechs had an assault rifle that looked a tiny bit like an AK that had all milled and polished parts blued. I'll try to remember what it was and find a link.
I think this is it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sa_58-JH01.jpg
but in this pic, it doesn't look very shiny. I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of these rifles with high gloss bluing on them.
I think this is it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sa_58-JH01.jpg
but in this pic, it doesn't look very shiny. I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of these rifles with high gloss bluing on them.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Remo223
member
yep. you missed my edit. I added a link when I edited my post.
These are rare but gorgeous:
http://www.winchesterway.com/military-firearms/gg-ohio-ordnance
They made few blued ones, most are the parkerized military look.
http://www.winchesterway.com/military-firearms/gg-ohio-ordnance
They made few blued ones, most are the parkerized military look.
W.E.G.
Member
W.E.G. that is far and away the most beautiful military type rifle I have ever seen. Stunning. Is this your favorite rifle? Did you do a bunch of beautifying to it or bought it that way? The stock is artwork as well. I'm floored. Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
W.E.G.
Member
Not my personal rifle.
That rifle was built by "adam762" at the FAL Files.
You can get in touch with him at http://www.falfiles.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=11334
Adam does fantastic work.
That rifle was built by "adam762" at the FAL Files.
You can get in touch with him at http://www.falfiles.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=11334
Adam does fantastic work.
wow that is a beutiful fal, been looking for metal hand guards like that for my fal, the ones from gunthings did not fit right, it felt so cheaply made. the chinese ak variants have some nice bluing to them. compared to my vz58 almost bluish gray
then my fal, parts kit from a austrian stg58 built on a imbel receiver would be cool if the upper matched the bluing lower
then my fal, parts kit from a austrian stg58 built on a imbel receiver would be cool if the upper matched the bluing lower
W.E.G.
Member
Wood goes with blued finishes - and others
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=273902
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=273902
Rancho Relaxo
Member
I have seen SKS rifles in China that were chromed (Tiananmen Square guards), chromed VZ58s in the Czech Republic (Prague Castle guards). Not blued but not typical either.
- Status
