I love TheHighRoad.org. The community here is so helpful and knowledgeable and willing to reach out. I appreciate every response. Thank you to everyone.
Since we have ruled this a non-issue, I see no reason in naming the maker of the receiver. I think that would be poor form and counterintuitive to the purpose of the post/initial question.
Any manufacturer is capable of releasing a product with poor QC - I repeat - ANY manufacturer... (and varying levels of poor QC at that). Sources for receivers varies a great deal as well. That's a whole 'nother story though.
All the more reason to INSPECT your new toy prior to purchase. I did not do this. I grabbed the receiver and ran with it. I tend to do this with everything. I always tell myself that I will scutinize my new item at the time of purchase, but I don't. I tend to put my new guns under the "microscope" so to speak after I've already gotten them. I'm picky, but too little to late... But does it really matter?
In the end, it matters not - at least in this case. Tool marks and dings are not an issue for a working gun. I will be cycling tens of thousands of rounds through a prospective upper with this exact lower receiver. Like an above THR poster mentioned -- something like, "put it through a couple carbine courses and it won't even matter." Bingo.
Additionally, the beauty of any steel or metal alloy piece is that we have the advantage of re-finishing at a later point in time. We are lucky to have bead blasting/sand blasting/different media, etc... and many different ultra scientific coats (new ones are popping up every year it seems) that can repair otherwise unsightly finishes; the finish on this particular receiver is far from unsightly though.
I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest. In retrospect, I guess that's not what really happened though. Fire off a question, and leave it to all the members of THR to come with assistance. Great forum with reat members. I look forward to future interaction with all of you. Take care. This case is closed!
I apologize for any spelling/grammatical errors. This has been a long week! See you guys later. -TSB