Experience with Geissele ‘blem’ receiver sets?

[hotrodder636]

A buddy of mine has a Geissele ‘blem’ receiver set in DDC. Has G LPK and G SSA-E trigger installed. I have not been able to identify any issue. Lower receiver walls appear centered and not thinner on one side vs the other. Mags drop free. It does have the blem marking. Could it just be the color/tone of the finish? Looking at $525 as is, but I am skeptical about a blem receiver set as I don’t want any tolerances, etc out of spec.
61945
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Any thoughts, input or [mostly] otherwise advice is appreciated, thanks.

[wigbones]

I think that the blems are generally imperfections in the finish or color, not tolerance issues. And many of the imperfections would not be noticed by the average buyer of said parts.

[hotrodder636]

From a visual (not using any calipers or anything), I cannot see anything.

Good price?


I think that the blems are generally imperfections in the finish or color, not tolerance issues. And many of the imperfections would not be noticed by the average buyer of said parts.

[alx01]

Geissele claims their blems are only cosmetic. From my experience, I had a few non-blem parts I bought from Geissele which did not work or had issues. Customer service replaced them. I haven't seen similar issues when I bought new Geissele branded parts from Brownells. I don't know why the difference.

It's dependent on luck of the draw and your personal comfort more than anything else. If you don't feel comfortable with blems and don't think you have the tools and qualifications to determine issues then it's best to go with a new item. I typically try to avoid blems as you really don't know what you're getting and what your vs. company's interpretation of an acceptable blemish is. Besides if you wait for a decent sale you can buy a non-blem item at the same or marginally higher price; plus you get a full warranty and support.

If you're searching for a bottom dollar price then you might be in a different position or better off buying a cheaper brand.

[alx01]

Good price?

I, personally can't say that $525 is a good price for a receiver set even with Geissele trigger, especially a blem one. But that's 100% up to you to determine value.

I think Geissele is an all mil-spec receivers (both upper and lower), comparable All new parts:
Aero lower ($80) + LPK ($30-40) + BCM MK2 Upper ($130) + Geissele SSA (150-180) = about $400

In my opinion BCM MK2 upper makes above a much better deal than Geissele.

[hotrodder636]

Geissele claims their blems are only cosmetic. From my experience, I had a few non-blem parts I bought from Geissele which did not work or had issues. Customer service replaced them. I haven't seen similar issues when I bought new Geissele branded parts from Brownells. I don't know why the difference.

It's dependent on luck of the draw and your personal comfort more than anything else. If you don't feel comfortable with blems and don't think you have the tools and qualifications to determine issues then it's best to go with a new item. I typically try to avoid blems as you really don't know what you're getting and what your vs. company's interpretation of an acceptable blemish is. Besides if you wait for a decent sale you can buy a non-blem item at the same or marginally higher price; plus you get a full warranty and support.

If you're searching for a bottom dollar price then you might be in a different position or better off buying a cheaper brand.

That’s kind of where I right now. I am not looking for poverty pony stuff. I was actually looking to put a full G-gun together and came across this lower set. I will likely just wait for a sale and get non-blem warrantied items. Thanks, sometimes one just needs to ping ideas off of like minded individuals.


I, personally can't say that $525 is a good price for a receiver set even with Geissele trigger, especially a blem one. But that's 100% up to you to determine value.

I think Geissele is an all mil-spec receivers (both upper and lower), comparable All new parts:
Aero lower ($80) + LPK ($30-40) + BCM MK2 Upper ($130) + Geissele SSA (150-180) = about $400

In my opinion BCM MK2 upper makes above a much better deal than Geissele.

I put the prices together on other brands parts. I was looking to make this a G-upper/lower/rail build. I know I can build a cheaper setup, but that was not my intent. Thank you for your insight.

[556BlackRifle]

Those pics are kind of small for my old eyes. Probably just color or finish didn't meet some spec. I bought a Noveske Chainsaw stripped upper once. For the life of me, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Maybe under certain lighting conditions the color was off? If it was, I couldn't see it. Wouldn't surprise me if it was something like that.

[hotrodder636]

Sorry about the small pics. I don’t have a photo hosting thing and not interested in messing with one.

If the price were about 100 less, I would jump on it. Not really that great of a deal for a blem.


Those pics are kind of small for my old eyes. Probably just color or finish didn't meet some spec. I bought a Noveske Chainsaw stripped upper once. For the life of me, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Maybe under certain lighting conditions the color was off? If it was, I couldn't see it. Wouldn't surprise me if it was something like that.

[crossgun]

Honestly I dont think its that great of a deal as mentioned. Last Thanksgiving I purchased a Geissele DDC Super Duty Receiver set as well as a Black. The DDC was $168. Geissele standard LPKs were $35 and triggers were averaging if I recall $150-$175. During that time period or epic debacle there was a tremendous amount of issues with shipping product and quality. I can tell you that I was pretty disappointed with the upper to lower fit and while "Mil-Spec" I expected more from the BIG G. I got caught wanting the damn logo and in the end could have bought better for the same or less money.

Most holidays Geissele offers between 25-30% off sales so I would base your pricing around that. If you want to pay $525 I would be more than happy to sell you mine. That might be a clue.

[hotrodder636]

Thanks for the reply on the price. I knew the triggers went on big sales everywhere, didn’t know the other stuff did too as I have never looked. I am in no hurry on this build, so I can wait for the sale pricing. This will be my 12.5” build, like is being discussed in the 12.5” GP build thread.

Honestly I dont think its that great of a deal as mentioned. Last Thanksgiving I purchased a Geissele DDC Super Duty Receiver set as well as a Black. The DDC was $168. Geissele standard LPKs were $35 and triggers were averaging if I recall $150-$175. During that time period or epic debacle there was a tremendous amount of issues with shipping product and quality. I can tell you that I was pretty disappointed with the upper to lower fit and while "Mil-Spec" I expected more from the BIG G. I got caught wanting the damn logo and in the end could have bought better for the same or less money.

Most holidays Geissele offers between 25-30% off sales so I would base your pricing around that. If you want to pay $525 I would be more than happy to sell you mine. That might be a clue.

[TMS951]

I have not had thier receiver sets. I have purchased a blem rail though.

It was a black MK7 NM rail. So pic rail on all four sides. It came out of the box looking really nice.

But... what I ultimately found all the pic rail was either out of spec or all the way to the edge of it. The issue was the valleys in between each raised pic rail section was very wide, coraspondingly every raised section was very narrow.

Many accessories could be cranked down to fit. Quick release items like bipod that attach to every other pic tail I have need to be adjusted tighter for this rail.

I would never buy another Geiselle blem because of this. Machine marks, back color, mismarked. Whatever that’s cool with me. Out of spec attachment points are a no go for me.

[hotrodder636]

This is the kind of info I was initially looking for. Selling something out of spec as a “blem” is a no-go to me.

After poking around on the G website, I found their “blem” section and saw all the possible issues.

After reading your account and seeing the website, even if that blem set was 300, I don’t think I would get it.


I have not had thier receiver sets. I have purchased a blem rail though.

It was a black MK7 NM rail. So pic rail on all four sides. It came out of the box looking really nice.

But... what I ultimately found all the pic rail was either out of spec or all the way to the edge of it. The issue was the valleys in between each raised pic rail section was very wide, coraspondingly every raised section was very narrow.

Many accessories could be cranked down to fit. Quick release items like bipod that attach to every other pic tail I have need to be adjusted tighter for this rail.

I would never buy another Geiselle blem because of this. Machine marks, back color, mismarked. Whatever that’s cool with me. Out of spec attachment points are a no go for me.

[VIP3R 237]

Honestly I think it’s unethical to release known out of spec items even under a blem category. Out of spec items should head to the recycle bin.


I have not had thier receiver sets. I have purchased a blem rail though.

It was a black MK7 NM rail. So pic rail on all four sides. It came out of the box looking really nice.

But... what I ultimately found all the pic rail was either out of spec or all the way to the edge of it. The issue was the valleys in between each raised pic rail section was very wide, coraspondingly every raised section was very narrow.

Many accessories could be cranked down to fit. Quick release items like bipod that attach to every other pic tail I have need to be adjusted tighter for this rail.

I would never buy another Geiselle blem because of this. Machine marks, back color, mismarked. Whatever that’s cool with me. Out of spec attachment points are a no go for me.

[justin_247]

Why on earth you'd buy a "blem" Geissele lower and upper combo for $525, when you can purchase a brand new LMT MARS lower with a LaRue trigger and throw on an Aero upper receiver on it for $350, is beyond me.

The nicest receivers out there right now (that aren't gucci from the likes of LMT, KAC, etc.) are Aero Precision's M4E1 series. If you can wait until this run on the market dies down a little, you can net a set for about $125 and throw in a nice LPK and a LaRue trigger for another $125.

[26 Inf]

A buddy of mine has a Geissele ‘blem’ receiver set in DDC. Has G LPK and G SSA-E trigger installed. I have not been able to identify any issue. Lower receiver walls appear centered and not thinner on one side vs the other. Mags drop free. It does have the blem marking. Could it just be the color/tone of the finish? Looking at $525 as is, but I am skeptical about a blem receiver set as I don’t want any tolerances, etc out of spec.

Any thoughts, input or [mostly] otherwise advice is appreciated, thanks.

Have you seen this info page: https://geissele.com/count-blemula-s-castle.html


ETA: looks like I posted this after you'd found it. Leaving the link for others.