View Full Version : Foliage or FDE
uh, this is embarrassing... but I'm looking for some new carbine furniture and am trying to decide on the color.
I know, I know, petty, right? but I am looking for people's reasons for why they chose one or the other. is there any actual advantage or is it just fashion?
currently, my guns are all black with the exception of one FDE buttstock and a couple OD Ergo Grips. my web gear is a mix of FDE, ACU, and OD. I have FDE slings on all my guns.
any input? :confused:
lawusmc0844
10-25-10, 12:48
Different colored furniture can actually help break up an all-black rifle. I prefer OD but I'd take FDE over "foliage" any day. Last time I checked, real foliage is much closer to OD and even FDE! I wouldn't mind it that much if they called it "urban"!
I went with FG on my first self-build. FDE makes sence in some environments, but lets say something happend where I would have to use the rifle in anger, a tan/sandy color in the woods of NJ would make no sence. I found that out the hardway when I went to play paintball in old as desert cammo BDUs lol. Stood out like a sore thumb.
Honestly, I like the FG look. Just my $0.02
jonconsiglio
10-25-10, 13:43
I've thought this many times but never thought to post about it! Right now, I'm running all black and a mix of FDE and black. I have some OD and Foliage XTM panels around somewhere since I like the look of all four mixed. I'll be sending some FDE furniture out for digicamo soon. I just like to mix it up.
Yes, it can break up the lines. But I don't see much need for that for civilians or LEO's. It's just for looks in my humble opinion though I'm sure some will say there's a need. Military, sure it makes sense. A buddy runs OD and foliage mixed which looks ok. On another rifle he has FDE and foliage, that looks ok too.
I think it just gives us more reasons to buy multiples of items we only need one of per gun.
Hope you enjoy whatever you get.
Jonathan
I'm limited to black by my dept, but for any personal rifles I might put together in the future, I'd consider my environment. FG mages more sense to me in a Midwest urban environment that FDE. If you want to be a little different, look at Magpul/LaRue's UDE (urban dark earth). It's what I would have picked had I needed the whole, which is the only way it's sold IIRC.
You can buy the XTM panels (http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=362) and PMags (http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=392) separately, but the grip, stock, and foregrip all come together in a kit (http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=251).
devildogljb
10-25-10, 15:25
its just going to all depend on the enviorment your going to be in look at where you are and go from there if your just looking for a cool color i would go with fde.
Magic_Salad0892
10-25-10, 16:01
I personally prefer OD, or from what I've seen in pictures KAC's FG. Which looks like OD to me.
However the general consensus is that FDE blends in with more places.
FG.
Try it out, but I think you'll find that FDE does not make sense for most of North America outside of the SW.
FG seems to also do well in an urban environment, where it blends into the cement, grays, and other in between shades than OG. The gray/green in the color helps to break things up, but not stand out.
Some folks by occupational situation may be limited on their choices, but -- having no necessity for chose a particular color scheme, we pick what's fun for us; my wife shoots pink mags with her FDE. She has no trouble at all telling which mags are hers. And I suspect my Colt in Foliage will run as well as yours in the color of your choice, too. It is also far harder to demonize a gun which sports a variety of colors instead of appearing like an evil assault weapon seen on TV/movies. So go for it, enjoy being different.:dance3:
motorwerks
10-25-10, 17:37
just build one of each like I did. :sarcastic:
I'll just parrot along that mixing and matching can work great - foliage is the most flexible base, but mixing that with FDE, UDE, OD, and RIT Dyeing to create Coyote and Patriot Brown can further increase flexibility
jonconsiglio
10-25-10, 19:42
I'm liking that Patriot Brown a lot. Like i said earlier, I'm going to digi-camo a CTR and I like mixing the panels.
I like the idea of each rifle being done different along with other uppers as well.
Here's a pic of my MRP on my Noveske lower in FDE with black and FDE XTM panels.
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee343/jonconsiglio/Forums/IMG_0338-800.jpg
I'll just parrot along that mixing and matching can work great - foliage is the most flexible base, but mixing that with FDE, UDE, OD, and RIT Dyeing to create Coyote and Patriot Brown can further increase flexibility
OK, I have dyed some plastic things before (lacrosse head) and it turned out really well. I honestly never gave it a thought that I could possibly dye any of the plastic carbine furniture - thanks for the tip!
now, which color do you suppose it would be best to start with? I'm guessing FDE as it could be made darker and more like an OD but I think once you start with foliage, the only thing you can do is make it darker...
I personally prefer OD, or from what I've seen in pictures KAC's FG. Which looks like OD to me.
However the general consensus is that FDE blends in with more places.
the FG I have seen is pretty light. could you possibly be thinking of Ranger Green?
I have 3 black rifles, one FDE and one foliage green. My favorite is the FDE. I had 3 rifles lying on the hood of my vehicle during firearms training this year and it was hot out. Out of the three rifles, the one that was cool enough to pick up was the foliage green one. I thought that the FDE rifle would be the coolest but it wasn't.
I was in this same boat earlier this year, until I found DSG arm's going green sale. Pretty good prices on magpul stuff in either of the green varieties.
Due to the lower prices, the ar I built this summer wheres FG rail covers and miad.
http://dsgarms.com/Category/68_1/Going_Green_Sale_.aspx (DSG Arms)
Foliage!!!!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1174/5112187651_1e69594bc8_b.jpg
Magic_Salad0892
10-25-10, 20:46
the FG I have seen is pretty light. could you possibly be thinking of Ranger Green?
Nah, FG. RG is sweet too.
ztf HITMAN
10-25-10, 20:54
Does anyone have the link to the instructional thread about dying polymer furniture???
ztf HITMAN
10-25-10, 20:57
This is a sweet looking stick! I agonized over the FG/FDE choice, as well...
Foliage!!!!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1174/5112187651_1e69594bc8_b.jpg
Here's a shot of mine, OP...
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd162/klasseigne75/IM000360.jpg
Im doing a mix of FDE and FG. So far its just the XTM panels and I will paint the other stuff later. I think they make a good combo together and it blends in very well here in AZ.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/005-2.jpg
kaiservontexas
10-25-10, 23:43
My next boomstick will be done in a shade of green. I already have dark earth. Truth is where I live it depends on the weather: to dry or cold and things are dead looking, but if it is wet and warm enough life explodes. Now that is if you are worried about a camo thing. I do like breaking up the color, but other then that I just want different things and that is why I will go green next time.
I personally like fde.....
If you have any large amounts of black with straight edges on your rifle (such as the receiver), the furniture is just window dressing, especially if you have a trained observer. I have been all over N. America crawling around, including the desert areas of the SW. I will say without a doubt the greens are a much better color in N. America. Even in AZ there is a lot of greenery in the desert and greens do better as camo colors. As a matter of fact tiger or even woodland does better. FDE isn't bad, but from everything that I have seen the greens are better.
Again any hard black lines on a rifle are a dead giveaway, especially for someone who knows what they are looking for. Besides movement and shine, two big visual indicators are the black hard lines on the rifle and black boots.
I didn't want to get the dreaded, BRD. So I went with FDE on the forearm with the black rails and FDE on the grip and stock LOL!
I didn't want to have to finger everyones weapon looking for s/n's at the range or training classes.:laugh:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af269/CoryCop25/ARs/P1000833.jpg
darn, at first I was leaning to FDE, but a lot of good responses for FG.
in my environment, there are enough variations of color (dead leaves, grasses, etc) that a small bit of FDE, like the various bits of furniture on an unpainted gun, would not stand out. but... a lot of my gear is FDE so maybe a bit of FG would help break up outlines, as several here have pointed out.
Pat Rogers has said that almost all woodland animals are shades of brown in color and they hide very well. I had this illustrated to me once when I was hiking (not hunting) through the woods and had the crap scared out of me when a deer exploded up out of its bed not more than 10 ft. behind me.
I had walked right past it and it remained totally motionless and I was none the wiser until it made the decision to unass the AO. that made me wonder how many other deer and game I had walked right by without a clue during hunting season... :sad:
that said, my hunting rifle is a Steyr Prohunter in .280 with a Realtree camo stock that the predominant color is a very FG like green. It also has a hammer forged stainless barrel. Steyr leaves the hammer forge marks on the barrel so it is a rough matte texture that almost exactly blends in with bare branches in the Northern winter woods that I like to hunt. It blends in so well, that I had a moment of concern where I couldn't locate my rifle after having put it down to gut the deer I had just shot. :blink:
so, I'm still undecided but looking forward to more advice and especially pics if you have them...
If I'm trying to lower the visual impact of an AR I'm personally OK with either FDE or FG - IMO both work well around here.
genegoesfast
10-26-10, 08:38
Foliage!
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/lxdrums/Gun%20Stuff/IMG_1316.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/lxdrums/Gun%20Stuff/IMG_1324.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/lxdrums/Gun%20Stuff/IMG_1322.jpg
ForTehNguyen
10-26-10, 09:51
waiting on MOE middy in FG, to put on my KISS 16" thats FGed out already
One of each color please.
darn, at first I was leaning to FDE, but a lot of good responses for FG.
in my environment, there are enough variations of color (dead leaves, grasses, etc) that a small bit of FDE, like the various bits of furniture on an unpainted gun, would not stand out. but... a lot of my gear is FDE so maybe a bit of FG would help break up outlines, as several here have pointed out.
Pat Rogers has said that almost all woodland animals are shades of brown in color and they hide very well. I had this illustrated to me once when I was hiking (not hunting) through the woods and had the crap scared out of me when a deer exploded up out of its bed not more than 10 ft. behind me.
I had walked right past it and it remained totally motionless and I was none the wiser until it made the decision to unass the AO. that made me wonder how many other deer and game I had walked right by without a clue during hunting season... :sad:
that said, my hunting rifle is a Steyr Prohunter in .280 with a Realtree camo stock that the predominant color is a very FG like green. It also has a hammer forged stainless barrel. Steyr leaves the hammer forge marks on the barrel so it is a rough matte texture that almost exactly blends in with bare branches in the Northern winter woods that I like to hunt. It blends in so well, that I had a moment of concern where I couldn't locate my rifle after having put it down to gut the deer I had just shot. :blink:
so, I'm still undecided but looking forward to more advice and especially pics if you have them...
The thing is, animals have fur. Fur naturally breaks up their outline. I stumbled onto a bear in a similar manner to your deer, except that the bear made its presence known before I got to it. I was about 5 yards from it and couldn't see it until it started woofing and shaking a nearby tree because I got too close.
Breaking up lines is the most effective camo. It's why our soldiers who need to sit in the same position and not be seen for possibly days at a time use ghillie suits and tie lots of burlap straps to the fronts of their rifles. Without an outline, movement, or color distinction your eyes don't have much to go on.
ForTehNguyen
10-26-10, 10:24
the point of camo is to break up lines so the human brain doesnt recognize and focus on commonly recognizable shapes like the shape of a person or a gun. Brain wont easily recognize things that have their outlines broken up even if you are close.
Just look at zebras, the outline of a zebra is so broken up you cant tell where an individual one begins or starts.
Does anyone have the link to the instructional thread about dying polymer furniture???
Is this what you're looking for
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=47928
I went FDE as it is the "tacticool" color to go with these days. It was a mistake go with the green. I live in the NW and unless u live in the desert the green will almost always be a better color to break up your rifle better.
CaptainDooley
10-26-10, 12:09
I went with FDE, but I live in Texas. Also, I Krylon'd the rest of the rifle and included greens and darker browns, so the actual color of the furniture ended up not mattering a whole lot...
motorwerks
10-26-10, 13:43
I need to take some new pictures everything here has changed a bit.... The 3rd in line is now OD so I have FDE FG BLK and OD. :sarcastic:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e62/motorwerks/Guns/DSC_2491.jpg
I'm building a .308 now and I'm thinking about making one if these Larue UDE and making the .308 Black or OD. Magpul has turned me into such a gun chick. :sarcastic:
Realistically, what are you trying to hide from that you need perfect camo on your rifle? IMO just pick the color you like best, if its for a "SHTF, I'm hiding for my life in the woods", I'd break out the krylon and spray the entire rifle.
how bout a mix of both? :D
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/TD236/HPIM1477.jpg
I like FDE and OD, as some have noted foliage is more urban and not really suited to much this is coming from someone who has been wearing it (on ACUs since it came out) I like FDE for the stock as it does not heat up as quickly or as hot when in the sun as black or OD do. I am going with a mix of OD and FDE on my current carbine.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab50/jp0319/IMG_0040.jpg
The upper is away at ADCO for pinning of the Flash Hider (Micor) and to be KG Koted in FDE. The XTM panels are arrayed as I will mount them. I took two sets of CTR stocks and MAID grips in FDE and OD apart to make the ones pictured. It worked out pretty good. We will see when it's all done.
JSTICFRALL
10-26-10, 20:36
It was hard for me to choose anything but black with my new build, however I decided to take a chance with Foliage Green and don't regret it at all. Pictures don't really do the color justice until you see it in person. It's kinda like the bastard child of OD and FDE. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
Just got a Troy Battlerail KG koted in Foliage Gr
It is very nice woodsy color..especially in the pines..
Going to do a whole rifle in it one of these days
I like it much better than FDE for our woods in N Wi
Magpul Foliage
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4880929764_7c701111ae_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4892582884_b7ccca9682_b.jpg
Keep in mind FDE looks brighter in photographs then it does in person.
If you're trying to blend in, why not just paint your rifle?
I like variety.
When I built my M14, I went with OD green in a VLTOR stock. My AR I'm building is FDE(completed lower, still putting funds together the upper). Next I'll probably do just a plain black AR or an OD one, depends on what I'm feeling like when I start it or what may catch my fancy between now and then.
ztf HITMAN
10-27-10, 15:33
Is this what you're looking for
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=47928
Exactly...Thanks!
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