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Thread: How could one identify what type of Aluminum a buffer tube is made from?

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by PA PATRIOT View Post
    I have compared the tubes in question with two which I believe are true 7075-T6 with the light gray film coating inside, from outside appearance both look identical from the threading, milling for the six position stops and the color. Now on the ones in question the inside coating appears to be the same color as the outside parkerizing were the 7075-T6 are a much lighter gray.

    **Edited**to add,
    The tubes in question with the dark inner coating are much thicker at the tubes opening (The thickness of the aluminum wall) then the true 7075-T6 tubes. This leads me to believe the ones received are not as advertised and will contact the retailer Monday to demand the proper item or a full refund. Now mistakes can happen so I will give them a chance to make it right before I call them out publicly on the forum.
    Unless you're matching a current production example from a specific manufacturer, your comparison gives you no evidence that you received the incorrect item.

  2. #12
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    It does raise the question that 7075-T6 tubes from different sources appear to be exactly the same in color and wall thickness and the ones in question from a single source are completely different.

    But you have a point so I have ask if anyone has a current production 6061-T6 tube which has the thinner walls like the 7075-T6 and light gray film coating? I wish I could post some pictures to show the gross difference in wall thickness but my digital camera is currently not available.
    We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others, by their acts.

  3. #13
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    You are overthinking this subject. Buy from reputable dealers and you won't likely have this problem. The same goes for bolts. How do know if you are truly getting a Carpenter 158 HP/MPI tested bolt? You don't. That's why you buy from trusted sources or you ask said company and gage the response or lack of.



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  4. #14
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    6061 is AFAIK used for commercial-style receiver extensions (cause if you wanna go cheap - let's go all out cheap!) Since the MilSpec version is more expensive to manufacture based on it's design from the get go, I would say the odds are pretty good that they are made of T6 as specified as well. Aside from that, what IG said.

  5. #15
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    Remove all doubt, buy from BCM.
    John

    If you spend much time around the guys who really, really know their craft, and who truly live this stuff, you tend to find that they are very soft-spoken and modest -- almost to the extreme. To my mind, that is a model worthy of emulation

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  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tzed250 View Post
    Remove all doubt, buy from BCM.
    That's what I did, too.

  7. #17
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    As I have posted in the past, the TDP is specific on the details. They are 7075-T6, Hammer Extruded and dry film lube inside. To my knowledge, you are only going to get all these things from companies such as BCM, Colt, LMT, KAC, etc. There could be others, but these are the only ones I know for sure.


    C4

  8. #18
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    I know Palmetto State Armory sells both 6061 and 7075 buffer tubes in mil-spec diameter. Right now, they have the 6061 tubes on sale for $13 which might be tempting to some people.

    I talked to PSA a while ago and they told me all of their 7075 tubes have the grey dry film coating on the inside and their 6061 tubes do not.

    Joe Mamma
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  9. #19
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    I have the information I need as another friend has the same buffer tubes (Same Retailer) which are exact clones as the ones in question and his invoice was marked 6160. Since this just may be a simple mistake when they pulled the parts from stock I will contact them for replacement.
    We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others, by their acts.

  10. #20
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    I can confirm that my recently purchased PSA 7075 buffer tubes do indeed have the grey dry film coating inside.

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