Butchered feed ramps, Colt 14.5 and 11.5 barrels from Brownell's

**Old Coot** · 09-24-21, 19:49

Hello all;

Received Colt 14.5" (govt not socom) and Colt 11.5" barrels from Brownells last week. Feed ramps in both barrels have been recut, by hand it appears, after the barrels were parkerized! Anyone else get these awful re-cut feed ramps on their Brownell's sourced Colt barrels? Did you return or use them?

Thanks....

**GH41** · 09-24-21, 20:25

Originally Posted by Old Coot

Hello all;

Received Colt 14.5" (govt not socom) and Colt 11.5" barrels from Brownells last week. Feed ramps in both barrels have been recut, by hand it appears, after the barrels were parkerized! Anyone else get these awful re-cut feed ramps on their Brownell's sourced Colt barrels? Did you return or use them?

Thanks....

Are you sure you are seeing what you think you are seeing?

**Old Coot** · 09-24-21, 20:26

I see a material removal operation in both feed ramps that was done after the parkerizing was done. A 3x loop shows heavy tool marks consistent with a grey Dremel stone. Parkerizing is typically done after all machining operations. Machining operations done after parkerizing are typically to correct machining errors.

What do you see?

**3 AE** · 09-24-21, 20:31

Can you post photos of both barrels straight on to get a better look at the feed ramps?

**Old Coot** · 09-24-21, 20:38

My cell camera doesn't focus well on close up photos, even with flash. If you enlarge the pic I posted (click once on pic, then click again, then click on the "+" sign) you'll see heavy tool marks and uneven application of the tool, indicating a hand job (no pun intended). You'll also see tiny shavings of metal in the locking lugs. That only the edges of the feed ramps are in the white is further evidence this was done by hand.

Will try for better pics tomorrow. Thanks for responses, all.

**grizzman** · 09-24-21, 20:57

Colt altering feed ramps after the parkerizing is not new. It's been happening for at least a couple (or more) years. If you don't like it, send it back.

Mine show some work done to the ramps, and they run well. One upper assembly was from Brownells, and the others were factory complete rifles purchased elsewhere.

**Hammer_Man** · 09-24-21, 21:11

Exchange them for new ones. I’d be curious to see if the replacement barrels had the same issues.

**Old Coot** · 09-24-21, 21:33

Colt altering feed ramps after the parkerizing is not new. It's been happening for at least a couple (or more) years.
Thank you for answering my question "Has anybody else had this happen"! I can't imagine Colt's operation sheets, their machining instructions, say "Dremel the ---- out of feed ramps after parkerizing"!

If you don't like it, send it back.

Nobody should "like" or put up with hacked up feed ramps after parkerizing, nitrite, or any other finishing. Having had Title II Colt's in the late 80's and early 90's when a NIB M16A1 was $1700-$2000, NIB M16A1HB about $3000-$4000, and NIB Colt carbine about $2500-$2700 (all of which I owned NIB) I never saw anything like this on those feed ramps.

Nine show some work done to the ramps, and they run well.

S/a or f/a?

One upper assembly was from Brownells, and the others were factory complete rifles purchased elsewhere.[/QUOTE]

Factory complete rifles with hacked up feed ramps? What's the world coming to? I feel like Rip Van Winkle!