Raw uncoated uppers...how do they hold up???

[toys in the toybox]

So, contemplating putting together a raw (as in uncoated) upper and lower and was wondering what if any effect this has on longevity, gauling etc.

So anyone use this set up and have thousands of rounds thru it yet, what have you experienced?

[bmet923]

need to to have some sort of coating on it. Could be as simple as krylon but i have duracoated all raw parts i have after seeing the oxidization. your skin oils are all it takes to make spots.

[dreadi]

Aluminum? Oxidation? I didn’t know aluminum could rust.

Uppers and lowers galling due to no coating? You won’t have that problem.

[os2firefox]

Aluminum will most definitely be subject to galvanic corrosion, especially when in contact with other materials. Is recommended to coat it with something. It's also pretty soft.

[toys in the toybox]

Its all the same alloy as the coated stuff just dont know if it would retain enough lubricity (without a coating to retain oil or a coating that provides lubrication) to avoid accelerated wear or gauling in the bolt / upper area. Ill still keep everything oiled and not worried that the raw aluminum will pick up stains or discoloration as i just dont see that as an issue

Maybe this just isnt an issue but i was hoping that if it had proven to be an issue we would have some examples of it in the group and they could advise against it before i go this direction

[Mediumrarechicken]

My question is why?

[Guntrader]

First, it will rapidly start looking like shit.
Second, aluminum is soft, aluminum oxide (corrosion that develops on raw un-coated aluminum) is 9 on the Moh's hardness scale.....used in abrasive compounds, sharpening stones, and cut off wheels.
Much harder than the steel in your bolt carrier.

Also one of the few things in your house that can scratch a sapphire watch crystal (oxide on an aluminum sliding door frame)

[RocketScott]

You could dip it in Aladine for that blinged out gold look.


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[toys in the toybox]

Chicken....for the same reason folks do FDE, OD, burnt bronze, cerokote, NP3 etc etc its a "color" if you will based on personal taste and preference but not something i want to do if there is an accellerated wear associated with going without a coating

Guntrader...i understand aluminum oxide and its properties. I believe the alloys used for AR's is fairly resistant to corrosion in the first place and since it will have an oil / lube coating on it anyway like the rest of our guns im just not expecting corrosion to be an issue

Just thought it might be a cool variant to the usual black and you can buy them raw so you dont have to pay to have them coated in some color that can flake, scratch or wear off. I like low maintenance and low cost if possible but will spend money where and when needed. Just havent brought myself to spend extra money to color these toys in anything but what they come with yet...

[Arisaka]

if you like the look of bare aluminum, but want a more durable surface, just clear anodize it.

[Pablo]

if you like the look of bare aluminum, but want a more durable surface, just clear anodize it.

At the very least

[Colt]

First, it will rapidly start looking like shit.
Second, aluminum is soft, aluminum oxide (corrosion that develops on raw un-coated aluminum) is 9 on the Moh's hardness scale.....used in abrasive compounds, sharpening stones, and cut off wheels.
Much harder than the steel in your bolt carrier.

Also one of the few things in your house that can scratch a sapphire watch crystal (oxide on an aluminum sliding door frame)

I have to agree. I would coat it, but on the other hand go ahead and send us what the rifle looks like after few range trips without coating.

[DM47]

if you like the look of bare aluminum, but want a more durable surface, just clear anodize it.

This ^^^
Regardless if clear, or any other color, ....... anodize it.

[dreadi]

If you poke around enough, you may find clear anodized uppers and lowers. I had a “in the white” upper from SOTA that I built on a 80% and shot that, tweaked, etc until it ran 100%.

[toys in the toybox]

What brands have you used ^^^^^ Just the SOTA??