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federalist22
1 August 2009, 06:14
I just received an order I placed with Rainier this past week, which included a DD Lite Rail 12 (AR-15). The rail I received was more of a FDE color tone than the typical hard anodized black coating. I even got the free rail ladder-style covers and they were in FDE. I did not specify the color of the rail in my phone order because I assumed it only came in black, which is the color I wanted. I was trying to build my first truly black rifle. The were some small nicks in the finish around the bolt holes that were on the rail when I received it--not a big problem, except I don't have the paint color to touch it up. I am not sure whether to send it back or just paint the whole thing now, although I had not planned on painting any of this new rifle I am building. I am not complaining about the product, just curious about the color.

Has anyone else seen a variation in color for a production item? Better yet, does DD advertise their Lite Rail in FDE, and does Rainier sell that color?

I have attached a few pics in which I laid a carbine stock and buffer tube next to the rail to distinguish the colors of black (carbine tube/stock) and FDE (DD Lite Rail 12). If the rail looks like it has a golded tone in the pics, that's because it is golden in color to the eye.

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv358/federalist22/MiscAUG2009018.jpg

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv358/federalist22/MiscAUG2009019.jpg

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv358/federalist22/MiscAUG2009020.jpg

jeeves915
1 August 2009, 07:14
Federalist:
Yes, DD DOES make a Lite Rail in FDE. Stick has posted pictured of them before. I'm sure Rainier will work with you though on getting a black rail that would make you happier.

I've actually toyed with the idea of building an all FDE gun, as an aside. Use that rail, and a Spike's Tactical upper/lower that also come annodized that color. Would be interesting (IMHO).

-Adam

federalist22
1 August 2009, 07:49
I don't doubt that Rainier would work with me to replace it, but I am torn between getting it replaced to build my black rifle and using it to build a multi-colored rifle using some of my Magpul leftovers (XTM, MIAD, etc.).

shadco
1 August 2009, 08:50
Food for thought.


http://www.pbase.com/shadco/image/113610311.jpg

federalist22
1 August 2009, 09:26
Shad,

Thanks for the pic, but I really would like to have the black rail. I just called Rainier and they are shipping me the black rail and a return label to send back the FDE rail--those Rainier guys are great to work with.

Stickman
1 August 2009, 11:24
FDE anodizing has color variances, the earlier ones were very dark. They later shifted to a lighter color.

federalist22
1 August 2009, 11:33
FDE anodizing has color variances, the earlier ones were very dark. They later shifted to a lighter color.

I saw a post you did on that, but I didn't put together that it was a Lite Rail, guess I thought it was another rail model in the DD line. Anyhow, Rainier is resolving the issue and shipped out a replacement black rail today with a return label for the FDE rail.

Stickman
1 August 2009, 21:22
I don;t own any FDE DD Lite rails, mine are the DD M4 rail in FDE, and the RIS II series.