painted version looks cool, but NO paint looks better, the classic look "original" is always better
Paint the AR15? Vote!
- Thread starter jcardona1
- Start date
See, I have two AR's so I didn't mind painting my older one. But my M4 is always going to stay black. 
When I decided to paint mine I got a few pointers from my best friend who is a Force Recon Marine and was in Afghanistan and Iraq. He told me that they are taught to make their guns look out of focus. The reason for this is to confuse the enemy's eye which could give you the extra seconds needed to make the shot or avoid becoming one.
He explained to me that you want to use lighter base colors because every terrain is different and it's always easier to add dark colors (mud, grease, foliage) if you need to. Plus, you don't want a dark gun because you can use the advantage of shadows to break up your gun's profile. Not to mention that black is a rare color in the wild and it looks out of place. It also shows up very well through NVGs.
I bought one of those 4 pack camo kits they sell at Bass Pro to paint mine. It came with the colors black, olive drab, brown and tan. I stuck with the colors tan and brown for mine. If you hold the spray can about a foot or so away while you paint it really helps to make the gun appear blurry and out of focus.
Here's a few photos I took this afternoon of mine in the woods behind my house so you can get an idea of how well it can disappear into the background with this technique. My only problem with the paint job is the brown paint I used. It has a reddish tint to it that I'm not crazy about.
When I decided to paint mine I got a few pointers from my best friend who is a Force Recon Marine and was in Afghanistan and Iraq. He told me that they are taught to make their guns look out of focus. The reason for this is to confuse the enemy's eye which could give you the extra seconds needed to make the shot or avoid becoming one.
He explained to me that you want to use lighter base colors because every terrain is different and it's always easier to add dark colors (mud, grease, foliage) if you need to. Plus, you don't want a dark gun because you can use the advantage of shadows to break up your gun's profile. Not to mention that black is a rare color in the wild and it looks out of place. It also shows up very well through NVGs.
I bought one of those 4 pack camo kits they sell at Bass Pro to paint mine. It came with the colors black, olive drab, brown and tan. I stuck with the colors tan and brown for mine. If you hold the spray can about a foot or so away while you paint it really helps to make the gun appear blurry and out of focus.
Here's a few photos I took this afternoon of mine in the woods behind my house so you can get an idea of how well it can disappear into the background with this technique. My only problem with the paint job is the brown paint I used. It has a reddish tint to it that I'm not crazy about.
Very cool Seth! How's the finish holding up? My main concern is scratches, since it will make the gun look like crap. Granted this sits in my safe most of the time and when it is used, I'm not thrashing it about in some urban recon mission 
My buddy in law enforcement advised against painting it. He said several guys in his department, including local SWAT guys say it's not a good idea since the paint get lots of dirt smudges after use, which are impossible to clean.
Thoughts?
My buddy in law enforcement advised against painting it. He said several guys in his department, including local SWAT guys say it's not a good idea since the paint get lots of dirt smudges after use, which are impossible to clean.
Thoughts?
jcardona1;5084378; said:Very cool Seth! How's the finish holding up? My main concern is scratches, since it will make the gun look like crap. Granted this sits in my safe most of the time and when it is used, I'm not thrashing it about in some urban recon mission
My buddy in law enforcement advised against painting it. He said several guys in his department, including local SWAT guys say it's not a good idea since the paint get lots of dirt smudges after use, which are impossible to clean.
Thoughts?
Thanks Jose! I'm pretty pleased with it. The paint I used seems to be holding up well, especially on the metal. Now I do have a few scratches on the the plastic parts but I think they add character. And with a few quick sprays of paint, they disappear.
So far I haven't noticed any issues with keeping it clean and I've shot close to 1,000 rounds through it since I painted it last year. Oh yeah, forgot to mention. If you do decide to paint it remember to cover up your sights!
I say don't paint it. It looks alright painted but I don't think it is that cool looking to do it when it isn't needed. Ie. I don't assume you really need camo! lol. I love the all black look and I don't think I would ever paint my gun, although I do love my pink camo carrying case! lol. Blends right in!
Personally, I would not paint any weapon I own.(Except for 'bluing' when needed.) But I am curious as to what the paint will do to the value of your weapon? Or is that not really a concern?
Value really isn't a concern for me, since I don't plan on selling my guns. If I did though, painting would be a very bad idea since nobody would buy a used painted gun, I know I wouldn't.Alwayswantedadragon;5084437;5084437 said:
Keep the suggestions coming
Conner;5083749; said:A friend at work says "%@^# NO! You'll drop it somewhere and lose it..."
dont paint it
