FrankenPara P14

Recently completed Cerakote job for what I call my “FrankenPara” since the only thing still original is the barrel, slide, and barrel bushing. Everything else has been replaced over the past few decades (purchased in the mid-90’s).

I applied a base coating of Elite series Smoke (E-120) and allowed some air cure time. Then applied some Elite Series Midnight (E-110) to get a subtle mottled appearance. For ‘pop’ I applied some Crimson (H-221) on the barrel bushing. Barrel is also treated with Blackout (E-100). Barrel openings were plugged to prevent media blasting impacting, or any Cerakote intrusion. Needed to work on the slide release a little to get it to function as I wanted it to (was a bit tight) but otherwise it’s all good now. Looking forward to seeing how the Elite series works with the pistol and how much/little lube is needed moving forward. From what I can already see, I’ll need less lube on it (it just beads up on the coating).

AR10 Pistol

Started this project more than a few years back. Finally got around to hitting the aluminum parts with Cerakote. That included the upper, lower, handguard (from DiamondHead USA, which is no longer in business) and buffer tube. Went with Troy Coyote Tan base and then used Graphite Black to make the ‘battle worn’ effect.

I tried adding some red infill for the ‘FIRE’ engraving. Kind of worked, but I should have done a longer flash cure before applying that. Since wiping the excess off also removed some of the battle worn effect around that area.

AR15 Pistol

AR15 pistol configuration with two uppers. One in 300 Blackout (with the dot/magnifier combo) and the other in 5.56 (Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x). Base Cerakote is Gun Metal Grey with Graphite Black for the ‘battle worn’ effect. I also switched from the forged lower to the billet lower shown naked in the ‘before’ picture.

300 Blackout upper is one I built up starting many years back (around 2013). I changed out the hanguard maybe twice to the current Midwest Industries model. Barrel is a 10.5″ with a pistol length gas system.

5.56 upper is from PSA which was interesting removing the barrel nut on. I ended up using an adjustable wrench to remove it, but got a crows foot wrench to reinstall it (1-1/8″ size).

Benelli M4 shotgun parts

A person I know sent me the magazine tube (an upgrade from what is on the shotgun currently) and a recoil tube to get colored to match the shotgun. Currently the M4 is Midnight Bronze, so that’s the color I ordered (H-294). Plugged up both ends with high temperature rated (silicone) plugs, with wire to use in hanging the items (as is needed) run through the plugs. I also plugged up a pair of side holes in the recoil tube to prevent any blast media (or anything else) from getting inside that way. I think they came out rather well.

AR10 Rifle

Base color is H-139 Steel Grey with H-190 Armor Black for the battleworn effect. Just changed out the ‘stock’ bolt catch to a Strike extended bolt catch, because stock/base spec is lame. 

Upper is one I got from AimSurplus back around 2017 (IIRC). New Magpul DT-PR stock along with pic rail attached Magpul bipod (handguard isn’t Mlok). I have a Magpul QD sling mount coming to go on the top rail (today). With the endplate and stock both having the QD cups, adding one to the handguard just makes sense. Also means I can use my Magpul QD sling with it (along with pretty much all my other AR’s).