Blem Parts

[AccelR8]

There was some discussion in a thread about blem parts. For some reason I can't reply to that thread so here's my contribution

Be careful buying "all sales final" blem parts. Over the last few years I've bought some of those non-returnable blemished parts and on two of them the blemishes were out-of-spec machining. One rifle-length quad rail that installs visibly crooked and one side charging upper receiver that has undersize barrel nut threads.

I can't recall where I actually bought them but I'm sure it was not the better known suppliers, it was the lesser known parts resellers on the net.

Just think twice. You might wind up with non-returnable junk. That's all.

 

[Doug Beach]

I make things. Selling cosmetic blems at a discount makes some sense. Errors that affect functionality should go into the trash, recycle bin, or “oh sh*t” box. Selling them intentionally is inexcusable.

 

[drop_point]

JSE Surplus sold AR barrels a few years ago as "blems". Turned out their gas block ports were drilled something like 1/2" out of place. No commercial gas tube fit and it was very difficult to line up the port with a gas block. There were lots of angry customers.

 

[Doug Bogg]

@AccelR8 thanks for these words of wisdom. I have a PSA device that was advertised as a "blem" and thought "a cosmetic blem is fine" ... and there are videos where others who own the same machine report, "checked it all over and don't see any cosmetic problems". However as you point out the "blem" is often a machining or fitment issue. I would hope it wouldn't be offered for sale if it was potentially dangerous to operate but still, if something like a misalignment causes it to be impossible to zero an optic, that's to me, too great a drawback for the savings of "blem"