I realize that detailed pics would be ideal, but that would take a while and be a headache, so I'm hoping this suffices, so here's the deal:
I recently picked up a used but nearly NIB Sport II, from a guy I've dealt with before on the local classified sites. But, he said he got it from another guy.
Anyway, I noticed that the bolt carrier has a very grainy parkerized-type finish, that looks kind of dark-green under good light (almost like the old green parkerizing in WWII-era guns).
It appears to be very thick and high quality, but just........unusual. I've owned a couple other Sports before, and this finish seemed unique: more abrasive and greener.
I just went by the big local gunstore to take a look at their Sport II's, and the 2 carriers I saw there had a much smoother,blacker finish that this one has, more like a nitride treatment than a parkerizing.
The inside of the carrier is chromed, and the bolt has an MP stamp on it.
I wouldn't think anyone would be stealing a BCG from a budget rifle like the Sport II, and replacing it with something even cheaper (especially not with one that has a MP-stamped bolt), but this seems a little peculiar.
On the way home with the new toy, I briefly pulled into a spot in the woods I know of, and ripped through a quick magazine, just to test her out, and she ran flawlessly.
So, am I whining about nothing, or is there something amiss here?
Any factual input (or reasonable speculation) would be much appreciated.......