The original offerings saw all components of the modular fire control selector coated; even the shaft. As of this week, though, BAD will stop painting the shafts to ensure compatibility with the widest range of AR lowers.
BAD says even though the coating adds only 0.002" to the diameter of the selector shaft, they worry it may be too much for some slightly out-of-spec lowers. With a glut of new AR manufacturers hitting the market to soak up some of the post-Sandy demand, it's not unreasonable to expect some of them to have problems sticking to the original M4 specs. So, as a prophylactic measure, BAD has decided to stick with a parkerized shaft for a more comfortable fit in more receivers (photo above). The original, fully Cerakoted model is shown below in pink.
"To date, Cerakoted selectors compatibility issues, specifically, its diameter being 0.002 or so larger than the host receivers, can be counted in one hand," the company reports in a thread over on AR15.com, "However, with more manufacturers making AR receivers, it's virtually guaranteed a few will not be in spec, the prudent thing to do is preempt these issues once we identify it. In this case, leaving the center at technical data package specs and not coating them."
To this, I say, meh. If a manufacturer can't get the dimensions right, the fire control selector holes may be just the first of many issues with a lower. Why BAD want's to enable poor manufacturers, I don't know. But, it does make sense for them to stick to the spec and reduce the chances of alienating a customer that can't get the safety to fit their gun.
Most folks that Cerakote their guns are doing so mainly for aesthetic reasons. It doesn't make a lot of sense to paint the selector core anyway since it can't be seen. I suppose there are some who would argue the coating offers oxidation protection for the part's operating surface. To those folks: I guess you'll just have to invest in a few Q-tips.
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