they are VERY hard to paint chip proof (in fact i havent been able to do it).

they bend too much and the paint just cant take it. rit dye would probably work best.

it can be done to some extent, but not totally, on harder (non bending) weapons.

rit dye didnt work on the light grey AP guns?

I used sandable black primer to color weapons several times. It holds up way better than normal paint and gives a nice matte finish. So, if the dying does work out, try a can of that, they look really nice.

Krylon makes this camo series of flat spray paints that I really like to use on weapons. It is made to spray on your hunting gear so it dries very quickly and isn't tacky at all. It doesn't quite come out pitch black dark more of a subdued grey weathered black. It makes weapons look even more realistic. Forget the dye as it won't work the way you want on those light colored weapons. It will make them darker for sure but not all the way.

I haven't tried this yet but Krylon makes a plastic fusion spray paint that I have found in black that has amazing results with, the paint actually penatrates the plastic..........