I too love the "retro" clones. Thankfully you have some choices nowdays and dont have to scrounge for original parts unless you want to.
Here is my early (1967) M16A1 clone.
I too love the "retro" clones. Thankfully you have some choices nowdays and dont have to scrounge for original parts unless you want to.
Here is my early (1967) M16A1 clone.
Almost 13 years ago when I first got hired as an armed security guard for da gubment, everyone in my class got issued an M16A1. At least 2 of them were made by General Motors. Eventually they got replaced with A2's. The A1 is about a pound lighter and it's full-fucking-auto, so that's cool. And the stock is a little shorter which I like despite being 6'2". I like the A2's rear sight a lot more.
Now we got Dem badass carbines with all that cool guy stuff.
Late last year I decided I wanted to shoot a 2 gun match in the classic div. So I built an A1 carbine using Brownells 14.7 1/12 skinny barrel and their Nodak A1 upper. It all went together great and it has become my favorite AR for just shootin' and 2 gun. I have a nice Colt M4 style with Aimpoint + magnifier but the A1 is what goes out. IMO the A1 carbine is the modern equivalent of the old M1 carbine only wayyy more reliable and effective a caliber.
Presently building a composite carbine using a late A1 upper with deflector and FA, Colt SOCOM barrel with a A2 rear sight aperture.
One of the things that annoys me about the Brownell's retro series is that they still us 1:12" barrels. I understand that was the original twist, but it's not a 100% historically accurate replica anyway......so why not use a 1:7 or 1:9 so we can have access to the plethora of heavier ammunition available? I don't think it'd detract from its goal as a retro rifle, whatsoever.
"Are you ready? Okay. Let's roll."- Last words of Todd Beamer
Brownells does have their 20 inch barrels in 1/7 twist and thats whats I put in mine. Word on the street is Ballistic Advantage is the ones making them. Mine shoots very well.
Same here, my A1 clone built with a Del-ton 1/9 barrel and the pre-A1 variant I built with the Brownells 1/7 barrel turned out to be very accurate considering the configuration, barrel profile, no free float, etc.
These are nothing but range toys for me but I truly enjoy them. Bidding on ammo cans at the time, I was fortunate to pick up a whole crate of real Milsurp M16 furniture for about $50 sold by the DRMO back in the early 90's (pre-Klinton). Having that still on hand made mine look a lot more authentic.
Brownells offers their completed M16A1 upper with a 1:7 barrel. I do not know why they don't offer that configuration as a full rifle.
Hopefully @Tom_Jones sees this and can appropriately edit the link:
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...rod123697.aspx
I have to confess that It's tempting to build an A1 clone. I have fond memories of doing some convoy live-fire training out of the back of 5-tons with old M16A1's set to 'full giggle'.
Thanks for the replies and pics!
I am still leaning towards a faster twist barrel. It may make little difference 90% of the time, but I have had friends show up to shoot at my place with M855a1 and the like, and my next door neighbor has a 200 yard target set-up. He's accuracy obsessive (has a .223 wylde AR , getting a 6.5 Lapua, handloads everything, etc.) so I want to have potential to not lose too much face should I shoot with him.
Now if I could save 30-60k I could get a real one...
REPETITION CREATES BELIEF
REPETITION BUILDS THE SEPARATE WORLDS WE LIVE AND DIE IN
NO EXCEPTIONS
I'm also pondering a classic A1 build. And since I'm a person who builds his own bass guitars, effects pedals, and tube amps, I'm wanting to DIY the thing from receiver up.
"You win 100% of the fights you avoid. If you're not there when it happens, you don't lose." - William Aprill
"I've owned a guitar for 31 years and that sure hasn't made me a musician, let alone an expert. It's made me a guy who owns a guitar."- BBI