A Little Retro AR Build

[earlthegoat2]

I have been looking for a 16 pencil barrel with FSB for a number of years now. Brownells is always sold out and everyone else has no stock or over $500 for one.

So for better or worse I was recently looking for a Colt Government carbine or a 6520 or a barrel for either. I saw some police trade in Govt Carbines that were rough for $800. Hemmed and hawed and they were gone in 24 hours. Phooey.

Then I stumbled on a Colt 6520 barrel for the same price as Brownells so I bought it. I thought I had an A2 fixed carry handle upper for it but it turned out to be a C7 A1 upper sooo….out with the 6520 clone idea and in with the SP-1 carbine inspired build.



I happened to have a set of thinner 6 hole Colt hand guards lying around and an XM-177 replica stock which is real close to the SP-1 carbine stock. Also an A1 replica grip.

Among a few deviations from the original is the 1:7 twist barrel and the C7 style upper with the deflector. I like the deflector though because I’m a lefty. And the receivers are a little too dark.

If you have never used the thinner carbine hand guards, they are much nicer than the more common fatties most manufacturers are peddling.

 

[gotboostvr]

Oh very nice.

I recently picked up a 16" pencil barrel too.

Mine's a 1:8 mid length gas though.

I'm waffling back and forth wether to build it with the parts I have (15" Mlok rail, flat top upper) or source a slick side carry handle upper and A2 FSB.

I'll make up my mind eventually.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nice build, Earl!

 

[BreechFace]

I just put together a 20" Faxon gunner profile for a lightweight 3,200fps+ spitter. Profile looks very similar to what you have going on. That's a .625" gas journal diameter, correct?

 

[sarduy]

That is one slick retro looking rifle.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I just put together a 20" Faxon gunner profile for a lightweight 3,200fps+ spitter. Profile looks very similar to what you have going on. That's a .625" gas journal diameter, correct?

Yeah it’s the smaller diameter. .625”

 

[md7]

Well done, Earl! I dig it

 

[twarr1]

Nice rifle. The 20 round magazine looks good in it.

 

[d2wing]

I think Dakota Arms make replica A1 parts. I have thought about building a replica of my issue rifle in Vietnam. It was light and accurate. A few years back I built a 20 inch Gov. profile A2 and while it was very accurate I didn't like the weight.

 

[BreechFace]

I would love an A1 'ish rifle. If I had my druthers it would be a 20" A1 profile barrel 1:8 twist with triangle handguard with an A2 stock. I would change out the front post for something thinner for more precision, would make for an excellent ranch gun, at least while my eyes are still good.

I love the looks and function of the triangle handguards.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I picked up a surplus A-2 parts kit and assembled it on a Standard receiver, complete with triangle hand guards and rack numbers on the stock.
I like it.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Great looking rifle!

I assembled this GAU5A/A build awhile back after stumbling across an original OEG. This pic has it on a normal lower, but i have a brownells 2 position stock for it. Just need to assemble and paint it Colt Gray.

 

[ECVMatt]

Very nice! I am a big fan of the C7 style upper. That looks like a light and handy rifle.

 

[CapnMac]

I love the looks and function of the triangle handguards.

Dunno, in real life, that vertical seal can open up and pinch you across the palm in a way that is under-nice.
The gap in the heat shields can annoy, too.

I've been tempted to build up a GUU-5P clone, but just haven't. Ditto on building up a a 601.

 

[jonnyc]

Very nice, Earl. I used a lot of similar retro parts to build my IDF clone. Something really nice about that vintage of ARs.

 

[DustyGmt]

Agreed, the thinner profile handguards are much nicer imo, I have a set on my M&P and much prefer them to the fat handguards. I believe the thin profile is called the CAR? (please correct me if I'm wrong). Only thing is my thin ones don't have the heat shield but I don't really care that much, don't really anticipate any problems with unshielded.

That's a sweet build, nice job. If I set out to achieve a certain aesthetic and I have something pretty close on hand, on hand will always win. I like 11 rib KAC QR panels but wasn't looking to spend $100+ just for some plastic rail panels and found some Pro Mag brand that look similar and achieve the same aesthetic for around $10.

There's been a couple times where a certain build or setup catches my eye and I actually enjoy digging around and finding stuff in my miscellaneous parts boxes and finding a use for them.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Very nice! I am a big fan of the C7 style upper. That looks like a light and handy rifle.

My Canadian Diemaco C7 clone (M16A2 with C7 upper) weighs 7 lbs 6.2 oz and this one is 5 lbs 9.4 oz. Extra light weight was one of the primary factors in building this rifle.

 

[halfmoonclip]

My first AR, shortly after the Clinton ban sunsetted, was a clone of the A1 the gummint was kind enough to loan me in 1970. Found NOS Colt upper and A1 buttstock, mated it to a NoDak lower. Shoots really straight, and is really light.
And it really took me back, when I handled it...never had to run thru' the jungle with one, back in the day, but I was a deal younger fellow when last I touched one...
Since picked up one of Brownells's 16" carbine clones, which sometimes does duty on the lower. It is really light and handy.
Moon

 

[ECVMatt]

My Canadian Diemaco C7 clone (M16A2 with C7 upper) weighs 7 lbs 6.2 oz and this one is 5 lbs 9.4 oz. Extra light weight was one of the primary factors in building this rifle.

I tried forever to find a C7 upper a couple of years ago to build a couple of minimalist rifles. At the time there were none to be found so I used flat top uppers with Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sights. I am still on the lookout for C7 style uppers, but my rifles turned out pretty good. They are simple, light, and accurate.

The Canadians were on to something with the C7!

 

[CapnMac]

The Canadians were on to something with the C7!

And that was a prime reason CZ went so hard to buy Colt, it was to get Dimarco (Colt Canada, later on) and the military contracts CC was fulfilling.

 

[DustyGmt]

I tried forever to find a C7 upper a couple of years ago to build a couple of minimalist rifles. At the time there were none to be found so I used flat top uppers with Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sights. I am still on the lookout for C7 style uppers, but my rifles turned out pretty good. They are simple, light, and accurate.

The Canadians were on to something with the C7!

When reading up on the differences between the C7 vs M16 and their respective variants I found several instances where it was said that the C7 has an improved bolt and carrier, being made of stronger materials. Anybody able to weight in on that. I'm guessing it's just a standard 8620 carrier with C58 bolt and maybe those 8620/C58 BCG's weren't standard at the introduction of the M16A1 but were by the time the C7 was introduced, is that possible or did Diamaco C7's use a different material?

 

[JJFitch]

I only know a couple of acronyms, M16 and A2! My replica M16-A2 is an Eagle/Olympic Arms variant! What I especially like is shooting some club "military arms" style matches in the "Open sights" class. Banging steel at 200 yards with open sights is a HOOT! A generation ago the NRA said I was an "Expert" in 3 position rifle. Today at 75 I'm satisfied at being "lucky"! Smiles