Buildling an "Old School" Ar-15

[Cosmoline]

D___ you High Road! Thanks to you, I now have the AR itch. Not for the new fangled ones, but for the old ones. I've really liked the look and heft of the Colt SP-1 sporter. The price is not low, though. And the cheaper Century long AR's have some reported QC issues.

The related thread on this has really got me thinking.

What I'm wondering is how tough is it to put together the parts for this. I'm thinking a nice quality receiver, upper with full length pencil barrel, old style rear sight and carry handle, old style handguards, grip and stock. Has anyone done this and if so what did you use for it? I believe the original Colt sporters had some peculiar proprietary parts so I'd just as soon skip those. I'm after the feel and performance not really a part-for-part copy of the original. Forward assist, brass deflector and so on can all be there.

Looking around, it seems that there are some original Colt uppers for sale. If I get one of those, how tough is it to marry it to a more modern lower?

I'm thinking something like this:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=237101962

A lightly used original upper, joined with a new lower. But the price on that is as much as the Century whole builds which do apparently have new barrels.

 

[Sam Cade]

There is an entire subforum (and subculture) of ar15.com dedicated to the Retro build.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=263900

 

[C-grunt]

Cosmo, just an FYI, I dont think that linked upper would be a real M16A1 as I believe the A1s had a forward assist.

I have heard of a company called "Spud" something or another that builds good retro ARs.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Cosmo, just an FYI, I dont think that linked upper would be a real M16A1 as I believe the A1s had a forward assist.

I have heard of a company called "Spud" something or another that builds good retro ARs.

No it would not be an a1, it would be an m16 upper which in the world of retro is even cooler


Tapatalk post via IPhone.

 

[Sam Cade]

I have heard of a company called "Spud" something or another that builds good retro ARs.

NoDak Spud.

http://www.nodakspud.com/AR Lowers.htm

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks! You guys are destroying my retirement savings, you know that?

 

[Searcher4851]

Or if you just want to buy one they do appear on gunbroker fairly often.
eg.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=237884605
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=238033580

 

[R.W.Dale]

Thanks! You guys are destroying my retirement savings, you know that?

Eh! What else you gonna do with it? Leave it to those ungrateful kids.


Tapatalk post via IPhone.

 

[Orlando]

If you look around you should be able to pick up a complete rifle for around $700.00- $750.00 .They are out there , times are tough

 

[awgrizzly]

There are original M16 A1 and A2 kits for sale for around $500. They have new barrels finished and unfinished, and you'll need to provide a lower receiver. Google them.

 

[gotigers]

I am currently building an A2 for service rifle matches. I am not using Colt parts specifically.

I have seen the colt A2 kits minus lower for in the $400+/- range. They have new barrels, but i read some of the other parts are very rough. They are surplus South American military.

I have a new lower and LPK on the way from Palmetto State Armory. I will look for some parts on the ar15.com equipment exchange. I havent decided to buy a complete upper or build the upper. Green Mountain has a 20" barrel for $180, 1:8 twist, chrome lined.

 

[bbuddtec]

You can do it

And other than the upper reciever, nearly all else are theoretically modular, you're mileage may vary! You want the look, you can swap out furniture on an A2 and have the added feature of adjustable front post and elevation rear sight ps A1 stock is a little shorter than the others. Are you going to reload, as well??

Cmon' in, the water's fine! hehehe

 

[jad0110]

Like you, I wasn't trying to go for a totally perfect, exact build, but I did want to go for a specific model. You may want to browse some of the sites below, in addition to the aforementioned AR15.com site, to narrow down to a specific model you might want to go for.


http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/index2.html

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=241681

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=294264


In the end, I decided on a very early Colt 603/XM16E1 build (what the heck, We Were Soldiers isone of my favorite films, in spite of the cheesy Hollywood ending), with dimpled parts and a 3 prong flash hider. I'll probably have to do a slickside (601/M16) next.

Yep, the retros are their own world within the ginormous AR universe. It is a sickness, not all that dissimilar from revolver fever I'm finding.

Here are some good parts sources:

http://www.nodakspud.com/

http://www.mooremilitaria.com/

http://www.gunthings.com/ar15.htm

http://fulton-armory.com/

www.sirplussupply.com/

https://www.apexgunparts.com/index.php/cPath/49


Here's a good source if you need any aluminum parts anodized in gray: http://www.usanodizing.com/