Reloadron
Contributing Member
Bayonets, I need me some bayonets! 
Ron
Ron
My 'Vietnam' AR15
- Thread starter beeker77
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I still have a 1975 bayonet I brought back from an undisclosed base where I was stationed at the time, in an undisclosed country, where I bought it from an undisclosed co-worker who was selling several he (or possibly she) had "liberated" from a previous base he (or she) had been stationed at.
Statute of limitations has probably run out by now, but details shall remain undisclosed.
We were not issued any, so I thought $8 was a good investment to get one.
Denis
Statute of limitations has probably run out by now, but details shall remain undisclosed.
We were not issued any, so I thought $8 was a good investment to get one.
Denis
Good to see retros, for any reason.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Looking back to when I left Vietnam I never gave any thought to taking anything with me. I was just happy to be leaving, turned in all my 782 gear. I think we called it 782 gear or seven eighty deuce gear. The past few days I have been trying to remember what the flash hider looked like on my rifle? I think it was bird cage in '72 but I actually can't remember anymore. Looking back it is hard to believe it was going on 44 years ago. Anyway, I need to find some bayonets for my SP1 rifles. At least while I can still remember what a bayonet is.
Ron
I was never issued a weapon in RVN (69/70) I furnished my own! Started out with a Browning HP that I brought with me then added a Swedish K SMG while flying door gunner.
When I started beating the bushes with the Mike Force I carried a CAR 15 that I got from a buddy who was going to SOG and would carry an AK.
I also had a Thompson, 16, AK, & RPD in my hootch to use as missions required. I liked the chicom RPD, but it was a bit ungainly for what I was doing so saw no use.
I currently have these in the pile. The 2 14s in the center are chicom M14S semis. The AR 15 is a mid 60s rifle and has all of the early features. I bought it right after I got back from RVN in late summer of 70. The FN/FAL on the left is about my favorite FA to shoot.
Sarge
When I started beating the bushes with the Mike Force I carried a CAR 15 that I got from a buddy who was going to SOG and would carry an AK.
I also had a Thompson, 16, AK, & RPD in my hootch to use as missions required. I liked the chicom RPD, but it was a bit ungainly for what I was doing so saw no use.
I currently have these in the pile. The 2 14s in the center are chicom M14S semis. The AR 15 is a mid 60s rifle and has all of the early features. I bought it right after I got back from RVN in late summer of 70. The FN/FAL on the left is about my favorite FA to shoot.
Sarge
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1965 all over again ...
Very nice Retro, OP. Old School is always cool.
And just ignore the young Millennials at the range who walk over and take a long look at your Retro, and then wise-off with:
"Dude! Where's your primary optic, flashlight, laser, secondary MRD, and tactically-angled foregrip? No collapsible 12-position stock?
Where's this from, 1932? Dude, seriously. If Chris and Travis aren't running this Dinosaur, why would you?"
Mine:
I especially like the question: "Dude! Can you hit anything with that past 75 yards?"
My answer is, well, yeah, since it's zeroed dead-nuts on at 300yds.
Very nice Retro, OP. Old School is always cool.
And just ignore the young Millennials at the range who walk over and take a long look at your Retro, and then wise-off with:
"Dude! Where's your primary optic, flashlight, laser, secondary MRD, and tactically-angled foregrip? No collapsible 12-position stock?
Where's this from, 1932? Dude, seriously. If Chris and Travis aren't running this Dinosaur, why would you?"
Mine:
I especially like the question: "Dude! Can you hit anything with that past 75 yards?"
My answer is, well, yeah, since it's zeroed dead-nuts on at 300yds.
Our AF 16s from 72-76 were straight 16, no A1s.
Prongued flash hider.
Y'know, I really would not mind having one of those configurations in an AR today.
Since I already have the bayonet....
Have a couple old-school 20-round mag pouches here somewhere, too.
And my issued web belt.
Denis
Prongued flash hider.
Y'know, I really would not mind having one of those configurations in an AR today.
Since I already have the bayonet....
Have a couple old-school 20-round mag pouches here somewhere, too.
And my issued web belt.
Denis
amd6547
Member
I built a retro A1 a couple years ago based on a surplus A1 upper assembly I bought from Ohio Ordnance.
It shot really well, and I liked the lightweight barrel with full 20" ballistics.
At my rifle club, there are always 2 or 3 guys shooting the latest and greatest, laid out AR's...M4 clones, 20" A2 match rifles, the gamut.
That 20" A1 barrel with its 1-in-12 twist and M193 always shot the tightest groups.
It shot really well, and I liked the lightweight barrel with full 20" ballistics.
At my rifle club, there are always 2 or 3 guys shooting the latest and greatest, laid out AR's...M4 clones, 20" A2 match rifles, the gamut.
That 20" A1 barrel with its 1-in-12 twist and M193 always shot the tightest groups.
Yep, that's what a lot of younger guys don't realize: without the later heavy barrels and all the newest gadgety-gear hanging off them, these 20" pencil-barrel rifles are very light and quick-handling, and very accurate as well using that drum aperture sight.
I was in the 101st in 69-70 at LZ Sally and Phu Bai. I carried a 16 for awhile when I wasn't flying. When flying I was issued a .38 Spl.
I wanted an M16 myself and did have one for awhile. After I saw my friend's M4 I sold mine and moved on to the carbine.
I wanted an M16 myself and did have one for awhile. After I saw my friend's M4 I sold mine and moved on to the carbine.
1KPerDay
Member
tell me about that last one. Did colt build that as is? where do I get one?XM177E2
OP
OP
beeker77
Member
Sarge 13: Verrrrry Nice Semi-Auto Group!
Here are a few of my semi-autos (not including my AR15/M16s and FAL). Gotta love the old wood and steel classic semi-autos.
Top to bottom: Ljungman, Hakim, M1 Garand, FN-49, MAS 49/52, SKS M59.
Now I realize I need to update this old group photo with several more added since this photo.
Here are a few of my semi-autos (not including my AR15/M16s and FAL). Gotta love the old wood and steel classic semi-autos.
Top to bottom: Ljungman, Hakim, M1 Garand, FN-49, MAS 49/52, SKS M59.
Now I realize I need to update this old group photo with several more added since this photo.
bannockburn
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I was still in elementary school when the Vietnam War was over but I remember thinking when I was old enough I wanted to get a Colt AR15. I bought everything I could find for one, including magazines, pouches, cleaning gear, even a bayonet. My brother and I pooled our finances together and bought an SP1. Only change I made to it was the addition of the round handguards as I never could get comfortable shooting with the original triangular ones. Some years later I built a XM177E2 lookalike mainly because I really liked how compact and handy it was.
tell me about that last one. Did colt build that as is? where do I get one?
That is a rifle I built using a M16 kit, CAR stock and handguard and an 80% receiver that I reprofiled to A1 specs and then engraved. I am still looking for a more correct looking moderator. When I install it I will pull the the front sight base and install the Colt one I have with no bayonet lug.
That is a rifle I built using a M16 kit, CAR stock and handguard and an 80% receiver that I reprofiled to A1 specs and then engraved. I am still looking for a more correct looking moderator. When I install it I will pull the the front sight base and install the Colt one I have with no bayonet lug.
Tony's Customs has those 'correct' looking flash hiders. They sold me a barrel with one attached permanently. I really like it.
http://www.tonyscustomsllc.com/product/ar-15-xm-177-style-flash-hider/
http://www.tonyscustomsllc.com/product/ar-15-xm-177-style-flash-hider/
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1KPerDay
Member
So who did the Colt markings? Did you start with an 80% receiver? The font's a little strange but it's pretty cool.
AlexanderA
Member
Just a small note: the waffle magazines were already obsolete by 1971. Both an SP1 that I bought new in 1968, and another one I bought new in 1970, came with regular 20-round magazines (2 each, with removable blocks to 5 rounds).
The waffle magazines belong on even earlier guns, along with the triangular charging handles. (I have both an original waffle magazine, and a triangular charging handle, that I bought on the loose years later.)
The waffle magazines belong on even earlier guns, along with the triangular charging handles. (I have both an original waffle magazine, and a triangular charging handle, that I bought on the loose years later.)
bannockburn
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Reloadron
My Vietnam War era bayonet, purchased from Sherwood Distributors, which later became Northridge International Inc. I bought a lot of military surplus items from them back then, including magazines, magazine pouches, cleaning gear, and anything else that was M16 related.
My Vietnam War era bayonet, purchased from Sherwood Distributors, which later became Northridge International Inc. I bought a lot of military surplus items from them back then, including magazines, magazine pouches, cleaning gear, and anything else that was M16 related.
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