[Kaylee]

I recently started finishing out an AR lower I've had for ages into a 20" A1 clone - it was the relatively cheap A1 uppers from CDNN that put me over the edge.

I figured "hey.. lightweight good quality barrel, good sturdy sights.. why not?" I knew I wouldn't want to pony up another several hundred for good optics and BUIS at this point, so a model with sturdy integral sights was appealing.

Wasn't until I actually got the thing together and started playing with it that I really started to appreciate just how good they had it a generation ago. The 20" pencil barrel handles as easily as my old 16" HBAR ever did, the gov't upper-to-Stag lower locks up like a single piece of steel with not the slightest bit of wiggle, and the sights are just awesome.. simple, sturdy, and easy to use.
Most of all is just how *handy* even the 20-incher feels after playing with M4-type carbines.

Sure it ain't as good in dim light as something with an Aimpoint, and it won't handle in tight corners or vehicles as well as a nice shorty. And sure it won't handle rapid/auto fire (if it had full auto) like the modern heavier barrel profiles. I can see why it ain't front line anymore over in the sandbox. But by gosh is it a nice extra bit of security for plain ol' folk in the homeland. I guess ol' Stoner knew what he was doing first time around. :)




-K

[SigfanUSAF]

I agree completely! It locked down on my RRA lower as good as the RRA upper did! Cant wait for my A1 stock stuff to get in.

[grimjaw]

Looks like you could put one of those together with a lower for ~$700 . . .

What am I saying? Evil! Do not tempt me into the realm of ARs! Back! Back, I say! :p

jm

[SigfanUSAF]

Do it now! Buy them! You will not be dissappointed. The supply won't last forever, then you'll be kicking yourself in the arse for not jumping on board:D
Kaylee, did you refinish your lower to color match? I ordered a can of Brownells baking laquer in dark parkerized grey, maybe it will be close. I know Norrels has an exact match, but I don't currently have an airbrush setup.

[grimjaw]

I'm saving my cash for an Armalite 180B, otherwise I might jump on board. It sounds like a very good deal. I'm with Kaylee; I don't like the HBAR types. That Colt lower would be one of the few things that would tempt me to give one an AR a shot.

jm

ps. SigfanUSAF, I left Pope AFB in 2004 after four years as a contractor (with 43D CES). Do you shoot recreationally there or somewhere else, say nearby at Sanford? You can PM for the rest.

[Kaylee]

Kaylee, did you refinish your lower to color match? I ordered a can of Brownells baking laquer in dark parkerized grey, maybe it will be close. I know Norrels has an exact match, but I don't currently have an airbrush setup.

Hrmm - neat!

But no.. I figured I'd leave it as it was. As much demand is building, I tend to think eventually someone will make an honest to gosh A1 pattern lower, and I'll just pony up for one of them, and repurpose the Stag. For the time being, the color mismatch doesn't bother me.

-K

[ugaarguy]

Kaylee, I had the good fortune to convince my dad that the $600 on a Colt SP1 AR that an older friend from church offered me was a good investment. This was back during the AWB years, so I used a copy of the SGN w/ then current prices to talk investment to my non-gun guy businessman dad. Well lucky for me it worked and at 16 my first centerfire rifle was a real deal Colt Industries 1981 production SP1 AR-15. The last few years in the USAF with 20" A2s has made me really appreciate that light bbl on the SP1. I totally agree on the handling feel of the lighter SP1/A1 rifles. I also prefer the triangular handguards with their back to front taper and more or less flat bottom. I'm sure you're finding that it's a great balancing woods walking rifle too (if you have access to private land where you can carry it around). Have fun with it.

[Trebor]

I see that CDNN has uppers and SARCO has uppers and kits.

Any reccomendations as to which I should get?

[SigfanUSAF]

In my experience, steer well clear of SARCO. You may note they have A1 barrels for sale, with dark rings in the bores, for a decent price, again, i'd pass on anything from them. The Colt CDNN upper I recieved was as new, covered in cosmoline. Best deal in town I believe, you won't be disappointed.
Dropped on my RRA lower with only minor fitting and locks up as tight as my RRA upper.