Colt M16A2vs Colt AR15?

SodaPop · September 14, 2003, 04:38 AM

Are these two made on the same machinery?

How close are they?

Nightcrawler · September 14, 2003, 04:46 AM

Well, I'm unfamiliar with the individual Colt sporters. However, the obvious differences are the lack of a burst-fire function and the barrel weight.

To date (and as far as I know...I plead ignorance with Colt's postban sporters), every 20" AR-15 from a major manufacturer has a "heavy" barrel. Many assume that this means an M16A2 weight barrel, which is heavier than the barrel of the A1. (As an odd aside, some in the Army that I know assume that the barrel of the M16A3 and A4 is heavier than the A2, but this is not the case.)

This is not true. Most "sporter" 20" ARs have VERY heavy barrels, bordering (IMHO) on the ridiculous, and adding much unnecessary weight to what was supposed to be a lightweight weapon.

Some assume that you can order 20" ARs with an A2 weight barrel, but again, this doesn't seem to be the case. Bushmaster now sells a pre-ban-spec (i.e., with bayo lug and flash hider) "Government Profile" barrel, but unless you have a preban AR and the equipment/skill necessary to headspace a barrel, it's not a route I can recommend.

The other option is to get a heavy barrel turned down, though I don't know how this will effect handguard fit or how much it will cost.

BigG · September 14, 2003, 07:02 AM

It's cheaper to leave the bbl staright under the handguards than to machine it to the military contour. I agree that the heavy bbls destroy the balance of what was once a light handy weapon. It's for the children!

I have a colt factory preban Sporter that has the A2 configuration bbl.

Telperion · September 14, 2003, 02:30 PM

Nightcrawler, I think Bushmaster will build a rifle to your specs if you special order from them.

There are several differences in the action between the AR-15 and M16. This page from AR15.com shows some pictures of how some parts differ.

SodaPop · September 14, 2003, 04:27 PM

I'm talking strictly Colt firearms.

Nightcrawler · September 14, 2003, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Nightcrawler, I think Bushmaster will build a rifle to your specs if you special order from them.

I kind of doubt that Bushmaster will make a speical order of one unique rifle. If they did, I imagine the cost would be obscene, since they don't appear to have post-ban A2 weight barrels available for sale.

But please don't be mistaken. I was merely pointing out what I fell is rather silly, espeically in this age where lookalikes of military weapons are all the rage (hence the fake M4s). You'd think that SOMEone would make a lookalike of an M16, but apparently no one does.

In any case, I have no desire for one. I've hauled an M16 around enough that I don't need one in my house, too.

surfinUSA · September 14, 2003, 07:17 PM

At one time there was very little difference between the Colt m16 and AR 15 (SP1). Basically the fire control parts and bolt carrier. the barrels and receivers were bassically the same although Colt continued to use the non forward assist upper on the AR15 well after the M16 had a forward assist.

Schiessuebung · September 15, 2003, 12:47 AM

Hey there SodaPop,

In addition to the semi internals, my pre-ban AR-15A2 has a big screw up front that hinges the upper and lower receivers instead of a push-pin like on the M16A2. Colt put the screw on there for some PC reason. Other than that, identical to the M16A2 with regard to sights, bolt forward assist, bayonet lug, gov't. profile barrel (thinner under the handguards), and flash hider.

My Bushmaster has push-pins fore and aft, nothing PC about it at all.

Makes for swapping uppers much, much easier.

September 14, 2003, 04:38 AM	#1
SodaPop member Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,430	Colt M16A2vs Colt AR15? Are these two made on the same machinery? How close are they?

September 14, 2003, 07:02 AM	#3
BigG Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Dixieland Posts: 6,643	It's cheaper to leave the bbl staright under the handguards than to machine it to the military contour. I agree that the heavy bbls destroy the balance of what was once a light handy weapon. It's for the children! I have a colt factory preban Sporter that has the A2 configuration bbl. __________________ Hatcher's Notebook Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition African Rifles and Cartridges Sixguns, by Keith M14 Rifle Winchester 1866 -1873 -1876 Rifles The Maxim Gun Wilson - Automatic Pistols Percussion Pistols & Revolvers - MEC Bob Brister - Shotgunning The Black Rifle

September 14, 2003, 07:17 PM	#7
surfinUSA Member Join Date: April 24, 2003 Location: By the ocean Posts: 460	At one time there was very little difference between the Colt m16 and AR 15 (SP1). Basically the fire control parts and bolt carrier. the barrels and receivers were bassically the same although Colt continued to use the non forward assist upper on the AR15 well after the M16 had a forward assist. __________________ Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world.

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September 14, 2003, 04:46 AM	#2
Nightcrawler Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Utah, inside the Terraformed Zone Posts: 6,953	Well, I'm unfamiliar with the individual Colt sporters. However, the obvious differences are the lack of a burst-fire function and the barrel weight. To date (and as far as I know...I plead ignorance with Colt's postban sporters), every 20" AR-15 from a major manufacturer has a "heavy" barrel. Many assume that this means an M16A2 weight barrel, which is heavier than the barrel of the A1. (As an odd aside, some in the Army that I know assume that the barrel of the M16A3 and A4 is heavier than the A2, but this is not the case.) This is not true. Most "sporter" 20" ARs have VERY heavy barrels, bordering (IMHO) on the ridiculous, and adding much unnecessary weight to what was supposed to be a lightweight weapon. Some assume that you can order 20" ARs with an A2 weight barrel, but again, this doesn't seem to be the case. Bushmaster now sells a pre-ban-spec (i.e., with bayo lug and flash hider) "Government Profile" barrel, but unless you have a preban AR and the equipment/skill necessary to headspace a barrel, it's not a route I can recommend. The other option is to get a heavy barrel turned down, though I don't know how this will effect handguard fit or how much it will cost.

September 14, 2003, 02:30 PM	#4
Telperion Member Join Date: March 23, 2003 Location: thehighroad.us Posts: 1,483	Nightcrawler, I think Bushmaster will build a rifle to your specs if you special order from them. There are several differences in the action between the AR-15 and M16. This page from AR15.com shows some pictures of how some parts differ.

September 14, 2003, 04:27 PM	#5
SodaPop member Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,430	I'm talking strictly Colt firearms.

September 15, 2003, 12:47 AM	#8
Schiessuebung Member Join Date: June 2, 2003 Location: Bucks Co., PA Posts: 56	Hey there SodaPop, In addition to the semi internals, my pre-ban AR-15A2 has a big screw up front that hinges the upper and lower receivers instead of a push-pin like on the M16A2. Colt put the screw on there for some PC reason. Other than that, identical to the M16A2 with regard to sights, bolt forward assist, bayonet lug, gov't. profile barrel (thinner under the handguards), and flash hider. My Bushmaster has push-pins fore and aft, nothing PC about it at all. Makes for swapping uppers much, much easier.