M16A1 Modifications
- Thread starter Sctout
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My department is in the process of acquiring de-mil-ed M16A1. Since I had 20+ years of various military service (none of which was as an armorer), I have been pushed into play to assist the department with modifying these into patrol rifles. I have this question which I think I know the answer for... If the M16A1's are going to be retrofitted with a collapsible stocks, the buffer tube, spring and buffer will all have to be replaced, right? I presume this because I believe the buffer tube (and thus the buffer and spring) would have to be shorter for the collapsible stock... Any ideas?
Jeremy2171
Member
If you are modifying them basically you will separate the upper...strip the lower of parts except for the FCG. Then set all of those parts aside......bag them up etc.
Add the newer upper 14.5/16" I assume and then add the new carbine buffer tube and parts etc and there you go..
Then you take your M16A1 "parts kit" and sell it to recoup the cost of the upgrade....
Add the newer upper 14.5/16" I assume and then add the new carbine buffer tube and parts etc and there you go..
Then you take your M16A1 "parts kit" and sell it to recoup the cost of the upgrade....
The thing I love about the AR platform is that there are thousands of configurations you can make from the basic upper and lower. So, if you tell us what configuration you want to convert these to, we can give you the technical info to do it. If you leave it open to peoples opinion's, well.... you'll get lots of em.
ie.. barrel lenth, weight, iron sight type, optic type, stock type, so forth and so on.
ie.. barrel lenth, weight, iron sight type, optic type, stock type, so forth and so on.
sctout, yeah, you're correct. (buffers and springs are also different lengths)
the program I'm aware of is like $200 for unmodified M16s to LE depts, but with the catch that it is still owned by uncle same and can be called back if needed. if that's the same program you're in, then they'll still be FA. and you'll want to keep the original stocks/buffers in the extremely unlikely event you need to restore and return them.
my preference is to put a stock on that's about the same weight as the old fixed one. if you just put one of the collapsible stocks on there that is very light, but still have teh 20" barrel, it will feel a bit awkward and front-heavy.
the program I'm aware of is like $200 for unmodified M16s to LE depts, but with the catch that it is still owned by uncle same and can be called back if needed. if that's the same program you're in, then they'll still be FA. and you'll want to keep the original stocks/buffers in the extremely unlikely event you need to restore and return them.
my preference is to put a stock on that's about the same weight as the old fixed one. if you just put one of the collapsible stocks on there that is very light, but still have teh 20" barrel, it will feel a bit awkward and front-heavy.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Are these functioning rifles? De-milled implies that won't be functioning..
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
That has historically meant the receiver, and probably the barrel have been destroyed / cut in pieces with a cutting torch or hydraulic shear.
You sure these aren't just parts kits you will have to buy uppers & lowers & maybe barrels for to get them working?
rc
I saw a show on the Discovery Channel about how the arsenal "de-mils" its small arms that are not repairable. The policy was that no part could be usable down to the smallest spring or pin. Basiclly they 100% destroyed every part of the weapon. I don't think de-miled is what he meant.
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