Pics of my "retro" AR-15: Dissipator A1

[MatthewVanitas]

Just realized that I never posted pics of the end result of my little project.

--Stock Bushmaster Dissy upper (with M4 profile under handguards to save weight), added a DPMS repro 3-prong flash-suppressor. I called and asked nicely, so they put an M4 Dissy barrel onto an A1 receiver for me, no extra charge. Actually, I think it was $20 cheaper to go with the A1 vice A2 receiver.

--Stock CMMG lower, feels very nice.

--CavArms A1-length buttstock

--(not in pic) Vietnam-era surplus OD-green sling


Handles really well, great sight radius, very happy with overall.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd go with a CMMG mid-length Dissipator. That way it'd be (very slightly) more reliable and less recoil than the Bushmaster CAR-length gas system. Also not incredibly thrilled with the CavArms stock. It's not necessarily bad, but it's not quite as comfortingly solid as the stock on my issue M16A2 was, and the buttplate is pretty cheesy. I'd replace the buttplate, but the A1 buttplate replacement I got is about .5 inches different in size; does the CavArms use a non-standard size buttplate for some weird reason?

Anyway, that aside, been cool overall. I think I have about $760 into it, all told, thus meeting my goal of coming in cheaper that the $799 that CDNN was charging for it's BM Patrolman.

It's kind of funny looking, but I like it. Not quite an authentic copy of the Vietnam-era Colt 605 experimental variant, but close enough for jazz.

-MV

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I'd replace the buttplate, but the A1 buttplate replacement I got is about .5 inches different in size; does the CavArms use a non-standard size buttplate for some weird reason?

Get the standard A2 buttplate (which is better anyway) and replace the CavArms buttplate with that - it looks and works better. Good looking rifle.

 

[AK103K]

The A1 stocks are actually about 5/8" shorter than the A2's. Personally, I prefer them as I think the A2 is to long. The M16/M16A1 both have the same LOP as the AK, (and most other combat rifles) which really isnt short.

If your not used to the shorter stock, give it a chance. Once you get used to it, you will want all your rifles "short".

If you really want to get "retro", Northridge sells M16/M16A1 furniture sets for $20. They are not new, but in good shape. I use them for paint jobs and the shorter stock. They come with the triangular handguard, pistol grip and stock.

Heres a set on my Bushmaster Dissy I did in German Flecktarn:

 

[DMK]

Very nice! I love the A1 upper and the Cav stock. I'm building a standard Midlength on a M16A1 upper that will look almost like that except it will have a Phantom FS. It's kinda cool building it just the way you want it, ain't it?

Also not incredibly thrilled with the CavArms stock. It's not necessarily bad, but it's not quite as comfortingly solid as the stock on my issue M16A2 was, and the buttplate is pretty cheesy. I'd replace the buttplate, but the A1 buttplate replacement I got is about .5 inches different in size; does the CavArms use a non-standard size buttplate for some weird reason?

I have two Cav Arms C1 stocks. I use standard A2 buttplates (RRAs to be exact). It fits perfectly, has a better door and a more 'grippy' texture. You can probably pick one up on the AR15.com EE, but you might have to buy a whole A2 stock shell to get it. Used A2 stocks are real cheap though.

One thing I like about the C1 stock is the huge compartment. I've tried A1s (newer and old type) and A2s. I think the C1 is the perfect compromise. The A1s are make of a much more brittle material (I have an A1 stock that I cracked), where the C1 stock is made of modern polymers and will flex more without cracking.

 

[weet]

yes, older thread....but still looking for pictures of the ''dissipator style carbine/rifle...thinking ? of going ''retro''.............oh, my.

weet

p.s. no pictures on this thread ? hummm ?

 

[AK103K]

I guess due to the age of the thread, they dropped off. Here's what was in my post. Its one of the M16 stock sets from Northridge....

 

[Okami]

Nice!

 

[Fumbler]

I don't see it.

 

[krs]

That's called "Retro"?

This is retro..

 

[weet]

very ! very nice !!!

yes, i ordered a cmmg, mid-length gas.. trying to ''clone'' the colt model 605...
great pictures !

weet

 

[weet]

p.s.

Krs ? can you tell me about your rifle ? and ak103k... how does your rifle handel ? yours is exactly what im trying to putt together.
i'll haves to check out northridge?
thanks so much !

weet


weet

 

[R.W.Dale]

That's called "Retro"?

This is retro..

YEP

As Paul Hogan said in that Crocodile Dundee flick

"That's not a retro, THIS is a retro" or something to that effect

 

[AK103K]

weet,

Mines an early Bushmaster. I prefer the A1 stocks, and found the M16 furniture sets while looking for one. I've bought a number off sets Northridge now.

The Dissapator is OK. It would be better if Bushmaster had used a lighter weight barrel, as its a little heavy, to no advantage, with the heavy barrel it came with. I do like the longer furniture and sight radius though.

When I got mine, all the 16" guns had those silly pencil barrels and short handguards on them, which I really dislike. The Dissapator offered something different and interesting. Personally, I like the carbine length guns with the mid length handguards now available the best.

 

[peabody]

wow, yes i went with cmmg mid-length for my dissy,

great thread !

 

[uxb]

Colt made an early version of the carbine with a 15" barrel threaded just at the end of the front sight base. It had a full-length rifle gas system. It was called the 605.

The upper receivers were actually 603 receivers with the forward assist ground off in the milling process.

The final rifle was lightweight, balanced well, quick to maneuver, and pleasant to shoot.

While they excelled in hot environments, their performance was less than stellar when temps dropped below 50 degrees.

My clone above has the gas port opened to 0.110" for reliable function in colder climes.

 

[david_the_greek]

Saw an individual that built a "retro" with the charging handle in the carry handle. Now that was old school!

 

[peabody]

i thinks ? no-dak-spud's has those trigger in the carry handle, uppers fror sale...


also check out ........

www.retroblackrifle.com

awsome cool stuff. retro all the way


peabody