Retro A1 build

[silicosys4]

I told the tale of my first AR15 a while ago. A mutt that didn't make much sense, and a relic of ancient AR15 home build history.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ild-and-some-gun-price-rarity-history.912849/

So as I describe in the thread, my first AR never got much love, because it was a nonsensical build that's sole purpose was to be an AR15...Any kind of AR, didn't matter as long as it was an AR. This is how it was when I got it





Yea, lol Thats a 24" barrel with a 4" muzzle device and its Awkward with a capital K.

In all honestly, I doubt i've run 20 rounds through this gun in the 20 years i've owned it. Its ridiculously long barrel, its A1 sights, its just a hodgepodge and soon after I bought this one I purchased another one and just kind of stuck the SGW away and forgot about it. I'd mulled over an A1 build but just never got around to it.

Thanks to Washingtons impending AWB, it was now or never, either get the A1 done or be stuck with it in its current state.

So I picked up a new barrel in 1:7,
https://www.jsesurplus.com/205.56LightweightBarrel1x7Nitride.625w/Tower.aspx

gas tube, flash hider, and handguards, and made it into something that makes sense.
The SGW lower dates from 1983 or so, and is an A1 style lower, the upper is a colt A1 upper, the stock is a pre-A1 fixed stock, so it was already most of the way to a retro A1 build.
And viola, as close to a real A1 as I'm ever likely to get.



.
I already like it a lot. First time I've gotten to handle one of these A1's. With the pencil barrel and light handguards its pretty handy.

 

[powermad]

That's a lot better than it was and looks good.

 

[12Bravo20]

That turned out well. And nothing wrong with a classic.

The only reason I don't care for the A1 is the fact that I shoot left handed. I always got burned by hot brass from the A1 when I was in the Army. It' no fun getting hot brass into the crook of your elbow or down your shirt.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Its shocking how light they are without all the extra optics, lights lasers, handles, and whatnot.
Nice A1!

 

[S.Crockett]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR, nor is the Forward Assist, too modern. And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

Aspirational at best.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR, nor is the Forward Assist, too modern. And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

Aspirational at best.

True but a good enough tribute.

Here is my own tribute to the SP-1 Carbine. Not a correct lower and it has an A7 upper since that works better for me as a lefty. It is also a 1:7 but no one can tell that at a glance.

 

[DeepSouth]

I’m not a big AR guy but I want one of those so I can channel my inner A-Team. I’ve looked into building one but for the cost I always end up with something else.

Very nice though, I am envious.

 

[12Bravo20]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR, nor is the Forward Assist, too modern. And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

Aspirational at best.

That is true for an original M16, but the M16A1 did in fact have the forward assist and bird cage flash hider. And the A1 version was in common use in 1967 so it is definitely retro.

 

[silicosys4]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR,

Well, its an A1 build on an early 80's manufactured A1 lower, I suppose you could nitpick that it isn't a "Colt" but then it would just be a vintage colt...and the title of the thread is "A1 build".
Its a lot closer than an A2 and more vintage than a modern A1 repro.
Note the lack of reinforcement in the buffer tower and front takedown pin holes.

nor is the Forward Assist, too modern.

Well, I'm sorry to tell you this but it is correct. In fact, as far as I know, the unmodified large button forward assist is literally the only FA that is actually physically capable of being ONLY on the A1 because the large button forward assist does not physically fit the A2 lower without modification. Here is what the modified large button forward assist looks like. You can see the relief cut.



Mine does not have that cutout, it is fully round because the lack of buffer tower reinforcing on an A1 lower receiver allows clearance for the entire diameter of the large button forward assist.



Here is what happens when you try to put an unmodified large button forward assist on an A2 lower. No can go.

And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

As was said, the birdcage flash hider is A1 correct

Aspirational at best.

Thank you! I'm glad you like it

 

[Sgt_Mike1]

Ok first and foremost that is a $350.00 Rifle ( LMAO humor there but honest that was approx retail in the early and mid 1980's when you could sell them).
Forward assist Yeaahhh ok the "CORRECT" forward assist for the A1 is what is referred to as a "teardrop" (it's the far right one)
Now lets be honest A lot of times the Large Round (late A1 Transition to the A2) was Modified to be used on the A2 upper in lieu of the correct smaller one a lot of A1 uppers was scrapped in the upgrade to A2 (just so it's clear that meant used and brand new in the wrap never issued) . With that being said I would consider what you have a really good retro A1, (even a lot of the issued A1's had the early m16 buttsock that you have the circa the A1 time for a brand new M16 the stock was same length but sling attachment was similar to the A2 ). If I was in the market I'd overlook the FA being a transition Large round and be all about what you have. Thank you for posting it




All of these are actually correct for a M16A1, now for the M16 the top three are the best candidate depend on a year your shooting for and which market Military or civilian (the bottom one is known as a type "d" or late M16 )

 

[Sgt_Mike1]

yep might fine retro A1 you got there even the pistol grip is correct. Nice

 

[AlexanderA]

You were lucky to find a barrel with a non "F" marked sight tower. Most all of them on the market nowadays have the "F" marked tower, which is meant for flat-topped upper receivers with BUIS or removable carry handles.

What's even more difficult to find is a heavy barrel with a non "F" marked tower. I had to settle for putting an "F" marked tower on my last A2 build.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I told the tale of my first AR15 a while ago. A mutt that didn't make much sense, and a relic of ancient AR15 home build history.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ild-and-some-gun-price-rarity-history.912849/

So as I describe in the thread, my first AR never got much love, because it was a nonsensical build that's sole purpose was to be an AR15...Any kind of AR, didn't matter as long as it was an AR. This is how it was when I got it

View attachment 1142740



Yea, lol Thats a 24" barrel with a 4" muzzle device and its Awkward with a capital K.

In all honestly, I doubt i've run 20 rounds through this gun in the 20 years i've owned it. Its ridiculously long barrel, its A1 sights, its just a hodgepodge and soon after I bought this one I purchased another one and just kind of stuck the SGW away and forgot about it. I'd mulled over an A1 build but just never got around to it.

Thanks to Washingtons impending AWB, it was now or never, either get the A1 done or be stuck with it in its current state.

So I picked up a new barrel in 1:7,
https://www.jsesurplus.com/205.56LightweightBarrel1x7Nitride.625w/Tower.aspx

gas tube, flash hider, and handguards, and made it into something that makes sense.
The SGW lower dates from 1983 or so, and is an A1 style lower, the upper is a colt A1 upper, the stock is a pre-A1 fixed stock, so it was already most of the way to a retro A1 build.
And viola, as close to a real A1 as I'm ever likely to get.

View attachment 1142744
View attachment 1142745
View attachment 1142746 .
I already like it a lot. First time I've gotten to handle one of these A1's. With the pencil barrel and light handguards its pretty handy.

I like it! For me the A2 profile is the nostalgia one, but the rifle was so much handier early on before we started bolting all kinds of stuff to it.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Looks like the version I qualified with in the USCG when they started arming the boat crews.
I think you did a good job.

 

[Speedo66]

I’m not a big AR guy but I want one of those so I can channel my inner A-Team. .
.

Didn't the A Team use Mini-14's with folding stocks?

 

[entropy]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR, nor is the Forward Assist, too modern. And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

Aspirational at best.

He did say A1 retro, not XM16, XM16E1, or M16.
I find it a pretty good, accurate build, and I rebuilt a lot of them as an Armorer.

My build when I finish it will have all the proper markings on the lower to match my service rifle, to include serial number.



I'll have to artificially age the lower, as my service rifles lower was already at least 18 years old when I got it, and most probably had spent it's youth in SE Asia.

 

[Charlie98]

With the pencil barrel and light handguards its pretty handy.

No doubt. I like it... it looks like your Ugly Duckling has turned into the White Swan.

One of my goals is to build an -A1 similar to what I carried in the '80's Army.... yours is probably closer than I'll ever get.

 

[DeepSouth]

Didn't the A Team use Mini-14's with folding stocks?

Yep those to, for some reason the old triangle hand guard is what sticks out in my mind, but yes they definitely did use Mini’s as well.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Happily, I got on the retro AR train early on, and was able to order a spanking new A1 Colt upper for not much money.
I have the butt trap A1 stock, and a NoDakSpud A1 lower. Teardrop FA and birdcage FH, 1:12 barrel. Happily, have a pretty good stash of 55 grain GI ammo.
It's the twin of the one the Army was kind enough to loan me in 1970; I didn't have to run through the jungle with mine.
It really brought me up short when I put it together; I'd been a much younger man, last time I handled such thing.
It really is light and handy, and I shot a great group with the irons, at 50 yards, as soon as it was put together. It was 15*; just couldn't wait.
BTW-all the 'assault rifle ban' talk; before the Clinton ban, virtually no one gave a rat's ass about 'black rifles'....then we were told we couldn't have one. And we saw the cops, and the guys in the sandbox, using them.
For the OP, nice build, begs the question, who originally wanted that 24" barrel? Glad you took it in hand for a makeover!
Moon

 

[d2wing]

It looks pretty authentic to me, I carried one in Vietnam. I would love to have one like it. I missed out on the Nodak repros.
I really liked how light and quick pointing they were. Great job.

 

[halfmoonclip]

It looks pretty authentic to me, I carried one in Vietnam. I would love to have one like it. I missed out on the Nodak repros.
I really liked how light and quick pointing they were. Great job.

d2wing, Brownells no longer handles the retro stuff? That would be too bad; they bought out NoDak. I got one of their M16 16" uppers, A1 sights and handguards, not sure what exactly it replicates, but it is fun and handy.
Moon

 

[12Bravo20]

d2wing, Brownells no longer handles the retro stuff? That would be too bad; they bought out NoDak. I got one of their M16 16" uppers, A1 sights and handguards, not sure what exactly it replicates, but it is fun and handy.
Moon

NoDak was bought out by parent company (JJE) that owns Palmetto State Armory. Novak is now known as H&R.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/JJE-HandR-LLC-acquisition-of-NoDak-Spud/123-768993/

 

[JDeere]

Built one with a surplus Colt slab side upper. Used the original stock, pistol grip and handguards. Got a Colt gray lower to use on it. I had a box with stocks, handguards and grips. I couldn't give them away back then. Got rid of them in a move. That was a .mistake. Wish I would have bought more of those uppers but oh well. When I built it people ask me why I wanted a retro...

 

[12Bravo20]

Built one with a surplus Colt slab side upper. Used the original stock, pistol grip and handguards. Got a Colt gray lower to use on it. I had a box with stocks, handguards and grips. I couldn't give them away back then. Got rid of them in a move. That was a .mistake. Wish I would have bought more of those uppers but oh well. When I built it people ask me why I wanted a retro...

And now everyone want a retro rifle.

I won't build an A1 clone since I shoot left handed and don't like getting hit with hot brass. But I do have an A2, A4, and M4 clone. Though the A1 definitely has a better trigger than the A2/M4. The burst trigger group messes up the trigger pull due to the burst cam.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Lower isn’t in the ball park of a Vintage/Retro AR, nor is the Forward Assist, too modern. And I’m not seeing the obligatory 3-prong FH.

Aspirational at best.

The M16A1 with its forward assist came out the same time as the M16 without the forward assist - 1963.

And his lower is exactly the same as an early 1972 lower,