US M-16 Upper (Exc condition) = Worth $200?

[myrockfight]

Hey there guys! I went to the Tampa Gun Show last weekend. I saw a surplus upper which was the old school kind without an assist and with triangular handguards. I went ahead and picked out the best one and paid the man $200. The bore is chromed but I don't know the twist rate.



It has a few nicks, but overall it is in excellent condition. Unfortunately I wasn't thinking about getting the headspace checked before I purchased it. So I need to take it in to a gunsmith to get it checked. Unless someone can recommend a procedure for doing it myself. I thought I might be able to make a cast and measure it with my micrometer.



Anywho, this is my first AR. I am really excited. But I was wondering if I got a good deal on the upper.



Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

About par for the course on the old A1 uppers.

A great many early & obsolete M16 and M16-A1 rifles were given to police agency's by the Government for only the $39 cost of shipping.

But they are all 1/12 twist and don't handle the heavier bullets now in favor, and are too long for easy use out of a patrol car.

So the cops buy a new carbine upper, sell the old ones, and have an almost new patrol rifle for little cost.

It is also possible they came in as surplus from some friendly government who got early rifles on the lend-lease program, and have since up-graded them to the more modern M16A2 specs.

On to the next question:
Headspace.
Are you saying you got the complete upper with a bolt carrier & bolt?

If it is the original bolt that went with the rifle, it is probably fine.
Chances are though that it is not, and wear could possibly have some effect on headspace.

The only way to measure it is with a headspace guage.
There is no other way to measure it correctly.

The cheapest way to get it done is to buy a headspace guage from Brownell's and do it yourself.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6646&title=5.56mm (.223) HEADSPACE GAUGE

rcmodel

 

[DMK]

yea, it's worth $200. CDNN was selling them for more than that a few years ago. Retro ARs and retro parts have a real cult following.

You didn't happen to get a bolt and charging handle with it did you? If so, then it's an awesome deal.

As RCmodel said, it's a 1/12 twist and will shoot up to 55gr-62gr commercial ammo just fine. 62gr M855 surplus is a little longer due to the steel core (steel is lighter than lead, so the bullet is longer for the same weight) so it won't stabilize well.

I picked up one along with other bits and pieces in the classifieds section of the forums and built this. Very fun, handy and very light.

 

[Glock Holiday]

That's not too bad a deal if the GI upper is in good condition.
The retro AR craze is in full swing and they sell for more at many gun shows.

My GI upper on a Rock River lower.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Nice looking rifles guys. I have got to get the rest of the pieces together for my A1 clone. Good to see you over on THR, GH.

-jagd

 

[Glock Holiday]

Why thank you my friend.

 

[selector67]

I prefer my A1 over my A2, I just like looks of the A1 better.

 

[myrockfight]

Thanks for the information guys. I used a Spike's Tactical lower. They are out of Apopka, FL. They are a real nice group of guys. They also just got a contract for the US govt to build rifles with their proprietary parts.

I got my lower for $150 - loaded. I was stoked to build my rifle in one day - in the parking lot after the show . I will have to add a pic.

 

[myrockfight]

OK. Here she is. I bought a 6 position stock because that was all he had. I just had to get it together. This week I am ordering a standard stock for it. Then I am going to get a flatop upper and make an M4 knockoff out of the second reciever I bought from Spike's

 

[cmidkiff]

A tacticool light and a collapsible stock on an A1 with triangle handguards and a 3 prong flash hider Never seen that combo before...

Enjoy your new rifle!

 

[Chipperman]

Old school meets new school

 

[myrockfight]

A tacticool light and a collapsible stock on an A1 with triangle handguards and a 3 prong flash hider Never seen that combo before...

LOL. Yeah. I was thinking the same thing when I put it together. I can't say that I am particularly fond of it. That is why I am picking up a regular old school stock. The adjustable is going to go on an M4 knockoff that I am building.



The laser was not meant for it, but it was new and I wanted to try it out.

 

[DMK]

Here's another one (non-chrome lined 1/12 twist) I put together to use a Ciener kit with. It's got a flat top upper on it now.

 

[Bill2e]

They were $225 today in Orlando, no bolt/charging handle. I wnated one, but they looked a little beat up & I was there looking for other stuff.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I bought a Colt tri-guard upper with forward assist a couple years ago from CDN for $369 (CTD had them also for another $20). I slapped it on a rock-river lower, and it's the coolest thing since sliced bread !!! If this is where your head is at right now, don't wait, jump NOW !!

 

[Coronach]

Slickside uppers? Interesting. Most of the ones surplussed out recently to LE agencies via DHS were M16A1s, with FA and A1 FHs.

Mike

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Don't forget the A1-length stocks and A1 pistol grips! Nice retro rifles, y'all.

 

[Hoppy590]

where can one get such a deal? are they available online, or just a occasional local find?

 

[CBS220]

My GI upper on a Rock River lower.

Forward assist with triangular handguards? Unusual. Is that the old style pencil barrel, or a heavier profile?