Vietnam-style AR-15

[Beagle-zebub]

Does anyone still make a pre-A1 style AR-15, either as an upper or a stand-alone rifle? I really want the XM16E1 model

You know what I'm talking about:

--Three-pronged flash hider
--Pencil barrel
--Triangular hand-guard
--No shell-deflector
--That weird upper receiver they had back then, with that little notch under the right side of the elevation adjustment
--20 round magazines, of course

I know '60s M-16s don't have the best reputation 'round these parts, but as someone who compulsively reads about the Vietnam War, this is a must-have for me.

The only one I see is the Fulton Armory Legacy, and that one is just a slab-sided Air Force type.

What's the deal?

 

[GBExpat]

FWIW, SARCO used to advertise USGI uppers in SGN that had neither Deflector nor Assist ... probably wouldn't hurt to check with them.

Good Luck!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Those are getting hard to find and unless you want to spend a big chunk of change on a used Colt, you might be looking at a build your own.

 

[dvdcrr]

A relative of mine bit the bullet and bought a NOS Colt SP1. You only cry once...

 

[Frosty Dave]

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, one good place to keep up with is the arfcom retro rifle forum: http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_3/123_AR_15___M_16_Retro_Forum.html

Resources, stickies and threads all have good info and it's a very civil sub-forum.

 

[agtman]

Does anyone still make a pre-A1 style AR-15, either as an upper or a stand-alone rifle? I really want the XM16E1 model.

You know what I'm talking about:
--Three-pronged flash hider
--Pencil barrel
--Triangular hand-guard
--No shell-deflector
--That weird upper receiver they had back then, with that little notch under the right side of the elevation adjustment
--20 round magazines, of course.
* * *

Yes, that model was called the "1962 JFK Advisor" Special Edition rifle.

Old School is still cool in my book.

Unfortunately, the closest one I've actually seen and held is the one you mentioned - the FA Legacy rifle.

 

[ifit]

John from ar15sport.com can hook you up, right now available is the upper you want either 1:9 twist or old school 1:12 which is higher in price, comes with no ch/BCG. This is where I get some parts for my retro ar builds. As for SARCO I ordered their slick side upper correct part #, they sent me a C7 upper

 

[MrTuffPaws]

NODAK SPUD sells both the lower and Uppers. They will be stripped, so you will have to find all of the other do-dads that go along with it. NODAK has some good references on his sight, and then there is always retroblackrifle.com that has all of the details.

I have looked into this sort of build before, and the one thing I learned is it will not be cheap. Good luck finding your A1.

 

[dprice3844444]

as mentioned,nodak spud on the aluminum upper/lower. here's the info for you to begin your retro endeavor
http://nodakspud.com/AR Lowers.htm
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/ar15m16.aspx
http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/m16-a1-5-56mm-20-1-12-twist-20-barrel/
http://store.mckay-ent.com/parts/m16-a1-replacement-barrel.html 1/7 twist
http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/ModGde/RflGde/CmpGdeRfl.html
http://www.uscoreplicas.net/M16A1-parts.html handguards
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/263900_.html

 

[45_auto]

--That weird upper receiver they had back then, with that little notch under the right side of the elevation adjustment

You are going to be REALLY surprised when you try to adjust your sight elevation on that upper reciever ....

 

[taliv]

essential arms sells a lot of retro ar parts

 

[wally]

If you really want to go all int try to find the original "waffle" magazine or a repo.

 

[R.W.Dale]

No pictures yet? You guys should be ashamed for letting a retro ar thread go this far without gunporn

 

[Welding Rod]

Fulton Armory Legacy... Just leave me one.

 

[Rio Laxas]

Watch out, retro AR-15s are an addiction. It started out by buying an H&R 603 (M16A1) upper, then it progressed to building a Colt 604 upper, and finally to an XM177E2 (CAR-15) upper.

 

[I6turbo]

It's not the full-length version that you're looking for, but my old 1971 model CAR is from the general era.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I like this thread! Good call on the vintage early ARs... I like the look too.

I prefer my A2 20" barrel over the 16" models. I also prefer the handles over the flat-tops.

 

[tark]

I remember seeing one of the first civilian AR-15 rifles, made by Colt, when I was a high school kid in 1966. It was at the local pawn shop in Davenport Iowa and it had all of the early features. No forward assist, no shell deflector, three pronged flash suppressor, early two position flip up rear peep sights and no chrome bore or chamber. It had the early 1 in 14 twist rate. I looked at it and handled it and I thought : this thing is a %$*&@#$ toy, not a weapon!

Besides, they wanted the outrageous price of $189 dollars for it!

If only I had known....

 

[easy]

Royal Tiger Imports - 'limited supply' $399.00 Colt kits
http://www.royaltigerimports.com/shop.html#!/~/product/category=8555007&id=15795386

 

[ifit]

Just a heads up on these retro styles, for some it may become addicting
Couple of my builds

 

[moxie]

Forget the waffle-style mags. They weren't ever in general use and they were horribly unreliable. It used to be considered a good deed to squash them with your boot if you ever came across one.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I love those retro style carbines. A real deal one is even better.

 

[tark]

Moxie, join me in a moment of silence. Tuco passed away a few hours ago He was 98. For those of you not familiar with Tuco, he was also known as Eli Wallach, and I hope I spelled that correctly.

 

[moxie]

Absolutely.

I posted about it in the General Gun discussions area above.

The source of my signature:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvSZ_HQmZgQ

And Tuco in the gunshop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meP_Ufwj-FY

 

[kimberkid]

This may be considered cheating ... It's my 1967 M16, however it wasn't in Vietnam, it came from a California prison.