Well, guys, with one build down I'm starting two weigh ideas for four more... or rather two pairs, the idea being that if things get "relocating" serious between me and the GF each possible pair being a matched His & Hers set of an American-issue rifle and its Canadian counterpart. You know what they say, "the couple that shoots together stays together, and has interlocking fields of fire."
First, some notes on this project's departures from "Mil-Spec." The carbines are getting upped to 16" barrels with mid-length gas systems to avoid the hassle of NFA crap, and all of the uppers are to have M4 feedramps and 1:7-twist barrels whether their issue counterparts do or not. Also, they're all getting KNS anti-walk FCG pinsets just for my own peace of mind, and extended takedown pins for easier breakdown to haul to/from the range without freaking out the bedwetter neighbors. Also, the two Canuck clones are getting six-position buffer tubes despite Canadian Spec being only four because I can't use a stock that's more than half extended. Also, rails will be Picatinny rather than Can-Spec Weaver for reasons of availability and compatibility. And because I'm a southpaw, I'm tempted to just throw ambi safeties on everything.
Rifle pair: M16A4 and C7A2. Both to be as close as possible to current-issue.
--Uppers: Thinking 20" standard Rifle Length, mainly differentiated by the green "traditional" handguard on the C7 versus a KAC RAS M5 on the A4.
----M16 upper: As an iterim before the RAS, thinking to start with the same Palmetto upper as the C7, just no "color."
----C7 upper: Thinking this one from Palmetto, with some ODG Cerakote or similar for proper color.
PSA 20'' CHF Rifle Length 5.56 NATO 1/7 A2 Upper - NO BCG or Charging Handle - 30796
----M16 specific parts:
----C7 specific parts: BCM FSB-mount tri-rail. Narrower front-sight post from KNS.
--BCG's and CH's: Part of me wants to go with POF's "ultimate" BCG that has a roller cam and one-piece carrier and gas-key, but so far (admittedly no firing yet) I've found nothing to complain about with the DSArms BCG/CH combo in my personalized AR. Thinking I'll just use DSAs for both, though the C7 needs to have that funky Canadian ambi-latch installed and I've only found them through Model 1 Sales.
--Lowers and FCG's: Thinking Anderson lowers and Palmetto LPK's. They're what I used on my build, and while not the prettiest of parts they seem to be good value-oriented options.
----C7 specific parts: Norgon ambi-catch. I know I need a CAR15-style telestock with sling slot both above and below tube, but so far the only CAR furniture vendors I've found only offer 'em on either fixed or 4-position tubes.
----M16 stock: Since the Marines have fitted M4 stocks to M16A4 rifles for shorter-armed operators, I feel justified in following their lead.
--Rifle-specific accessories:
----C7: Eickhorn bayonet. Elcan C79 optic if we can find a non-ITAR version.
----M16A4: Ontario OKC-3S bayonet. (Might as well go Full Metal Jarhead, right?) Trijicon ACOG optic?
Carbine pair: M4 and C8A2
--C8: Basically as per the C7 above, but with this upper instead.
PTAC 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1:7 Upper - w/o BCG or Charging Handle - 506525
--M4: Same upper as the C8 but without the FSB-mount rail. Palmetto Classic lower build kit for LPK and stock.
Palmetto State Armory Premium Classic Lower Build Kit - 29040 Same lower plan as M16A4gery above.
--Rifle-specific accessories:
----C8: Eickhorn bayonet. Elcan C79 optic if we can find a non-ITAR version.
----M4: Ontario M9 bayonet.
There are a lot of blanks to fill in here, and what I do have is "penciled in" since I'm not real confident in my AR-family knowledge other than how the parts fit together I'd appreciate whatever assistance you Old Hands can offer in mentoring me on the platform.
