Viet-Nam Era XM16E1 Retro Build
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Nicely done.
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5,678 Posts
Very cool. I for one have always liked the A1's. Having a 6lb rifle that still has a 20" barrel is kinda nice.
thanks,
I am missing a couple of lower parts that are not authentic, I thought about
purchasing a surplus M16 trigger parts kit, but not having a Class III Lic, I decided not to risk putting Auto parts - the auto sear of course since it would not fit, but having an Auto Disconnector, trigger, selector switch and hammer
but again, in reading of the law I can own the parts, they can not be installed in a rifle. then it would be a felony the dictates prison time...
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Someone made reto replica lower receiver parts at one time but I cant find them now.
I am missing a couple of lower parts that are not authentic, I thought about
purchasing a surplus M16 trigger parts kit, but not having a Class III Lic, I decided not to risk putting Auto parts - the auto sear of course since it would not fit, but having an Auto Disconnector, trigger, selector switch and hammer
but again, in reading of the law I can own the parts, they can not be installed in a rifle. then it would be a felony the dictates prison time...
.Someone made reto replica lower receiver parts at one time but I cant find them now.
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13,173 Posts
Very, VERY cool indeed! Good attention to detail, and nicely done!
Here's my own retro AR, built around a USAF surplus M16 (no A1) upper I got cheap. Non-authentic cheap lower. An M261 .22 unit usually lives in it, but I have an early chromed bolt in it for this pic. I've got an early 3-prong flash for it around here somewhere, too. I've also got an extra set of early furniture, which I'm going to paint OD green to match the early ones, as soon as I can find some paint that's a reasonable match.
(Lower gun is a .22 built around a DPMS .22 upper with a slip-over fake XM177 muzzle device.)
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Here's my own retro AR, built around a USAF surplus M16 (no A1) upper I got cheap. Non-authentic cheap lower. An M261 .22 unit usually lives in it, but I have an early chromed bolt in it for this pic. I've got an early 3-prong flash for it around here somewhere, too. I've also got an extra set of early furniture, which I'm going to paint OD green to match the early ones, as soon as I can find some paint that's a reasonable match.
(Lower gun is a .22 built around a DPMS .22 upper with a slip-over fake XM177 muzzle device.)
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3,882 Posts
Funny thing about those A1 rifles, The picture that 2k05gt posted moved me to tears. My fellow students from the graduating classes of 1967-1972, carried a large number of these into the bush.
There's something to be said for a 20" barrel in both 5.56 X 45 and 7.62 X 51 that hearken back to my days as a youth.
There's something to be said for a 20" barrel in both 5.56 X 45 and 7.62 X 51 that hearken back to my days as a youth.
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3,882 Posts
2k05gt,
My "M16 clone", a 1970 Colt's parts kit put together on a TEXAS FLAG lower (by RUNNER RUNNER of Texas), looks very much like yours. = NICE rifle you have there.
As most of the EOF here KNOW, I'm no particular fan of "The Mattel Special" (You can tell it's Mattel. It's swell.) BUT I have access to LOTS of dirt cheap/FREE ammo, so I have one for future/possible "periods of civil disorder".
yours, sw
My "M16 clone", a 1970 Colt's parts kit put together on a TEXAS FLAG lower (by RUNNER RUNNER of Texas), looks very much like yours. = NICE rifle you have there.
As most of the EOF here KNOW, I'm no particular fan of "The Mattel Special" (You can tell it's Mattel. It's swell.) BUT I have access to LOTS of dirt cheap/FREE ammo, so I have one for future/possible "periods of civil disorder".
yours, sw
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Man, I haven't heard it called that in years. 'Course I've been retired since '87.
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For the Young Folks Here
When Colt was cranking out M16s for the Viet Nam Dance they were having some parts second sourced. The stock was one of those items and Mattel was the sub. Early stocks had Mattel imprinted and between that and the ammo problems caused derision for the "toy" gun and the phase "It's swell. It's from Mattel," to gain popularity for the rifle.
The early ammo was loaded with a very dirty burning powder and caused jams. More that one poor GI was found shot will stripping down his weapon the clean it and get it running again. The military, in its vast wisdom, started insisting that more gun oil was better. This led to problems in the Sand Box as the excessive oil gathered sand and grit again causing jams. :duh:
When Colt was cranking out M16s for the Viet Nam Dance they were having some parts second sourced. The stock was one of those items and Mattel was the sub. Early stocks had Mattel imprinted and between that and the ammo problems caused derision for the "toy" gun and the phase "It's swell. It's from Mattel," to gain popularity for the rifle.
The early ammo was loaded with a very dirty burning powder and caused jams. More that one poor GI was found shot will stripping down his weapon the clean it and get it running again. The military, in its vast wisdom, started insisting that more gun oil was better. This led to problems in the Sand Box as the excessive oil gathered sand and grit again causing jams. :duh:
I have it on good authority that what caused the original M16 rifles to jam was a "dirty" (incomplete burning) lot of Winchester-Western 760 "ball" propellant. This came straight from a gunsmith's mouth.
The first time I hear about the "M16, by Mattel" story was on Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In". Two soldiers in the bush were attempting to repel an NVA charge, when a black 'soldier' complained about his malfunction rifle. He said, "I can't believe I cant shoot back" the white soldier said "they said that we wouldn't have to clean them". The black soldier turned over his rifle and said; "These rifles were made by... Mattel?"
Fade to black.
The Military wouldn't have contracted the stocks out to Mattel if they wouldn't hold up.
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Ever hear of a "flip" jeep? The early 151's rear suspension geometry was so screwed up they had a tendency to turn over in turns over 40MPW. Seems that wasn't fully corrected and carried over to the civilian world. DoD all to often has to cater to Congress and their buy8ing votes back home.
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13,173 Posts
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csmkersh,
100% TRUE.
yours, satx
100% TRUE.
yours, satx
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I don't, on political stuff. They definitely lean left. On neutral matters they're pretty good.
Do you have an "authoritative source" that any part of M16 WAS made by Mattell?
I carried one of these into the bush- and promptly lost it in favor of the "bigger brother"- the 14- I have nothing but contempt for these rifles- even a so- called a2 version, which sits at the back of my safe, unused- lucky for me, the TAVOR which is my go to shares the same bayonet , magazines and cartridge- again a useless pos- ie the cartridge, unless you load it with 70 grain pills, as I live in BIG bear country- even my 308s all carry 180's
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