Poll: Help me decide M4 Carbine or Retro A1

[rci2950]

I am building an AR15 and have been intently looking at parts for the last few days. I originally wanted to build a retro AR15 that looks like a Vietnam era M16. The one with the handle on top and the triangle hand guards... But this is seeming to be harder then i originally thought. As the proper upper receiver is non existent. All i seem to be able to find is the Bushmaster modern version. Anyway My friends are peer pressuring me to build an M4 carbine clone that looks like the current US issue M16a5?. Only issue with that is the proper 14.5 inch barrel with the correct cut outs etc seems to be a unicorn turd. So i am torn between the two now. If either one was a slam dunk then it would be decided for me. So I am hoping with this thread you can help me decide. Also if anyone has any pointers where to find the correct parts etc or any other input they would like to give i would greatly appreciate it. All i have so far is a stripped lower receiver. (Aero)
Thanks!

PS Including pics of your own build will help me decide! Show me what you got!

 

[CobraGT]

Build the M4, and buy one of the Brownells complete A1 clone rifles when they become available, probably later this year. M4-type parts are not that hard to come by on the EE, or from vendors such as:

http://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com...per-receiver-5-56-nato-14-5.html#.Wnd1hnT9ehA

 

[zuke]

1 lower and several upper's

 

[tharkhold]

Or of the Non restricted lowers and old style M16 furniture...


...oh an a copy of the FRT for when cops stop you because they think you have an actual M16/M4 out in the wild!

 

[rci2950]

Or of the Non restricted lowers and old style M16 furniture...


...oh an a copy of the FRT for when cops stop you because they think you have an actual M16/M4 out in the wild!

There are non restricted lowers?

 

[Greenhorse six]

The M4 would be easier to find the parts for , A1 barrels can be kind of hard to find and , like you said about the uppers .

Some times they have this barrel with the FSB already pinned on , which saves a lot of trouble .lol
http://www.saskatoongunworks.com/556x45-barrel-aero-precision/dp/3027

As far as I know , the M4 barrel and the government profile barrel are the same thing. the M4 just has the additional cut-out forward of the front sight base to accommodate the M203 GL.

 

[Greenhorse six]

And then there's this , which is pretty much a A1 with funky furnature , you will need to swap out the round end cap for the handgaurd for a correct triangle one .

https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/dominion-arms-cq-556-rifle/

Or this , but then you'll have to find somebody to drill and pin the FSB , which can be tricky .

https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/dominion-arms-da-556-20-barrel/

 

[sgt.rock]

Get a used cq311 off the EE. Pretty close to original.

 

[JGE]

Voted A1 but if was me, wish I had the funds, would build a C7A1 clone.

 

[josey wales]

Get a used cq311 off the EE. Pretty close to original.

Yep from 20 ft away and squinting

JK all that is retro is cool

I vote retro

 

[tharkhold]

There are non restricted lowers?

Get one of the NR AR15 looking lowers (like a MacDef SLR set), and put old school M16/M4 furniture on it.

 

[lerch641]

Can you really just have one?

 

[faizi]

M4 for sure.

 

[rci2950]

well I entered with an m4. Stag 15 M4.... 1 in 7 twist chrome lined 16 inch barrel with detachable carry handle. can't wait till it gets here.

 

[rci2950]

AAAAND i just started a retro build. So yes lerch641 i am going to have both. Thanks for planting that seed in my head.

 

[lerch641]

AAAAND i just started a retro build. So yes lerch641 i am going to have both. Thanks for planting that seed in my head.

Awww man...what a shame