AR15A1? / M16A1 Look Alike

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LonnyEnds

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Hey everyone I've done a bunch of searching on here and else where and have become a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information and variants to the AR-15 design as I have stuck to WWII and older stuff. My question for those in the know is what is my best route to have the closest thing to the vietnam era M16A1. It does not have to be 100% correct but it would need the triangular handgaurd and preferably the birdcage style flashhider. The fixed buttstock is a must but if I have to settle for the slightly different A2 fixed stock I am ok with that. Same goes for the grip (prefer smooth but would accept a A2 style one with ridges)

From what I have seen the Colt SP1 and Century Arms C15A1 Sporter are the closest to looking the part but both seem hard to impossible to source in Canada. I am just trying to find out all my options regardless of reviews of a specific gun/company.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Yes I've already come across that deal already and the price is temping. I am mainly going for looks here and unfortunately it is just not close enough. The handgaurd and stock are completely wrong. The flash hider looks the part and the grip is close enough. I can not tell if the forward assist is correct but that is another part I am not overly picky about. I could see that being an option if I was able to source the correct looking parts and they would fit on this rifle. That being said I have no clue where I could find those parts (preferably in Canada) Anyone that can chime in on this would be great. I would prefer to buy something already put together looking right but this looks like it might be pretty economical to build if the parts were readily available.
 
LonnyEnds said:
Hey everyone I've done a bunch of searching on here and else where and have become a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information and variants to the AR-15 design as I have stuck to WWII and older stuff. My question for those in the know is what is my best route to have the closest thing to the vietnam era M16A1. It does not have to be 100% correct but it would need the triangular handgaurd and preferably the birdcage style flashhider. The fixed buttstock is a must but if I have to settle for the slightly different A2 fixed stock I am ok with that. Same goes for the grip (prefer smooth but would accept a A2 style one with ridges)

From what I have seen the Colt SP1 and Century Arms C15A1 Sporter are the closest to looking the part but both seem hard to impossible to source in Canada. I am just trying to find out all my options regardless of reviews of a specific gun/company.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Yup the look of the colt SP1 is very close to the original M16. Even the rifling is the same, 1:12.

The DA556 is a great start for a M16 clone but you have to change the buttstock and handguards + triangular *cap*.
What is cool with the DA is you can choose between a 1:12 or 1:9 rifling. IMO the 1:9 rifling is the way more appealing, you will shoot wider range of bullets.

If Canadaammo offer a 20inch 1:9 DA556 with M16 furniture in the future, the choice will be easy.
For now the choice is difficult...
 
Thanks for the inputs guys, any idea where I might be able to source the correct furniture? I called my local shop earlier today and the person I spoke to said he had a bushmaster that looked the exact same but I could only find A2 and newer style offerings from them and DPMS. I would jump on the Colt SP1 or Century Arms in a second if available because those are examples of "close enough" for me. The DA556 remains very tempting but I can't commit unless I can find the right parts and they will fit. ( I don't see why they wouldn't) Surely there must be a bunch of guys on here that have/know what I need. I just don't have the time to filter through the 300+ page AR pic thread to find what I need right now.
 
I was able to get the triangle hand guard set out of the US.

I was going for the M605 look.

IMG_0045_zpsc373852c.jpg


You just missed out. IRG just had a complete A1 parts kits ....

http://www.irunguns.com/product.colt-m16-ar15-parts-kits-good-condition-factory-original-b-grade-317
 
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As noted above, CGN sponsor Irunguns had original M16a1 (surplus) parts kits, everything but the
lower & barrel. They might get more. Buy the kit, slap the parts you want onto the CanadaAmmo AR
and sell the rest on the EE.
 
On a side note the best thread I've found on specifics is http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/241681_.html. Hopefully I'm not breaking any rule posting the link and sorry if I am. But it goes into great depth the differences of the A1 vs others. Most are tiny details I don't care about, I am looking for a decent match from a foot away, while having enough correct equipment that someone that knows what they are looking at can appreciate it. Details like the forward assist, fence, port door, retaining ring I am willing to settle on. Other parts I'd like as correct as possible. It also looks like the sight is non adjustable on the DA. If anyone that has the DA556 could post some detailed pictures here that would help big time in making a decision on it.

Now it looks like there will be a ton of suppliers that will have the parts to build a clone based in the states. I have no experience bringing parts in from the USA so if someone could direct me to more info on that subject/ let me know if it is simply not worth it that's awesome.
 
Looks like they are out of stock now? Dang that looks like just what I would need to build one up. On that note if I find a similar kit and ship it to my box in Niagara Falls NY, will customs cause a fuss. I have zero gunsmithing experience and have dealt with basic stuff like sks, Mosins, and Norinco 1897 Trench gun so far. Would those pieces be best left up to a shop to install?
 
Yeah that looks like it would work quite well! Care to post or pm me some more details? It looks quite nice so I am a bit afraid to ask price as well. :)
 
LonnyEnds said:
Looks like they are out of stock now? Dang that looks like just what I would need to build one up. On that note if I find a similar kit and ship it to my box in Niagara Falls NY, will customs cause a fuss. I have zero gunsmithing experience and have dealt with basic stuff like sks, Mosins, and Norinco 1897 Trench gun so far. Would those pieces be best left up to a shop to install?
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You cannot personally export firearm parts out of the USA. Mailing it to your PO box stateside and carrying it across the border is exporting. The USA has laws (ITAR) governing this. It would have to go through an American exporter with the correct permits.
Canada customs on the other hand doesn't care as long as the item is legal to own in Canada. They would want to see a registration for the lower is all, maybe proof it's not an automatic lower. And collect GST of course.
 
Thanks for the info guys. If I read you right Charles the export of parts is pretty well the same as going to buy ammo in the states. That is Canada customs won't care as long as I have proof I have a legal use/RPAL and pay duty. The problem is with American laws stating I cannot purchase/export as an alien? If this is the case I'm guessing it simply is not worth risking it no matter how unlikely the US Authorities would be wise to it. That being said I have had no issues in the past bringing back the at time hard to get 7.62x54R, have I just been lucky/risking serious penalty with the Americans because where I cross there is almost no chance of getting stopped by US customs coming back into Canada? Now that the paranoia has set in I have to ask is there cases of ATF etc scoping out Canadian plates at border town gun shops stateside or something? (sorry just in me to play devils advocate)
 
You can get most of the parts from Brownells. The only thing you will need to scrounge the furniture. Everything else is out there. Brownells right is selling a C7 clone A1 style upper receiver for $65. I have one on order. They are also ordering me the sight kit and teardrop forward assist. Once I complete getting the furniture all I will need is a barrel and I'll be set to put it together. Easy Peasy.
 
jawsman said:
You can get most of the parts from Brownells. The only thing you will need to scrounge the furniture. Everything else is out there. Brownells right is selling a C7 clone A1 style upper receiver for $65. I have one on order. They are also ordering me the sight kit and teardrop forward assist. Once I complete getting the furniture all I will need is a barrel and I'll be set to put it together. Easy Peasy.
Click to expand...

Ya it's so simple anyone can do it . :rolleyes:
Don't forget to post pic's when you are done & how much everything cost & how long it took to realize your dream.
lol
 
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