First AR15 - went retro Colt (lots of pictures) - UPDATED build complete - post 66

[ArtyMan]

Hey guys,

I have been thinking about getting an AR15 for a while but for one reason or another never bothered to actually pick one up. Well I finally picked up my first AR a while back, so I thought I would take some pictures.

Its a Colt AR15A2 that has the earlier A1 style sights. Seeing as how I have always liked the retro look I decided to put some triangular style handguards on it, aswell as replace the circular forward assist with the earlier teardrop style. All I need now is an A1 pistol grip and a 5/20 rd magazine and I should be good. The magazine pictures is a 10rd LAR magazine that isnt fully seated Also pictured is a 1960s US Army training manual, which is interesting in its own right! The rifle shoots very well and I have not had any issues or malfunctions.

If anyone could shed any light on why an A2 rifle would have A1 sights that would be appreciated. Date of manufacture?

 

[ArtyMan]

 

[gnmontey]

Now THAT'S my kind of AR!

 

[mac100]

I really enjoyed that ####! Bravo

 

[ghostntheshell]

I think this the one I saw in person. Gorgeous rifle. Loud as all heck too!

 

[Fusilier]

Sweet. Outstanding job. Now to go shoot it like was meant to be shot.

 

[Miltiades]

I have the exact same upper, rarely used. I was told at the time I got mine that it was a transitional version with a heavy barrel forward of the gas block, but skinny under the handguard and with the A1 sights before the later A2 rear sights had passed all the military endurance tests. I was told by a guy who fought in Nam that the heavy barrel portion was done to stop the bending of barrels by soldiers using them to open crates with! I seem to recall that the U.S. Marines were the first to get such version issued (in M16 format) and they liked the A1 sights due to their robustness. The fellow I bought from managed to ruin his lower by some "creative" gun smithing, I didn't ask That was back then when AR-15 were not restricted!

 

[BattleRife]

This gun is not really an A2. The lower receiver is a type I, as used on the Colt 601 and 602 from 1959-1964. The upper receiver is M16A1 all the way, which is why it has A1 sights (A2 won't fit).

Basically, in and around 1985-6 the world knew the M16A2 was the new thing, and of course, everyone wanted one. So Colt took their existing stock of 25-year old lowers and 15-year old uppers, and screwed in new A2 barrels and plastic furniture, stamped them with a name that had "2" in it and sold them as being semi-auto equivalents to the new A2. Colt had been doing similar things with commercial M16 markings for years, it was nothing new. As a commercial Colt offering, it is a hodge podge of parts they were trying to use up, but definitely closer to retro than modern.

 

[ArtyMan]

Thanks guys! I really like the retro feel myself. And yes Ghost, you did see the rifle up at the range. It suprised me how accurate it is.

This gun is not really an A2. The lower receiver is a type I, as used on the Colt 601 and 602 from 1959-1964. The upper receiver is M16A1 all the way, which is why it has A1 sights (A2 won't fit).

Basically, in and around 1985-6 the world knew the M16A2 was the new thing, and of course, everyone wanted one. So Colt took their existing stock of 25-year old lowers and 15-year old uppers, and screwed in new A2 barrels and plastic furniture, stamped them with a name that had "2" in it and sold them as being semi-auto equivalents to the new A2. Colt had been doing similar things with commercial M16 markings for years, it was nothing new. As a commercial Colt offering, it is a hodge podge of parts they were trying to use up, but definitely closer to retro than modern.

Thanks for the info! It makes much more sense now.

 

[Hawkshadow]

It's one ###y rifle buddy...

 

[Glockster Dude]

Awesome post dude.

 

[Leibermuster]

I remember as kid in the early 80's and that was all I ever wanted...lol...Nice purchase

 

[ArtyMan]

Thanks guys. As a note before someone says something. Yes the US flag IS very dirty, it belonged to my grandfather (US Vet) so no disrespect is ment by having it stay in its current state.

 

[Tomochan]

ArtyMan - great rifle and thanks for posting.

 

[Paulinski]

Very nice.

I built a model 604 clone - I call mine clone because it has a stag lower and bolt the rest is old school Colt.

1/12 barrel marked at the bottom (not on top) slabside upper and chrome Colt slick side carrier.

 

[ArtyMan]

Very nice.

I built a model 604 clone - I call mine clone because it has a stag lower and bolt the rest is old school Colt.

1/12 barrel marked at the bottom (not on top) slabside upper and chrome Colt slick side carrier.

Great looking rifle! The more I use this rifle, the more I want to get an SP1 aswell! Something about the retro AR's that just says cool. And where did you get your 5/20 rd magazines!!

 

[ArtyMan]

Anyone else have any "old school" ARs?

 

[Keller]

Very nice rifle, glad to see you finally joined the AR club.

 

[JAGDMORDER]

Very nice post, actually the best I have seen in a while. I enjoyed the comic. Thanks.
Ohh nice rifle btw, I have wanted an A1 look for ever since I can remember.

 

[Brordo]

My wife has an old SP1 from 1976 that she inherited from her dad. Very nice old retro with triangular handguards, etc. Has loads of sentimental value to her...looks quite a bit like the one at the top of this thread.