Nostalgia For the pre-M4 Days of the CAR-15?

X-man

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Let's face it, we're now living in the Golden Age of the AR-15. They can be had in virtually any combination of calibre, barrel length, manufacturing process and materials. The sheer number of choices facing a prospective new AR owner can be overwhelming. I love it as my safe full of black rifles can attest. But as a child of the 80s action flick, I remember a simpler time when the "CAR-15" was the king of cool and I have no problem admitting that I lusted after SFC Zeke Anderson's XM-177 from "Tour of Duty." :)

Then I was reading the other day that this was the 20th anniversary year of the movie "Heat" starring De Niro, Pacino and Kilmer. Who can forget the Colt 733 that De Niro and Kilmer used during the final bank heist and running gun battle with the LAPD? Shorty barrels, carry handle and no flat top...and totally bada$$!

I'm seriously considering another build to create my own Heat-style 733. Am I alone, or is anyone else feeling a little nostalgic for the old school XM-177, Colt Commando, CAR-15?
 
Pretty common sentiment among those of us of a certain vintage... I get it too... I found locating an accurate repro flash hider nigh impossible, though there may be some source I couldn't find.

BTW: have you gone back and watched Tour of Duty lately... If you haven't , DON'T! I remember it being MUCH better when I was 10!

EDIT: just googled the flash hider... Apparently the gods answered my prayers in the last six months and there are now some US manufactured ones available... next question is finding out if they are approved for export!!!!
 
I got a retro M733 on the way that I am looking to turn into an M727 (fixed carry handle, 14.5 barrel) Black Hawk Down Special. The retro ARs are awesome, so much fan to shoot as well. After Ive finished this I am going for an XM-177. Lots of flash hiders available, several from the US, as well Griffen Armament makes one that is styled and sized the same, but functions as a liner compensator.

Tour of Duty is still awesome, I really miss the original soundtrack but its still good. Such a good show, wish they would do a DVD release with the original soundtrack. You can get it via Amazon, ebay, or good old torrenting.
 
The Car-15 style Ar will always be my favourite, it's what all others are judged by.

Definitely growing up seeing them in the old Gun mags and army movies really hits home that what your brought up liking stays with you for life.

Much like how I still love ACDC, yep, growing up in the eighties rocked...

Cheers D
 
I believe those reproduction CAR-15 flash hiders are a little longer than originals purely so the 11" barrel can reach 16" long with it permanently affixed.

I got one off eBay...
 
A Heat-style Commando is on my list. That movie was badass. Too bad I was 12 when it came out...
 
Back in the day I got to play with a shortie CAR15 fitted with an Armson OEG gunsight, an early red dot, mounted on the handle. It was pure ###. I still think that system would be very useable today.
 
The 733 is one of my favourite rifles of all time. Would the cheapest way to get a clone (non-Colt parts) be to just build one from scratch, or would it make more sense to buy a complete rifle and swap parts out?
 
It thought Rebel Rouser had a bits and pieces for sale in EE, possibly an entire upper.

I'd like a replica of this:

600px-PredatorSP1-13.jpg
 
Was one on CGN but it was bumped for many months guy wanted way too much and I dont think it ever sold.

Oh yeah, I remember that one, think he was asking $5k for it or something. I'm just going to build an airsoft one, throw it in a fire extinguisher type case and put it up on the wall, lol!
 
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