Anyone else in Retro AR's ?

Orlando8 · 09-03-2009, 18:23

Heres three I built ,all on NoDak A1 lowers

Brian Brazier · 09-03-2009, 18:41

Great looking AR's, I plan on getting a 20" next but I bought the Daly M4LE first cause it is a better fit for what I want right now, but I should be ordering a Doublestar Star 15 20" before the end of the year.

Orlando8 · 09-03-2009, 18:46

These are all USGI M16 Uppers ,built on semi auto lowers.
The one without forward assist and 3 prong flash hider dates to the early 1960's

Brian Brazier · 09-03-2009, 18:51

They are all beauties, I would like to get the Daly 20" model to match my 16" LE but I don't think they are making them anymore. Did you build these at different times, or did you have enough stuff for 3 rifles?

Orlando8 · 09-03-2009, 18:56

It took some time. Some of the vintage parts take alittle time and money to aquire

Brian Brazier · 09-03-2009, 19:12

Well they look great

USMC03Grunt · 09-03-2009, 20:12

Here's mine:

The entire rifle other than the Nodak Spud lower, trigger, hammer, sear and buffer are original 601 parts.

Here's the other:

Pretty much the same with the entire rifle except the Nodak Spud lower, hammer, trigger, sear and selector lever are original 603 parts.
If you are looking at building a retro rifle, Nodak Spud lowers are the ONLY way to go! Hell, if you are looking at getting an excellent quality lower at all, again, Nodak Spud makes some great receivers!

blaster_54738 · 09-03-2009, 20:25

one of these will be my next build. already have the m4, one of these are needed

halfmoonclip · 09-03-2009, 20:34

A huge +1 on NodakSpud lowers; they have a huge (and deserved) reputation over at ArfCom.
They are now making a variety of retro uppers as well, if you are unable to find a decent used one.
A1s are a thing worth having, especially if you like to shoot iron sights.
I had nearly given up on a period correct and grey colored lower, and the boys at NoDak came through.
I have a two-digit serial number.
Moon

JayAK · 09-04-2009, 19:34

I love the looks of those!

Orlando8 · 09-04-2009, 19:43

One more I have in the works

**pennlineman** · 09-04-2009, 20:05

Here's my 604

Brian Brazier · 09-04-2009, 22:23

that is a cool scope

PlasticGuy · 09-05-2009, 08:05

I don't intentionally build retro AR-15's, but I wind up with semi-retro versions because I like the lighter barrels and fixed sights, and don't like the forward assists.

Orlando8 · 09-05-2009, 08:13

Great pics guys, keep em coming

eddief4 · 09-05-2009, 12:48

my uncle has a Colt SP1 with a 3 prong flash supressor.

.....i'm workin on getting that one

Tweek's Turbos · 09-05-2009, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando8

These are all USGI M16 Uppers ,built on semi auto lowers.
The one without forward assist and 3 prong flash hider dates to the early 1960's

Do you have a secret source for the uppers or just going thru regular forum classifieds?

I kept reading and see you basically piece them together?

jrs93accord · 09-06-2009, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando8

.........

The one without forward assist and 3 prong flash hider dates to the early 1960's

Why did you not opt to go with the slab-side lower reciever for that one? The A1 receiver is not correct for that era.

USMC03Grunt · 09-06-2009, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

Why did you not opt to go with the slab-side lower reciever for that one? The A1 receiver is not correct for that era.

That depends. If the upper was a 602 series, then yes, the slab side lower would be correct. However, if it was an early 604 upper, then either the XM-16E1 with the single fence/detent housing tube would be correct or the later M-16A1 lower would also be correct. We need more details about the marking on the upper, the barrel and weather the front sight base is the early or late design.

jrs93accord · 09-06-2009, 13:09

This is an A1 Retro build I did about two years ago. Everything is USGI except for the LPK and lower receiver (DPMS). It even has a USGI M16 BCG.

This my 1977 Colt SP1 with a Colt 4x20 scope

This is the two of them together

Orlando8 · 09-06-2009, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

Why did you not opt to go with the slab-side lower reciever for that one? The A1 receiver is not correct for that era.

Its correct for a early 604 build

Orlando8 · 09-06-2009, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweek's Turbos

Do you have a secret source for the uppers or just going thru regular forum classifieds?

I kept reading and see you basically piece them together?

No secret sourcs, just have to keep looking. Gunnys Surplus has uppers with forward assits but to expensive in my opinion
I just keep checking gun forum for sale sections or Gunbroker
Prices have gone way up from a few years ago

halfmoonclip · 09-07-2009, 19:37

After Bill Clinton convinced me I really needed a black rifle, I picked up a Colt HBar. It shot straighter than the road to hell, but it just wasn't the same feel that I recalled from my issue M-16.
I stumbled on a NOS Colt upper/A1 stock and put them on the Colt lower...now that was the feel I remember.
Long story short, the HBar is now totally gone, and the A1 upper is on a NoDakSpud A1 lower, which is period correct in detail and in color, and is a good match for the vintage grey upper.
Yes, if you want an A1 replica, ya' gotta build it, or find an SP1 like JR's handsome specimen (which actually looks more like an M-16-dash-nothing, w/o forward assist, tho' it has a birdcage FH). Depending on parts availability and how anal you choose to be, it's possible to build an A1 clone for less money than a pristine A1.
Check ArfCom's retro section for lotsa details, but original uppers are getting sparse, and original lowers are machine guns, so you can't reasonably buy them. Fortunately, NoDakSpud is now also making uppers, so you can build an entire gun. Furniture is generally pretty available (tho' trapdoor buttstocks can be problematic).
The old ARs like 55 grain bullets, and the 20" barrel is the deal if you like to shoot irons.
Moon
ETA- Just reread the whole thread; seems I've repeated myself!

M

eddief4 · 09-07-2009, 20:18

hey guys,

why is it that the Colt SP1's don't have a Forward Assist?

halfmoonclip · 09-07-2009, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddief4

hey guys,

why is it that the Colt SP1's don't have a Forward Assist?

One theory is that Colt used leftover M-16 uppers for SP1 production after the A1 became military standard.
The Air Force never did embrace them back in the day, tho' their current M-4 does.
Moon
ETA- some later Colt production used slab side lowers for supposedly the same reason.
M