Vietnam era M16A1 Retro build

[Griff Murphey]

Very nice! I thought the SG parts kits had the barrels... But maybe that was a while back.

I actually think the older, lighter guns have a lot to recommend them. Ergonomically there was never a more user friendly design. Mechanically there have been improvements but the big improvement has been learning the rifles.

[Shooter5]

Neat. Just the A1 back in the 80s for ROTC. It did have the go fast switch!

[Dolt]

Great pics!

[kb466]

Good looking build! I have one small suggestion-- the ejection port cover looks like an A2 type. The difference is the rectangular steel buffer plate in the center of the port door. On the A1, it is a flat rectangle. On the A2, it is built up with an angle as seems to be the case with yours. Not a big deal and will shoot fine as is, but you should be able to find one without too much looking if that is important to you.
Bill M.

[joem]

"I don't believe rifles from the 1967-68 time period would have had the three prong flash suppressor. Those rifles still in service during that time that had the three prong suppressor would have been earlier manufacture. Our entire battalion received new M16A1 rifles in December 1967 at Camp Evans and those rifles all had the birdcage type flash suppressor."

My issue M16 had the three prong flash supressor. That was 1968-1969 . MCB10 camp Evans area.

[RCS]

Not the first early tool but still an early G.I. tooldscn1304_0003.jpgdscn1303_0002.jpg

[epa223]

Check out ar15sport.com for lightweight barrels. As Tony the Tiger says... "They're GREAT". I've been buying the 20" Lightweight Chrome Lined with 1:12 twist. They also have a 1:9 Non-Chrome and a Nitride coated 1:9 Non-Chrome available as well. All are available in a 20" lightweight contour. They also have a 16" lightweight carbine barrel available. Good luck with your build.

[PitBull]

This is my retro that I built in '08. The upper came complete (minus the carrier and bolt) as a surplus M16a1 upper from Gunny's Surplus back when they were comparatively cheap and available. I'd have to get it out of the safe and look but I think the barrel was made by Saco Defense. The non-trap doorbuttstock and pistol grip came from Gunny's, too. The Armalite lower was bought at a local gun show. All the internals for the lower, the buffer and buffer tube, and the bolt carrier group were bought from Bushmaster. I assembled the lower with the instructions at AR15.com. What I had when complete was close to a clone of a 1968 vintage M-16a1.

AR15-A1-4.jpgAR15a1_MOLLE2.jpg

[pipboy344]

Beautiful build. I've been trying to find an SP1 for 3 years..

[noslack327]

I don't believe rifles from the 1967-68 time period would have had the three prong flash suppressor. Those rifles still in service during that time that had the three prong suppressor would have been earlier manufacture. Our entire battalion received new M16A1 rifles in December 1967 at Camp Evans and those rifles all had the birdcage type flash suppressor.

M issue XM16 E2 april 1967 came new in the box with a 3 prong suppressor. 25th inf Viet Nam.