Finished project: Vietnam Retro XM16E1

[imarangemaster]

The original M16, (Colt Model Nos. 601 and 602) that were fielded in Vietnam with the Advisors in 1960/61 under Project ARPA, had no forward assist. The first modification with a forward assist and a partial mag fence was the early Model 603, the XM16E1 (denoting experimental changes to the M16) was released in 1964. It had forward assist, chrome bolt, and three prong flash hider. In 1967, they began to replace the XM16E1 with the M16A1. Ih had the new designed trapdoor stock and a birdcage flash hider.

This is my recreation. Colt M16 early furniture, a Colt forward assist (603) upper, PSA/H&R 20" pencil barrel and XM16E1 marked, partial fence lower. Rather than chrome (which is too expensive) I have a bright Nickel Boron BCG. I have a Juggernaught Hellfighter fixed mag kit so I can have my evil features. Magazine is a Colt Vietnam era 20 rounder permanently blocked to 10







Same weapon on different receiver showing NiB BCG

[enorbit3]

looks great! very cool

[Capybara]

Love it! Very cool build! You done good son!

[RAMCLAP]

Outstanding.

[The Gleam]

That's awesome - well done. I've always enjoyed retro builds and the attention put into them.

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[Sailormilan2]

It looks good. Yours looks better than mine. I live in CA, so I really can’t have a functional “pistol grip” if I have a detachable magazine. Since I prefer to have a functioning magazine system, I had to use a “fin grip”. It’s not what I prefer, but I can deal with it. I’m still considering a fake 3 prong Flash Suppressor.

[smle-man]

Very nice!

[imarangemaster]

In Basic training in the early 70s, I had a beat-up M16 with a three prong flash hider. It was either an H&R or a Hydromatic. I can't remember which, just that it wasn't a Colt. I qualified expert with it. I never went to Vietnam. The closest I came was as an MP at Oakland Army Base, guarding stuff that was shipped back from RVN, including long silver boxes of "remains non-viewable." We had a specific secure warehouse for them. Not very many came in while I was there, as it was well past the heyday of the war. If you went in there at night, you could swear you heard the murmmer of voices...Its been more than 50 years since, but I will never forget that.

[elk hunter]

Very well done, my issue was much much more worn and beat up pretty bad. It worked good even dirty. Where's your flack jacket and steel pot.

[M1A Rifleman]

[QUOTE=imarangemaster;n The closest I came was as an MP at Oakland Army Base, guarding stuff that was shipped back from RVN,.[/QUOTE]

Was this the base shown near the beginning of the movie Who’ll Stop the Rain with Nick Nolte ?

[Reno-Kid]

Very nice, great going!

[vf111]

I built an M16A1 clone with Brownells parts and an H&R / PSA lower. Very accurate shooter with iron sights but my buddy who's left-handed can't shoot it cause it was ejecting brass into his face.

It's also not as light as I thought it'd be. Not that it's an issue for a range toy.

[Mojaveman]

Nice project RM.

Was issued one of those in basic training 45 years ago. Was very impressed with it and shot it quite well. When I retire in another year or two, I might just build one.

[L.A. Saiga]

very bad azz

[L.A. Saiga]

looks fantastic