Thoughts on Retro AR 15?

[aghauler]

Maybe wrong Forum but thought I start here, Mods please move if needed.

Say you have an a M16A1 GI Upper, (M 603?) triangle handguards all original, with the later style flash hider that has slots all around it, not the early prong type or later A2 style with solid bottom with slots on top.

Finish on the Upper is grey and has correct charging handle with newer AR 15 BCG.

I've got the correct A1 pistol grip on it now, but it has an A2 style and length
butt stock.

Mounted on an Anderson Lower.

My question is which type of M16A1 Stock would be correct to finish this build.

Buttstock with solid Butt plate or Buttstock with Trapdoor butt plate.

I will say whomever sighted this Upper in while it was in service was right on, point and shoot at 100yds (farthest I had room for) things just disappear, I've never touched the sights, a tack driver with iron sights don't intend to change anything.

[highpower]

This one:


It is shorter and doesn't require the spacer on the end of the buffer tube. The buttplate has a more rounded shape. It was the same on all M16's until the A2 came out.



A2 style.

[ARDude]

If your retro M16a1 is going to represent prior to 1970, then no trap door A1 stock is correct.

**correction** A1 stocks with a trapdoor was introduced in 1969.

[19K]

A1 stock. It has (mine at least) has a rubberized buttplate.

[aghauler]

Whoops, the M16A1 Upper is on a Bushmaster lower not Anderson and has the A2 Stock:



My A2 is on an FK Upper Anderson Lower with the Target BBL to make CA happy back in the 90's. Been debating on returning it to Mil config or just selling it off.






It even looked like this once!

[aghauler]

A1 stock. It has (mine at least) has a rubberized buttplate.

That's what I was thinking Brownell's is plastic.

[aghauler]

If your retro M16a1 is going to represent prior to 1970, then no trap door A1 stock is correct.

Thanks for that info wasn't sure when the change happened and what to try and find.

[ARDude]

This website has a lot of info on M16/AR15 rifles.

http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/ModGde/RflGde.html

[glassparman]

Yep, keep an eye on fleabay . . . I found an original non-trapdoor butt stock with old rack numbers from Vietnam era along with an original pistol grip and hand guards.

Many years ago I found an original A1 surplus UPPER from:

https://whatacountry.com/gunparts.aspx

[aghauler]

If your retro M16a1 is going to represent prior to 1970, then no trap door A1 stock is correct.

**correction** A1 stocks with a trapdoor was introduced in 1969.

Thanks for that update, I've found a source for a1 stocks with solid rubber Butt plates and rear sling swivel attached on the bottom of the stock.

Also found sources for a1 stocks without butt plate, or a1 stocks with new a2 Butt plates (not what I'm looking for).

I guess knowing approximately when they switched away from the 3 Prong Flash hider would give me a better idea of time frame, I'm looking at Poyers book which doesn't help.

Also the markings on this Bbl are " C MP Chrome Bore " no rifling twist rate or caliber noted as mentioned in Poyers Book but maybe he's referring to the a2 Series? I assume "Colt manufactured ? , Magnetic Particle Inspection and Chrome Bore"

[aghauler]

This website has a lot of info on M16/AR15 rifles.
http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackr...de/RflGde.html

A quick check shows "final configuration" for the a1 stock had the trapdoor and removable sling swivel.

Will dive in a little deeper when i have time, thanks.

[aghauler]

Yep, keep an eye on fleabay . . . I found an original non-trapdoor butt stock with old rack numbers from Vietnam era along with an original pistol grip and hand guards.

Many years ago I found an original A1 surplus UPPER from:

https://whatacountry.com/gunparts.aspx

Didn't even think about the big "E" just starting out on this journey so to speak thanks.

What a Country doesn't have anything.

[ARDude]

A quick check shows "final configuration" for the a1 stock had the trapdoor and removable sling swivel.

Will dive in a little deeper when i have time, thanks.

Yes, but A1 stock with trapdoor was used on model 603 and M16a1 from 1969 until the A2 stock was introduced.

For early Vietnam era M16a1 used a stock without trapdoor.

[aghauler]

This website has a lot of info on M16/AR15 rifles.
http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackr...de/RflGde.html

Well, THAT was really helpful! The bbl markings on my bbl indicate 1974 or later production.
Great info. So "technically " I think I should be looking for an a1 Trapdoor type stock. Type "E".

[sickboybrad]

Try numrich?
I know they have stuff, but not sure what's needed or correct.

I did my stock by buying all kinds of extra crap.
But it looks correct and the parts all fit together
I built by stock with the parts listed at numrich, and it came out excellent.
Add oil to the gray stock or old stock, and it becomes black

Just get it close in my opinion, you will probably never have the correct bcg, or lower. ( I used a new bcg, charging handle)
Mine is a colt upper i think, colt barrel 1/12 twist it dates to 1971 and on
Definitely turns the head at the range

55g ball, 300 yard 18 inch gong easy, iron sights
B