Anyone Done A Retro A1 Build Lately?

[xlflyer]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=388555http://e-arcoinc.com/originalcoltmad...partssets.aspxhttp://e-sarcoinc.com/originalcoltgi...partssets.aspxhttp://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt102.htm

[Rule .308]

Get ahold of the guys at Henderson Defense. My buddy went through them recently with an A1 kit and had them do the barrel work, parkerize it to match the rest of the kit, assemble and test fire it. They did great work and were very reasonable on their pricing. I know you mentioned that you have a lower already but if it were mine to do I would get the correct lower with the correct Colt gray finish from NoDak Spuds. Do it right the first time, spend your money once, and be thoroughly satisfied with the end product instead of trying to save $50 to $100.00 and ending up with a fistful of compromises and a gun that is kind of, sort of what you had in mind.

[xlflyer]

Thanks for the lead. I found their Century M-16A1 Semi-Auto Rifle page. You're right. That's the a very good retro offering that's quite frankly about the same as what I'd spend building my own...but then I miss out on building my own. I'm putting it on my list.

Get ahold of the guys at Henderson Defense. My buddy went through them recently with an A1 kit and had them do the barrel work, parkerize it to match the rest of the kit, assemble and test fire it. They did great work and were very reasonable on their pricing. I know you mentioned that you have a lower already but if it were mine to do I would get the correct lower with the correct Colt gray finish from NoDak Spuds. Do it right the first time, spend your money once, and be thoroughly satisfied with the end product instead of trying to save $50 to $100.00 and ending up with a fistful of compromises and a gun that is kind of, sort of what you had in mind.

[WILDMAN442]

Try scouring the EE over on ARFcom.

I have seen kits that were pretty complete (some even with Colt barrels) for decent prices.
It would be worth a look.

Justin

[bohoki]

generally the hardest things to get are the carrier without assist notches the triangular charging handle and a fenceless mag catch grey receiver


yep i just have a chrome bolt a dpms gasbuster charging i got a grey lower but its got a fence

[ElvenSoul]

Check out Nodak Spud

[xm177]

Shameless plug...I have 2x Colt M16A1 upper receivers (teardrop forward assist) if anyone's interested.

On a side note, I would highly recommend using Nodak Spud for the lower receiver. Machining is top notch.

[Tanner68]

Shotgun news recently ran an article on building a retro M16. A google search came up with this lead to the article...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-142563.html

Can't find the article on the web. Maybe give Shotgun News a call.

And already mentioned above....

http://www.nodakspud.com/AR%20Lowers.htm

[xlflyer]

Try scouring the EE over on ARFcom.

I have seen kits that were pretty complete (some even with Colt barrels) for decent prices.
It would be worth a look.

Justin

I've been watching ARF.com for a while. They don't seem to keep the history that we do here, so it's hard to track how often items that might interest me come up. I think we do as well or better here with diverse and reasonably priced items. Not that I'm not going to keep watching there, just expect I'm about as likely to find what I'm after here.

Shotgun news recently ran an article on building a retro M16. A google search came up with this lead to the article...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-142563.html

Can't find the article on the web. Maybe give Shotgun News a call.

And already mentioned above....
http://www.nodakspud.com/AR%20Lowers.htm

Those were a couple sites I hadn't found yet. Both very useful. Of course, as one usually finds, there's all levels of retro. From resembles, to replica, to all original. Guess I'd better figure out what camp I'm in.


I still haven't heard any opinions one way or the other regarding the SARCO or Del-Ton kits. Anyone have a gauge on what sort of quality (or lack thereof one gets there)? I'm thinking the Del-Ton kits would certainly be replicas (of arguable fidelity) while the SARCO kits are some level of original?

[trautert]

I built one last year. Like you, I wasn't going for exact replica but more the flavor of the A1 from my turn in the SE Asian War Games.

Nodak Spud lowers all the way. They have several of the early lowers available, and some upper stuff and links for parts that are harder to find. Got an upper parts kit from SARCO, and found a barrel with (tri) handguards, fsp, etc from a friend on another board for $50.

My only problem so far is the rear sight roll pin. Keep mushing the damn thing up trying to get it to hold the wheel in and then have to buy another pin.

Good luck.

[sleepercar]

Where are you guys getting your barrels from?
I've been searching but everything I find is always too wide for the triangular style handgaurd. Looking for a 20" RL barrel.
Thanks in advance.