Going to build my first AR

[ironsniper1]

Hey everyone I am planning to buy a lower and lower parts kit from aim surplus and a M16A1 stock set and was wondering what upper to get that won't break the bank and have the carry handle that looks close to the A1, thanks for any advice or tips


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[Ted S.]

Have you considered an M16A1 kit, if you can find one? Just A2 uppers that look similar to an A1 are quite expensive.

[ironsniper1]

I have looked and so far all I can find are stock sets


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[Ted S.]

As long as you don't mind used:

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/used-us-military-colt-m16a1-parts-kit?a=1143546

 

Well shit, nevermind, sold out.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Ted S.

[ironsniper1]

As long as you don't mind used:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/used-us-military-colt-m16a1-parts-kit?a=1143546

Well ####, nevermind, sold out.

even if they had it used would not bother me at all and infact if I got the ones pictured I would leave them like that gives a rifle character


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[Ted S.]

Looks like a lot of the kits available are sans the barrel and a few other small parts.

[ironsniper1]

now this would be a sweet upper to use for a retro build!

 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=487059009

[BigK]

You clearly have retro taste. Hope you find what you're looking for.

[mikegideon]

I looked hard at an A1, and wound up building an A2. You can buy all the parts to build a true A2 if you're inclined. A1 ain't so easy. No such thing as a new triangular handguard for one thing.

[DMark]

If you are going full-on Retro, best to search the ARFCOM Equipment Exchange "AR15 Parts - Used - Upper Receiver."

 

http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_7/159_AR15_Parts___Used___Upper_Receiver.html

 

A few years back real M16A1 uppers where easy to find - - - now much harder to locate and a lot more $$$$$$. 

 

But I have to ask.....

 

When you say, ".... have the carry handle that looks close to the A1..."

 

Are you looking for a upper receiver only with A1 sights or will an A2 receiver be OK.

 

Or, are you looking for a complete upper with barrel installed? 

 

Also, must the upper be a fixed carry handle or can it be a flat-top with a detachable carry handle (M16A4)?

 

Here are a couple of examples.

 

A2 upper complete.

 

http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Barrel_Assembly_p/dt1012.htm

 

Flat-top upper complete.

 

http://www.jsesurplus.com/JSE20LW1x9Molywithsighttowercomplete.aspx

 

A lot variables out there that could be the answer to your build.

 

Finding what fills your needs (desire) is part of the fun! 

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[Umbrae Noctem]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for. I can't say if they're a reputable company. I've never dealt with them.

 

http://www.royaltigerimports.com/product-p/ar150011.htm

 

Edit: just realized they're out of stock...

Edited June 9, 2015 by Umbrae Noctem

[ironsniper1]

You clearly have retro taste. Hope you find what you're looking for.

thanks i think it would go great with my mosin and sks!

[Oh Shoot]

You might want to consider a conventional contemporary build for your first foray into ARdom, just a thought.

 

- OS

[Romad7]

I built 2 ARs in the past couple years and one big point for me was that the basic trigger in the parts kits usually suck. I now have the ALG triggers and they are the best under $50 parts on my AR. I'm not a trigger snob but these are worth the money.

Here's an LPK with the ALG trigger. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/parts-kits/lower-parts-kits/ar-15-alg-trigger-with-lower-parts-kit-prod54550.aspx

[DMark]

If you are wanting a real M16A1 receiver, here is one on ARFCOM.

 

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_159/1442133_RETRO_M16A1_COLT_Upper_Receiver____FOR_SALE__.html

[ironsniper1]

good news my friend at work offered to sell me one of his AR's for a decent price when i get the cash together and its built on what looks like an A2 clone upper i think, i will post a pic tomorrow

[ironsniper1]

it would be a good starting point, this is also an old pic he sent

[URL=http://s29.photobucket.com/user/luke9511/media/IMAG0327-1.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited June 10, 2015 by luke9511

[DMark]

luke9511,

 

That upper has a carbine length gas system.  Make sure that the FSB is "F" marked or you might have some issues with elevation adjustments. 

 

If it isn't F marked, you can install an .040" taller front sight post and that will allow complete elevation sight in adjustments for the A2 rear sight.

 

Also, that is an A2 rear stock which will be 5/8" longer than the A1 stock.  Some folks like the addition LOP...., others don't.

 

Question - - - I see a charging handle.  Does that upper also have a Bolt Carrier Group coming with it?

 

Mark

[ironsniper1]

luke9511,

 

That upper has a carbine length gas system.  Make sure that the FSB is "F" marked or you might have some issues with elevation adjustments. 

 

If it isn't F marked, you can install an .040" taller front sight post and that will allow complete elevation sight in adjustments for the A2 rear sight.

 

Also, that is an A2 rear stock which will be 5/8" longer than the A1 stock.  Some folks like the addition LOP...., others don't.

 

Question - - - I see a charging handle.  Does that upper also have a Bolt Carrier Group coming with it?

 

Mark

it is a full rifle, so i will be keeping it as is for a while and changing stuff as i go, i also do not have it yet but i can ask him any questions

[Murgatroy]

luke9511,

 

That upper has a carbine length gas system.  Make sure that the FSB is "F" marked or you might have some issues with elevation adjustments. 

 

If it isn't F marked, you can install an .040" taller front sight post and that will allow complete elevation sight in adjustments for the A2 rear sight.

That is a fixed carry handle, he doesn't want the F marked sight. The F marked sight is for flat tops.

[DMark]

That is a fixed carry handle, he doesn't want the F marked sight. The F marked sight is for flat tops.

 

It matters.

 

The F marked FSB is for carbine length sight radius.

 

Both the M16A2 (fixed) and M16A4 (detachable carry handle) have the same rear sight height.  The only difference is the Army decided to go with the average sight plane distance for both the 20" barrel (A2 & A4) and the 14.5" barrel (M4) so they could use the same detachable handle on both the rifle and the carbine, so that rear sight is really not calibrated for either. 

 

Thus you still need the F marked FSB for a carbine in order to get the correct height of the shelf for the front sight post even with an A2 receiver.  It gives you about 20 more clicks up (POI down) before the FSP base is exposed.
 

[ironsniper1]

Well when I do get it, it won't stay a carbine long I plan to change to a 20" barrel


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[mikegideon]

Well when I do get it, it won't stay a carbine long I plan to change to a 20" barrel


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Then may not want to get a 16" A2 upper to begin with. You will have to change the gas block, gas tube, end cap, and handguard with the barrel. Mounting an A2 gas block on a barrel requires real gunsmithing, and they're not reusable.

Edited June 10, 2015 by mikegideon

[Ted S.]

Then may not want to get a 16" A2 upper to begin with. You will have to change the gas block, gas tube, end cap, and handguard with the barrel. Mounting an A2 gas block on a barrel requires real gunsmithing, and they're not reusable.

You can say that again...good night! Thank God for whoever inventend clamp on adjustable gas blocks.

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