Elisco M16A1

Hi guys, your AR15s look great and I've learned a lot about this rifle from the threads in this forum. I'd just like to share with you my Elisco M16A1 manufactured in the Philippines. As a result of finding this forum, I decided to refurbish/refinish my rifle called "Baby Armalite" here in the Philippines. The tutorials I found here will surely help me a lot, thanks to you guys and the enormous information posted here for enthusiasts.

If you're not familiar with Elisco, here's a bit of history from Wikipedia:

to quote..."...With the foundering of the AR-18, ArmaLite’s owners elected to sell the company. In 1983 ArmaLite was sold to Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company, of the Philippines.

The short-lived third phase of ArmaLite’s history began with Elisco Tool Manufacturing’s 1983 purchase of ArmaLite. The new ArmaLite operation was headed by an Englishman hired to serve as interim President, Mr. Bruce Swain. Mr. John Ugarte later replaced Swain. ArmaLite continued to market existing rifles and parts manufactured by Sterling under the leadership of the new vice-president of Marketing, Mr. Joe Armstrong.

Elisco Tool had successfully produced the M16A1 for the Philippine armed forces and police. Difficulties with Colt over M16 licensing prompted Elisco to seek another 5.56mm rifle, and the AR-18 was the only real contender. Inventory, tooling, and machinery were therefore dispatched from Sterling’s plant to the Philippines. The process fell apart not in the U.S. market, but because of political events in the Philippines themselves. In short, Ferdinand Marcos was overturned and went into exile. The political and economic links of the government were dramatically shifted, and Elisco was unable to carry out the AR-18 production. The U.S. arm of the operation was closed in 1987...."

Here are some photos of my baby getting ready to be refinished.










Hope you guys like it.

Like it? We are jealous as hell that we dont get to own them! Nice rifle you have there.

Interesting. Is that the factory foregrip? Im very jealous of the auto position, as you can imagine.

Welcome to the site!!!!

Just for shit's N grins, how much did you pay for that?



(My bet is under $1000.00)



Looks nice btw.


What part of the pi?

Thanks for the welcome

Glock 63 - I think this isn't the factory grip. The original one i guess didn't have that notch on the grip. So is the hand guard.

GeneSmith - You're right i got it for a little less than $1,000. Located somewhere here in Luzon very near where the death march happened.

I got this from a friend who in turn got this from some guy in the military...you know how it is here in the Philippines...I know in the US it is impossible to own a full-auto rifle but here you can get away with it. In some places here you can "rock-and-roll" in privately owned firing ranges without the fear of authorities swooping down to confiscate your baby.

Originally Posted By Ocsile: Thanks for the welcome Glock 63 - I think this isn't the factory grip. The original one i guess didn't have that notch on the grip. So is the hand guard. GeneSmith - You're right i got it for a little less than $1,000. Located somewhere here in Luzon very near where the death march happened. I got this from a friend who in turn got this from some guy in the military...you know how it is here in the Philippines...I know in the US it is impossible to own a full-auto rifle but here you can get away with it. In some places here you can "rock-and-roll" in privately owned firing ranges without the fear of authorities swooping down to confiscate your baby.

So are you from Luzon? (my wife is from Ilo Ilo / Roxas City)

We can own FA here, but for a gun like that it would cost several thousand $$$..

Awesome gun Ocsile!
the combat worn finish looks great too!

Very nice rifle. Thanks for sharing!

Why refinish? I think it looks GREAT the way it is! Just needs an A1 grip.

Man, I had the chance to go to the Phillipines for work and turned it down. DAMMIT!@

COuld you take a closeup of the right side of the upper receiver? I was curious if there is a "P M" forge mark just under the rear sight on the right side of the carry handle.

Wow, what a fantastic first post! If the finish is original I'd leave it just like it is and show off all its history in that worn finish. Like they say in the automobile world, "It's only original once." But either way, refinished or not, it's just great. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice. And welcome to the site!

Originally Posted By Bones357: Very nice rifle. Thanks for sharing! Why refinish? I think it looks GREAT the way it is! Just needs an A1 grip.

I have to agree. Leave it as is. It looks "Lived with" But put an A1 grip on it.

Thank you guys for the compliments. For the appreciation of other enthusiasts I will post later this week close up photos of my rifle showing all the markings and stamps.

On the other hand, the suggestions on keeping the well-worn, combat-aged finish got me thinking. I was thinking of spraying it with a matte black finish but then again it really does look good as it is. Will also check if there are A1 grips still available here, probably at the military surplus store.

Thanks for the suggestions, I could have easily ruined this baby with a bad paint job.

Originally Posted By Ocsile: Thank you guys for the compliments. For the appreciation of other enthusiasts I will post later this week close up photos of my rifle showing all the markings and stamps. On the other hand, the suggestions on keeping the well-worn, combat-aged finish got me thinking. I was thinking of spraying it with a matte black finish but then again it really does look good as it is. Will also check if there are A1 grips still available here, probably at the military surplus store. Thanks for the suggestions, I could have easily ruined this baby with a bad paint job.

Now you're talking. Do your best to keep it looking "original".

If you are unable to locate a A1 grip there in the PI, there are a few places online selling them.

Gene

If you spray any paint on that rifle, we will come and find you!

That is too nice as it is, don't refinish!
Just swap the PG and HGs for proper stuff.
Oh, if that thing could talk.... I bet it has seen some history!



So who is going to build the first clone?

Ocsile -

That little rifle is a beauty. Well done.

beautiful carbine!

looks familiar

Hi Res

050526-N-5663H-018 South China Sea (May 26, 2005) -- Philippine Navy SEALS have weapons drawn as they search compartments on board the U.S. Navy dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise. VBSS training is being conducted as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2005. SEACAT is a weeklong, at sea anti-terrorism exercise in the Philippine and South China Seas. This was the first boarding by the Philippine Navy in the four-year history of SEACAT. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class David J. Ham (RELEASED)

She's about as good as it gets.

Originally Posted By peepshowal: Wow, what a fantastic first post! If the finish is original I'd leave it just like it is and show off all its history in that worn finish. Like they say in the automobile world, "It's only original once." But either way, refinished or not, it's just great. Thanks for sharing.

I'm glad you're reconsidering refinishing it. That weapon has 'been there, done that' and it should be kept as is - which may seem crazy to you, but I agree with the other guys here - leave it be! I personally would like to see closeups of the handguards however. I know that the Phillipino.mil did some different things with their M16s - they kept the A1 and carry handles longer for one thing, but sometimes had rail systems and free floats on them, as well as 'aftermarket' FHs. I wish I hadn't deleted the pic I had earlier of some PA soldiers standing at attention. You guys have an interesting camo variant down there as well - it is the same as our 6-color 'chocolate chip' desert camo, but has green in it - great camo - I want some! Welcome to the forum. Helluva debut!

ETA: I couldn't find the pic of the camo I wanted, but I ran across this pic - thought you guys might dig it - retros in action!

Today I am in Angeles City, Pampanga where Clark Airbase is. This should be a familiar sounding place (American Airbase since the longest time until 1991). This is also the area where best to find authentic US/Philippine militaria and should have the A1s FG and HG, not to mention all kinds of camo, brand new or used.

Like I said, I didn't see my rifle as a historical piece and I'm glad opinions flowed in this thread...enough to convince me no to do anything else with it except to restore appropriate parts that have been changed since.

Will be posting more photos tomorrow.

Ok so here's how the parts hunting went...

For those interested in militaria, camouflage patterns, etc. the following photos show the shops selling these items, promise we'll get to the M16 photos


Here you can find all sorts of military outfits/apparel


Gasmasks anyone?


M1 Garand bayonet selling for $300.00 (Pesos 13,000.00)


M16 bayonet this one selling for $120.00


So this is where I found the hand guard i bought it for $50.00, could not find any A1 pistol grip though. Still searching....

~~~~~~~~~~~

As promised, Elisco M16A1 detail photos:

Carrying handle with C H stamped


Rear sight



Front sight


Flash suppresor


When I bought this, it came with this rail and a Walther red dot sight


This photo shows the stock retracted


Extended. Only two detents for this M16.


So, here she is. I'll probably bring her to a gunsmith to have the front handle changed to the one I bought today. At the moment I don't have the know-how and the tools to change it.

Can't wait to rock and roll.

Awesome pics!!!
That's interesting that the upper has CH forge codes.
Does the barrel have any markings on it between the front sight base and muzzle?

Let me know if you can't find an A1 pistol grip over there.
I can pick one up here in Houston and ship it to you.
They run $10 locally and shipping 2 pounds would be $15.90 International first class.
I'll weigh a pistol grip and box and see if perhaps it would cost even less.

Did yours come with the A2 grip? If It did, I wouldnt change it. Although I would get an A1 grip to change for the mood I am in. I miss Olongapo City,White Rock and Marieta. That is an awesome CAR.

Mabuhay! Nice gun!

Originally Posted By Ocsile: So, here she is. I'll probably bring her to a gunsmith to have the front handle changed to the one I bought today. At the moment I don't have the know-how and the tools to change it. Can't wait to rock and roll.

Hmmm...Looks like you might need a slip ring to attach the new handguards. The ones on there now are quite interesting, but it doesn't look like they attach with the slip ring. I think you would want a flat one like in this pic (between the handguards and the receiver):

I miss Clark I was there for a bit when F-4s were still flying.

Originally Posted By cyclicyouth: Awesome pics!!! That's interesting that the upper has CH forge codes. Does the barrel have any markings on it between the front sight base and muzzle?

Would you know the significance of the CH forge codes? Thanks.

Tex-I'll take you up on your offer if I still don't find an A1 grip within the month. There are still places here I haven't tried that might have this in stock. Thank you for the offer.

Bones357-I have the slip ring, forgot to include this photo though. The one I have is somewhat tapered compared to yours.


A lot of Americans (or other nationalities for that matter) who get assigned here miss Angeles City, Olongapo City, the night life, the girls of course

Originally Posted By Ocsile: Originally Posted By cyclicyouth: Awesome pics!!! That's interesting that the upper has CH forge codes. Does the barrel have any markings on it between the front sight base and muzzle? Would you know the significance of the CH forge codes? Thanks. Tex-I'll take you up on your offer if I still don't find an A1 grip within the month. There are still places here I haven't tried that might have this in stock. Thank you for the offer. A lot of Americans (or other nationalities for that matter) who get assigned here miss Angeles City, Olongapo City, the night life, the girls of course

Sometime in the early or maybe mid 70s they began to add the codes to specify what manufacturer created the forgings. CH stands for Colt Harvey.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/

I have to say, I kind of like the handguards as they are. The Phillipino armed forces used some interesting furniture and rail systems. It may very well be correct for that carbine - they didn't do everything just like us.

I'll donate a flat HG ring and send to Texsquirrel if you need it.

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