Where can I find an A1 kit?

I'm a bit of a newbie. I want to build an A1 for my step dad ( he's a Nam Vet). It dosn't need to be correct. I just think it would be cool to give him something familiar to him. He likes my Bushmaster Varminter and the 450 Bushmaster I built. But he is a sentimental guy and I think this would mean more to him. I know I had seen them a couple years ago but now I can't find any.

They are all gone , I missed buying one too. Kits pop up
On EE or gun broker sometimes but they are far more expensive
Than they use to be.
You might be better off buying the parts individually
You can always get receivers, stocks, barrels from gunbroker
EE Or nodak spud. Check retroblackrifle.com for help with the
Details

They're around, but getting harder to find if with all or most COLT components. Prices are higher too. Kits "so-called" and upper assemblies for (model 603) M16A1 rifle do show up on the exchange board but are usually snapped up quick. To snag one, a person has to be faster than a bunny in heat in springtime. A few dealers such as SARCO did have kits but they were mostly beat up crap with some form of mongrel barrel.

Actually, in thinking about it now, I find myself with a COLT M16A1 upper assembly here that may be surplus to needs. Within the past couple of months I've bought two of them including a kit less receiver. Haven't decided yet if this second one will be sold or swapped off. These things are getting like gold. It looks to be original M16A1 with COLT receiver forge coded "C H" with proof marks. The barrel is "C MP CHROME BORE" marked. Has the triangle hand guards too.

Most of the M16A1 barrels that date to the 1960s, are NOT chrome bore lined. On the later M16A1 rifles, barrels are CHROME BORE lined and still with 1 in 12 twist. My wife likes the M16A1 configuration because it's lighter and seems more nimble to handle than a full length A2.

Have fun with your quest . . .

SARCO seems to have one listed on their website, but I have heard mixed things about their quality, and make sure the parts aren't full auto capable once assembled or you'll have another problem.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=272620381


a bit pricey for my blood

I've been in comms with this seller, he is a good dude. Anyone interested in an upper/parts kit should keep an eye on his auctions, or shoot him an email. I have reason to believe he has more.

His kits are from LE upgrades, which seem to be the most frequently found uppers these days, like the GM uppers I just found.

Call them. They also say on the website tat their Shotgun News Ad is more current than their website, and these have not been in the SGN ad for quite some time. (~2 months). Also, clicking on the part number comes up empty.

That batch of kits came from 1970s A1s that were sold off new by a general in a Central American country who may not have had authority to do so. It was a real furball down there. What's interesting is that the serial numbers (which were on a tag with some of the kits) were in IIRC the 2 million range, originally in H&R;s allocation. Colt must have reclaimed the numbers sometime after it was obvious H&R would never make another M16A1. H&R had from 2,000,000 to 2,999,999 and used up to about 2,240,000. GM Hydromatic had 3,000,000 to 3,999,999 and used up to about 3,480,000. (Numbers from a Colt interoffice memo dated 2 February 1973).

Note that the parts kit on GunBroker is NOT an unmolested early Colt. Any barrel labeled C MP CHROME BORE is from post Vietnam. (C MP C are Chrome Chambers and C MP B Chrome Bores from the Vietnam era. Chrome chamber was a running change in 1966 or 1967, bore was later, I'm trying to pin them down more exactly from primary sources). It would LOOK right for a Vietnam build, though.

I think there may have been a thousand running changes during M16A1 production. Most of them were mirrored on simultaneous M16 production for the USAF. Leftover "early" parts seem to have been used much later on export and Sporter guns. Parts that were unacceptable on military contracts were often roped in (or salvaged if you will) to prototype and test guns.

Right now, the BATF and Department of State (which issues import and export licenses) are working together to try to keep other ex-US weapons out of the country. Another example is the South Korean M1 Carbines, which the Koreans would like to sell to us and we would like to buy, but our lords and betters in Washington are determined to protect us from.

Isn't that what this one is, at least the receiver? Looking at pic #3.

Yes. I originally contacted him to inform him of this. I encouraged him to visit us here at retro land as he was interested in learning about his uppers. Seems he has visited the guides and is getting a pretty good hold on things. I applaud him for this, most sellers I deal with on GB don't really give a rat's ass about specifics and history and such, they just want to make the most coin they can. I also encouraged him to sign up and join the community, and to take a look at the EE. Hopefully he comes by, and maybe list some of his uppers.

I have an A1 kit and I'm in need of a barrel. I'm striking out on sourcing one. Any assistance will be appreciated.

They seem to have 1-2 bagged kits at their table for local shows, sometimes A1, sometimes A2, always more expensive than what they had them listed for online. Been meaning to hit the store in Easton and see exactly what they have on the shelf.

Might be the same guy up in MD. When I contacted him he told me he had 75 A-1ish uppers to sell in most any flavor I wanted.

Thanks Guys. What would be a fair price for a kit or upper?

Thanks Guys. What would be a fair price for a kit or upper?

Very loaded with safety removed question. I'd say decide on what it's worth to you for maximum coins and find one a little less. All the original imported kits sold out for $525 and less. Some considerably less.

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.