Hey there, pretty new to AR's.  I have a PSA carbine shooter, but I'm really into the old milsurp stuff.  I'm going to put together a Retro clone that will be used as a field shooter and targets are mainly soda bottles and jugs.  I know I will eventually put together a more "correct" model, but for now only interested in a M16a1 profile rifle to shoot, get beat up, and not worry about.  Also use as a learning curve, so the cheaper the better.

Thinking about snagging an Olympic Arms A1 upper locally to get started with.  Guy wants $80 for the upper with forward assist, a1 sight, and dust cover installed (used but great shape).  For a "starter/learning" rifle, what do you guys think about this deal?  All I'm really looking for is profile and function on this one.  The finished rifle will be passed around as a "community shooter" on the property we use.

For now, I'll install it on a new Anderson lower..........once again, for function, and I've been looking at AR15sport.com's pencil barrel assembly.

Any feedback...........good and bad will be greatly appreciated.

Matt

I'm not a huge fan of Olympic stuff personally, but their A1 uppers are okay, and made in the Phillipines IIRC. For a start, it sounds pretty good. You can hardly go bad at $80, particularly with port door and rear sight installed. You may find a slight fitment issue with the rear lug - no big deal, but Oly and the other P marked uppers had holes drilled specifically with a lower generally, so you may have to open it up a hair with a rat tail file.

I would not let this stop me from buying the upper, and in fact I have a P marked upper with same issue I need to address. The ar15sport barrels come with the FSB installed, which is a money saver. I know only what I hear but most people here seem to be happy with them. They are not chrome-lined, but neither were the originals like my XM16E1 - just keep it cleaner than you might a chrome-lined barrel. Welcome to the forum!

Thanks Morg...........I'm going to go ahead and snag that deal, he also has a buffer set and tube to sweeten the deal (a couple more bucks) but everything under $100.
I personally have no problem with bores not being chrome.  Most of my milsurps aren't chromed and cleaning is part of the hobby for me.

Matt

Matt,
This is usually the point at which one of us chimes in with, "run away, don't walk RUN!"  Retro Black Rifle Disease can never be cured, just goes into remission.  

But really, welcome and be sure and share pics when you get some parts together.  Also, use the EE and WTB sections and you will find what you need.  
And for your next build may I suggest the XM177E2!  

Killer deal. Better jump on it. The rest is no big deal.

Hey Matt, welcome.......

not to hijack your thread, but............Morg, are you sure that Oly uppers are  Phillipino ?  What happened to that law banning imported "assault weapon" parts ?

Matt, BRD is addicting...........beware !

Thank you for the comments Guys, the parts gathering stage has begun.  I went ahead and picked up that Upper along with an A2 stock kit (for the buffer tube) at a pretty good price.  I also picked up a stock kit and pistol grip.  I'll be putting it on an Anderson lower for starting out.  I have more parts to gather and a few things to change out, but I think I have a pretty good foundation for what I have in mind.  Here's what I have so far:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2122014_010_zps03a65541.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2122014_008_zps3422ecb5.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2282014_001_zps24a036c2.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2282014_003_zpsd686a2cb.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2282014_015_zpsb16cdb0b.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/2282014_011_zps19c24f47.jpg

paintmanmatt,
That is a C7 upper.  The only US MILSURP rifles made with those were the carbines like the 723 (early M4).  But the Canadians made the C7 rifle which was that same style upper you have, an A2 lower, A2 barrel/ handguards and an A2 buttstock. Just a thought.
More info;  http://www.retroblackrifle.com/        Look at the foreign rifles and carbines for the Canadian C7.

Yeah, I noticed that after I bought it. lol  Like I said...........new to this platform.. Not a problem, I wanted a carbine too!  Time for me to slow down and look before I jump.  Now I'm in the middle of 2 builds!  

Matt

Paintmanmatt I have a pm a1 upper wo shell deflector I would trade if you wanted a closer a1 clone it fits all my lowers with out issues.

That's how it starts

I'm more than certain that you could make your money back on it if you really wanted to, or trade as above.


I planned on a mostly correct budget A1 build myself, looks like that's turning into an A1, an XM177e2 and an XM16e1

I swore I'd stop at one... My budget can't take much more.

You have a modern production C-7 style Oly receiver and price was good.  Pretty sure the early Oly pieces were simply left over surplus such as PM coded and were mostly machined in house.  The PM codes made in the Philippines were milspec under Colt contract and don't show up in the USA like talking about it.   Many simply pass the Oly's  off as Philippine mfg.  There are also PM code receivers that were machined by Oly and not the same finished product.  This has been covered.  The Philippine models will bolt to most everything in spec.  The Oly pieces were machined propietary to the Oly mfg lower they were mounted on and are questionable as best to what they will pin to.

The receiver you have isn't the most desireable piece for retro with shell deflector but more desireable than a PM code receiver IMO.  It looks very nice from pic and should easily serve your purpose without getting in too deep.  You have been warned.  This hobby is very addictive and retro knowledge is dangerous to your wallet and marriage.  Welcome to retroland.

Got it together & operational.  Test fired 5 rounds out back and plan on taking it to the range for the 1st outing tomorrow.
I know it can be picked apart as far as being a "retro"......it's not very correct, but let's just call it a morphed M16 profile shooter for now.  I have the correct A1 birdcage, but I just liked the 3-pronge.  I will probably recycle the barrel assembly and furniture to put on a correct A1 upper and get on the list for a Nodak lower.  Later I will use the C7 upper for a carbine or C8 build..........the times will dictate that.

href=http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/4092014_003_zps2482cd99.jpg" />

href=http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/4092014_010_zpsebfb3290.jpg" />


Matt

Nice build.  There are no laws about how retro is retro.  It is a retro=ish, and makes you have.  My 602 is pure retro, but my GUU-5/P is on an A2 lower with an M4 barrel (a la USAF franken build).  If it shoots and makes you happy, it is good.

A man after my own heart!!!
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Very nice, good to know I am not alone................

Matt

Made it to the range yesterday and I love it  Handles and shoots awesome.  I was first a little confused about which barrel to use, but glad I went with the AR15sports, 1/9 twist pencil.

I prepped the barrel at the house by shooting 5 rounds and scrubbing.  Repeated this process three times before taking it to the range and sighting it in.  Here's what I ended up doing with only the iron sights..............Was running hand-loads, 55gr - H335 powder - Lake City brass.

Best 15 rounds at 50yds...........
href=http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/4222014_001_zps53fceb21.jpg" />


Best 5 rounds at 25yds............
href=http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc277/jealousy_sunless/M16a1/4222014_002_zps830ecf71.jpg" />


Did I mention I love this rifle?.........