Crazy Retro story.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Crazy Retro story. (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 11/15/2014 12:16:29 AM EDT

So a bit of a backstory. My grandfather was a gunsmith who passed away in the early 2000's, before I was really old enough to get into guns. I have always wanted a gun he made so last year I started collecting parts to make one in his "style" cut off carry handle a1. So I finish the gun and decided to keep the carry handle because I don't trust myself to cut one off.

Ok backstory over. Today I go to a gunshow in town and am browsing a table with some sp1's on it. I hear the vendor talking to another guy and mention my grandfathers name. He said yeah this guy built me some guns in the 80s in fact here is an upper he built. I about had a heart attack because he held up this....

. It is an upper with the custom mounts my grandfather made. Stamped with his logo and everything... I never thought I would find one ever. Needless to say I bought it instantly. oh and to make it even better today is the 10 year anniversary of his death....

Posted: 11/15/2014 12:25:18 AM EDT

[#1]

That's neat as shit.

Posted: 11/15/2014 12:37:50 AM EDT

[#2]

Glad you were able to find one of your grandfathers uppers.

Posted: 11/15/2014 12:38:00 AM EDT

[#3]

That was meant to be. Would like to know more about your Grandfather and his smithing.

Posted: 11/15/2014 12:39:08 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
That was meant to be. Would like to know more about your Grandfather and his smithing.

View Quote

THIS. Really happy for you!

Posted: 11/15/2014 1:06:14 AM EDT

[#5]

Posted: 11/15/2014 1:12:26 AM EDT

[#6]

WOW

Posted: 11/15/2014 1:20:02 AM EDT

[#7]

That's a really cool story. I'm glad it found you... Something you'll have to pass down.

Posted: 11/15/2014 2:34:05 AM EDT

[#8]

Congrats. Now go buy a lottery ticket!

Posted: 11/15/2014 2:58:08 AM EDT

[#9]

Absolutely amazing..!!!

Posted: 11/15/2014 6:19:00 AM EDT

[#10]

Feel the retro karma love!

I think grandpa wanted you to have it and fiddled with kismet to get it to you!

I have two of my grandpa's guns.

The first is a Remington Nylon 66 that he gave me himself when I was 8. (Well I gave it to my son so technically it's his but it's still in my possession.)

He passed when I was still young but a few years ago me and my cousin were talking about grandpa and Cuz gave me grandpa's High Standard Military HD that used to reside in the crack of grandpa's recliner! (Has finish wear around the muzzle where grandpa put his home rolled suppressor on it for "cat control".

The bootleg suppressor was torched after he died. Grandpa didn't give a shit about the feds but Uncle and cousins did!

After all, WHO was going to tell a barrel chested 6'4", size 14 boot wearing giant of a man he shouldn't have a homemade suppressor? He was old but he was a bad ass (and a cockster) in his youth and old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm!

My other grandpa was a baptist preacher!

Posted: 11/15/2014 6:22:55 AM EDT

[#11]

That's fantastic.

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:01:26 AM EDT

[#12]

Meant to be brother!
Your Grandfather wanted you to have that upper..........now cherish it and pass it down for generations.
Congrats man!

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:18:50 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Needless to say I bought it instantly.

View Quote

Absolutely, and cheap at twice the price, whatever that was.

So, what if anything is it barreled with, and what are you going to do with it now?

We will, of course, want pics of the build when you're done with it.

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:20:55 AM EDT

[#14]

Love it! Funny how these thing work. Enjoy the build and make sure when you are done with it to pass it down in the family.

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:44:43 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Absolutely, and cheap at twice the price, whatever that was.

So, what if anything is it barreled with, and what are you going to do with it now?

We will, of course, want pics of the build when you're done with it.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Needless to say I bought it instantly.

Absolutely, and cheap at twice the price, whatever that was.

So, what if anything is it barreled with, and what are you going to do with it now?

We will, of course, want pics of the build when you're done with it.

THIS. Have you seen the recent threads on early DMRs with shaved FSBs? (Check for coldblue's threads...) I know your grandfather must be smiling right now.

Posted: 11/15/2014 8:03:23 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Glad you were able to find one of your grandfathers uppers.

View Quote

Thanks! He was a gunsmith in the eastern Iowa area. I never really was around his work too much since I was kinda young at the time. I know he made a lot of uzi parts (I have a barrel shroud he made waiting for an uzi to appear haha). He did a lot of awesome stuff that I wish I had pictures of.

This was definitely a God thing that I found this! Just awesome haha.

So this upper I think is going to get a 20 inch a1 barrel, cut off fsb, nodak lower with some custom engraving, m14 flash hider (grandpa used one on another ar I have seen, just cut off the lug and the sight post, and more once I get some ideas haha. Definitely going to build an early dmr style.

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:46:18 PM EDT

[#17]

That's going to be the best build ever.

Congrats on a great find.

Posted: 11/15/2014 10:50:19 PM EDT

[#18]

Beyond very cool! Congrats

Posted: 11/16/2014 9:43:05 AM EDT

[#19]

That should make for a most memorable build. Congrats OP.

Posted: 11/16/2014 9:57:36 AM EDT

[#20]

Can we see the whole upper?

Posted: 11/16/2014 10:01:59 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can we see the whole upper?

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+1 to this. Also really great story OP

Posted: 11/16/2014 1:56:49 PM EDT

[#22]

right on!

Posted: 11/16/2014 1:58:54 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

View Quote

That's awesome! Congrats on the find!

Posted: 11/16/2014 3:30:20 PM EDT

[#24]

Yeah this is a gun that wont ever leave the family:) Here is another picture [

I dont know why I cant make a picture show up... I haven't had issues before.

Posted: 11/16/2014 5:53:09 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

I dont know why I cant make a picture show up... I haven't had issues before.

View Quote

Your pictures are fine. Goatboy made a change recently to prevent
spammers and retreads from posting inappropriate pictures, but a side effect is that users with less than 50 posts have to have their pictures
approved by three team members before they'll show for everyone. I clicked the approve link, so they'll show as soon as two other team member do so also.

Posted: 11/16/2014 7:20:19 PM EDT

[#26]

Here I fixed the picture for you, that is great that you came upon his upper you must be a good person :)

Posted: 11/17/2014 3:25:43 PM EDT

[#27]

IIRC, "The Black Rifle, II" makes allusion to such uppers as precursors to the M4 "flat upper". Nice to see one that survived. Doubly nice to know the familial connection.

Enjoy, and many years from now, pass it on to another generation.

Posted: 11/17/2014 4:15:27 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

THIS. Have you seen the recent threads on early DMRs with shaved FSBs? (Check for coldblue's threads...) I know your grandfather must be smiling right now.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Needless to say I bought it instantly.

Absolutely, and cheap at twice the price, whatever that was.

So, what if anything is it barreled with, and what are you going to do with it now?

We will, of course, want pics of the build when you're done with it.

THIS. Have you seen the recent threads on early DMRs with shaved FSBs? (Check for coldblue's threads...) I know your grandfather must be smiling right now.

I for some reason can't find his threads any links for me? (I think I have seen them before)

Posted: 11/17/2014 6:38:34 PM EDT

[#29]

Thanks for sharing. That was definitely meant to be yours.

Looking forward to the build. I had something similar happen to me on memorial day a few years ago. Sat down to dinner at some very close older neighbors' house who we visit often. One of their lifelong friends was visiting, and we got to talking right away. When I was asked to give the dinner blessing, a very overwhelming feeling hit me hard, and I was impressed to thank God for our loved ones, and something about us remembering them on that special day.

So we get to eating, and this guy (in his late 80's or early 90's then) tells us that he used to work for the State Mining Commission, doing recoveries as part of his duties. I soon learned that he actually recovered my grandfather's body from a mine in 1953. Blew us all away. What a day that was. We called up my dad and had him talk with him some. Coincidence.....I think not.

Posted: 11/17/2014 7:54:42 PM EDT

[#30]

Thank you for sharing your story OP! I'm sure your grandfather is watching from above smiling ear-to-ear

Posted: 12/15/2014 5:18:13 PM EDT

[#31]

So update to the thread. I am purchasing this http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m24-5-56mm-nato-18/ . Now my next question is are there free float tubes that allow me to keep standard rifle length handguards over top? Also was anyone free floating ar15 barrels in the late 80s early 90s? I cant seem to find any picture or evidence of that. I am looking to build a pre spr/dmr type rifle out of this so it should be fun!

Posted: 12/15/2014 6:58:25 PM EDT

[#32]

That looks way ahead of it's time, I'd personally put one of the new made A1 port doors on it, and get thinking what yoou want to buld with it.

Oh, BTW Congrats on the find.

Posted: 12/15/2014 8:54:22 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
So update to the thread. I am purchasing this http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m24-5-56mm-nato-18/ . Now my next question is are there free float tubes that allow me to keep standard rifle length handguards over top? Also was anyone free floating ar15 barrels in the late 80s early 90s? I cant seem to find any picture or evidence of that. I am looking to build a pre spr/dmr type rifle out of this so it should be fun!

View Quote

http://www.compasslake.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=96

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/forend-amp-handguard-parts/handguards-amp-rails/ar-15-nm-free-float-barrel-sleeve-prod9943.aspx

Yes, Triangular guards will have to be modded to fit

Posted: 12/15/2014 9:30:21 PM EDT

[#34]

What is the chance of that happening? I guess It was meant to be...great story!!

Posted: 12/22/2014 4:31:11 PM EDT

[#35]

Christmas came early.... My barrel has arrived.

" />

Posted: 12/22/2014 5:49:46 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

Christmas came early.... My barrel has arrived. http://i62.tinypic.com/2dk0f1u.jpg" />

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FIFY

Posted: 12/22/2014 6:21:19 PM EDT

[#37]

Fantastic Story. Im happy for you and your family will be happy to have it in the future.

Posted: 12/22/2014 6:21:31 PM EDT

[#38]

Awesome!

Posted: 12/22/2014 8:55:20 PM EDT

[#39]

Congratulations on your rare find.

I love it!

Posted: 12/22/2014 10:31:12 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
IIRC, "The Black Rifle, II" makes allusion to such uppers as precursors to the M4 "flat upper". Nice to see one that survived. Doubly nice to know the familial connection.

Enjoy, and many years from now, pass it on to another generation.

View Quote

IRRC There is also a pic of one of the early flat tops in the 1st edition of the AR15 / M-16 Sourcebook.

Can't check it because I passed on my copy long ago. Might have been the SuperSytems book also.

Early '90's Paladin Press.

Posted: 12/22/2014 10:37:56 PM EDT

[#41]

Looks good, Cobra. Nice retro and family history. Want to see where this goes

Posted: 12/22/2014 10:49:05 PM EDT

[#42]

Thanks guys! Right now the big eyesore is the a2 lower... Going to have to live with it for a bit though. Eventually I'll get a nodak spud a1 lower and have it custom engraved with the cobra symbol from the original ac cobra :) (my first name is shelby so my grandpa called me cobra)

Posted: 1/4/2015 3:53:40 PM EDT

[#43]

Got some triangle handguards at the local show for 25 bucks! Pretty good price I thought. Here is where I am at now.

" />

Posted: 1/4/2015 5:35:53 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got some triangle handguards at the local show for 25 bucks! Pretty good price I thought. Here is where I am at now. http://i59.tinypic.com/33m4v12.jpg" /> http://i57.tinypic.com/vr3cic.jpg" />

View Quote

FIFY

Posted: 1/4/2015 5:55:14 PM EDT

[#45]

Thanks I can't figure out why my pictures wont work half the time. It is probably something obvious but it is escaping me.

Posted: 1/4/2015 6:13:23 PM EDT

[#46]

Kinda looks like a 656 :) u need a nice A1 stock on there. It's coming along really nicely

Posted: 1/4/2015 6:18:10 PM EDT

[#47]

It kind does have a kind of 656 look to it now that you say that. I have been debating over an a1 stock or stick with the carbine stock...Might just have to get both and try them out.

Posted: 1/4/2015 10:10:09 PM EDT

[#48]

Very happy for you my friend, and a great story!!!....<><....:)

Posted: 1/4/2015 10:14:17 PM EDT

[#49]

Very nice story and find!

And yeah, I think it would look awesome with an A1 stock too

Posted: 1/4/2015 10:17:33 PM EDT

[#50]

Quote History

Quoted:
Very nice story and find!

And yeah, I think it would look awesome with an A1 stock too

View Quote

Ditto on the A1 stock.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Crazy Retro story. (Page 1 of 2)

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