After I sold my PSA mid-length M4gery and my Prototype (sob!) I was AR-less for a bit, though I still had two Anderson lower receivers and a Colt LPK.  Well, AR-less is not a good place to be, so I sold my MK262 MOD1 Ammo for enough to finish a PSA M4gery on a cheap $189 upper shipped deal on one of the receivers.  Being retro at heart, I used a CAR-15 style stock and handguards, and 20 round Colt magazines with aluminum followers.  That just wasn't enough retro, though.

Well, Retros usually start with one part.  This one is starting with a spare lower receiver and an A1 pistol grip!  Now I have added a nice Type D stock to the pile. next will be either triangular handguards or a 604/SP1 upper.  Going slick-side.  The small parts and the barrel will be last.  I'll use a 1/9 twist repro barrel, probably.

I have spare 601 lowers and non serrated carriers that I need to do something with which kind of demands something retro, because you cant use a M4 upper on them..
I'm planning a 607 carbine (16" oal)  using a new 604 upper and 3 prong I got off ebay..  Its gonna be a big front cap prototype. Ive got a spare stock body being made so Ill proably try and do a proper 601 brown paint job using the slurry method..  
Might as well but a 3 gun Giselle trigger in being ill have a fair amount tied up in it, no reason for it not to f-n rock........ RBRD

Might use it as my camp carbine at the fishing camp. I can only really bring one rifle and one pistol with me while flying.. Id feel safer with the classic M1 1911 combo package ()

Haha!  I agree.  My trusty Glock 19 full of 115 +P+ Federal 9BPLE Illinois State police loads, and my Inland M1 Carbine full of Hornady Critical Defense (110 JSP @ 2010 fps & 990 ft lbs) ammo makes me feel secure in the woods.  I've carried the Glock since I was a Sheriff's detective in the 90s, and my dad used the M1 Carbine very successfully on Iwo Jima -and that was with ball ammo!  I also carried the M1 carbine as my trunk weapon as a LEO, when I wasn't using an AR15.  BTW I have never had a malfunction with my Glock in all those years.  The only issue I ever had was some bad ammo with dead primers.  They were rounds that were tuned into the SO to be destroyed.

SCORE!  Stopped at my local gunshop and traded 600 rounds virgin 44 mag brass for a rifle length buffer tube and spring, buffer, stock screw, and DPMS LPK.  Add to the A1 grip, Anderson lower and the Type D stock, and I am 1/3 there~ Next will be the 604/SP1 upper, even if I have to pay $150 to Fulton.  I wish I could find a SP1 upper for $150 with port door and sights.

Oops, I meant to send an IM

The 604 takes shape!  Just lined up a Fulton upper from another forum member, and some excellent triangular handguards from the EE.   Once I get the parts in, I'll start a photo log.

Here's my have list for the faux-604

1)  Anderson A2 lower (yah, I know....but it is what I have!)
2)  Gorgeous mint condition Type D stock
3)  Rifle buffer, tube, and spring
4)  Stag Lower Parts Kit (I thought it was DPMS, but it is Stag)
5)  A1 pistol grip (mine I have with the USAF seal in it from a prototype of USAF Vietnam commemorative GAU-5/A/A build I did about 1989).
6)  Near mint set of triangular handguards (one NIW, one excellent) from Hochimin on the EE (these are on their way soon)
7)  Fulton slick side 604 upper (on the way soon from fellow retro board member)
8)  US M7 Bayonet and scabbard
9)  USGI 20s blocked to 10 for Californication use, since I will use a bullet button on the build to be commie-pliant
10) Original USGI Comic Book manual
11) Original 1970s cleaning kit (liberated from the Arms Room somehow).

This is a good start.  I am doing a three prong to go with the type D stock, and will probably get an AIM NiB (Nickel Boron) BCG next time the come on special.  Close enough to chrome for an A2 lowered "poseur!"  I will shop a barrel, but a AR15sport.com 1/9 or Brownells will be fine.  What ever is on sale....

I actually don't mind the Anderson A2 lower.  Since I am using a Fulton 604 upper, the finishes will match.  Besides, it could be an early USAF 604 Franken Rifle, 1990s refinished upper with a Balimony A2 lower!  I just want to get it done before the "now in committee" draconian California law making ALL semi-automatic rifles Assault Weapons is passed this summer, permanently closing the door on Semi auto (including M1 Carbines, Mini-14s, Remington 742 hunting rifles, and even old 1905  .32, .351, and .401 Remington self loaders).  I will have to register all my rifles as assault weapons....

Bernie.  Glad you were able to find some parts.  You know the 604's are my favorites. Hope build goes smooth and it shoots great.  Agree the stuff has drastically increased in price from the days of one couldn't give away a SP-1 large hole upper,  to people buying them strictly for the door and sight and then selling at purchase price to basically today's insanity.

I know it's not pertinent to post but this may be your last AR build unless you move again but I must ask.  Why do ya'll keep electing those liberal thieves / clowns into office?  Guessing it's the same as here.  No one will admit to it in public because of the shame it brings on them but someone had to vote them in.

" Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!"

All my 604 lacks is the bcg. Hunting GB and the EE. Does boy wonder post here? Might have to buy the carrier from him.

BFMcleaky,

All my 604 lacks is the bcg. Hunting GB and the EE. Does boy wonder post here? Might have to buy the carrier from him.

Jhud
I have spare 601 lowers and non serrated carriers that I need to do something with

Same thread.  Looks promising to me.  

Yes, BW777 posts here also.  Either resource is probably about as good as they get for quality retro pieces.

Well, I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THEM!  Unfortunately us conservatives are outnumbered by the liberal masses. The democratic legislators buy votes with social programs.

Not making (hijacking) this a political thread but speaking as someone who was born in Huntington Beach, learned to surf and board under the pier, we have been fighting against the inner city anti gun assembly members since the early 80's. It was small bits and pieces till the political climate changed...oh 7 years ago...and they then got very aggressive. Speaking for myself we are not going quietly - I have been an active and donating member of CRP, NRA, CalGuns.

This year there are attacking us from all directions and too be honest it is hard to stay in the fight. I will, but after years of losses it is hard....

i spend a little time here

A fact of life is that I will never leave.  Impossible to leave the kids and grandkids.  We own a nice little rental in Coos Bay OR area that was supposed to be a retirement home, but that is wishful thinking.  When it comes to be close to the grandkids, my wife is a Pit Bull with lipstick! LOL.

Until then, I just run my weapons "featureless" (no pistol grip, no flash hider, no collapsable stock) so I can use High Capacity magazines that I possessed in California prior to the 1-1-2000 ban and cutoff.

I thought so.

With the exception of the slick side upper, you just described my last build, (right down to the bullet button and blocked 20 round USGI mags )
I ended up going with a Brownell's upper and an ar15sport.com 1:9 barrel for mine. If I would have known about the Fulton slick side uppers, I probably would have went with one of those. Slick sides are just too damn cool!

Nice!  Ilikee!

Well, I got the bottom half put together this morning, and it is driving me crazy waiting on the upper receiver and triangular handguards!  ARGHHHH! Patience is not my strong suit!  I'll post picture tomorrow.

More Kalifornia legal ones.
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Here's the start. The triangular handguards are on the way, and I have arranged for a 604 upper when my $$$ comes in.

Nice stable!

Lookin' good, guys!

We should all get together and do a California Retro shoot some day.

That's a great idea.  Are you Nor-Cal or so-Cal?  I'm in the Sierras, NE of Sacramento.  I think Brother FastSwift lives up here somewhere, too.

Thanks to M16Indiana, my Fulton 604 upper with Colt A1 rear sight will be coming my way shortly.  My Handguards should be here any day.  Patience is NOT one of my virtues LOL!  I also got my mint Type D stock from him.

Nope - 10 miles from Disneyland for me.

OK, the following are in route to me to add to the collection:

-Fulton 604 upper with Colt A1 rear sigh
-three prong flash hider
-triangular handguards
-NOS USGI slip ring

Also have a NOS MRT marked USGI M1 Canvas sling headed this way.  Looks like Monday I get to order Barrel, gas tube, weld spring and snap ring, charging handle, and BCG.  I'll do a "poor man's chrome", Nickel Boron BCG.

Latest acquisitions.  604 upper is on the way.





Apparently my heads up thread for the handguards got pulled.  In answer to the last question, the date on the un-opened one in 1984.

The rest is ordered:

-1/9 twist pencil barrel from AR15Sport.com ($199.00)
-gas tube and roll pin
-weld spring
-snap ring
-charging handle
-NiB (Nickel Boron M16 Bolt carrier group from AIM Surplus ($98.00 with free shipping)

I realize I should have a slick side chrome BCG for my early 604 build, but what the heck, its on an Anderson A2 lower! LOL.

Now I have to wait.  ARGH!  I hate waiting.

I'm down here in SoCal.

Fastswift,

I live in Ontario, but, work in your neck of the woods (Anaheim, to be exact).

Latest acquisition:  Fulton 604 upper with Colt A1 rear sight assembly, courtesy of M16Indiana.  The finish is a PERFECT match for the Anderson lower.  The 604 has a thin wipe of oil, the lower doesn't. After the picture, I wiped them both and it is a perfect match.    The forge code is "C" and splintered "A".  First letter C usually means Colt, and splintered A is always for Anchor Harvey Aluminum.  I heard that the forgings were overruns for Colt 604 or SP1, bought, then  refinished by/for Fulton.  I have also seen a Fulton 604 with only the splintered A, and no C.  (ADDED: found a reference to C and splintered A is a M16 (604) forge code.  That makes sense, as Colt was cranking out 604s for USAF, then they switched to flat top, forward assist uppers. Probably a whole bunch of 604 forgings unfinished.)

The barrel, gas tube, weld spring and snap ring are supposed to be here tomorrow!  The last two pieces, BCG and charging handle, will be here the beginning of next week.  I plan on assembling it next Wednesday.

More arrivals:  Well, AR15sport.com came through,  Barrel, gas tube and roll pin, weld spring, snap ring, and port door assembly all arrived today.  Being the dummy I am, I forgot the barrel doesn't come with front swivel, or front sight assembly.  Fortunately, I do have a spare A1 front sight group, but my only swivel is trashed.  I picked up a NOS USGI swivel and roll pin on Ebay for 8.00.  Should be here about the same time as the NiB BCG and charging handle from AIM.

If all goes well, Wednesday will be the assembly day for "Black Beauty's" upper

Looking good!

I'm very tempted to buy one of those Fulton slick side uppers.
I think my XM177E2 needs a "GAU-5/A/A" dedicated 22lr upper!

I love slick sides.  The Colt AR15 SP1 Carbine I had for years and used as an LEO trunk weapon was a slick side.  I've built more 601, 602, and GAU builds through the years than any other type.  I even did a prototype (sob, which I sold).  I think "smooth is beautiful"  It is the pure Armalite platform of the Stoner team, before DOD managed to screw it up! LOL!

The M16A2 was the perfect example of screwing up a good idea.  800 meter sights on a 300 yard weapon are a waste.  I would venture to say that 99.9999999% of the time,the M16A1 rear sight was never flipped to "L".  I don't even like the A2's heavy barrel or round handguards, or the longer heavier stock!  The 1/7 twist is the ONLY good thing about the M16A2,  but only if you are using MK262 MOD1 77 grainers.  At 200 yards or less, the M193 is even better than them, though.

Ooooooo.... It's getting closer!  Mounted the barrel assembly, front sight, gas tube , handguards and three prong.  Now just waiting for the faux-chrome plated (Nickel Boron)  bolt carrier group, charging handle from AIM surplus, and front sling swivel from Innovative Industries.  No more, pictures, though, until I am done!  Then I'll do a photo spread with mags and goodies.  Real Retro Porn! LOL

The way I was fondling the almost completed build, it's a good thing my wife didn't walk in!  she just wouldn't understand!!!!!!!

The heck of it is that it will be another month before my doctor clears me to shoot it, since I had a complete shoulder rebuild 7 weeks ago. Sigh....

Well, I know I said no more pictures until it is done, but got mycharging handle and my $99 delivered "Poor man's" chrome BCG (Nickel Boron) from AIM today.  Just waiting on the darn front sling swivel!