I have a few question. I am patiently awaiting Brownells to get their barrels back in and I went over to AR15sport.com and was looking at their retro barrels with a 1:9 twist rate. They are cheaper than the 1:12. Why is that?

Also can you tell me if the pencil barrels that AR15sport.com sells are complete with everything just like Brownelles? I know they don't have the flash hider and I am okay with that. If they are different barrels . . . I guess just tell me everything I need to know about them.

One last question on AR15sport.com. I see that they have a three prong flash hider. Is that one a correct reproduction? If not, where can I find one?

Now lastly lower receivers and BCG's. I'm two receiver's short. I want to buy before they get to pricey. I'm sure the gun buying panic will break out any day now. I found Anderson lowers. How are they? They are $39.98 each and I need two of them and for that price I don't care what name is on the side of them. I just want to know if they are in spec and have had any problems. I also see AIM's has BCG's on sale from $79.99-$99.99. I'm thinking of picking up one of the Nickel Boron ones for $99.99 but the $79.99 is enticing too. Has there been any problems with AIM's BCG's?

How are Anderson charging handles?

Who has the buffer tubes for an A1 stock at a good price? Also the carbine buffer tube? I forget who has the carbine stocks besides EA and maybe Nodak. I would love an EA and I might splurge and buy two of them but I want to keep my cost down as low as I can with building six rifles.

I'm just about ready to make one or two last parts buy and starting building these out. I am so excited to see the parts taking shape. It is an awesome feeling.

I also need the M203 Airsoft grenade launcher. Its funny how hard it is to find one with a Colt logo on it that wont break the bank. I will have pics of parts coming soon. I got the last of them in last night that I ordered to get these builds off the ground. I just remembered, I need to LPK sets. Does it ever end?

Anderson lowers and parts are good to go and you should be fine, just think of how many they have sold at those prices, you would hear a ton of complaining if they were bad.




I'm sure the aim bolts and carriers are good to go as well.
You do know the vietnam era lower receivers were slightly different than the A2 receivers like the Anderson. Not only the color but some slight changes to the forge as well.
Any rifle Buffer Tube will work. There is not an A1 and A2 buffer tube, a spacer was simply added to an A1 tube to make it A2 length, which means there is a unique A2 stock screw that is longer. You will need to be sure you get the correct length screw to use with an A1 stock or the screw will stick into the buffer tube.
Nodak has the correct carbine stock extensions, but I like the 6-position on mine because I wanted the convenience of the extra positions. The modern buffer tube sticks out the back if I move my carbine stock all the way forward, which was perfect for me as I used it to mount my rifle into a lamp I made. I did buy my charging handle and receiver extension nut from Nodak, as they had the colt grey charging handles and the correct vietnam extension nut.

 

Thank you! I didn't know that about the A2 stocks. I will have to watch and make sure I get the right one.

That is interesting that the carbine tube sticks out the back like that. Are all tubes like that? I will have to make sure I can live with the stock fitting like that. I don't normally close mine all the way. I leave it in the position I like for shooting. So it might be something I wont ever notice.

I did find a stock set today from I think Tony's that is aluminum for $99. I'm wondering if I should go that route or just go with the plastic version. I don't know what the difference would like in person. It was a full kit too for that price.

Yeah the A2 lowers I can live with. I would like to have a Nodak lower but I can't bring myself to pay the price right now. I have four PSA lowers that I have been sitting on for a couple of years and I'm using them. When I bought these parts I forgot I didn't have six lowers until the other day. I like the price of the Anderson lowers. That helps me to get six working rifles. In the future when I have extra cash I will buy Nodak lowers and maybe do something else with my A2 lowers.

I also wasn't sure how long Anderson had been around as I had not heard much about them until I came to the retro side.

I've used approximately 40 Anderson lower receivers.  Only on a few have the trigger guard pin holes been a little tough for using a roll punch IMO.  For those I just used a taped up set of vise grips and gently worked the pin through the ears into place.  Could have been the pins but I kinda doubt it as most my pins are surplus true milspec M-16 Colt.  For the coins probably the best deal out there hands down for an A-2 style lower.

Never used Anderson small parts.  Their barrels are okay IMO and cheap enough.  Wouldn't use one on my personal stuff but fine for super budget builds and they can hold their own against the low tier pieces in the right hands.

The AIM BCG's I received and it's been a while needed to be re-staked and broke in with Mobil 1 before they met my approval for all that's worth.  Way too tight and barely staked,  like almost couldn't see it.  I believe mine were from the first batch and have probably been improved upon.  Again I generally only use Colt, FN or Young BCG's.  Check GB as Phase5 Supply had FN and Colt carriers and FN bolts recently reasonably priced shipping included.  Need to buy  the smalls FP, retainer and cam pin but why not get the real deal instead of the copy where it counts IMO. Possibly buy smalls from RRA or such with rifle buffer tubes?

Think buffer tubes are covered.  Probably stay away from the Chinese just like dad's e-bay stuff.  Last few I bought were from RRA with 18% discount deal. Worked fine and weren't too pricey.  Think for retro carbine build if not buying a complete stock assembly I'd go with the NDS2 pos  tube.  One time buy regardless of what stock deals you find down the road and it will retail value. You also know it's going to be top quality fit and finish.  

For fitment generally 6 pos stock fits 6 pos tube without sticking out etc. Change variables and stock to tube length fitment changes.  They kinda fit what they were intended to and changes were simply that.  All will function just not exact fitment.  If not spending NDS coins a decent color job will probably do until wallet fattens.  Many like the Model 1 fiberite copy.  Non Colt Aluminum copies really do nothing for me from a shooters perspective.  Throw off balance add weight bla bla!