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Posted: 2/3/2026 11:20:05 AM EDT
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You don't hear alot about the Colt Model 711 A2 rifle. I built this one I'd guess and say around 2017?? Kind of a early A2 system that was mixed with A1 features i.e. upper receiver, and a pencil barrel that was a 1/7 twist. Stock, handguards, pistol grips, forward assist and lower (some earlier ones were A1 lowers) receiver were A2. From what I could remember it was a fun but challenging build since at time not a lot of information about them. A 1/7 pencil barrel was about impossible to find! DEZ Tactical offered one with a Nitride finish and said it was match grade as well. I also sent it off to JT for phosphate finish since it was originally black. Plus he installed the A1 Colt/Bell front sight base. The lower started out as a 80% by a company out of Florida. A forum member here engraved it, then I opened it up then used Norrell Moly Resin to finish. Oh, and the engraver also trimmed the big button FA so it would function on a A2 lower. I haven't fired it in over 6/7 years, but at 100yds I was very pleased. Just thought I'd share..... Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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I have a real one, more or less. I found a NOS barrel at Knob Creek right after the Colt reorganization in the late 90's. Mated that barrel to a Colt C7 upper in gray. Test fired and zeroed the upper and put it away. Fast forward to 2021 I was offered a factory Colt M16A2 for a price I couldn't turn down. Only difference is my lower is marked Burst instead of Auto. The early 711's used an A1 upper with the big head forward assist where the later ones used the C7 style upper with the current small head forward assist. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 606 H Bar barrel with the M60 bipod collar next to the 711 barrel. I wanted to add that you did a fantastic job on your clone. So good that if I put mine on the bench next to it the sear pin would be the only way to tell them apart. |
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Originally Posted By Chi56man: I have a real one, more or less. I found a NOS barrel at Knob Creek right after the Colt reorganization in the late 90's. Mated that barrel to a Colt C7 upper in gray. Test fired and zeroed the upper and put it away. Fast forward to 2021 I was offered a factory Colt M16A2 for a price I couldn't turn down. Only difference is my lower is marked Burst instead of Auto. The early 711's used an A1 upper with the big head forward assist where the later ones used the C7 style upper with the current small head forward assist. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 606 H Bar barrel with the M60 bipod collar next to the 711 barrel. Nice! All the must have Colt M16 items I turned down the last 40 + years is mind boggling. And CHEAP at that! Carried one 4 yrs in U.S.M.C. then lost interest in them until early 2010. Here's a couple more pics I found over the years affiliated with the 711. Somali-United Nations (U.S. Marine) carrying a 711 Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By wagsfn: Nice! All the must have Colt M16 items I turned down the last 40 + years is mind boggling. And CHEAP at that! Carried one 4 yrs in U.S.M.C. then lost interest in them until early 2010. Here's a couple more pics I found over the years affiliated with the 711. Somali-United Nations (U.S. Marine) carrying a 711 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/711_Somalia_jpg-3707147.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/M16A2_Weapon_System_jpg-3707149.JPG Originally Posted By wagsfn: Originally Posted By Chi56man: I have a real one, more or less. I found a NOS barrel at Knob Creek right after the Colt reorganization in the late 90's. Mated that barrel to a Colt C7 upper in gray. Test fired and zeroed the upper and put it away. Fast forward to 2021 I was offered a factory Colt M16A2 for a price I couldn't turn down. Only difference is my lower is marked Burst instead of Auto. The early 711's used an A1 upper with the big head forward assist where the later ones used the C7 style upper with the current small head forward assist. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 606 H Bar barrel with the M60 bipod collar next to the 711 barrel. Nice! All the must have Colt M16 items I turned down the last 40 + years is mind boggling. And CHEAP at that! Carried one 4 yrs in U.S.M.C. then lost interest in them until early 2010. Here's a couple more pics I found over the years affiliated with the 711. Somali-United Nations (U.S. Marine) carrying a 711 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/711_Somalia_jpg-3707147.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/M16A2_Weapon_System_jpg-3707149.JPG Very cool rifle. They only thing I thought they got wrong on the 711 was the stock length. In my humble opinion, they should have kept it A1 length like the C7. I cloned one a while back and went that route as I appreciate the shorter length. Otherwise it was the perfect evolution of the A1. Reference your picture of the Marine, is it possible that is an A1 outfitted with A2 handguards? I ask because the ejection port door cover has the shorter housing found on the A1 and the FA looks teardrop. I have seen some examples of transitional A2 carbines with one or the other but not together and the port door specifically is pretty rare to find. For reference, the port doors in the literature you posted all appear to be A2 style with the longer housing. Just curious what you think. Again, nice rifle anf one of my favorites. |
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Originally Posted By Bebop_941: Very cool rifle. They only thing I thought they got wrong on the 711 was the stock length. In my humble opinion, they should have kept it A1 length like the C7. I cloned one a while back and went that route as I appreciate the shorter length. Otherwise it was the perfect evolution of the A1. Reference your picture of the Marine, is it possible that is an A1 outfitted with A2 handguards? I ask because the ejection port door cover has the shorter housing found on the A1 and the FA looks teardrop. I have seen some examples of transitional A2 carbines with one or the other but not together and the port door specifically is pretty rare to find. For reference, the port doors in the literature you posted all appear to be A2 style with the longer housing. Just curious what you think. Again, nice rifle anf one of my favorites. I really don't know how to answer the stock length question. Yes, I prefer the A1 length since that's what was embedded in my head from my active duty years. Being tall and long armed the A2 length really never bothered me since this is the only A2 stock I own. Good eye! Yes the picture shows an A1 ejection port door & tear drop FA. Stock is questionable because you can't see it. Almost like a transitional Model 711. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the U.S. Military never adopted the Model 711, export only mainly? So this one in question is basically a A1 that someone added the A2 handguards and possibly stock as well. A rebel Armorer since they were under UN control at time? Just a neat picture. |
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Originally Posted By wagsfn: I really don't know how to answer the stock length question. Yes, I prefer the A1 length since that's what was embedded in my head from my active duty years. Being tall and long armed the A2 length really never bothered me since this is the only A2 stock I own. Good eye! Yes the picture shows an A1 ejection port door & tear drop FA. Stock is questionable because you can't see it. Almost like a transitional Model 711. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the U.S. Military never adopted the Model 711, export only mainly? So this one in question is basically a A1 that someone added the A2 handguards and possibly stock as well. A rebel Armorer since they were under UN control at time? Just a neat picture. I agree - a neat picture and nice rifle. I've always had a sweet spot for variants from the 80s. Thanks for sharing. |
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That looks great. I think that 2026 will be the year of the 711 for me. I've had all the big parts and most of the small ones for a while; I just need to get the upper parts sent off to JT for FSB mounting and assembly. I plan to use a C7 upper, H&R commercial style M16A2 lower and a Colt CS stock. The barrel is a 1/7" pencil barrel, allegedly Colt, and purchased from Numrich. For your viewing pleasure, here are some large versions of the relevant pages from the Colt 1987 press kit, courtesy of another ARFCOM member who shared them with me a few years ago.    |
Here's my humble addition to the thread: I've always thought the 711 was the best choice to replace the A1. As such, I took some liberties to make it the "ideal" A2 based on some of my personal preferences. It has: - A1 stock with an A2 buttplate - A2 grip with figure groove removed - A2 rear peep aperture |
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Originally Posted By wagsfn: Nice! What barrel manufacture & twist?. It's a Luth-AR pencil profile, 1:7 twist, chrome lined. FSB is straight and accuracy is 2-3" MOA with M193. I've been very happy with it. Edit: cheap 55gr target ammo (not legit M193). |
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This is how NoDak Spud NDS-16A1 sn: A00001 is set up. We had A1’s in the MNANG like this also. I suspect mostly because A1 furniture wasn’t in the supply system anymore.  We made a small number of the 711 rifles in 2023 but they didn’t sell well |
We are living in a Tom Clancy novel
Over 50 and reputed to be a formidable brigand
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Over 50 and reputed to be a formidable brigand
https://hr1871.com/
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Originally Posted By mike_nds: This is how NoDak Spud NDS-16A1 sn: A00001 is set up. We had A1’s in the MNANG like this also. I suspect mostly because A1 furniture wasn’t in the supply system anymore. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/91277/IMG_2754-3445001.jpg We made a small number of the 711 rifles in 2023 but they didn’t sell well Either you Model 711 or you don't. I believe majority of A1 owners prefer a true A1 instead of adding A2 furniture, round or big button FA, dust cover & a 1/7 twist pencil barrel to their prized A1's just to create a new model of rifle. Some ways I don't blame them since acquiring original A1 parts are becoming scarce and expensive. I didn't realize you tried a Model 711 a few years back? Well, if you couldn't move them then no one could. |
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