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Posted: 3/8/2024 2:27:32 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
Finished 723:
 Attached FileThis Colt M16A2 ad from 1987 in Black Rifle II really did it for me. Incredible industrial design with triangles within triangles everywhere. My favorite variant of Stoner's masterpiece. C7 upper with field sights, Brunton bump, forward assist. 14.5" pencil barrel with A2 front sight post, crush washer, A2 flash hider. Delta ring. M16A2 fenced and reinforced lower. Plastic CAR stock. All of the good A2 features with none of the bad....even the superior A2 grip? The spec makes not only for a great retro but also practical carbine. Less than six pounds with the ability to add a micro red dot onto the carry handle, at any time, with a thumb screw (at current trendy neck friendly, good situational awareness height).  Attached FileDelta's carbine:  Attached File Attached File Attached FileAs many know, the 723 also appeared in different variations as time went on.  Attached FileHere's an earlier Colt 723/733 advertisement showing an M16A1 upper--no Brunton bump/C7 upper:  Attached FileI want to be clear that I am not a SME. Also this will not be an exact $35,000 clone. |
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Posted: 3/8/2024 2:33:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#1]
First step was the barrel. I wanted to be as authentic as possible. So I bought the real thing--new in the wrapper. Colt R0723 14.5" barrel. This one also has M4 feed ramps which will mate up perfectly with the upper.
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Posted: 3/8/2024 3:16:45 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#2]
Lower receiver is a Form 1 H&R M16A2 (COTS) in gray (approved today, 14 days after submission). Engraved within the trigger area by Tar Heel State Firearms.
The lower has Colt-esque flashing. The receiver side walls have similar thicknesses. Mag well to spec. Everything bored nicely. Finish is smooth and even. Markings are laser engraved because 2024. If fits up to my KAC uppers better than my KAC lowers. Really like this lower. I want another. Receiver end plate nut torqued and then staked with a Starrett 5/32" center punch.  Attached File Attached File Attached FileH&R M16A2 LRPK has a nice gray trigger guard, however, the mag catch button I received is more black than gray.  Attached FileI like that PSA included an extra takedown pin detent and spring. Nice touch. Trigger is a Geissele G2S which comes with pins that appear similar to Colt pins (no Geissele dimples). Wonderful trigger for the price--feels better than my KACs. |
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Posted: 3/8/2024 3:53:32 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#3]
A Tale of Two CAR-15 Stocks.
I purchased the H&R CAR stock and was a bit disappointed. It has several circles from the mold process and it felt light. I weighed it:  Attached FileI ended up using the M&A Parts stock which feels and looks superior. Even has more meat:  Attached FileI have three of these and they are fantastic. Both stocks have a similar amount of typical stock play. I'll save the H&R stock to chop for a short receiver extension experiment. |
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Posted: 3/8/2024 4:40:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#4]
Waiting on a stainless? port door cover spring. Currently have the black one from H&R.
 Attached FileShould be here in a few days. Stay tuned for more 50 shades of Colt gray/why someone with OCD at Colt or DOD finally decided to just go black. |
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Posted: 3/8/2024 4:50:03 PM EDT
[#5]
Looking good.
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Posted: 3/8/2024 5:12:28 PM EDT
[#6]
Nice👍
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Posted: 3/8/2024 7:43:28 PM EDT
[#7]
Sex. Pure sex.
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Posted: 3/8/2024 9:33:01 PM EDT
[#8]
Nice build so far, barrel is beautiful and that lower looks very nice.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 3/10/2024 12:19:24 PM EDT
[#9]
Looking good! Love that variant.
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Posted: 3/11/2024 5:15:50 AM EDT
[#10]
Looks good
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Posted: 3/11/2024 6:13:34 AM EDT
[#11]
My favorite model. Looking good.
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GA, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 8:27:48 AM EDT
[#12]
So uh… where’d ya get that barrel?
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Posted: 3/14/2024 9:53:14 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#13]
Thanks for all the comments. I ended up polishing a Bushmaster ejection port door spring.
L PSA, Center is BM from CDNN (which looked bright in pic), R is polished BM. Soaking in vinegar did very little.  Attached FilePort door, forward assist, rear sight installed in H&R gray C7 upper (blem). Blem was the only option at time of ordering. Port door is manganese phosphate parkerized I presume. It's a bit chalky which looks close enough to the upper.  Attached File Attached File Attached FileUpper machined nicely, overall, with even receiver wall thicknesses.  Attached FileSight channel of carry handle machined right down the center.  Attached FileUnderside of carry handle machining, if one cares about such a thing, is uneven.  Attached FileOverall, this is the best C7 upper I have ever seen. I have had, and sold, Colt and DPMS previously. |
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Posted: 3/14/2024 10:43:15 AM EDT
[#14]
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Posted: 3/14/2024 10:48:47 AM EDT
[#15]
The delta ring and charging handle from H&R are beautiful.
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Posted: 3/14/2024 10:59:59 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#16]
H&R BCG. Looks GTG. Inside of carrier has a nice smooth, frosty chrome finish. George Washington's forehead on a quarter smooth. Very nice.
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Posted: 3/14/2024 12:24:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#17]
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Posted: 3/14/2024 1:30:16 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#18]
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Posted: 3/14/2024 1:41:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#19]
14.5" 723 upper complete.
H&R handguards are nice and tight. No play.  Attached File30ish year old Colt barrel mates perfectly to new H&R C7 upper with a little Aero Shell lube. US machining and TDP for the win.  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/14/2024 2:28:49 PM EDT
[#20]
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Posted: 3/14/2024 2:53:45 PM EDT
[#21]
What she weigh?
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Posted: 3/14/2024 4:01:14 PM EDT
[#22]
I'm about to burn off some of that heavy grease at the range. I'll get back to you.
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Posted: 3/14/2024 4:14:53 PM EDT
[#23]
Solid. Probably one of my favorite models. A little something I do that I like is, swap out the front sight posts for a NM .050”. It’s a bit narrower and for me, I shoot the irons a bit better without the front sight covering up the target so easily.
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Posted: 3/14/2024 4:57:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#24]
Good idea on the NM front post.
Carbine functioned 100%. Elevation down 1 click, R 4. This thing fits in my favorite case. Next time steel at distance.  Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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MT, USA
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Posted: 3/14/2024 8:29:30 PM EDT
[#25]
 Yeah buddy! 
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Posted: 3/14/2024 9:48:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Curare]
[#26]
Appreciate it.
5.59lbs Upper 59.8oz Lower 29.7oz This is such a handy carbine. Perhaps the best TEOTWAWKI firearm. Lightweight. Fits in a tennis racquet case or a tall backpack when broken down. Stabilizes and gives you usable frag range for any rounds you come across. There's only one screw--the flat head grip screw. Everything else is pinned/staked/captured. ¡FSB! Chrome lined for corrosion resistance and durability. Most importantly it will mount a bayonet for braining zombies. Off to look at bayonets. |
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Posted: 3/14/2024 9:54:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Colt653]
[#27]
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Posted: 3/16/2024 5:43:11 PM EDT
[#28]
Like.
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Posted: 3/16/2024 5:51:55 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Curare: Complete. Thanks to @mike_nds for making our retro dreams a reality. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41811/DF4A14FF-E824-4F79-82A6-4C27438CE6A9_jpe-3158825.JPG Freaking love it! Great build and great thread. 
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MP, USA
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Posted: 3/16/2024 9:41:38 PM EDT
[#30]
Absolutely beautiful early 723. It’s interesting that your barrel has an m4 extension. My early complete Colt 723 upper has standard feedramps and is an A1 upper.
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Posted: 3/18/2024 7:43:14 AM EDT
[#31]
Beautiful 723. Looks perfect with the 14.5" barrel. Mine look a little off with the 16-inchers.
 Attached File |
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DEU
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Posted: 3/18/2024 10:03:38 AM EDT
[#32]
I am also a big fan of the M723 for exactly the same reasons you mention.
Your built is spot-on and great looking. Thanks for sharing. |
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DEU
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Posted: 3/18/2024 10:07:14 AM EDT
[#33]
I am also a big fan of the M723 for exactly the same reasons you mention.
Your built is spot-on and great looking. Thanks for sharing. |
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MO, USA
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Posted: 3/18/2024 12:09:44 PM EDT
[#34]
For front sight posts on several of my rifles, I have taken A2 posts, chucked them in a drill press, and using a file, ground them down to .060" which is just right between what the width of a NM and an A2 sight post is.
The width is wide enough to pick up easily, yet gives a finer sight picture. Site post will turn out round and the sides will be straight, which, IMHO, is better than the squarish tapered A2. RCA |
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Posted: 3/18/2024 7:42:47 PM EDT
[#35]
Best-looking Retro build so far this year, OP.
Magnificent. 
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Posted: 3/26/2024 12:24:36 AM EDT
[#36]
Very nice carbine. Reminds me of the simplicity of a 6520, but even simpler!
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Posted: 3/31/2024 6:35:02 PM EDT
[#37]
Slick little rifle OP.
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