This was a long term project that started years ago when I rescued this pre-ban Colt 6520 lower.  The previous owner had installed a 9mm FCG and some commercial stock. The sear block had also been removed. I found and installed a NOS Colt two-position receiver extension, and standard FCG. The project languished between deployments and job changes, I missed some NOS 6520 uppers, but had the idea to make a 723 clone with it.  Found a NOS gray Colt delta ring and then a C8 upper with carbine feed ramp cuts that I had refinished by US Anodizing to match the delta ring. Later I found an excellent condition gray Colt charging handle that matched and finally an export M4 upper with an A2 upper I sourced the non-F front sight barrel from.  Anyways, just got the finished upper back from Specialized Armament. Ken did his 14.5-16" conversion on it. I was stoked when I opened it up today. Slapped in a NOS  C stamped BCG and here it is.



And some other odds and ends I've collected over the years for the next stages of the project.

That thang's a real beaut!

Turned out great!

On the barrel, did you use a spacer behind the flash hider to bring it to 16"?

Thanks!

Not exactly, Specialized Armament makes a proprietary, extended A2-style flash suppressor that gives the appearance of an A2.

Very nicely done. Down to the correct extension nut. Looks like a authentic CAR stock as well. The 723 is hard to beat. You did a good job. Enjoy that one.

Yep, all Colt.

I don't know if the M203 sling swivel is period correct for those units that used this carbine in the late 80s and early 90s, but I like them, and sourced one with the reversible side plate for the A2 or A1 profile barrels.

That's awesome, I have a couple of A2X flashiders that I need to replace with these!

It's the second one of these I've had him do on a Colt upper.  I think @Solodallas has had a few done too.  They look great, fantastic machining.

That said, I'm a little inspired by your build with the lightweight Green Mountain barrel and I"m thinking about grabbing one of those to use with another C8 upper I have that's a close color match.

That's almost a Simon Sleeve...  

That turned out fantastic.

Stunner!!!

looks good

Not really, it's basically the same dimensions as an A2 compensator but with an extension at the aft end the same diameter as the barrel, as opposed to the extended length A2X style you typically see.

It would be cool to have a nice pair of uppers to depict both of the 723 configurations. But you know what would happen; you would end up having to get another lower and do a whole new carbine

Gorgeous.

Any tips on where to find that carry handle mount? My ARMS M16A1A2 is a loaner from my old man.

Good looking build!

Thanks guys, I sincerely appreciate all the compliments. I was very excited to finally get this one finished and with how it turned out.

ETA: And I got it to the range last weekend, so light and handy, shoots like a dream.



I got this one from Brownells: https://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rings-mounts-amp-bases/rifle-bases/ar-15-m16-scope-mount-prod8850.aspx?avs%7cManufacturer_1=MGW

I've also got an older 80s vintage Colt marked A1/A2 that is very similar to the ARMS mount laying around somewhere. The MGW seems more period correct for use by US special forces though.