Hey guys, here is my first "Clone" build.  I was going for an early M16A1 shooter, not a mint perfect clone.

It was also my first attempt at Moly Resin. It was really fun to apply, I'm just not sure if its too green for the XM gray? I used a toaster oven for curing, haha.










Most of the big parts came off the EE:

Green Mountain 1/12 Barrel
P/M A1 Upper
Brownells A1 Lower (It was black originally)
ar15sport Gray LPK
ar15sport A1 Port Door Kit
Retro Rifles Tear Drop
Colt D type stock
Colt A1 grip
I was told 1/2 Colt 1/2 aftermarket hand guards (future upgrade)
Generic BCG (future upgrade)

I'm really happy with it and it definitely met the requirements of what I was going for.  The only thing I'm not too happy with is the charging handle.  I'd like to find a more gray or "used" looking one.  I was also hesitant to use the pretty beat up slip ring, but I think it gives it some character.

Just wanted to share with someone, thanks for looking!

Very nice rifle. Finished my A1 build a couple of months ago and its a sweet rifle. Polished out my trigger and put some JP springs and got the pull down to 5-6 smooth lbs.

Thank you, I’m really excited to shoot it.  It’s pretty damn handy and light.  I’ll have to look into those springs, this ones dry fire is a little gritty.

Sounds good!

Nice looking rifle OP. I'd shoot the hell out of it, even though I'm an A2 fan simply due to the rear sight. Well done.

Looks awesome!!! The greenish tint is probably from either curing it too long or at too high a temp, norrells website says to cure it for an hour at 300°

Yeah I think it was the toaster oven, the temps kind of fluctuated.

Thank you!  I plan on shooting it A TON.

Very nice OP!!! I just did my first A1 build as well and am enjoying it so much more than I thought. Light and handy and sexy and accurate. Mine is a been there and done that used look but nonetheless. Enjoy!

Thumbs up sir. You done good. That gray looks just fine.

I was going to say, I personally think the color looks pretty good, especially for being applied with a toaster oven. I was going to also make the above recommendation of getting a gray charging handle. Nice work!

Oh and by the way, run run run as fast as you can before you catch the other virus that goes around these parts; the retro bug. I too was once “only” going to build one retro. Now I have more than I can count.

Haha, I actually already have another black brownells a1 to refinish...

So it begins.

I got an M16A1 parts kit years ago, and that green would've matched my vintage, well-used upper almost exactly. Don't sweat the green unless it looks way different from the actual color, vs on a monitor.

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It's a cruel fate OP.

Abandon all hope and all that!


I just posted a family pic and there were MANY more than I ever knew existed 20 years ago!

Haha, nice!  I’m ok with getting this disease.