Any one have a current manufactured A1 upper by Bushmaster or Fulton Armory?  I am considering building a Colt 653 clone and think I may get the best result by having the complete upper built rather than trying to find a preban A1 carbine upper.  

Specific questions regarding the Colt 653 carbine:  Was this a slick side upper, or did it have forward assist and/or the shell deflector.  And, it was a small hole upper correct?

Thanks

ADH

653 had the A1 upper with teardrop forward assist and a 14.5 inch light weight barrel. Or should I say MOST 653's. The Israeli’s bought a lot of these little Carbines from Colt. Colt started assembling them with just about every configuration of parts available during the early to late 80's. C7 type uppers, large and small round forward assists ect. No one is making a true A1 upper anymore. You can find them at gun shows and on the here on the EE every now and then. Original 653's, like all M16's, are small hole uppers. Hope this helps.

Here is a break down of the standard 653.

[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/059660.gif[/img]

Here is a pic of a Ranger with a real 653 cerca 1986.

[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/054176.jpg[/img]

An IDF troop with a CAR-15 and M203. Note the C7/C8 type upper and teardrop forward assist.

[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/054165.jpg[/img]

Here is my C8gery. Very similare to the 653 but has the C7/C8 upper (A1 with left hand deflector). This rifle has a Colt 14.5 inch light weight 1/7 twist barrel with a Vortex pinted on the end.

[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/056405.jpg[/img]

thanks for the info.  Helps a lot.

The Colt M16A1 carbine Model 653 had a A1 upper with fwd assist(no case deflector) and a 1/12 14.5" pencil bbl. The DOD purchased them from the mid 1970's until the early 80's in small #'s for issue to SF, NSW and specialized units.

Until the XM4 program took off limited #'s of the Colt model 723 were procured. The 723 is an A1 style carbine. It featured the case deflector, 14.5" A1 profile bbl in 1/7 twist and the later models had the fiberite stocks.


[img]http://www.tacticsrange.com/DCP_0360.JPG[/img]


If you're looking for Colt 653 parts or have questions shoot me an e-mail.