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Originally Posted By maxicon: I have an old Armalite A4 upper that I've dug out of the archives and would like to make into an A4 clone, and was about to pull the trigger on a set of M5 handguards. The KAC site warns about bigger profile barrels not fitting without mods, so I pulled the handguards, and it looks like an HBAR under there. Is this going to be a problem with the M5? In front of the FSB, it's 0.72"; behind the FSB it's 0.87" all the way back until it flares before the barrel nut. I'm doing this on a bit of a budget, using parts from the spares boxes, and would rather not get into a new barrel if this one will work. https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/Armalite_A4_no-handguards_01a.JPG https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/Armalite_A4_no-handguards_02a.JPG This is a California gun, and I've had to pull the flash hider to make it featureless, so if anyone has a suggestion for a brake that wouldn't look too out of place, that would be great. View Quote Would a Vltor compensator be legal? |
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Originally Posted By pezboytate: It was designed to fit barrels that are .845" behind the FSB. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By pezboytate: It was designed to fit barrels that are .845" behind the FSB. Thanks - that's what I needed. You may have saved me $200 and a muzzle heavy musket. I'm thinking I'll revert to the classic plastic handguard version for now. Here's all they say on the KAC website, which at least got me thinking about it: Lighter barrel profiles work best (Government contours). Heavier barrel contours may require modification to the inside of the rail. Originally Posted By borderpatrol: Would a Vltor compensator be legal? No good; it reduces flash per their marketing blurb. AWZ1287's link to this is looking like just the thing, though, and AIM specifically states that it's Cali legal, which is helpful for those of us who worry about such things. Here's hoping it won't direct too much concussion to the side: Similar to A2 style brake, the open top slots and closed bottom increase muzzle control and reduce dust signature making it compliant with California Featureless laws. The end is also blocked to reduce recoil. 1/2" x 28 threads .223/ 5.56 compatible. *This device will not reduce or remove flash. |
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Originally Posted By maxicon: I have an old Armalite A4 upper that I've dug out of the archives and would like to make into an A4 clone, and was about to pull the trigger on a set of M5 handguards. The KAC site warns about bigger profile barrels not fitting without mods, so I pulled the handguards, and it looks like an HBAR under there. Is this going to be a problem with the M5? In front of the FSB, it's 0.72"; behind the FSB it's 0.87" all the way back until it flares before the barrel nut. I'm doing this on a bit of a budget, using parts from the spares boxes, and would rather not get into a new barrel if this one will work. https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/Armalite_A4_no-handguards_01a.JPG https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/Armalite_A4_no-handguards_02a.JPG This is a California gun, and I've had to pull the flash hider to make it featureless, so if anyone has a suggestion for a brake that wouldn't look too out of place, that would be great. View Quote I have that very barrel on my first A4 clone (complete ArmaLite build), and my KAC RAS fits just as it should. ETA: |
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Well I built another one tonight, pics soon. I really need to find old worn parts to complete the look the new barrel upper and lower look off used a salty m5, m961, and colt stock. Pics soon its too dark now.
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Apexgunparts has Colt a4 uppers. Plastic handguards. 579 before shipping.
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DEUS VULT
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Originally Posted By Knightzone: Apexgunparts has Colt a4 uppers. Plastic handguards. 579 before shipping. LINK View Quote Just FYI - "NO rear sight, charging handle, bolt carrier assembly or carry handle." |
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Originally Posted By 86HMMWV: I have that very barrel on my first A4 clone (complete ArmaLite build), and my KAC RAS fits just as it should. ETA: https://i.ibb.co/hdXtBZR/4-E236533-3-A29-4-F14-9-C9-E-9-BB84-E4959-A1.jpg View Quote Heh! Looks like the build is back on. I've got the carry handle, a Matech, a stock, but won't be able to put a normal pistol grip on it due to Cali steppers. |
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Received my larue mount I ordered from ebay. They sent me a LT622SDO-A, Instead of the LT799. I was originally looking for the 622 so I am happy.
Attached File Attached File ETA: he still has more left if anyone is looking for one. Larue LT799 |
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Originally Posted By AWZ1287: Received my larue mount I ordered from ebay. They sent me a LT622SDO-A, Instead of the LT799. I was originally looking for the 622 so I am happy. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/469589/16086485253274322656663211088968_jpg-1742970.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/469589/16086485821582771592037483852829_jpg-1742972.JPG ETA: he still has more left if anyone is looking for one. Larue LT799 View Quote Thanks for the heads up on that, just picked up one for myself. I tried searching for a little more info, what's the difference between the 799 and the 622? Both would be "correct" for an RCO-A4 ACOG I would assume right? |
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Originally Posted By ringer706: Thanks for the heads up on that, just picked up one for myself. I tried searching for a little more info, what's the difference between the 799 and the 622? Both would be "correct" for an RCO-A4 ACOG I would assume right? View Quote I have yet to find any real answers to that same question. I even posted a thread in the LaRue forum but got no replies. Having had both, I can tell you that the differences are minor. The locking lugs on the bottom side are in different places, the sides of the mount are a little more rounded on one versus the other - little things like that. No major differences that I could tell. |
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Originally Posted By HaveBlue83: my A4 is love......580yds isnt even a problem https://i.ibb.co/cFLcXgj/IMG-20201228-153505847-HDR.jpg https://i.ibb.co/zPrm3Gj/IMG-20201228-133654848.jpg :) View Quote Very clear glass...good picture. |
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that was just a quick one, and online kills clarity. the ACOG is simply perfect For an M16
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Originally Posted By HaveBlue83: my A4 is love......580yds isnt even a problem https://i.ibb.co/cFLcXgj/IMG-20201228-153505847-HDR.jpg https://i.ibb.co/zPrm3Gj/IMG-20201228-133654848.jpg :) View Quote That is a nice looking 1903. Dan |
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Sheep, Sheepdog or Wolf? What are you?
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Originally Posted By HaveBlue83: OFF TOPIC: ohhh, nuthin much....just a 223 howa that ADCO did an OPS contour for my AEM5 :) https://i.ibb.co/CP0yTpk/IMG-20201228-142514381-HDR.jpg View Quote Attached File |
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what range is that ?
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Is it more correct to leave the top rail covers on or off? I've heard people say that they are liable to melt under heavy use. Although I have seen pictures of the covers on in the "in field" pictures.
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People here will tell you that the top cover should be left off to allow the barrel and gas tube to vent / cool more effectively. I have never heard that once in the Army in reference to either M16s or M4s. When I was carrying an A4, I had rail panels on the entire thing because I thought you were supposed to have them on to protect the rails from damage. I'd be curious to know if it was ever addressed in an updated TM, PM magazine, or other military pub. Nowadays, people leave them of their M4s completely to make the handguard skinnier and because they don't want to be bothered to put them on. It's not surprising that Soldiers and Marines wouldn't know about leaving the top covers off, if that's what KAC or anyone else recommends. I'm just saying that almost no one in the military has heard that.
I can appreciate the concept of allowing the rifle to cool more effectively, but the M5 RAS is long with a lot of vent holes in it. I think the practical effect of leaving the covers off is probably minimal, unless you're trying to burn the barrel down with repeated magazine dumps on burst. To answer your question, as you said, most photos show people with covers on the top - sometimes both, sometimes just the rear one, and sometimes the front one. About 10% of the photos of have show no covers on the top. So if you're going for the "look" of a 2000s era A4, I'd suggest putting at least the rear top cover on. |
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The KAC RAS installation manual says to cover all unused rail space to protect the rail surfaces and to protect the user's hands, for what that's worth. I left the top covers off of mine because it's already pretty front heavy; every little bit helps.
KAC RAS installation instructions |
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Originally Posted By maxicon: Here's the state of my budget/parts box Cali legal build. I just got the Shark handguards on, and had to tweak them a bit to fit on the Armalite HBAR. It's still a work in progress as the budget rebuilds. Armalite 20" HBAR upper, Eotech 552 and Matech BUIS (can't afford an ACOG, lol!), old Fab10 blind magwell lower with an A2 stock, and a BFG SOC-C contractor pak sling. I still need a better looking muzzle device (no flash hiders allowed), swap the Ergo grip for an A2 style, and a real lower (which will require losing the pistol grip, alas). The old school front sling loop in my sling pak was shortened by the guy I got it from, so I may switch to a Specter, though I like the position of the DD qc connection. I'm thinking about getting the barrel re-profiled, because this is a front-heavy bugger. https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/Armalite-A4_KAC-M5_rev1b.JPG The M5 didn't fit on the HBAR, as suspected, but it just took a few minutes with a Dremel to open it up. Here's the part that wouldn't fit over the barrel. The steel didn't feel like it would be too flexible, so I didn't whack it with a rubber mallet due to worry about cracking it. https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/KAC-M5_IMG_4663a.JPG https://maxicon.com/guns/ar/KAC-M5_IMG_4666a.JPG View Quote They may have changed their barrel dimensions in recent years. Mine was considered medium contour back when I bought it in 2010, and an un-modified RAS fits over it with no issues whatsoever. |
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Originally Posted By 86HMMWV: They may have changed their barrel dimensions in recent years. Mine was considered medium contour back when I bought it in 2010, and an un-modified RAS fits over it with no issues whatsoever. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By 86HMMWV: They may have changed their barrel dimensions in recent years. Mine was considered medium contour back when I bought it in 2010, and an un-modified RAS fits over it with no issues whatsoever. This was from back in 2007, and I didn't know much about ARs at the time (still learning!), but they had a huge sale blowing out all kinds of uppers and other gear. There was a feeding frenzy over at calguns, as we were just beginning to work around the Cali AW laws and build some ARs. The description didn't include any details about the barrel diameter, but I didn't care - it was an Armalite upper with BCG and CH for $350! I'm guessing this configuration wasn't selling as well as they hoped, with the 1:9 twist and heavy barrel. From the original sale: The M-15A4BA2 Complete Upper Assembly features a double lapped, chrome lined barrel. The Picatinny Rail on the upper receiver allow rapid and repeatable interchange of removable iron or scope sights, complete with A2 front sight. Each ArmaLite Complete Upper Assembly includes a forged upper receiver assembly, barrel assembly, bolt carrier group and charging handle assembly. All complete upper assemblies are test fired as complete rifles before shipping. Model: M-15A4BA2 Complete Upper Assembly with Black Handguard Caliber: .223 Barrel: 20" Double Lapped, Chrome Lined Rifling Twist: RH 1:9" Muzzle Device: Flash Suppressor Front Sight Base: A2 Front Sight Assembly Upper Receiver: Forged Flattop with Picatinny Rail Finish: Hard Anodized Aluminum, Manganese Phosphated Steel |
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Originally Posted By TREETOP: 3. I would like to have something clone-correct engraved on the lower (it was an 80%er) but I don’t want “Property of US Gov’t” on there for personal reasons. Is there a manufacturer with a roll mark that would be right without that? View Quote Well it really wouldn’t be clone correct w/o the “Property of” line. I’d just leave it as it is since it looks awesome. |
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Originally Posted By C6H12O6: Well it really wouldn’t be clone correct w/o the “Property of” line. I’d just leave it as it is since it looks awesome. View Quote Thank you! Was there never a manufacturer who had engraving/rollmark without the "US Govt" reference? It seems like some of the M16A2 lowers were used in A4 assemblies and didn't have that nomenclature? I'd like to have something done that's accurate but without that portion included. If not, I might just end up with a Mattel logo. |
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˙ǝuılƃıs ʎɯ uı ʇnd oʇ ɹǝʌǝlɔ ƃuıɥʇʎuɐ ɟo ʞuıɥʇ ʇ,uɐɔ I
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Does anyone know for sure whether USGI M16A4s have either
always had metal trapdoors always had plastic trapdoors or early had metal trapdoors and later had plastic trapdoors (and an approximate date of the switch)? I'm not talking about any commercially sold rifles. Not looking for assumptions. |
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Originally Posted By TREETOP: Thank you! Was there never a manufacturer who had engraving/rollmark without the "US Govt" reference? It seems like some of the M16A2 lowers were used in A4 assemblies and didn't have that nomenclature? I'd like to have something done that's accurate but without that portion included. If not, I might just end up with a Mattel logo. View Quote I don’t believe there’s were any A4s that didn’t have the “property of” line, but I suppose it might’ve been possible that the limited number of COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) purchase M16A2 carbines could’ve been converted into an A4. Here’s an image of some from Google image searches: Attached File Attached File |
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Anyone know of a manual or video on how to actually set
up and use the blue force gear. Just doesnt seem to fit me right |
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Originally Posted By WinstonSmith:
In the army, if you jump on a hand grenade and save everyone you get a medal. At my job, you get more hand grenades. |
Originally Posted By lafmedic1: Anyone know of a manual or video on how to actually set up and use the blue force gear. Just doesnt seem to fit me right View Quote How to Attach a Vickers Sling to a HK M27 IAR Not sure why they’re using an HK27 but that vid may give you an idea. If not, here’s a PDF w/ instructions |
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I have it attached. Just seems like the adjustments are weird. I cant make a hastly sling easily nor does it fit well in the loose mode. Maybe I have it slung wrong
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Originally Posted By WinstonSmith:
In the army, if you jump on a hand grenade and save everyone you get a medal. At my job, you get more hand grenades. |
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Originally Posted By Dark_zero_x: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/441360/20210123_173917_jpg-1793677.JPG Done for now. Shoot great I can't believe I waited so long to get a 20" View Quote |
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Who said that?
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Always check your 5 and 25 while watching your 6
WA, USA
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Originally Posted By Dark_zero_x: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/441360/20210123_173917_jpg-1793677.JPG Done for now. Shoot great I can't believe I waited so long to get a 20" View Quote |
"I walk un-intimidated into the fray" G. Anderson
“Mutha fukka... You think I gonna play with you?!?! You rob my store...” AR wielding Store owner |
Originally Posted By ringer706: ACOG finally showed up, so for now at least I'm going to call the build done. It's an RCO-M4 instead of the A4, but the deal was far too good to pass up and I'll share it with my M4A1 build so good enough. Otherwise, it's an FN contract upper with FN BCG and charging handle, and Knight's marked M5 RAS, VFG, and USMC marked rear sight. Lower is an 80% with a custom UID tag from Carolina Laser Works, FN A2 buttstock assembly and some no-name LPK. Sling is the VCAS NSN sling with M16 adapter and the mount is a surplus LaRue LT622SDO-A. Also have an issued/surplus OKC-3S for it as well. My goal was to capture a "last standard issue" M16A4 from around 2015-ish. I know it's being utilized in all branches still today, but when the USMC started phasing them out of standard issue service in 2015 in favor of the M4, it marked the end of the M16 lineage. My collection is geared heavily towards full-size standard issue rifles throughout the years so building this to be a sort of last call on the M16 felt appropriate. The only thing I'm unsure on is the light. I had an old M962 kit laying around so I figured why not, but other than the PEQ-16A, what other lights were issued/in common use around 2012-2015? https://i.imgur.com/oapquaZ.jpg View Quote I like that idea! I had a USMC-marked KAC rear sight but sold it due to not really seeing any used in conjunction with the ACOG when I looked back through the real-world pics in this thread. |
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Originally Posted By officerX: I like that idea! I had a USMC-marked KAC rear sight but sold it due to not really seeing any used in conjunction with the ACOG when I looked back through the real-world pics in this thread. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By officerX: Originally Posted By ringer706: ACOG finally showed up, so for now at least I'm going to call the build done. It's an RCO-M4 instead of the A4, but the deal was far too good to pass up and I'll share it with my M4A1 build so good enough. Otherwise, it's an FN contract upper with FN BCG and charging handle, and Knight's marked M5 RAS, VFG, and USMC marked rear sight. Lower is an 80% with a custom UID tag from Carolina Laser Works, FN A2 buttstock assembly and some no-name LPK. Sling is the VCAS NSN sling with M16 adapter and the mount is a surplus LaRue LT622SDO-A. Also have an issued/surplus OKC-3S for it as well. My goal was to capture a "last standard issue" M16A4 from around 2015-ish. I know it's being utilized in all branches still today, but when the USMC started phasing them out of standard issue service in 2015 in favor of the M4, it marked the end of the M16 lineage. My collection is geared heavily towards full-size standard issue rifles throughout the years so building this to be a sort of last call on the M16 felt appropriate. The only thing I'm unsure on is the light. I had an old M962 kit laying around so I figured why not, but other than the PEQ-16A, what other lights were issued/in common use around 2012-2015? https://i.imgur.com/oapquaZ.jpg I like that idea! I had a USMC-marked KAC rear sight but sold it due to not really seeing any used in conjunction with the ACOG when I looked back through the real-world pics in this thread. To be honest, I've seen mostly the same, though I do have a few news photos where they're visible. If anything, it seems like the ACOG was usually on the standard acorn-nut mount than a LaRue, though again, there's examples of both. |
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Originally Posted By ringer706: ACOG finally showed up, so for now at least I'm going to call the build done. It's an RCO-M4 instead of the A4, but the deal was far too good to pass up and I'll share it with my M4A1 build so good enough. Otherwise, it's an FN contract upper with FN BCG and charging handle, and Knight's marked M5 RAS, VFG, and USMC marked rear sight. Lower is an 80% with a custom UID tag from Carolina Laser Works, FN A2 buttstock assembly and some no-name LPK. Sling is the VCAS NSN sling with M16 adapter and the mount is a surplus LaRue LT622SDO-A. Also have an issued/surplus OKC-3S for it as well. My goal was to capture a "last standard issue" M16A4 from around 2015-ish. I know it's being utilized in all branches still today, but when the USMC started phasing them out of standard issue service in 2015 in favor of the M4, it marked the end of the M16 lineage. My collection is geared heavily towards full-size standard issue rifles throughout the years so building this to be a sort of last call on the M16 felt appropriate. The only thing I'm unsure on is the light. I had an old M962 kit laying around so I figured why not, but other than the PEQ-16A, what other lights were issued/in common use around 2012-2015? https://i.imgur.com/oapquaZ.jpg View Quote But it looks like it needs a fat F-marked MIL grip, not that skinny commercial grip. https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/Colt-F-marked-A2-pistol-grips-12-00-Taupe-and-OD-available-now-/25-2023486/ |
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Never confuse motion with progress; never confuse a college degree with intelligence.
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Originally Posted By Creature: Beautiful rifle. But it looks like it needs a fat F-marked MIL grip, not that skinny commercial grip. https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/Colt-F-marked-A2-pistol-grips-12-00-Taupe-and-OD-available-now-/25-2023486/ View Quote D'oh! You caught me, it's about the only non-FN/issued part on the gun. I was looking at one of those, but I was also wondering if FN was using the same A2-eqse grip from the SCAR 16/17's when they were supplying lowers/rifles to the military. I was looking at this guy. https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/888656380 Thoughts? |
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