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Posted: 12/23/2008 10:30:17 AM EDT
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Folks
I need help putting together a build list for a M4 Mrs. Monk has approved me building a civilian version of the M4 the Marine Corps issued me when I deployed to Iraq earlier this year. I am going to engrave the lower with an Eagle, Globe and Anchor along with name, rank and deployment dates and location Here is the list I have so far 14.5 Colt (Which model number or can I build one from parts? ACOG (Which model number?) KAC RAS with panels and VFG All help and suggestion welcome and appreciated Thanks The Bald Monk |
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Folks I need help putting together a build list for a M4 Mrs. Monk has approved me building a civilian version of the M4 the Marine Corps issued me when I deployed to Iraq earlier this year. I am going to engrave the lower with an Eagle, Globe and Anchor along with name, rank and deployment dates and location Here is the list I have so far 14.5 Colt (Which model number or can I build one from parts? 6921 (SBR) or you can build from parts. ACOG (Which model number?) There are a few KAC RAS with panels and VFG All help and suggestion welcome and appreciated Thanks The Bald Monk ...or you can seek out a 6400 and get the 14.5 or 14.7 inch barrel from another company. The 6400 has the "M4 CARBINE" roll-mark. You would also need a M4 type stock from Colt or LMT. 
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This is the ACOG you will probably need, it's the TA31RCO M4CP. Here is the link:
http://www.trijicon.com/User/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=481&back_row=4&categoryID=3 And for the KAC rail, I would go with the KAC URX 2. It's free float and you can add the m203. It's a newer version of the RAS and will come with all of the future KAC rifles. Also, I didnt know Marines used the M4 (14.5 inch barrel). I thought they only used the M16. |
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If you want the 14.5 inch barrel without the SBR stamp you can get the barrel with a longer, permanently attached flash hider. The A2 flash hider is around .3 inches short for it to be the legal 16 inches.
Get the Trijicon TA31RCO-M4CP. That is the part number straight from trijicon. |
? If it's the rifle you deployed with, then you should know what was on it better than us. 
For the base rifle, you're "best" choice would be the LE6921, 14.5" SA version of the M4 Carbine. However, this is going to be an NFA weapon, as the 6921, and any barrel under 16" OAL will be an SBR. Other choices include buying a 6920 and using the 16" barrel, or replacing that barrel with a 6921 barrel, and having a flash suppressor permanently pinned to the barrel to make the barrel reach 16". Note that a standard A2 flash suppressor will be too short, you may want to look at an extended flash hider like the SDI, the "double nut" mod, which uses two A2 flash suppressors and uses the part with the flats as a spacer, or something like a Phantom, Vortex or Vltor flash suppressor, all of which will get you out to the proper legal length. Your choices are wider as well if you choose to go with non-Colt parts, and/or you can have a barrel cut down to 14.7" and pin the A2 flash suppressor on that and reach the required length. Don't know how dead set you are on using Colt parts, but I would assume that for the EGA and other engraving, you're looking at having it put on the right side of the magwell, I'd warn you that most Colt LE rifles that would be your most logical starting point have ugly "LEO" markings already engraved there, and you might be better served using someone else's lower for your build. If you have photos of the rifle you carried, it might be easier to give you a list of the specific parts you were using if you don't know, however, off the top of my head, I would guess that you had a pretty standard, post-2002 production M4, with the M4 style stock and no BUIS. The optic would have either been a TA31F or TA31RCO-M4. Were the adjustment caps tethered or not? Did you have mil stadia on either side of the aiming reticule? Were you issued a light? Also, if you're planning to build this right now from Colt parts, I would caution you to be prepared to spend a whole lot of money, with the buying panic, everything seems to have jumped to ridiculous prices, especially Colt parts. Apparently the days of complete M4 uppers for about $700 are coming to a close, now expect to pay anything from $900 to over $1,000 for an upper assembly. HTH, ~Augee |
You guys are great 
I SHOULD remember the specs of my rifle but I have 4 kids and that means my memory is shot. It was a standard M4 with railed upper that allowed me to use the A2 sites or the ACOG Allow me to better explain my objective; I want to build an M4 that closely resembles my issued weapon. I don’t mind paying the $200 tax stamp. I am not dead set on a Colt or Colt parts Based on Augee’s post Colts are out because I cannot engrave the right side of the lower. As for the ACOG Caps were tethered with wire. I cannot recall what the reticule looked like as I only fired 60 rounds through the weapon the entire time I was in Iraq. We used the A2 sites for KD qual. No weapon light or BUIS for us REMFS 
I will post the few pics I have when I get home Thanks for the help. The Bald Monk |
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This is the ACOG you will probably need, it's the TA31RCO M4CP. Here is the link: http://www.trijicon.com/User/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=481&back_row=4&categoryID=3 And for the KAC rail, I would go with the KAC URX 2. It's free float and you can add the m203. It's a newer version of the RAS and will come with all of the future KAC rifles. Also, I didnt know Marines used the M4 (14.5 inch barrel). I thought they only used the M16. Recently SNCOs & Officers have started to be issued M4's. Other units like LAR, Recon, ANGLICO, or other specilized units use the M4. Line infantry & prolly support units are issued the A4 as standard but nothing's set in stone depending on the command. OP: you may want to think about trying to get your hands on one of these. They are rare & expensive but you can try Ten Percent Firearms to see if you can get your paws on one of these Centermass lowers for a very unique AR instead of using Colt. 
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One good thing about the LE6921 is that unlike pretty much everything else, you can still buy they new at not so inflated prices and in your home state.
https://policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=294_16_236&products_id=5640&osCsid=phfq8omd9okutaetesahcst9n6 Given that NIB LE6920s are selling for $1700 or so, you can get the LE6921 and pay the tax man for the same price. |
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This is the ACOG you will probably need, it's the TA31RCO M4CP. Here is the link: http://www.trijicon.com/User/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=481&back_row=4&categoryID=3 And for the KAC rail, I would go with the KAC URX 2. It's free float and you can add the m203. It's a newer version of the RAS and will come with all of the future KAC rifles. Also, I didnt know Marines used the M4 (14.5 inch barrel). I thought they only used the M16. Recently SNCOs & Officers have started to be issued M4's. Other units like LAR, Recon, ANGLICO, or other specilized units use the M4. Line infantry & prolly support units are issued the A4 as standard but nothing's set in stone depending on the command. OP: you may want to think about trying to get your hands on one of these. They are rare & expensive but you can try Ten Percent Firearms to see if you can get your paws on one of these Centermass lowers for a very unique AR instead of using Colt. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa270/force8654/014.jpg Thanks to warpig8654, I picked mine up while they had a couple left. Excellent lower for any Marine. 
This is a 16" LMT with the TA31RCO-M4 ACOG, KAC M4 RAS, KAC VFG, and side sling mount. Below is a Colt 6920 with the TA01NSN ACOG, KAC M4 RAS, KAC VFG, and Surefire weaponlight. 
I would say to opt using a LMT, BCM, Sabre Defence, or CMMG 14.5" M4 upper. You can save a little money doing that. A Colt lower is great, but not entirely needed IMO. |
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Here's one I built based to USGI specs on a Colt 6400c receiver and SBRed it
Colt 6400c Colt collapsible buttstock Colt 6921 14.5" upper KAC M4 RAS rails and VFG Matech BUIS Trijicon TA31F ACOG Surefire M951 light Insight Technologies AN/PEQ-2a Vickers sling 
Here's another Colt 6400c receiver, same setup with the exception of the Aimpoint Comp M2. This one I permanently attached an extended FH to a Colt 14.5" upper. This one has Laser Devices DBAL-A2 
And this one is a registered SBR, LMT 14.5" upper on a Bushmaster lower. Same accessories as previous two, with Eotech 552 and Hong Kong PAQ-4c IR clone 
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OK who must I kill to get the USMC lower? That is an amazing look I am off to google for it Here are 3 pics of my rifle http://thebaldmonk.net/m4/m4.jpg M4 Pic 1 M4 Pic 2 Thanks The Bald Monk Ten Percent Firearms is where jrs93accord & I purchased ours. I just checked their site & don't appear to have any currently. I chased these lowers with them for several months & the owner e-mailed me when had a new batch in. You may have to do the same but I'm not certain if these were a limited run or not. Good luck & Semper Fi! |
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Ten Percent Firearms is where jrs93accord & I purchased ours. I just checked their site & don't appear to have any currently. I chased these lowers with them for several months & the owner e-mailed me when had a new batch in. You may have to do the same but I'm not certain if these were a limited run or not. Good luck & Semper Fi! I just called them and no joy. She suggested Spike's Tactical Thanks for the info. Semper Fi The Bald Monk |
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Looks pretty standard, I can definitely understand the desire to clone the weapon you carried overseas.
Not all Colts have the LEO engraving on the right side of the receiver, just the LE series. The MT6400Cs that everyone's talking about, for example, don't have LEO engraving. The LE6921 will, however, as will the LE6920, so in order to get exactly what you want, no matter what you do, you're going to have to mix and match at very least, if not build from the ground up. That being said, no matter what, you're likely to pay a premium for any Colt receiver, and most modern ones will have the larger diameter FCG pins. You decide whether or not you think that's an issue, I certainly don't, but some people find it upsetting. Spikes does excellent laser engraving if you want that, or, if you want full engraving, Orion Arms does an excellent job, and I'm sure that they can manage an EGA and other engraving for you. http://orion-arms.com/new/content/view/35/105/ Your M4 looks pretty basic, and I'd bet money that the ACOG was a TA31RCO-M4CP. HTH, ~Augee |
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I am not stuck on Colt.
I would love to find a Centermass lower with the EGA engraving on the left side but that is going to be difficult Does anyone have suggestions on finding a “bare” lower so I could engrave both sides? I have a stripped Stag lower that I was going to build a light weight KISS mid-length rifle I will need to research the NFA rules on SBR’s. I have a trust set up for my wife’s SBR but that weapon is coming straight from the dealer. I am not sure what do about building my own SBR Can I order the 14.5 barrel or SBR upper and just not put it on the lower until I have the ATF paperwork back? I have KAC RAS on order Next on the list the ACOG model TA31RCO-M4CP The Bald Monk |
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I went LMT OVER COLT 6920
Defender 2000 SOPMOD (The lower) (any type will do) LMT M4 upper 14.5 1/7 twist (Add a Phantom) KAC RAS & KAC FVG Aimpoint & Larue mount BUIS ARMS 40sp (I HATE LMT BUIS) The 2 LMT M4 14.5 I have are Very Very Accurate Ragged hole groups at 50 yards |
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ENGRAVING...
I've come to realize that the engraving offered by most, and by Spike, are laser engraved, which shouldn't be called engraved because it only burns an image into the finish. If the gun was ever refinished like with duracoat, or whatever, its gone. True engraving, removing metal, is offered by Orion, but I just got an email back from them telling me the Marine Corps EGA was not allowed to be engraved on firearms per the Marine Corps,,, WHAT??? So, I have my own lower, already stripped and ready for my EGA to be engraved, reaching out for your help... |
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ENGRAVING... I've come to realize that the engraving offered by most, and by Spike, are laser engraved, which shouldn't be called engraved because it only burns an image into the finish. If the gun was ever refinished like with duracoat, or whatever, its gone. True engraving, removing metal, is offered by Orion, but I just got an email back from them telling me the Marine Corps EGA was not allowed to be engraved on firearms per the Marine Corps,,, WHAT??? So, I have my own lower, already stripped and ready for my EGA to be engraved, reaching out for your help... I think that's BS..we had a thread on this before. Check with Anvil Arms.. |
| I'm not sure where the OP is on their project, but Bravo Company is a good manufacturer to work with. I just picked up one of their 14.5" uppers with a permanently attached extended A2 flash hider. In addition, they have complete M4 lowers available that would look just right. |
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ENGRAVING... I've come to realize that the engraving offered by most, and by Spike, are laser engraved, which shouldn't be called engraved because it only burns an image into the finish. If the gun was ever refinished like with duracoat, or whatever, its gone. True engraving, removing metal, is offered by Orion, but I just got an email back from them telling me the Marine Corps EGA was not allowed to be engraved on firearms per the Marine Corps,,, WHAT??? So, I have my own lower, already stripped and ready for my EGA to be engraved, reaching out for your help... 6+ months ago, I could have helped you out. I worked in a shop that did a "small" manufacturing run of lowers (however, managed to be featured in SWAT magazine at least a couple of times and seen in others). I did this one for myself in our last run. We did custom serials and, occassionally, custom selector markings (off-side, as seen here) 
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ENGRAVING... I've come to realize that the engraving offered by most, and by Spike, are laser engraved, which shouldn't be called engraved because it only burns an image into the finish. If the gun was ever refinished like with duracoat, or whatever, its gone. True engraving, removing metal, is offered by Orion, but I just got an email back from them telling me the Marine Corps EGA was not allowed to be engraved on firearms per the Marine Corps,,, WHAT??? So, I have my own lower, already stripped and ready for my EGA to be engraved, reaching out for your help... 6+ months ago, I could have helped you out. I worked in a shop that did a "small" manufacturing run of lowers (however, managed to be featured in SWAT magazine at least a couple of times and seen in others). I did this one for myself in our last run. We did custom serials and, occassionally, custom selector markings (off-side, as seen here) http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu277/WolfTrack_album/MyEGA.jpg http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu277/WolfTrack_album/MyEGAsSwitches.jpg I love this, makes me glad I'm joining the Corps. |
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you may try to hit up Spikes if you are looking for a blanks lower and want to the the EGA engraved into it. Doesnt look like they are currently in stock, but they have them on their site. Give Tom or one of the guys at Spikes a call.
Spikes blank lower |
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I found the problem with Spikes "engraving" option is that it is laser etched, not actually engraved into the metal. It simply discolors the actual finish, so in the case that you refinish your receiver, that image is gone. Thanks to Wolftrack, I found what seems to be the right choice, awaiting their return email for the info to confirm. When I found the first company that did real engraving, Orion Manf. but they advised me they couldn't engrave any Marine Corps emblems on an firearms, so whatever.... In addition, I'm only looking for the engraving option to be done on my lower receiver, not needing to purchase a new one. Looking forward to this new option, and I'll post the update info, more than likely in a new page...
Thanks Guys!!! Semper Fidelis!!! |
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