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Posted: 12/25/2008 1:19:40 PM EDT
| My son gave me a lower receiver for christmas and I want to build a vietnam era model, like I had during the vietnam war, can anybody give me any good ideas and sites to go to, I was thinking about a del-ton kit |
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i have a dpms lower. i was thinking of getting a del-ton kit with a1 upper, a2 stock and finding some triangle retro type handguards. for those handguards should i start with the 16" mid length kit?
i do not remember the details of the rifle i had. i was in vietnam in 68 and 69. |
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You most likely had an M16A1. Details of their specs can be found on the retro black site I mentioned above under Military Rifles.
I'm not very familiar with Mid-Length kits, but Del-Ton parts are good. They are really back logged at the moment. Also if you have a recent DPMS receiver, it is an A2 variation. It will work fine for building an A1, but the retro purists may kid you about it. 
For your intended build, your best option is a lightweight 20" barrel with triangular handguards and an A1 Trapdoor stock, or a standard early Non-Trapdoor stock. These variations are visible on the retro black rifle site, and in Ekie's variation guide posted at the top of this forum. All things considered, I would get : 1. A complete surplus M16A1 upper from Gunny's Surplus(pending availability), or search the EE or Gunbroker for one. 2. Get an A1 stock set and handguards and pistol grip from the same sources. 3. All other parts and bolt group can be had the same way or from Del-Ton. Hope that helps. I'm sure some other A1 builders will be along with other comments as well. ETA: you should also visit Nodak Spud to view their fine retro offerings. |
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I usually get Del-Ton stuff in a just a few days. Who knows now, however.
I'd use one of the NDS A1 lowers instead of the DPMS A2 lower. However, before NDS, we were all using A2 lowers since that was all there was. They still look and work great. Here is the A1 upper I built with a DPMS lower a few years ago. 
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M16A1 complete uppers, receivers and barrel assemblies pass through the Equipment Exchange and Gunbroker on a pretty regular basis.
ETA - NoDak Spud, Fulton Armory, CMMG and Moore Militaria have been good sources for me for A1 handguards, stocks, grips, barrels, slip rings, flash hiders and receivers. US Anodizing can make it all gray. Other sources I see mentioned, but have not used, are Gunny's and Sarco. Recently I did purchase some slip rings from Sir Plus Supply and my credit card was compromised. |
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I just had pretty good luck getting a bolt from DPMS. It took 2 weeks to get to me. Also got a midlength handguard and triangle front cap from Rock River in the same time period.
Call the vendor first to see if they have what you want in stock. It seems that the manufacturers may be starting to catch up. |
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