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Posted: 6/23/2009 9:00:16 PM EDT
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It's sad to say but I haven't had a lot of free time lately. If I'm not at work, I'm bringing it home with me. But today a sick kid disrupted some travel plans and I unexpectedly found myself with a full day away from work with nothing on the schedule. I took advantage of the break to put together an A1 I've been wanting to get around to. Morg308 sent me most of the parts in new or like-new condition (he knew I wanted a rifle like the one the Navy issued me in the mid-80s) and I managed to find the few remaining things I needed. Eventually it will get an NDS black 16A1 lower, but until those are available, all I had on hand was an Essential Arms lower. I had to settle...for now.
The only problem I had was getting the selector switch installed. The fit was so tight I had to reverse my normal order of assembly and insert the switch before the trigger and hammer assemblies. It all worked out, though––function tests and headspace checked out. There's a hairline space between the upper and lower, but the color match is pretty good. All I need now is an "86" stencil so I can put the rack number on the stock! First, though, I really need to find time for a range test. 
My youngest boy with my newest toy. (His mother won't let me give him a proper military haircut.) 
It's nothing fancy, but it feels good to actually have it together. I could get used to this "time off" concept! (Edited to relocate images.) |
| Did Morgan mention the "244" stencils I made for him? I could probably get some time next week to use the stencil machine here it work if you're willing to wait. I believe they're a little larger than what most of us are used to, but if you're willing, then send me a PM. :) |
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Quoted:
Did Morgan mention the "244" stencils I made for him? I could probably get some time next week to use the stencil machine here it work if you're willing to wait. I believe they're a little larger than what most of us are used to, but if you're willing, then send me a PM. :) Steve - the stencils you made me are the perfect size IMO. I keep forgetting to pick up a can of paint, but everytime I run across them I smile. I still owe you - one of these days I'll get down to the bottom of the pile and find that case of USGI bore cleaner and send you a couple. It's reeeaaly buried right now. Ol'Gunner - that rifle is looking sweet!  It makes me sad though that the only time I get to see my nephew is in a pic like that.  I need to take a road trip. You got great kids. How's D feeling?
OH - are you putting '86' on the stock in tribute to all the times you got us kicked out of bars by breaking a bottle or something? 
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Congrats! That's not bad looking in black, not at all. 
I am also on the wait for a lower. At least you'll have a start on an A2 or M4gery when you get your A1 lower.
Unfortunately I used Norrell's Grayish Black Flat on my RRA lower so not sure what to do with it when the NoDaks come in.
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He likes it, but it's still a bit long for him to shoulder. A new project (in the planning stage) is a carbine with a .22lr upper for him. I looked briefly at the Colt/Umarex rifles but decided on something more authentic.
Anyone know where I can get an old 1-12 barrel? Muzzle and chamber condition not important! |
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Is the EA lower one of the grey ones? Have you changed the color of it or the upper at all? I have a grey EA lower also, but the color is not close to what my 604 upper is. It's black. Actually pretty close to the Colt black. I'm just hoping the NDS lower matches as well. |
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I am also on the wait for a lower. At least you'll have a start on an A2 or M4gery when you get your A1 lower. Actually, the EA is destined for a funkified dissipator of sorts...rails and electronics and camo and everything. (Morg308 conned me into buying a Bushy upper from him a while back. It needs to become something and the fluted barrel just ain't retro.) It'll stand out in the gun cabinet but I figure it'll help me appreciate the classics even more. 
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The thing that impressed me about the upper was it's condition. It's like new, and beautiful. Nicest upper I've ever seen, and I got it back when they were still pretty cheap. Took me over 2 years to find a brand new A1 trapdoor stock to go with it - I have a couple like new non-trapdoors, but you guys know how hard it is to find 'new' trapdoor stocks. Finally found one on the EE and snatched it up. Ol'Gunner and I go waaay back, and he has helped me out in a number of ways, not least of which with my 9mm build. I'm glad to finally see this thing together, even on the wrong lower. We've been friends almost 30 years! 
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We've been friends almost 30 years! Which is weird, since I'm barely 29. 
Seriously, I appreciate the job you did collecting these parts. It's surprising how much this one takes me back. None of my other variants have the "feel" I remember. I'm looking forward to getting it to the range to see if I can still score expert on the qual course. ...Unfortunately, I've already noticed that front sight looks a lot less crisp than it did in the 1980's. (I blame global warming.) |
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