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Posted: 8/8/2013 5:52:38 PM EDT
| Im looking at putting together an early 603/XM16E1 that my dad carried in Vietnam and want it to be exact as possible and im pretty anal about the correctness of things. I saw parts kits on gun broker for slightly under 500$ for the m16a1 however, the upper isnt correct and neither is the but stock and i would be risking the fact that the BCG may not be correct so it seems like id be replacing all the major components of the kit that seem to have the hell shot out of them. Or there is option #2, which is to piece everything together which may take longer, what would you 'seasoned" builders recommend? P.S., i will be tracking down an original colt barrel anyways. |
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Quoted:
Im looking at putting together an early 603/XM16E1 that my dad carried in Vietnam and want it to be exact as possible and im pretty anal about the correctness of things. I saw parts kits on gun broker for slightly under 500$ for the m16a1 however, the upper isnt correct and neither is the but stock and i would be risking the fact that the BCG may not be correct so it seems like id be replacing all the major components of the kit that seem to have the hell shot out of them. Or there is option #2, which is to piece everything together which may take longer, what would you 'seasoned" builders recommend? P.S., i will be tracking down an original colt barrel anyways. so it all depends on what year build he's trying to do. the parts kits showing up are correct but they are later 70s ones with the later bcgs and forge code marked uppers. they don't come with barrels but the C MP CHROME BORE barrels are the easiest retro barrels to find. the earlier you go, the harder the parts are to find and the more expensive. the earliest xm16e1 had a chrome bolt carrier group that's really hard to find, the next one is parkerized without the C mark and an enlarged firing pin retaining hole on the right, next is the same except C marked, then the last one is C marked with a smaller hole like current production ones. barrels ranged from M VP 12, MP C, C MP C, C MP B, to C MP CHROME BORE uppers range from square forge w/ recess under the ejection port cover, square forge, round forge w/ forge codes (not sure if there are round forge w/o forge codes) handguards would have been no drainhole, drainhole w/o L/R marks to drainhole w/ L/R marks gas tubes would have been early bend carbon steel, early been stainless steel to modern you're probably seeing that there's a lot of variation and without a specific year, it's hard to answer what's correct. |
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I feel your pain.
I was in the same boat and plunged in on the kit from SG early this year. The first kit I had a number on missing parts and some so-so issues with it. I complained and they took it back an sent me another with marginally better parts, and still missing parts. I complained to SG about the missing parts and some badly cracked hand guards and they replaced them without questioning it. SG's customer service is the best thing going for them. Quite frankly the kits are a crap-shoot, but a good way to get many of the parts you need right away. They are parts to build a gun, but expect to replace them when better ones come available. I would suggest you get your lower on order with NDS right now because it might take you 3 or more months to get them. Good Luck |
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Quoted:
He didnt actually get sent over until late in 67, judging by the pictures it has a 3 prong flash hider. Quoted:
He didnt actually get sent over until late in 67, judging by the pictures it has a 3 prong flash hider. Sounds like you are slightly obsessive, well you are among like minded individuals. Don't buy the kit gather those parts a piece at a time. Post those pics and the retro crew will provide guidance as to the required parts. 
Quoted:
Quoted:
He didnt actually get sent over until late in 67, judging by the pictures it has a 3 prong flash hider. What service was he in? This also plays a part in which model you will want to build. (Duh, "early603/XM16E1") Got those pics posted yet? ETA: Did I mention we like vintage "real deal" pics around here? 
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