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Posted: 12/22/2016 4:31:56 PM EDT
I wanted a classic, but without the cost of a SP1. I apologize to the purists who wanted to see an A1 with all matching parts, and not being able to acquire even a A2 reciever. Not happening in this thread
Before I go further, here is the part list Upper Del-Ton barrel kit 20" lightweight profile 188 Delta ring assembly- came from a gun show three prong FH- from a gun show also 10.00 upper receiver- Bought it so long ago I have no idea what brand it is or what I paid for it PSA Premium FA BCG HPT/MPI no logo w/ std CH 89.99 Triangular Handguards, bought off EE. You know who you are  glad I could get stuff from a fellow Arfcommer. It adds something to it. 45
Carry Handle-bought at gun show. 35 Lower Ruger AR-556 stripped lower It was the cheapest I could get at the LGS. Yeah I know, I know. 90.00
PSA std. LPK w/o FCG 29.99 PSA FCG, polished 29.99 A1 Grip From EE 15 A1 Type D buttstock-from EE 35 Used buffer and new spring+tube-from gun show <img src="<a href="http://imgur.com/xxexsTB"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/xxexsTB.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>" /> I built most of it, but sent the barrel and upper receiver to a gunsmith to be put on correctly. It was a lot of fun piecing together the old and new. The old handguards, stock, and grip fit perfectly with nary a wiggle. The upper/lower fit is very good, just a hair gap between them. This was my first build, and having some parts from arfcommers makes it more special to me. 
Don't mind the hideous backgrounds
The grip has some mottling. The stock has R97 taped on to it with fiberglass tape. It has a used look that I was trying to capture, especially with the wear on the carry handle. I paid about 650ish for it total, I could have done a bit cheaper with some parts but oh well. Its certainly not going anywhere. The videos stickied by the mods on AR discussions-they helped a lot putting the right pieces together. I put a detent pivot pin spring in the grip and wondered why the safety was so loose But it was a lot of fun and its a very special piece to me now.
The polished trigger has a real clean break, about 6 lbs and some creep to go with it. I can't find any information about the delta ring and carry handle. The delta ring, the vendor told me it was a "old-style" but I haven't found any info on it. It is metal, tapered from reciever to handguards down, and has ridges where it steps down in radius. |
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Welcome to the show! Very nice 1st build. Hope it shoots great.
On the detla ring wouldn't be what I'd call early but might be an early delta ring. Really no biggie and Delta is easier than slip ring to remove HG's. On the carry handle it's quacks like a USGI and more than likely came on a Colt M-16 flat top with the A-5 code on it. Won't be long you'll be installing your barrels. Going to need a shop vice, a vice clamp for AR uppers, high temp wheel bearing grease, a barrel wrench and a breaker bar. Looking at $50 in tools and they should last a lifetime. Do you already have any of these by chance? Thanks for sharing. I'm sure you are pleased and that is all that matters at the end of any day. Need any help just ask! |
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Quoted:
Welcome to the show! Very nice 1st build. Hope it shoots great. On the detla ring wouldn't be what I'd call early but might be an early delta ring. Really no biggie and Delta is easier than slip ring to remove HG's. On the carry handle it's quacks like a USGI and more than likely came on a Colt M-16 flat top with the A-5 code on it. Won't be long you'll be installing your barrels. Going to need a shop vice, a vice clamp for AR uppers, high temp wheel bearing grease, a barrel wrench and a breaker bar. Looking at $50 in tools and they should last a lifetime. Do you already have any of these by chance? Thanks for sharing. I'm sure you are pleased and that is all that matters at the end of any day. Need any help just ask! And if you are like me once you get a shop vice you actually have to go by a table do you can use it because you almost snapped your particle board desk from Wal-Mart into two pieces |
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Quoted:
And if you are like me once you get a shop vice you actually have to go by a table do you can use it because you almost snapped your particle board desk from Wal-Mart into two pieces Quoted:
Quoted:
Welcome to the show! Very nice 1st build. Hope it shoots great. On the detla ring wouldn't be what I'd call early but might be an early delta ring. Really no biggie and Delta is easier than slip ring to remove HG's. On the carry handle it's quacks like a USGI and more than likely came on a Colt M-16 flat top with the A-5 code on it. Won't be long you'll be installing your barrels. Going to need a shop vice, a vice clamp for AR uppers, high temp wheel bearing grease, a barrel wrench and a breaker bar. Looking at $50 in tools and they should last a lifetime. Do you already have any of these by chance? Thanks for sharing. I'm sure you are pleased and that is all that matters at the end of any day. Need any help just ask! And if you are like me once you get a shop vice you actually have to go by a table do you can use it because you almost snapped your particle board desk from Wal-Mart into two pieces Hah. I do have a nice bench and vise, just have to get the receiver block(s) and a proper wrench. I hear magpul makes good stuff. The gun show vendor did tell me the carry handle was government surplus. It was dusty and takes some force to actuate the knobs. I did the revised battle sight zero on it. |
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Here's my 2016 budget build. Actually built it back in the spring. Got so many low mileage A-2's I haven't even fired this one and probably won't any time soon. Appears I have your slip ring and you have my Delta ring. Most everything I used was either NOS or spares collecting dust.
Upper, lower, BCG, sling and barrel are NOS. Most the rest is USGI M-16 either NOS or beater. Neutered to semi spec M-16 S in square FCG all polished and set at 5 lb. and found some FN surplus mags for $6ea. I traded some FA sears for a lot of the parts. It cost less than anything complete I've seen this year from Black Friday to present and I've seen some complete rifles and carbines for less than $500. Patience and being in right place at right time with a couple coins or spare parts in pocket was the key. Got a whopping $45 in the KAC RAS 5 and that was due to buying the accessory kit for $20 with grip from Numrich on free shipping day. Couldn't pass it up as seller wanted $25 for the A-2 USGI HG's I needed. HMMmm! A-2 HG's or KAC for $25? Decisions! Decisions! Called a local pawn shop with buddy's cell phone while fishing on a lake and found the NOS FN barrel for $175 delivered. If I hadn't called when I did I would never have seen that one. A-2 upper from surplus A&N / Gunshop new take off / trade for flat top cost me $40 complete. NOS FN BCG for $100 off GB. Lower at LGS on sale for $42 out the door. Rest I had collecting dust spread all over.. Retro member / friend gave me the stock less the swivel. Swapped USGI rear sight for NIW RRA NM 1/2 sight so $0. Should work rather well! 
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Quoted:
Here's my 2016 budget build. Actually built it back in the spring. Got so many low mileage A-2's I haven't even fired this one and probably won't any time soon. Appears I have your slip ring and you have my Delta ring. Most everything I used was either NOS or spares collecting dust. Upper, lower, BCG, sling and barrel are NOS. Most the rest is USGI M-16 either NOS or beater. Neutered to semi spec M-16 S in square FCG all polished and set at 5 lb. and found some FN surplus mags for $6ea. It cost less than anything complete I've seen this year from Black Friday to present and I've seen some complete rifles and carbines for less than $500. Patience and being in right place at right time with a couple coins in pocket was the key. Got a whopping $45 in the KAC RAS 5 and that was due to buying the accessory kit for $20 with grip from Numrich on free shipping day. Couldn't pass it up as seller wanted $25 for the A-2 USGI HG's I needed. HMMmm! A-2 HG's or KAC for $25? Decisions! Decisions! Called a local pawn shop with buddy's cell phone while fishing on a lake and found the NOS FN barrel for $175 delivered. If I hadn't called when I did I would never have seen that one. A-2 upper from surplus A&N / Gunshop new take off / trade for flat top cost me $40 complete. NOS FN BCG for $100 off GB. Lower at LGS on sale for $42 out the door. Rest I had collecting dust spread all over.. Retro member / friend gave me the stock less the swivel. Swapped USGI rear sight for NIW RRA NM 1/2 sight so $0. Should work rather well! http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab223/cndenmark/DSCN2860_zps6ykgwlsp.jpg http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab223/cndenmark/DSCN2861_zpsgwgcn6py.jpg Wow! I actually bought a A1 stock kit from Numrich, but the addresses on the card and billing information apparently didn't match  The charges were dropped. Not buying from them again, yet they have good selection. Good deal on the KAC there, you're scoring deals left and right!
Looks great. I bought a field expedient sling off the EE, no idea how to properly secure it on and have a comfortable position of carry. I had an old GI sling for an M1 lying around so I used that instead. |
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Look in red coloered information link at top of retro home page under field expedient sling by DocMike. Tell you all you need to know.
M-14 / garand sling is good and probably more build correct. Think I used all I have except the shorter Danish crown marked garand slings. Use 550 para cord to secure. Sew loop on one end, fish through FSB at top and then have loose para cord 2ft ish end to tie to stock. I tie through swivel and loop around so it's tight. After I sew the loop ends together with nylon thread I hang from ceiling to test and I'm over 180. If you need a bit of paracord I could send some. Member here gave me some. I generally use it to haul up my beaver traps. GP straps are mighty comfy compared to 1 1/4 inch IMO. I used modified M-60 padded slings before I found field expedient thread years ago. GP strap not as bulky and really is more comfortable but a M-60 isn't bad. On the upper pruchase I did have to buy a NIB pair of Bates USGI desert boots dated 2010 on tag for an additional $40 to make the deal but I like them as far as boots go less steel toe and as long as there isn't any water to ford. They are made to breathe / leak IMO and I don't have the liners. |
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Cdenmark, Thanks for the advice. I have some paracord I will use eventually.
Took the rifle shooting yesterday, it was 100% reliable as expected through the 100 or so rounds sent downrange. Got a few comments about the rifle, they were surprised with the wear on the furniture that it was firing for the first time. Had a vet tell me about how he was issued an M16 just like mine with the three prong FH, and how the guys in his unit would get into trouble for bending barrels because they were using the three prong as crate openers.  he was a funny guy. Shooting offhand, I noticed the rifle has nearly no recoil. Its such a soft shooting rifle compared to my Rock River 16" varmint. Its a fun blaster for sure After building this, newer type carbines with FF rails just don't look good. One thing is for sure, I have the retro bug bad......as first post said.....BRD has claimed another victim.
After some time dialing in the sights, here is 9 rounds at 50 yards. Considering open sights in Michigan's cold weather, its great in my book. 
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Very nice shooting. I'd be fine with weapon accuracy. Whole lotta more expensive units won't do any better either. Figure it will probably improve a bit more as ya'll become acquainted. Makes me want to go blasting. Lots of things to make it a little better but mostly all in individual.
Yeah, rifle gas is a lot easier on the internals than carbine gas system and noticeable on the shoot too. Each has it's better purpose. Carbine only real advantage over rifle is compactness and weight savings. Not going to do much else better in performance but generally can do nearly as good and that is usually good enough. Figure they were really made to kill or wound people cheaply and either flavor will more than suffice.. I run A-1 rifle stocks even on my carbines with heavier rifle buffer, buffer tube, etc. Tames them a tad. Cost's much more than everyone today's $35 adjustable M-4set up but most carbines are really gassed up. Plenty of ways to tune them down a bit but most all cost extra and many simply don't bother. I got the USGI rifle stock stuff back when it was cheaper than a carbine set up but if I build anything new today it's vice versa on expense. Looks like bolt catch takes the worst of it to me on empty mag. Rifle can have 3x the rounds on it as most vendors carbine's and show the same wear or less on bolt catch and bolt all things being equal. I set 90% of my AR's the same, on the stock (cheek weld , buffer assembly, generally USGI A-1 length type D) and FCG just under 5 lb single stage. Only differences are generally barrel length, rear sight / optic and caliber I'm shooting. Carbines are more volatile. I have brakes and other accessory crap but generally use an A-1 or open style slotted flash hider. Just what works for me and I have more AR's than I should, (can carry) if there is such a thing. It's a fun ride! I reload to reduce operating costs at the expense of my precious time. You will probably move on to the next stage, being the all parts accurate clone build at some point. Be patient and gather them over time or simply when the deal presents itself. Might be surprised what you can accumulate with little to no expense. |
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