This might help on serial numbers.  It appears there are serial number blocks for the various carbines within the 900000 - 909999 range.

US Property marked Govt. Carbines
Serial Nos. 900,000 through 909,999 Years 1966-1970 (41 Identified Original Carbines) Serial Nos. with V or T  are Colt Re-issue Carbines.  Colt used the same Serial Nos. as the original carbines but added a V to the XM177E2s and a T to the GAU 5/A/A.

Serial No.Carbine Roll Mark
900077 Commando
900580 Commando
901480 Commando
901635 Commando
902855 Commando     902,855 - 900,000 =  2,855 carbines

(Block Gap  Serial Nos.  902856 – 903091   237 carbines)
903092 GAU – 5A
903438 GAU – 5A
903510 GAU – 5A
903605 GAU – 5A
903842 GAU – 5A
904536 GAU – 5A         904536 – 903092 =  1,444 carbines

(Block Gap  Serial Nos.  904537 – 905058   521 carbines)
905059V XM177E2
905125V XM177E2
905178V XM177E2
905209V XM177E2
905217V XM177E2
905237V XM177E2
905241V XM177E2
905258V XM177E2
905288V XM177E2
905314V XM177E2
905380V XM177E2
905409   XM177E2
905442V XM177E2     (NRA Article)
905513V XM177E2
905518V XM177E2
905570V XM177E2
905639V XM177E2
905651V XM177E2
905654V XM177E2
905674V XM177E2
905701V XM177E2
905745   XM177E2
905803V XM177E2
905824V XM177E2
905826V XM177E2
905833V XM177E2
905840V XM177E2
905847V XM177E2
905850V XM177E2
905872V XM177E2
905880V XM177E2
905886V XM177E2
905917V XM177E2
905935   XM177E2
905936V XM177E2
906077   XM177E2
906200   XM177E2
906482   XM177E2
906541   XM177E2
906667V XM177E2
906982   XM177E2
906738   XM177E2
906878   XM177E2
906982   XM177E2
907072   XM177E2
907149   XM177E2
907376   XM177E2
907385   XM177E2
907388   XM177E2
907418   XM177E2
907452   XM177E2
907617   XM177E2
907620   XM177E2
907638   XM177E2
907748   XM177E2
907846   XM177E2
907994   XM177E2
907999   XM177E2
908061   XM177E2
908063   XM177E2
908166   XM177E2
908202   XM177E2
908486   XM177E2
908593   XM177E2        908593 – 905059 =  3,534 carbines

(Block Gap  Serial Nos.  908594 – 908900   307 carbines)
9089XX   GAU – 5A/A
908915T GAU – 5A/A
908947T GAU – 5A/A
908949T GAU – 5A/A
908953T GAU – 5A/A
908958T GAU – 5A/A
908964T GAU – 5A/A
909002T GAU – 5A/A
909005T GAU – 5A/A
909008T GAU – 5A/A
909011T GAU – 5A/A
909015T GAU – 5A/A
909016T GAU – 5A/A
909023T GAU – 5A/A
909028T GAU – 5A/A
909044T GAU – 5A/A
909046T GAU – 5A/A
909058T GAU – 5A/A
909060   GAU – 5A/A
909074T GAU – 5A/A
909077T GAU – 5A/A
909078T GAU – 5A/A
909095T GAU – 5A/A
909098T GAU – 5A/A
909106T GAU – 5A/A
909108T GAU – 5A/A
909110T GAU – 5A/A
909126T GAU – 5A/A
909132T GAU – 5A/A
909140T GAU – 5A/A
909145T GAU – 5A/A
909152T GAU – 5A/A
909185T GAU – 5A/A     (Note: Did not have a “T” after the serial number but was a re-issue from Colt.)
909197T GAU – 5A/A
909257T GAU – 5A/A
909266T GAU – 5A/A
909267T GAU – 5A/A
909276T GAU – 5A/A
909920T GAU – 5A/A
909936T GAU – 5A/A
909937T GAU – 5A/A
909947T GAU – 5A/A
909948T GAU – 5A/A           909,948 – 908900 =  1,048 carbines

It's too bad that the issue with too many variances with the same numbers will prevent some models from having correct serial numbers.  Of course, the numbers are very small per model, which could be an issue with making larger numbers if the demand is there for them.

With the GAU-5A/A there is also the option of doing a different range than the 908900-909999 range observed.  Seems like some were made later in a different serial number range (4080000s):

Attached File

Thanks for posting this.

Will your retro lower receivers be lacking the modern (A2 and forward) reinforcements to the pivot pin lugs and receiver extension hoop? These are features which would be very beneficial to all reproductions of retro lower receivers, and they are incorporated on the NDS and Brownells retro lowers. The non-reinforced lugs/hoop contours are the same on all early pattern lowers; it only changed with the advent of the A2 variant.

Nodak Spud also has raw forgings that could be of use...

That’s not Shung, that’s me

Interesting, thanks for posting this

Do you happen to know when mine was made?



Attached File



https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Colt-AR-15-XM177E2-original/123-743671/

Probably 1966
Nope; incorrect.

I think Colt's online database is being weird: https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup

Attached File


Edit: Nope, it just doesn't find it there.

The earliest XM177E2 was April 1967.
(Confirmed in The Black Rifle as well.)

This is excellent news! I’m looking forward to these lower receivers, and I’m sure that many others are as well. I hope that these will be great sellers for Palmetto State Armory.

The first order of 510 XM177E2s was completed by the end of 1967 and there were approximately 3,000 XMs manufactured after the first order.  The serial number of your XM  (906482) is somewhere in the middle of the serial number block for XM177E2s indicating that is was in a subsequent order by the government.  Your serial number is in my list of serial numbers for XM177E2s.  Based on information that I have read, the last of the XM177E2s were delivered sometime in the latter part of 1970 or possibly early 1971.  My best guess estimate for your XM is that it was manufactured sometime between 1968 and 1969.  Colt does not really provide information on rifles manufactured for the government, but it was helpful when they indicated that they were using the original serial numbers in their production of the re-issues which I found to be consistent with the serial numbers of original XM177E2s that I had located.  When I started putting this list of serial numbers in sequential order along with their roll-mark designations, I found there were definite serial number blocks for each of the different carbine models in the 900,000 to 909,999 serial number range.  Hope this helps.

It does help, thank you very much

Your welcome!

Hey Josiah,

I’m more than thrilled that you’re taking on this retro project and “I” fully understand that there are limitations on what you can do to provide this type of lower receivers to the market and the logistics of making this happen.

The retro crowd is a very interesting group of people... With each group having a different level of the actual details desired...  Some will spend major dollars for original parts for the closest thing to the original.  Others, which is the group I fail in, simply want something that looks, as close as possible to real thing... Without using an A4/M4 lower or a C7 upper receivers for their clone builds.

I just hope that you will not be scared off from this project with all the requests.

I own several of your M4 marked receivers and I’m very happy with them and their markings.  Currently, I’m sitting on several NDS retro lower receivers, but, I’m holding off from using them since I know... Without question, I’ll be far more pleased with your line of retro receivers!!

Also, since this retro group is watching this, with great interest, is there anyway of offering a list for us to get onto PRIOR to them being offered to everybody else?   Speaking for myself, and myself only, “I” wouldn’t mind pre-paying to lock myself into these receivers!!

If not, that’s cool.  Just happy that you’re moving forward with this project!!!  

Grey anodizing?

The thing about this crowd is that now matter how close you get to an original item, someone will come along and raise the bar.

That's arguably a different market than PSA's large(r) scale production distributed by various resellers.

The little one-man shops may do better, but they aren't widely known, and couldn't push out enough production if they were.

Unless somebody in development/pre-production really drops the ball, these will likely be close enough for 98% of retro consumers.

I'm excited about it, and really appreciate the effort PSA is putting into it.

I am surprised to hear that PSA is doing this.  These would have, relatively, limited appeal to the overall AR market in what we called the salad days.  To pursue this now given everything going on?  Especially if the proper profile/variable fencing is being produced, not just retro "rollmarks".  I am excited to see how this comes out.  Also wondering what pricing is going to look like.

I wonder what else we could push for?  Poop Flinging LeMay ?

Nice.

US Ordnance spent $165,000 on 8 roll stamps for colt and the machinery to do them. Every company making AR’s has dropped roll stamping, including Colt.
The products I sell are passion projects, no company in their right mind could justify investing in a roll mark machine/dies to make a small run of receivers. I appreciate you!


PallemettoState:

Call Harlan or Mike w/Nodak, you have to buy A1 forgings 1000 at a time. If you can’t commit to that, call Tony @ Precison Reflex. They are $100 a blank in bulk vs $130 a blank. Nodaks are very high quality for the record.

I would do them all black, if you do Grey they will never be the right color for everyone and you will have a higher # of blems.

If there is anything I can help with let me know. I sent you by PM the correct Laser font for the Vietnam stuff.

+1 for sure!

+1 for me!

Whoops sorry for the brain fart..

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for making dreams come true.

Love,

CGP2

That explains the $2500 price tag LOL

There is more to it, there are reasons. I am 99% sure US Ord Lost money on that deal. I doubt the other party did.

Josiah,  

As one of your sister companies is a forge house, will new XM and A1 forging dies be made?  Just curious.  Maybe you could buy Karl Lewis’ A1 forging die?  

A reintroduction of the ‘Mattel’ lowers would be cool.

This is relevant to my interests...

Attached File

Relevant to my interests as well...

Sweet carbine!  One of the last projects I'm waiting to do (come on Brownell's!  Make more retro barrels!).  I need an XM177E1 to go with the E2 upper!

Would it be possible to build an upper with a
10 or 12 inch barrel, then permanently affix a longer
fake moderator to it?
Not wanting to deal with SBR requirements/paperwork

Yes, of course. As long as you get over the 16" barrel length mark with the pinned/welded moderator. I used a 12.7" barrel on my XM177E2 build, and had ADCO do the pin/weld work.

So following this!!!

Will PSA also be coming out with correct profile 11.5" barrels to go along with the XM177E2 lowers? Maybe even complete uppers?

I used an original 11.5” XM177E2 barrel with a 4.8” moderator.  I also used a .25” spacer behind the grenade ring.  The skirt of the grenade ring covers up the spacer pretty well.  The moderator is pinned and welded.   The barrel length is exactly 16 inches with the moderator.

No two people will agree on build specs/parts - let’s focus on providing Info, stir interest and assist to ensure subsequent mfr of some lowers. I could help avoid pitfalls.

Tag

I'm waiting for the new receivers.
Attached File

thats not how a variance works. if they got turned down for 900000 that means they cant do anything from 900000-999999

Hey PSA, any updates on these receivers...  I know it will be awhile before they hit the street, but I’m sure many of us would appreciate a basic/generalized update on this project.

Also, any chance of prepaying for these receivers BEFORE they’re offered to the general public?

Thanks!!

Thanks for the reply!

I hope they will all be in XM Gray finish and not black?  I would also love to see some of your A2 lowers in Colt Gray as well.

This!

If you commit to this, please please do something about QC in your barrel department.

Its becoming common theme on Facebook and the interwebs to see a psa fsb barrel with either the fsb canted left (from behind), or the feed ramps misaligned (counter clockwise).

If you guys could step up qc you'd be a great thing for the community with your pricing.

I am wondering if this is based on the assembly tool.

I found this exact issue to be a real problem with my own builds, concerning torquing to spec, or slightly over spec, using a Geissele reaction rod.
The design is such that while the reaction rod holds the barrel at the extension, the upper receiver is free to rotate and press against the barrel pin under torque.
The upper being aluminum against a steel pin, torquing can cause an indentation of the upper receiver at the threads. If I was not careful, my pinned front sight block was canted.

I stopped using the reaction rod and switched to the Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod. This tool has a top bar which runs the length of the rod, so the full run of the inside of the upper receiver at the charging handle groove. It does not allow the upper receiver to rotate freely under torque, thus not allowing the barrel pin to indent or damage the aluminum threads of the upper reciever.