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Posted: 6/19/2005 6:17:09 PM EDT
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Other than auto, I'm trying to build a rifle like I had in the USAF. We had original, as it was put to us, and M16A1. This was in the eighties but we were way behind in the supply department. I bought a nice kit from Sarco and need a reciever thats correct. Upper is all Colt with no deflector or forward assist. Was the original USAF order the Colt model 604? If model 604, what lower did it have and with what features (mag fence full, partial or none)? If I'm wrong on somthing please let me know and thanks for your replies. Joe Is there any good threads that explain the origin of the M16? |
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This thread has a lot of what you're looking for: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=231629 --the most likely candidate for what you describe is known as the Model 604. You can still find almost all the parts, or good repops, at fairly reasonable prices. Don't forget to post photos when you're done. And remember, "Nobody can build just one." Have fun!  ETA: If you run a search for Retro and\or Oldies, you'll find a lot of interesting things. Here's another one-- www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=238213 --Ekie is a very knowledgable guy when it comes to the Oldies. I'm using that big pic for my wallpaper now (thanks, Ekie). |
Parrandero, did the 604 have the cutouts for the forward assist on the bolt carrier or have them after a certain period?? Even without the forward feature on the upper. One more, did all have the trap door butt stock, I thought that was a addition to all (604, 603, 602) after the early problems when a cleaning kit was added??? again question marks because I can't remember and don't know. Thanks Joe |
While I'm sure that alot of the Air Force M16s ended up with trap door butts, the model described by Parrenderro didn't come that way. It had a solid butt. Early AF jobs had a smooth side carrier, but those procured after the Army adopted the M16A1 had the notched carrier, though i assume that Colt would have used up any leftover smooth sides. The earliest notched carriers were chromed, like the early AF smoothies, but when the decision was made to drop the chrome on the A1 carriers, all govt. carriers were notched, and parked; whether Air Force or Army. I had one of the notched, chromed, carriers once; but let it go  . I won't make the same mistake w/the smoothside chromed piece I have now Oh, BTW, all the three prong flash suppressors were replaced by the birdcage type over the years; even on the earliest pieces. |
I do remember that we had 3 prong and bird cage FS. Like I said, we had supply problems, we didn't get any supplies, I worked there. This was in 1986-88, and it was active from the Korean War so they were there since the time the unit got them. Everybody wanted an A1 I remember. Thanks for all the info. Joe |
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