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Posted: 2/18/2016 6:20:27 PM EDT
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This is my first attempt at building my own AR. I have put together a few FALs years ago.
I would like to build something similar to a retro rifle, with no forward assist and early furniture as well. Could someone let me know where I can get the upper? I hope that it won't be pricey as this effort will be the start of a learning curve, John W |
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I just received this Anderson Slick Side Sport upper. Looks like they're out of stock now. It doesn't happen to cosmetically match the PSA lower, but that's OK.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XANA3LWT&name=Anderson+Manufacturing+Lightweight+Sport+AR+Upper&groupid=2277 CHAD |
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So, no forward assist, no brass deflector, no range marked elevation wheel under the rear sight, and a carrying handle - Like the original M16, before the military started asking for changes, right?
http://www.fulton-armory.com/upperreceivera1usginofanocd.aspx I think Colt still makes something very close to it, as well. I've seen one Colt upper that looked like it being sold as being for a 9mm. I don't know if it had the hole for the gas tube, though, since 9mm guns are blowback. Or if it was a retro M16 upper that the seller just assumed was 9mm because of all of those extra bits missing. It's worth noting that the forward assist was added in the A1 version, before even the brass deflector. I'm a lefty, and when I went to basic I ate plenty of brass one day when a snap in brass deflector wasn't available for me.  The A2 brought in the more adjustable rear sight, brass deflector, and round handguards, along with a heavier barrel and switching the fire control from full auto to three round burst.
As for that furniture, have a look here: http://www.uscoreplicas.net/ |
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Sorry misread the OP.
This would be a better place for answers, we have a whole forum dedicated to retro AR15 configurations: http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_3/123_AR_15___M_16_Retro_Forum.html Nodak Spud makes some good retro products but their productions volume is small, and items are frequently out of stock so preorder and wait is the rule. Also kinda expensive. http://www.nodakspud.com/AR%20Lowers.htm |
It sounds like what you are looking at is a Colt 604 style build.
I must warn you, Retro Black Rifle Disease is a special strain of BRD and can cause even more problems if you are trying to hunt down era-correct parts.
What I might suggest is looking at the new Brownell's A1 uppers (and possibly lower, if you choose). They are black anodized instead of the original grey, but that is fine for later exports and arsenal rebuilds and will match up with standard A2 lowers, which are much cheaper and easier to find than A1 lowers. That would get you started with a nice upper without the wait time of NoDak Spud (who makes amazing products). If you don't need the absolute match of the proper lower (A2 lowers have more reinforcements), a standard current producton lower will suit you fine and save you quite a bit of time and cost. The Fulton upper would work too, but I can't speak for them as I don't have knowledge of the product. The biggest issue you may run into is finding an A1 rear sight assembly. They can be found whole or piece-by-piece, but it is something to take note of. For a barrel, Brownells started making some nice "pencil profile" A1 barrels that come with the slip ring, proper-height front sight base, and what you need for triangular furniture. If you have questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them, OR stop by the retro forum and introduce yourself. 
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