Who here , like me, drools over such a weapon?
I would love to own one those triangular furnitured beauties. Would you?
BP

I really dont like the triangular handguards, or the pointy flash suppressors.

I too just like the looks of the older AR's. They are also a tad lighter and about an inch shorter. I wish one of the better manufacturers was still making the SP1 design. For my uses, I would rather have one of these than the A2 models. But of course we can put triangular handguards and A1 stocks on new rifles I suppose.

I bought a new Colt lightweight upper, a PWA pre-ban lower, a Vietnam era stock set and guess what?  It looks and feels like the old SP1 except for the forward assist.  It it also a much better weapon than the SP1.  Now, if I could only get those commies in the stupid government to let me put in a selector switch I could really have some fun and relive my youth.

You mean something like this??

[img]http://www.fjvollmer.com/Feb_13/images/a1.JPG[/img]

I also like the A1 style m16's.  In fact, i purchased a 3 prong muzzle brake to put on my preban colt carbine.  I think its sharp.  I have also be thinking about making an sp1 rifle.  I already have a colt upper slab side.  Wich was on the very first m16's.

WOW.........

Yeah, something like that.  Thats a good lookin rifle dude.

Is that upper a slab side?

I went out of my way to track down parts and pre-ban slab-side lowers so I could "clone" a family of 'nam rifles. I made four in all:
- M16 marine corps/air force issue (slab side lower, A1 rubber back buttstock and pistol grip, A1 sights upper with no case diflector or assist, triangular handguards, A1 front sight group and triangle hider... all refinished to "old Colt Grey")
- "Early War" M16A1 army issue (same as above but with teardrop assist)
- "Late War" M16A1 ARVN issue (same as above but with A1 trapdoor buttstock with issue cleaning kit inside, A1 full birdcage flash hider)
- XM177E2 army carbine (slab side lower, aluminum 3 position telestock, A1 upper with no case diflector and teardrop assist, widebody CAR handguards with A1 ring and A1 front sight group on a 16" car barrel with "slip over" 5" flash hider... barrel is a little long but it looks like a dead ringer, also refinished to "Old Colt Grey")

Those four rifles are sadly three years of my life searching out parts and getting them assembled, refinished and paid for. They all have a place of honor in the back of my gun safe. They come out on "special occasions" or whenever I feel the need to plink "old school". I know they are not full autos, but I've recieved so many comments from Viet Vets on them at the range that I almost feel happy to let them shoot them and "regain some memories".

...Oh if you didn't guess it, I LOVE viet area M16s...

sweet pic

I have to admit that's not my rifle. I have a colt SP1 that looks exactly like that one, but I stole the pic off the web.

No way my photography skills are that good[;)]

Talk about coincidences , I went by the gun store today and they had an AR15 built with what  looks like a SP1/A1 upper mated to a 97 year Oly lower , the bayo lug was milled off ,A2 handgaurds install and the flash suppressor replaced with some flunky muzzlebrake . The buttstock had no trap door and to top it off it had one of those cheap Leapers 4X colt replica scopes mounted . He was asking about $540 for it .

i might be getting a SP1.  still a maybe.  i give it a 20% chance.

I gotta take some pics of my SP1 with wood furniture.  Dang they look sweeeeet!  

I find the older Colts to have the best quality control.

This is my 1964 Colt in orignial condition:

[img]http://album.gunsnet.net/data/templar/full_129_p643.jpg[/img]
[img]http://album.gunsnet.net/data/templar/full_129_p645.jpg[/img]

And after the addition of a new Colt upper and a chrome lined Colt M16A1 barrel, my "burner" upper:
[img]http://album.gunsnet.net/data/templar/full_129_p1769.jpg[/img]
[img]http://album.gunsnet.net/data/templar/full_129_p1770.jpg[/img]

I actually prefer the older A1 style for ergonomics, but I know I'm in the minority.  I do wish the stocks themselves were made out of the same material the A2's are though.

Here are a few more.
[img]http://world.guns.ru/assault/xm177.jpg[/img]

[img]http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/walk/gen55/dgca/images/M16A1/01rs.JPG[/img]

[img]http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/walk/gen55/dgca/images/M16A1/01fh.JPG[/img]

[img]http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/walk/gen55/dgca/images/M16A1/teardrop.JPG[/img]

[img]http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/walk/gen55/dgca/images/M16A1/markings.JPG[/img]

Actually I bought a SP1 upper with ouit FA or shell deflector.  I turned it into a .22lr conversion rifle and absolutely love it!!  Hell, it is even lighter than my 16" Hbar.  I plan on getting another one and using it for .223!!

SGtar15

Hah, I love it.  My newest project is a post-ban M16 clone.  The only problem I have is the lower, but I'll probably end up with a newer Colt lower, and have it all refinished in Old Colt Grey, Morrell Molly Coat.

Has a 1/9 twist Chrome-lined barrel with a brake designed by Kurt of KKF, no FA or deflector, (damned bolt carriers are HARD to find) M16 stock of course, A1 sights, and triangle hand gaurds.  Only thing I've added is an Elbit Falcon, just for fun and my old-assed eyes!  Will put up pics when finally done.

JsARCLIGHT, I wish I had one of your rifles, dude!

This is the only one I like from the era.  Like the one "Sgt. Barnes" shot that old lady with in "Platoon".

Nice as collector items.  I never cared for the triangular guards, and the 3 prong suppressor used to get caught on anything that came within 3 feet of it, whether clothing, brush etc.  And, the true early ones did not have chrome lined chambers, so they require more maintenance.

I love the look as well.

Any time anyone is in Saint Louis, drop me a line and I'd be glad to haul them out of the safe for some shooting. I myself am a son of a Viet vet and I like it when the vets get ahold of one of my clone rifles at the range, it's almost like a long lost father and son.

The problem is getting them to stop trying to buy them off of me, one guy (ex-green beret) offered me almost $1,800 for my XM177E2 clone (keep in mind that it is a pre-ban colt slab side lower on it).

I had an A1 the USMC entrusted me with from '72 to '74 and although I had no trouble with it, I found the triangular handguards to be ugly and uncomfortable.  The A2 guards are what the M16 should have had all along, IMO.

Noah