Been looking for years, and finally got a real M16A4 barrel.  Dennis Todd finally got a few, but had to buy the whole upper.  Used the same lower as before from a donor Colt's MT6400C with a Colt's fixed buttstock assy.  Unlike my AR-15, M16A1, M16A2, and M4A1 upper this one is not USGI but factory direct.  The M16A4 is a more recently acquired rifle, and may be some time before we see surplus USGI uppers available.

Here is the thread with pics detailing the project prior to me getting the proper upper for it:

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=228480

The M16A4 was adopted Standard A in 1997 to replace the M16A2 as the standard rifle.  M16A4 rifles were not delivered in large numbers to the US Army until 2001, and the Marines got their first major shipment in 2003.  Army rifles are about 50/50 Colt's and FN's, while Marines are FN's.













Older "CAF" upper.  Colt's went to Diemaco uppers on thier M4/A1 Carbines, not sure what upper is current on the M16A4.



Optic is a TA31F, similar optics are commonly used with Marines in Iraq.  TA31 series equipt Army M16A4 rifles are also in use in Iraq in small numbers, while the M68 CCO is prevalent.



M16A4 uppers have the "T" numbers on top.



Barrel is dated 04/98, and marked C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7.  Barrel does not have M4 feed ramps.  I went ahead and updated the upper by replacing the peel washer with a crush washer (crush washers have been in use since 1999?).

 

Close up of the "F" stamp front sight base.  Both the M4/A1 and the M16A4 use "F" stamped front sight bases.



Detail of bolt markings. The M means Magnetic particle inspected, the P stands for Proof fired, the V is a date code, and the C signifies Colt's. Colt's temporarily used a complicated bolt dating system during the late 90's thru late 2001. Extractor spring is the standard silver with black insert. Current delivered M4/A1 rifles have a HD gold spring and black buffer insert.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.  Have seen quite a few improperly assembled Colt's Carbines as of late.  Something I had not seen with Colt's 20" barreled rifles.  Once I had gotten this M16A4 upper out of the box I checked the gas tube play at the barrel nut.  There was none.  The nut was over indexed a few degrees too far so that a tooth of the nut was resting against the tube.  The bolt carrier would pass over the tube with no resistance, but once it got withe an 1/8 of an inch or so of it's stop against the barrel extent ion it had a slight bind.  Had to loosen the nut, and line it up correctly to get proper carrier key to gas tube mating.  The barrel nut was not over torqued as in too tight, but simply not indexed properly at 12:00 TDC.

That is a sweet rifle.

Very Very nice, I have to get me one of those.

Very nice. One flaw in the authenticity though - every A4 I have ever seen has prominent wear spots, scratches, gouges and much wear to the finish. Maybe a few miutes with the sand blaster?

Quoted: Very nice. One flaw in the authenticity though - every A4 I have ever seen has prominent wear spots, scratches, gouges and much wear to the finish. Maybe a few miutes with the sand blaster?

Agreed that a service rifle don't look right new.  My M4A1 clone is more authentic in that it has lots of dings and such, LOL:

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=229465

Looks good.

Also looks like a lot of $$$



WIZZO

Sweet looking A4gery.

MN

very nice. Eagle pouch on the stock ? also what sling ?

sweet looing rifle.

Very Nice!

Sweet!!!!!!!!!

Quoted: Very nice. One flaw in the authenticity though - every A4 I have ever seen has prominent wear spots, scratches, gouges and much wear to the finish. Maybe a few miutes with the sand blaster?

Naw.... just tie it to the rear bumper and drag it along behind the car next trip to the range. That'll do it.



Great looking rilfe. If only mine looked that good.

Quoted: very nice. Eagle pouch on the stock ? also what sling ?

It is Spec-Ops Brand Ready-Fire Mode Buttstock Magazine Pouch.  My understanding is that you can buy that particular brand at the PX, and that is why you see so many in use in Iraq.  Sling is standard USGI, it is too short, and I don't like the front attachment.  Will come up with something else, but have not taken the time to figure out what to put on it.

Ekie,
You build good stuff!  Very Nice.

Nice work, I like it

Very nice build!  Which model of KAC railed forend is that, and was it hard to install, or similar to the RAS 2?  I already have an RAS 2 on my 16" AR, but would like to put one like that on my 20".  I see the delta ring is still there, does it clamp on the barrel nut?  Does it float the barrel?  Does it mount very solidly?  Where is a good place to pick one up? Oh yeah, just wanted to say it again.  Nice build!!

JSIG - that should be a RAS M5.

Quoted: Very nice build!  Which model of KAC railed forend is that, and was it hard to install, or similar to the RAS 2?  I already have an RAS 2 on my 16" AR, but would like to put one like that on my 20".  I see the delta ring is still there, does it clamp on the barrel nut?  Does it float the barrel?  Does it mount very solidly?  Where is a good place to pick one up? Oh yeah, just wanted to say it again.  Nice build!!

Forest is correct, it is a KAC RAS M5.  It is a standard issue part, and "all" the FN M16A4 rifles that the Marines purchased in early 2003 came with M5's straight from FN.

It is easy to install, and clamps onto the barrel nut, and there is a tension spring on the front handguard cap.  It is not FF, and the upper rail is very solid, the lowers have a tiny bit of play in them.  Best place to get one is used on the EE, that is where I got mine.

As always, you attention to detail pays off in the finished product. I like it!

Thanks Forest and Ekie.  I am going to have to get around to building an A4 clone.  I love the looks of that thing!

Sweet rifle.  I am almost done with mine

Max

looks great!

Good fuel for my next AR.


Question: I see Dennis at most of the local gunshows. Was the m16 barrel a special order or something he happened to have on hand?

Quoted: Good fuel for my next AR. Question: I see Dennis at most of the local gunshows. Was the m16 barrel a special order or something he happened to have on hand?

I had been bugging Dennis and Ken for quite awhile for a M16A4 barrel with no luck, then I heard thru the "grave vine" that Dennis had some uppers.

Quoted: Quoted: Good fuel for my next AR. Question: I see Dennis at most of the local gunshows. Was the m16 barrel a special order or something he happened to have on hand? I had been bugging Dennis and Ken for quite awhile for a M16A4 barrel with no luck, then I heard thru the "grave vine" that Dennis had some uppers.

Rich

Doesnt FN build all the rifles besides the m4?

Yep....FN builds all of the M16A4s in the USMC.  Colt builds the M16M4s.  And we just got 43 new M4s in my Company.  

ARCAPTN

Great job Ekie

Ok... I want one now....damn you bastard!