Need Help for a Vietnam era M16 replica

Tug McClutchin

Tug McClutchin

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A dear friend of mine is wanting a replica of the m16 he carried in Vietnam. Any direction of where to get the parts and pieces to make this build happen would be much appreciated. Picture was taken around 1967.

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You can get a Grade B Colt parts kit without stripped lower, barrel or furniture for $299 at Centerfire Systems:

https://www.centerfiresystems.com/product/original-colt-ar-223-m16a1-parts-kit-vietnam-issue-no-furniture-kit-ar-colt-c#product_detail

Or, you can get a Grade A parts kit without stripped lower or barrel, but with furniture for $675 from WhatACountry:

https://whatacountry.com/colt-m16a1-parts-kit.aspx

Or a Grade A parts kit without stripped lower or barrel from Numrich for $676 with a magazine:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1576420

You can get a retro M16A1 lower receiver for $150 from Brownells:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...s/ar-15-m16-a1-lower-receiver-prod107496.aspx

And you can get a complete barrel assembly, ready to install for $240 from Brownells:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...-a1-rifle-barrel-1-12-assembly-prod97904.aspx

The stripped lower and barrel assemblies are out of stock at Brownells, but they come and go, so just watch the site. That will be enough to build a semi-auto version, as the parts kits come with all the small parts. Plus, these kits are usually all Colt parts.
 
I built this one back in March:

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I built this one off of a Grade A kit that I bought a few years ago when they were still cheap. I recommend just using the complete barrel assembly from Brownells, unless you have the lathe, vise, equipment and techical know-how to install the front sight post assembly correctly. That makes this an easy "drop in" build with the other parts. Plus, the Brownells barrel is really accurate.

If you get the Grade B kit from Centerfire, you will need to source furniture. But beware, because the original parts are usually cracked, but reproduction stuff will not look right on the old, weathered parts kit.
 
So we have the numrich parts kit in and are ready to slap it together when we get a barrel. Now we are trying to source a barrel. After talking with him more about the intended use of the rifle we agreed that a 1-8 or similar twist barrel would serve him better than the 1-12 twist barrel that came with it. We are not stuck on 1-8. Just want to be able to shoot 75gr hunting bullets for our tiny whitetail deer. Do you guys have a recommendation on a barrel that matches the contour and appearance but has a faster twist rate that will allow it it stabilize heavier projectiles? He is also wanting a period accurate bayonet if you guys have a lead on one of those?
 
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DrDover said:
So we have the numrich parts kit in and are ready to slap it together when we get a barrel. Now we are trying to source a barrel. After talking with him more about the intended use of the rifle we agreed that a 1-8 or similar twist barrel would serve him better than the 1-12 twist barrel that came with it. We are not stuck on 1-8. Just want to be able to shoot 75gr hunting bullets for our tiny whitetail deer. Do you guys have a recommendation on a barrel that matches the contour and appearance but has a faster twist rate that will allow it it stabilize heavier projectiles? He is also wanting a period accurate bayonet if you guys have a lead on one of those?
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Email JSE and see when they will have more 20 inch lightweight barrels in stock. They offer them in 1-7 and 1-9. I bought a couple of the 1-7 and they shoot 69gr well.
 
I emailed JSE about 3 weeks ago to ask when they would get the pencil profile barrels back in stock, and they responded saying that they had "no idea" when they'd get them in again. Luckily, about 2 days later, I got an email from Del-Ton saying that they had them back in stock and I picked up 3 of theirs instead. I got the chrome lined 1:9 twist lightweight profile. I test fired them this week, and they grouped pretty well. I think they are now out of stock again.

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You might want to also go to Del-Ton's website and click their "notify me when back in stock" button for their barrels. Do the same at Brownell's, etc. The thing is, you can use just about any barrel profile you want (within reason), so long as it has the FSB installed and the triangular handguard clip up front.
 
Sorry for the derail, 'n not criticizing anyone's taste, but why the love for retros & clones?

I was was issued an M16A1 in the late '80's & an A2 in the mid '90's. Shot Service Rifle matches on our Battalion rifle team with an A2. Never liked either of them with what is possible with current ARs, I'm not gonna handicap myself with a GI style A1 or A2.

If it's a nostalgia thing, that's cool. Not hatin' on 'em, just not for me.
 
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Crazy Carl said:
Sorry for the derail, 'n not criticizing anyone's taste, but why the love for retros & clones?

I was was issued an M16A1 in the late '80's & an A2 in the mid '90's. Shot Service Rifle matches on our Battalion rifle team with an A2. Never liked either of them with what is possible with current ARs, I'm not gonna handicap myself with a GI style A1 or A2.

If it's a nostalgia thing, that's cool. Not hatin' on 'em, just not for me.
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It is definitely a nostalgia thing. He has An m4 already. Wants a rifle similar to the one he carried in Vietnam.
 
Crazy Carl said:
Sorry for the derail, 'n not criticizing anyone's taste, but why the love for retros & clones?

I was was issued an M16A1 in the late '80's & an A2 in the mid '90's. Shot Service Rifle matches on our Battalion rifle team with an A2. Never liked either of them with what is possible with current ARs, I'm not gonna handicap myself with a GI style A1 or A2.

If it's a nostalgia thing, that's cool. Not hatin' on 'em, just not for me.
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I enjoy shooting iron sights with retro AR’s a lot just for fun.
Its like saying “whats with all the love for classic cars and muscle cars? Newer cars have way better suspension and safety features.” Obviously a retro AR isnt my daily carry as a 1965 chevy snt your daily driver...
 
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I agree with the classic car analogy. But also, when you go to the range nowadays, it is wall-to-wall tactical Timmys with their PSA M4s with pistol brace, red dot, magnifier, laser, flashlight and kitchen sink accessories, magdumping a 30"x30" spread at 25 yards. There is something nice about not being another one of those guys, and instead pulling out a vintage/retro rifle and cutting a nice 2-4" group at 100 with iron sights and old eyes. It reminds me of the quote from Star Wars when Obi Wan gives Luke the lightsaber:

“This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.”

The old and retro stuff just has a certain character.
 
Well we slapped the kit together in his shop last night. This was a fun project! Thank you all for the advice. He has a phone that is an antique that takes awful pictures! Will get proper non crappy pictures when we take her out for a test run next friday! My old friend is excited to give it few mags of fun!
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So, he has a retro phone too?
Nice build..is that the right flash supressor?

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georgel said:
So, he has a retro phone too?
Nice build..is that the right flash supressor?

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The A1 had the closed flash suppressor. The XM16E1 originally had the pictured flash suppressor but the rifles were later upgraded to the closed flash suppressor. The open suppressor was just right for breaking the bands on C ration cases.
 
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