Vietnam era M16A1 Retro build

[2k05gt]

Almost Finished my Retro M16A1 Build.
It's mostly retro parts from 1967-1979 M16A1 but I tried to keep close to the early 1967-68 with the three prong flash hider.

Original M7 Bayonet and M8 Scabbard and Bi-Pod with case

The Lower is a Civilian AR-15 by Aero Precision semi-auto but the design matches the original a little, the Butt stock is a Type D I believe it was the XM16E1 and early M16A1 without a trap door.











This is a picture with the three prong flash hider


This picture is with a birdcage flash hider like the later M16A1


Even Got original Magazines to go with it.


Even the Original Ammo


Any suggestions? errors or general comments?

Thanks

[SMOKEY]

Nice looking job. Let us know how she shoots when you are done.

[Hecklerusp45]

Looks like the real deal to me.

[p246]

Did you put the lower kit together. If so how did the Aero receiver go together, any issues. Nice looking representation.

[joem]

Great job. Looks perfect to me except no go faster switch.

[jisii]

That rifle is exactly what I would like to build for myself. I was issued an early M16 in the summer of 1965 (at Ft. Bragg) and had it just long enough to clean it and qualify with it before they took them from us and gave us back our M14s. The story was that a Special Forces outfit was going to Vietnam and the M16s were going with them. I got out shortly after that and never made it to Nam (Thankfully)

Recently, my son gave me a SOG Armory forged lower and I have been considering ordering one of the Colt AR kits from Sportsmans Guide. However, these kits don't include a barrel and I'm not sure where to go for one of the early light barrels.

Anyone have any experience with Sportsmans guide kits or SOG Armory lowers?

[joem]

Excellent build, great job. I'm on the trail of a upper like that to build one for myself.

[Garden Valley]

I don't believe rifles from the 1967-68 time period would have had the three prong flash suppressor. Those rifles still in service during that time that had the three prong suppressor would have been earlier manufacture. Our entire battalion received new M16A1 rifles in December 1967 at Camp Evans and those rifles all had the birdcage type flash suppressor.

[Andouille]

The 223 marked magazines are earlier and sought after by some. I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axel about the 3-prong. It probably isn't right for a 67-68 manufactured rifle but plenty of the earlier rifles with 3-prongs soldiered on after the birdcage came out.

I'd get more wrapped around the axel about the A2 stock and pistol grip in one of the other pics, myself.

Nice work, by the way. Pop on over to the Retro Forum on AR15.com and have a lookit all the stuff those guys build. Some amazing variations.

[mike24d20]

Only one thing missing, a cleaning rod taped under the stock to remove stuck cases. Just kidding, she sure looks good thou.

[Griff Murphey]

Very nice! I thought the SG parts kits had the barrels... But maybe that was a while back.

I actually think the older, lighter guns have a lot to recommend them. Ergonomically there was never a more user friendly design. Mechanically there have been improvements but the big improvement has been learning the rifles.

[Shooter5]

Neat. Just the A1 back in the 80s for ROTC. It did have the go fast switch!

[Dolt]

Great pics!

[kb466]

Good looking build! I have one small suggestion-- the ejection port cover looks like an A2 type. The difference is the rectangular steel buffer plate in the center of the port door. On the A1, it is a flat rectangle. On the A2, it is built up with an angle as seems to be the case with yours. Not a big deal and will shoot fine as is, but you should be able to find one without too much looking if that is important to you.
Bill M.

[joem]

"I don't believe rifles from the 1967-68 time period would have had the three prong flash suppressor. Those rifles still in service during that time that had the three prong suppressor would have been earlier manufacture. Our entire battalion received new M16A1 rifles in December 1967 at Camp Evans and those rifles all had the birdcage type flash suppressor."

My issue M16 had the three prong flash supressor. That was 1968-1969 . MCB10 camp Evans area.