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4/21/2010 3:48:06 AM EDT
I won't have as much information as many of you would like, but I was at a gun show last Saturday and saw an old retro upper assembly on a vendor's rack.  The 3-prong flash suppressor is what caught my eye first.  It was the later, non-duckbill version.  It had black triangular handguards.  The barrel had the letter M stamped next to a Colt's Verified Proof marking between the FSB legs..  The upper was straight M-16 configuration with no FA.  The ass'y showed honest wear but was probably in NRA VG condition overall.  They were asking $450 without bolt carrier group or charging handle, which I thought was a bit much, but maybe not if it's scarce enough.

Is this a 602 upper or is it a XM16E1?  Or, is there not enough info to identify it?

-Z
4/21/2010 3:56:26 AM EDT
[#1]
The instant way to tell if it's a 602 is to look at the rear site where the R and arrow is on the receiver.If the R and arrow is ENGRAVED INTO the receiver,then it's a 602,,if the R and arrow are RAISED above the surface,then it's a 604. If there is NO R and arrow,then it's a 601.
4/21/2010 8:02:17 AM EDT
[#2]
If you see it again and it turns out to be a 601 or 602, buy it!
At that price you could make a tidy profit.
...or be like us and build a nice collectible rifle.

More info on identifing retro uppers HERE.
4/21/2010 1:33:54 PM EDT
[#3]
Of course I don't know, but my bet is that was a 604...
4/22/2010 1:58:11 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks for the info guys.  Actually, this upper has been at the last 3 shows.  I'll have to look at it more closely if it's still around at the next show.  It crossed my mind briefly to build a 602 if this happens to be one, but I've already built 2 retro rifles that post-date the 602 and the parts acquisition logistics alone were bad enough for those.  Still, if it is a 602 and the conventional wisdom is that it's worth more than $450 then I might just glom onto it.  I guess you can never have too many retro parts (or rifles).

-Z
4/22/2010 5:16:47 AM EDT
[#5]
Lets put it this way - I paid $365 shipped for a beater stripped 602 upper  without barrel earlier this year.
4/22/2010 5:27:43 AM EDT
[#6]
My stripped 602 upper was $375.
Someone else here paid over $500 for his.
An older retro barrel would sweeten this deal.

But I'd also bet on it being a 604 upper.
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