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Posted: 8/9/2013 11:03:25 PM EDT
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Hi
OK,I know this will be a stupid question to most of you,but I still need to ask. First,background. When I enlisted in late '81 I was issued an M16A1 and used that to qualify in Basic.And for whatever reason,it was the best I ever shot on a rifle range. Ever since,I've wanted to build one because intact rifles are a bit on the expensive side,and money doesn't grow on any of our tress here at home. I have a Colt A1 parts kit,missing the barrel,lower receiver,and disconnector. The barrel,I've found.Not a Colt like my kit but I'm not building a museum piece.Just a functional,acceptable looking rifle. The lower,I'll get fairly soon locally.I hope.And the disconnector I'll get eventually,I'm not in a huge hurry. My question.Without the barrel and lower how can I identify exactly what I have? Most of the markings are on those 2 pieces and I have neither. There are very few markings on my parts,a C and an H on the carry handle and nothing else that I've found so far. Where else would these parts be marked,and finding them,where can I look to research what I have? Thanks Bob |
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Sounds like a run of the mill M16A1 kit from "CH forge code 1974-1982 "
1972-1982 M16A1 round forging forge code, CK used 1972-1973, CH used 1974-1982 (CM used in small number 1972-1973) gray lugs Colt proof marked gray/blue anodizing standard A1 port door matching slip ring FSB with forging flash front and back C and Bell marked C MP B barrel transitioning to C MP CHROME BORE in 1974 bird cage flash suppressor modern gas tube handguards have drain holes in the heat shields and are marked L & R Check out these threads http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/241681_0Colt_s_USGI_M16_series_variation_guide_edition_IV.html http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/401263_USGI_Colt_603_XM16E1_M16A1_upper_buyers_guide_Edition_II.html |
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Post pics here. You know that full-auto sears (disconnectors) are running upwards of $10,000, right? I seriously doubt that the OP means he wants a drop in autosear. I'm betting that he's bought one of the kits that are being offered that come sans barrel, disconnector, and a couple other parts. |
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Thanks for the replies,I didn't think there were any because I didn't get mail telling me there was any.
I must have done something wrong there. Anyway,to answer the easiest question,I'm close to Plant City.E Hillsborough County,out in the country.What little of that there still is around here. The post that said I had bought a parts kit,was exactly right.I got it from Sportsman's Guide,and it's missing the barrel,disconnector and lower. The barrel is on order,I picked up the lower today,and I'm looking for an AR15 disconnector.They seem to be available. My problem with posting pictures is that I haven't figured out how,but what I got looks exactly like the picture at Sportsman's Guide.I can post a link to the page there,my kit looks quite a bit better after cleaning and removing the paint stencil from wherever it was prior. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-us-military-colt-m16a1-parts-kit.aspx?a=1143546 A problem I ran into while cleaning,when I removed the screws from the rear sling "swivel" and buffer tube the buttstock end piece,the part with the trapdoor,fell apart in several pieces. Anyone know where I can get one? I had found one a few days ago,somewhere,but forgot to bookmark the site and can't find it now.It was only about $6 for just the plastic piece without the steel inserts. Thanks all. |
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ENABLER!  Quoted:
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i have a few era correct barrels if you looking and yeah kiss your savings goodbye you got rbrd!  but dont worry we all have it, there is a good support system here. i can fix you up with a retro fix lol ENABLER! He's allowed. So is anyone else. |
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Thanks for the replies,I didn't think there were any because I didn't get mail telling me there was any. I must have done something wrong there. Anyway,to answer the easiest question,I'm close to Plant City.E Hillsborough County,out in the country.What little of that there still is around here. The post that said I had bought a parts kit,was exactly right.I got it from Sportsman's Guide,and it's missing the barrel,disconnector and lower. The barrel is on order,I picked up the lower today,and I'm looking for an AR15 disconnector.They seem to be available. My problem with posting pictures is that I haven't figured out how,but what I got looks exactly like the picture at Sportsman's Guide.I can post a link to the page there,my kit looks quite a bit better after cleaning and removing the paint stencil from wherever it was prior. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-us-military-colt-m16a1-parts-kit.aspx?a=1143546 A problem I ran into while cleaning,when I removed the screws from the rear sling "swivel" and buffer tube the buttstock end piece,the part with the trapdoor,fell apart in several pieces. Anyone know where I can get one? I had found one a few days ago,somewhere,but forgot to bookmark the site and can't find it now.It was only about $6 for just the plastic piece without the steel inserts. Thanks all. E-sarco parts and accessories AR15 |
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Thanks for the link.It's amazing still how much is out of stock.
I think I've found everything I need,funny but the kit supposedly was missing the disconnector,but there it was in the small parts bag. I'm waiting for the barrel,which will supposedly be here Sat.,but more likely next Mon since I don't think Fedex delivers out here on weekends. And the butt cap,whenever Brownell's gets around to shipping my order.At least it was all supposedly in stock. We'll see what happens. I'll post pictures,but then take it all apart again to figure out how to refinish the upper parts. They're kind of worn cosmetically. |
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I think I've found everything I need,funny but the kit supposedly was missing the disconnector,but there it was in the small parts bag. There are some modifications you should make to the kit's full auto fire control group for use in a semi auto retro build. To wit: 1) remove the "shark fin" from the auto position on the selector so it can no longer hold the disconnector back 
2) remove the "tail" from the disconnector so it cannot be engaged by the shark fin on a selector 
3) remove the auto sear hook from the back of the hammer. (the front notch is not necessary) 
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If this works,it should be a picture of the kit I bought.
It's the picture from the site,but is about exactly what I got.m\y guard halves look much better though. href=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/AR15A1.jpg" /> |
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So,as things stand now,I have everything to finish except for the FSB taper pins.
Unless you drill them,out of sheer laziness,they're not damaged by removal. Why you would drop the auto sear and disconnector in the parts bag and leave out the sight post pins,I'll never get. Anyway,for anyone interested in building anA1,though it's not all Colt,prices so far,and hopefully total: Parts kit $450 20"barrel (1-9 rather than 1-12) $169 Lower (Aero Precision,nice but not original) $90 Assorted pins,springs,butt cap,1-30 rd Brownell's mag,2-20 rd mags,semi disconnector, $75 $784. That seems like a good bit,considering that I can get an M4 for roughly $650 locally,but putting this all together gave me an opportunity to see exactly how things work together,how they fit together,and the condition of the used parts that I bought. Considering why I got into this,to build something I've wanted for 30+ years,I couldn't have found an intact Colt for half that price. And since I was Motor-T rather than an armorer,I got an education in the process. |
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I finished my rifle,I'll get pictures eventually.
I have a question about a problem though. I used the Colt parts,with an Aero lower and an Alpha Shooting Sports barrel w/M4 feed ramps.I also bought a couple Brownells 20 rnd. standard mags. I haven't been able to get to the range,but fired it once to check how it would function. Fired fine,ejected,and the bolt seated. But it didn't feed the 2nd round.It didn't seem to strip one from the mag. at all,the bolt just closed. The magazines seemed to be pretty tight when fully loaded,and when I seated it into the mag. well I had to slap it fairly sharp to get it to seat. Any ideas at all? |
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There are some modifications you should make to the kit's full auto fire control group for use in a semi auto retro build. To wit: 1) remove the "shark fin" from the auto position on the selector so it can no longer hold the disconnector back http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/miscpart/PIC_1083_edited.jpg 2) remove the "tail" from the disconnector so it cannot be engaged by the shark fin on a selector http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/ar15-m16parts/disconnector.gif 3) remove the auto sear hook from the back of the hammer. (the front notch is not necessary) http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/ar15-m16parts/hammer.gif Quoted:
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I think I've found everything I need,funny but the kit supposedly was missing the disconnector,but there it was in the small parts bag. There are some modifications you should make to the kit's full auto fire control group for use in a semi auto retro build. To wit: 1) remove the "shark fin" from the auto position on the selector so it can no longer hold the disconnector back http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/miscpart/PIC_1083_edited.jpg 2) remove the "tail" from the disconnector so it cannot be engaged by the shark fin on a selector http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/ar15-m16parts/disconnector.gif 3) remove the auto sear hook from the back of the hammer. (the front notch is not necessary) http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/ar15-m16parts/hammer.gif Thanks for posting that for the new guy. It's important. 
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Fired fine,ejected,and the bolt seated.
But it didn't feed the 2nd round.It didn't seem to strip one from the mag. at all,the bolt just closed. New mags will do that on occasion. Kinda like new shoes. I'd pull it apart personally but probably not necessary. Load and cycle a couple of times with safety on. Check for function. Sometimes follower will hang a bit on a new out the box mag. Little CLP in disassembled mag usually works. Easiest remedy. Might not have seated but a good smack usually takes care of it. Think I'd try all of your mags and if it does it on all of them, check this. Disconnector spring could be installed upside down. Big end goes into trigger and small end hits disconnector. Did you put the right spring in it? Bolt catch spring looks very similar it's just same size on both ends. Was trigger reset? Definately not a big deal and happens rather frequently on first builds. Worst case would be obstruction in gas system. Check the mags first. New mags are a little stiff but Brownell's mags are as good as any made generally. Never had a problem with at least 25 of them anyway. I do disassemble and reassemble all my mags before I use them but I'm anal and have way too much time on my hands. Regardless we'll get you running smooth. Don't fret the small stuff. Sure it's bugging you though. |
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Sorry it took me so long to answer.I'll empty and then reload a few times and see if that helps.I'm pretty sure it's something minor,otherwise it wouldn't have cycled at all.
At least that's what I'm assuming. Some day I'll get to the range and be able to really try it out. Thanks. |
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I'll try and get the pictures here,I hope.
They're not great,and obviously not artistic,as some of you are. href=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/AR15A1-1.jpg" /> href=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/A1-2.jpg" /> http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/A1-L.jpg href=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/A1-3.jpg" /> href=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/bob2231/Firearms/AR15A1/A1-L1.jpg" /> |
| Sounds like it may be short stroking, to see if it is short stroking. Fire one round with nothing in the magazine. The bolt stop should catch the bolt and hold it open. If it does not it would indicate that the bolt is not traveling back far enough to pick up the next round. Check the alignment on the gas rings and check the gas tube for carbon build up. |
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I finished my rifle,I'll get pictures eventually. I have a question about a problem though. I used the Colt parts,with an Aero lower and an Alpha Shooting Sports barrel w/M4 feed ramps.I also bought a couple Brownells 20 rnd. standard mags. I haven't been able to get to the range,but fired it once to check how it would function. Fired fine,ejected,and the bolt seated. But it didn't feed the 2nd round.It didn't seem to strip one from the mag. at all,the bolt just closed. The magazines seemed to be pretty tight when fully loaded,and when I seated it into the mag. well I had to slap it fairly sharp to get it to seat. Any ideas at all? Sounds like you may have used the longer A2 screw in the buttstock - it will cause such a malf. You need an A1 length stock screw - double check, it's a common error, especially when guys buy A2 receiver extensions (buffer tube) for their builds. Just an idea. |
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Thanks Morg. Didn't think of that when OP said he used a Colt A-1 parts kit. Am curious as to whether problem has been resolved.
On a different similar note buddy gunsmith who is known for 1911's just built a carbine with rifle gas system that is doing the same thing but only occasionally. I suggested pulling the FSB to measure gas port hole. Barrel is CMMG dissy. He's tried most every weight buffer and is using a carbine stock. Think it's fixed and then it flares back up. He does use reloads that may be considered the starting range for 20" and longer barrels and this could also be a little underpowered for a carbine. I also suggested trying a rifle stock. Personally never used a CMMG barrel and all the dissy's (carbine length with rifle gas systems) I've done had custom homebrewed barrels that ran flawlessly. No need to correct if Dissy isn't the correct termanology, it's just what we call them around here. I don't usually see an AR that doesn't run 100% of the time. Carbine is a hoot to shoot until it doesn't go bang! Geiselle, free float etc. |
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I appreciate everyone's suggestions and help.
This would have been so much harder without people to ask about things that came up. My feed issue turned out to be the mags,not the A1. I figured that out by trying the same ones an a different rifle. Disassembly,cleaning all burrs and mold flash,loading and unloading several times,lubrication,and everything worked out. Thanks to everyone for the help. |
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Bob, Here's your buttplate you need. Buy with confidence, The seller is well known here. Shoot him an email:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/parts.cgi?read=331958 |
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