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Posted: 3/16/2005 6:23:46 PM EDT
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Which civilian AR is the most similar to the Military M16A2? This includes the barrel specs and other rigidity standards the USMC requires for there rifles. I used to be in the Marine Corps( I got out several years ago) and would like to get a rifle that most resembles the one I use to have. I would preferably like to get a colt. Thanks |
scratch that its an h bar |
bushmaster a2 government profile is the closest you can get, 1/9 twist in place of 1/7. other than that and the finish, its identical. But if you want to make a really mil spec AR15A2 get a beat up colt lower, a relatively new LMT upper, an FN bbl, and small parts from as many manufactures as you can get. 
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Bushmaster makes the 1/7, you just have to ask for it. |
A LMT brand of upper is most likely not going to be compatable with a FN 20" (or other make) of barrel. The LMT brand upper will have M4 feedramps and the 20" GI type barrel will not. |
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Here's what I'd do in your situation: Buy a complete (with all internals and A2 stock) Colt "Match Target" lower. They're readily available and come up for sale all the time on the Equipment Exchange. You should be able to get a used, but excellent example for ~$350. Next, buy a new Colt M16A2 take-off from www.cdnninvestments.com for $450. Then find yourself a bolt group and carrier (preferably Colt, of course), and you've got the closest thing to the M16A2 you can get this side of the .mil. HTH, Brewer |
That is basically what I did:   
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How about a pre ban Colt 6551? I have seen these on EE reasonable.(alot more reasonable than an all Colt part build) I have a blue label 6551 that has the gov profile bbl. C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7. It does not have a bayo lug but could be changed and the frt take down pin is not correct to the M16A2. Without building your own it is close.  P.S. not trying to sell mine in case thats what it looked like. |
Preban Colts are lovely (I have three now, very happy) and are available in excellent condition for $950-$1100. But, most Colts of that era are of the large hole variety, and/or have neutered bayonet lugs. Those issues don't bother me much, but you can go that "extra mile" by mating a genuine, USGI Colt M16A2 upper to a small-hole Colt lower by parting it together. An all-Colt parts gun like the one described above should run about $900-950, and be more "authentic" if you will, than anything else available. It also makes a nice project. Brewer |
| I bought a nice 6551 Sporter Target Model when they first came out. It has normal size FC pins, no sear block, and all A2 features on the lower including the raised fence. First order of the day was to replace the lugless FSB with one that had it, and replaced the sporter BC with a full circle version. Too bad the upper and lower are still large hole. |
Because TreeTopFlying wants a rilfe like he carried in the Corp (a Colt's or FN), and he prefers a Colt's. If he was to get a say a Bushmaster (fill in the blank Brand X) he will regret that he did not buy a Colt's. Not like he carried a Brand X while in the service, so why should he now? |
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If you are open to the idea of building it then CDNN is selling brand new "preban" Colt 20" gov profile A2 uppers for $449.99 HERE That's a sweet deal for a brand new factory Colt and they have them in stock. BTW, it says in the ad that it has a muzzlebrake instead of an A2 flashhider, but I called and they said it was a typo Edited to add: Guess I should have read Brewer's post
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Because I own a colt. I bought it back in '98 when I knew nothing about ar-15s for quite a wile it bugged me that it had large trigger pins and the back of the receiver was not machined out... since then I have fingered an Armalite, bushys, oly-arms, and RRA... the oly arms did not impress me at all... the Armalite was as smooth and well finished (the machining) as my colt but I have heard bad things about them since. The RRA felt pretty good but not as good as the colt and Armalite. And the bushys were just kinda of lower quality the safeties did not make that nice "snap" when you pushed them into position and the machining was not as smooth... to put it into hand gun terms my colt is like my old german made sig p226 and bushy is ruger, oly-arms is jennings, rra and armalite are like berrettas.... |
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