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Troy is a site vendor! 

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Troy is a site vendor!  These are decent for a replica / commemorative gun.  Probably can't build one as close using very many authentic Colt parts / NDS receivers for anything close to the $1200.  A personal build would be a one off more than likely with personal touches added and has the pay as one gathers / builds option a completed weapon purchase won't.  Assembled clone build won't hold the value of the Troy down the road except parted out (sum of parts),  where parted out the Troy probably won't ever return initial investment IMO especially if used.  It's not Colt, but uses same overpriced middle of the road functioning parts,  just no significant American provenance for intrinsic value down the road.

I've fired a couple and they were the same as most every other carbine out there for $6-800 in performance category and really a little lacking truth be know by design if nothing else.  The $3 GP strap and $5 PG probably added another $100 plus to final cost and most here have plenty of each and they were not issued with GP straps either.  All the hoopla bla! bla! commemorative this / that and still it's a Troy when the sun goes does.  

Nothing cutting edge except the price generally.  In reality it's a 40 yr old design that has been replaced with better and more versatile features now days.  Aluminum stocks have always kinda sucked for actual carry / shooting but if I put a minty Colt aluminum up for sale right now it would bring $350 or $290 more than it originally cost rather quickly.  Troy stock will probably never approach this type of re-sale value unless a little fraudulent on the sale like calling it a Colt.

It's the same as always.  Most like to gather parts and build on this forum.  Searching endlessly and assembling each and every piece is part of the ride!  For those incompetent, not an option at this time or just lazy for lack of better terms the Troy is sitting there for the taking at $1200ish I believe.

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I have been digging around for information on building a reproduction XM177E2.  I also have been thinking about building a reproduction M16A1 like what I carried for much of my 26 years in the military.  I am curious about the timeframe the XM177E2 was used.  Does anyone know when they were issued (fielded)?

I'm leaning toward building  clone of an M16 from 1971.  Just not sure which way to go.  It would be nice to build one that is representative of the one I carried when my military career began in 1971.

Also, any suggestions on how to source period correct components would be greatly appreciated.

By the way I am in the back order / wait list with NoDak SPUD for their retro receiver set.

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I would have to go check in my copy of The Black Rifle, but it was introduced in Oct of either 66 or 67. The E2 isn't all that difficult to collect parts for, just depends on how authentic you want to get. Probably the most expensive part is the stock, but they do come up often enough on the EE.  Price for stock alone....about 375 or so. NoDak also reproduces the 2 position buffer tube.  Full fence lower. Upper receivers show up fairly often too....Colt proof marks and all.......round forge, no forge code....perhaps 150 to 175 bucks.   You can pick up an aftermarket barrel that would suffice, or a Colt 16 incher and have John Thomas shorten it and supply it with a very correct copy of the moderator and grenade ring. Those would be the major components. Oh....6 hole Colt handguards show up fairly often too in the EE.  The parts that don't show, bolt carrier, buffer, bolt, etc can be hunted down too, if you desire, or aftermarket will suffice.

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Original uppers are, apparently, giving vinyl acetate stocks a run for their money for price now.

Check this out!