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Posted: 11/4/2015 9:02:51 PM EDT
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Finally "finished" my first retro build. I had an A1 barreled upper laying around I couldn't decide what I wanted to do with,, until I fortuitously fell into an original chrome XM16E1 bolt and carrier.....It's fate was sealed......
I got 80% E1 lower and Chg. handle from Nodak,, Braceman'd the markings. Takedpwn/pivot pins and selector from HeatnBeat. Victor @ US anodizing did the finish on the lower. Boywonder got me a nice gray buffer tube and no hole screw. John Thomas sent me the three prong flashhider. The stock and handguards I had in a bin from my old '64 SP1 that I 601ized... I used a router jig from "80%Arms". Being my first 80% receiver build I was surprised how simple and easy it went. The trigger and hammer went in and functioned checked, good to go..........until it came time to drill the safety detent hole,,, after measuring and checking the spot I drilled,,, I was a a bit surprised to see the drill bit had emerged up the length through the inside wall ....."How the hell did that happen???" I was a little bit irritated for bit.......Well in my haste I unknowingly had the routing plate inverted...... I milled out a mirror image of what it was supposed to be...... Of course I didn't realize this till the next day when I was comparing it with one of my factory finished lowers...... DOH!!!!!!! I was able to properly drill the detent hole on the left side and get HeatnBeat to make me a new selector to accommodate the detent on the wrong side. CRISIS AVERTED!! At some point I'l switch out the round forge upper, purple slip ring and MP C barrel , (which will then turn into an A1 build)......but this'l do for now.  " />
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Quoted:
Damn NICE! These kind of builds really puts me in a quandry! It really makes me just want to throw away all of my other lowers (9 of them) and start all over again with 80%ers, so that my OCD can get them all properly engraved. What to do? What to do? Could you throw them as far as Kansas? 
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Like I mentioned before, very nice
I would really like to achieve that level of authenticism on the few retro builds that I'm collecting parts for. How did you handle the logistics (legalities) of getting a 80% Lower Receiver anodized? Did you have it anodized before finishing the machine work.. |
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Quoted:
Damn NICE! These kind of builds really puts me in a quandry! It really makes me just want to throw away all of my other lowers (9 of them) and start all over again with 80%ers, so that my OCD can get them all properly engraved. What to do? What to do? When you throw them out send them to me for scrapping. 
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Quoted:
Like I mentioned before, very nice
I would really like to achieve that level of authenticism on the few retro builds that I'm collecting parts for. How did you handle the logistics (legalities) of getting a 80% Lower Receiver anodized? Did you have it anodized before finishing the machine work.. I sent the receiver in for anodizing after I milled it out and with a copy of my ID, as requested. Being a personal custom build I can only assume it was entered with my information as the maker/mfg since I made it. It was also suggested that you can also put your personal markings on the grip mounting area. I'll probably do that on future builds. |
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It looks great! I can't wait to build a few myself just like this. For those that like doing retro builds, I don't know why they cheap out in the receiver area. The 80% that Braceman engraves just make the rifle look so much better. To me that is more important then most of the other parts. And I am always happy to see more of his work completed in these builds. I can understand for those that can't mill out an 80% to go with Nodak, but since an AR lower isn't that hard to machine with proper tooling I am surprised we don't see a lot more of these. I will probably have all of my builds engraved, even the A2 profiled ones.
I just love the Xm16e1 partial fence lowers, and the 601 slick side lowers with dimpled selector/pivot pens. They just stand out to me compared to the full fence ones. I guess I need to read up a little more on HeatnBeat, I keep seeing everyone using his parts. Do you send him parts to be modified or does he offer them already machined up? Either way, you went all out on this one and it's one of the best looking retros I have seen lately. For me I would probably have to scotchbrite the receiver a little to make it look more worn but I am a BFPU type of guy. |
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Thanks all!
No need to send anything to HeatnBeat, He offers the stuff to order. I gave it a little bit of wear with some 600 grit, but I want to keep it consistent with the original finish upper. I think I'm gonna brighten up the high spots some more around the mag well opening. The only thing that really concerns me is how easy it was to finish out the 80% receiver...... I don't know where to stop.....I have four staring at me... I think a XM177E2,,,,an A1, a proper M4A1 for my "MK18" ,,,,, Maybe even an A2 because it would be cheap and easy......as gross as that is....... |
| You can't go wrong with the Colt Commando look, but get an SBR stamp if you can and keep it at 11.5". Also don't forget to build a Colt, an H&R, and a GM A1. The A2 should be easy, I bet you could have Braceman do the engraving on an already anodized lower then fill it in with the Brownells Aluminum Black where the engraving was done. Not sure how well it would blend in, but it is something I am thinking about doing as well for a few when I get to building for all my modern type rifles I end up building. I really can't wait to get started myself whenever I have the money again. And thanks for the IM and list of parts Heatnbeat offers. That is awesome, I never knew he offered parts already made up. |
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Blanco_Diablo, in my opinion the best barrels to get for a original type build are Green Mountain barrels
http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m15-m16-a1-5-56mm-20-1-12-twist-20-barrel/ And yes you can use a drill press to finish an 80%, but the inside probably won't look the best and it will be harder to do. The router jig is a good way to go, the tools don't cost that much and they make a very nice smooth finished receiver. If you don't have a jig yet I would go that route. |
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