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Posted: 8/23/2006 8:04:25 AM EDT
| Is there a downside to getting a converted AR-15 RR versus a Colt M16, other than collectability? There seems to be a substantial price difference. |
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I would stay away from a Colt AR15 conversion. That front pivot pin hole is pretty big so the metal is pretty thin. I have seen a semi where one of the holes developed a crack. Hate to see that happen to a $10k+ lower that's not replaceable. And Hesse and Vulcan was not even in business yet when the '86 ban happened so no need to worry about that junk. |
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Here are my choices from top to bottom, Colt M16A2 - Top dog, period!!! Colt M16A1 Colt M16 RDIAS Group Industries SS - Very tough, can be out of spec Frankford Arsenal - Usually pretty good may need some adjusting Oly/SGW - same as above Sendra/BFI - Find the finish not as good and rumor of weak metals Colt SP1 - Large hole lower, although these can be welded or bushings installed EA M16 - Cast, say no more!!! Opinions may and will vary, Semper Fi, M60-E4  RIA M60 W/ US Ordnance E4 Upgrade |
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I'm on the other side of this one. RRs are a better thing IMHO. The biggest benefit of a RR is that it can use standard M16 fire control parts which are cheap and very plentiful. An out-of-spec receiver, non-standard pivot pin holes, all of these things can be corrected easily on a RR, if they are there at all. RDIAS, lightning links, etc, are small, easily lost, a bit difficult to repair and only have relatively few sources for spare parts. You can replace a trip lever, but they are not easy to find. I'd take a RR conversion over an DIAS any day unless, of course, it was a true POS and would require lots of money to correct. |
The 614 is definitely a good way to go. They tend to be a little cheaper than the M16A1 and M16 rollmarked guns. Plus I think it is pretty cool to have a factory fullauto that is rollmarked "AR15". |
| I'd like a little more info in this area. I'm looking to buy an M16, but I'm a shooter. I don't really know if I need the Colt name other than for it being to fetch more money if I ever had to sell. It seems I can get a conversion for around $9,500 to $10,000 where as I would spend at least $13,000 for a factory M16. Is there any reason for this other than collectability? |
If you take care of your Colt RR you shouldn't have a problem with the value going down... A RDIAS is a good way to go, but they are harder to keep running (from what I hear). If I had the cash I'd buy a Colt M16a2 (if I could find one) to keep in the safe, and get a RDIAS for shooting/fun. But I honestly think one m16/RDIAS is enough! |
Same here. In addition, an RR functions the proper way. When you switch the selector to semi, the sear no longer engages the hammer. This is not so with the DIAS. Although the RDIAS offers more legal flexibility, it's kind of a cheesy modification. |
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Same here. In addition, an RR functions the proper way. When you switch the selector to semi, the sear no longer engages the hammer. This is not so with the DIAS. Although the RDIAS offers more legal flexibility, it's kind of a cheesy modification. This is exactly the way all H+K weapons, all AKs, work, the full auto sear works each time whether in semi auto or full auto. So are all H+K weapons and all AK series weapons cheesy also? |
I don't want to derail the thread, but HELL YES! The first time I got to fire HK and AK format long guns, I was like... This is it??? Not that both designs aren't functional, rugged, and reliable, but I guess I'm just too predisposed to a more Americanesque philosophy. I mean... We'd all be carrying pistols with mag releases on the heel of the frame if everyone drank the Eurpean gun koolaid. 
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Good info. Were these the only cast RR's? I thought Oly/SGW made some casts ones too? |
I had a cast RR - EA by Wilson. It was very nice and did everything that my Colt would do. Only complaint was a tight mag-well - only came into play with my 9MM conversion. Bought it for about $4.5K and traded it three years later (with a suppressed 9MM upper) even for two NIB vector UZI's (standard/mini). Only reason I got rid of it was that I already had an M-16 and wanted to expand my collection. |
Except look good!!!!  Semper Fi, M60-E4 RIA M60 W/ US Ordnance E4 Upgrade  |
Acutally, I sent it out and got it "Bear Coated" in matt-black and it looked pretty darned good - matched my Gemtech Talon-SD upper perfectly .... |
Edited to delete personal attacks, which are prohibited in this forum. |
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I have never heard of them. With their manufacturing info located above the trigger area, I guessing they actual made the receiver or completed it from an 80%. I thought the sear pin hole looked alittle close to the top of the receiver but my picture could be a little distorted. Click To See The M60E4 In Action  RIA M60-E4 |
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