My First Need Help Thread

[Soulman]

Being a history major, I guess it isn't a far stretch that my modest collection has many examples of "as close to accurate for era as possible" pieces in it. On a student's budget this has been primarily MilSup bolt guns from yesteryear. Now I'm like to get into the AR field. I'm looking for one that I can get in Vietnam Era config. I don't need the fancy stuff, just what our boys carried. I know my dreams of a M16 aren't going to happen, so I want a AR-15 lookalike. If I understand correctly, I can buy an upper and then the lower at different times and mix and match to what I want. Any suggestions on if there's a better way to get what I want reasonably priced?

Currently listed I saw:
Colt M16A1 Upper
w/small pivots fits on newer milspec lowers
20" Barrel
Low Round Count
$350

Would this work? Is this a good price for what I'm looking for? And what lower would be the best for this?

Thanks in advance,

Dr. Jekyll

[liliysdad]

That will work, but its hard to find a correct lower.

Id suggest looking here... ar15.com

[Soulman]

Anyone ever use one of these receivers?

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CSI&Product_Code=ARCOMLOW&Category_Code=AR15

[blake711]

I have never heard of that brand. I wouldn't suggest it since you can get qaulity brands for that price like Stag, RRA, Bushmaster and so on. If this is your first and you should check out an RRA or Bushmast standard a2. That will fit your bill perfectly. You normally get a better deal on a complete rifle since you aren't wanting to have any fancy specific parts. Bushmatesr a2 (http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa2s20.asp) or RRA Standard a2 (http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR1280X&storeid=1&image=06stda24.gif&CFID=11315106&CFTOKEN=93203695) both can be found under 800 new

[GonePostal]

This may be a stupid question, but on the RRA Standard a2 page, it has a Standard A2 and A4 next to each other. To me they look the same. What's the difference. I'm pretty new to guns, so keep that in mind when you're laughing at me, :lookaroun

[Mack45]

Blake, does bushmaster or RRA offer the early triangular handguard? I think that is what characterizes the early Viet Nam era M16s.

[Soulman]

Yeah, the triangular kind are what I'm looking for.

[blake711]

This may be a stupid question, but on the RRA Standard a2 page, it has a Standard A2 and A4 next to each other. To me they look the same. What's the difference. I'm pretty new to guns, so keep that in mind when you're laughing at me, :lookaroun
A2 has a built in carry handle recievier and an a4 has a flattop reciever.

As for the buttstock if you are really going to want a true vietnam era theres more to it than the buttstock you would either need for someone selling surplus m16 parts which can be pretty beat up or look for someone selling an old style reciever remember you have the orginal m16 then the A1 and A2 variants and the latest the A3 wich is flattop also called m4 or a4.. The newer rifles are all going to be A2 which actually showed up in the early 80s. The A1 added a Forward assist to the first variant of the m16 and a few other small changes. With the A2 it had the changes that the A1 had plus a new rear site. I am in the process of moving right now so time is short, but I will look around and see what I can find for trying to piece together the most realistic vietnam era rifle when I get a chance.

here is a couple links that may be helpful to you

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as18-e.htm
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/

[olyeller]

Go to ar15.com and on the Equipment exchange, look for an sp-1 upper, theyre alway on there, and $350 is a good price for a complete (b/bc/ch included) upper.
You can then scrap together a lower for Around $200 if youre on a budget.

fyi, I replied to your attempted pm yesterday, check your inbox.

[RatTerrier]

Go to ar15.com and on the Equipment exchange, look for an sp-1 upper, theyre alway on there, and $350 is a good price for a complete (b/bc/ch included) upper.
You can then scrap together a lower for Around $200 if youre on a budget.

fyi, I replied to your attempted pm yesterday, check your inbox.

If you're not afraid to put the 31-ish parts inside the lower you can get one for about $130 bucks or so. Some uppers come with the lower parts kit, some don't...if it does, cool, the lower shouldn't cost anymore that $130 tops shipped to the FFL of your choice.

[Mack45]

My early Colt SP1
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/Mack45/Pict0048.jpg
Caution BRD is HIGHLY contagious, there is no known cure.

[chicane]

If you're not afraid to put the 31-ish parts inside the lower you can get one for about $130 bucks or so. Some uppers come with the lower parts kit, some don't...if it does, cool, the lower shouldn't cost anymore that $130 tops shipped to the FFL of your choice.

Any chance you could post some links to lowers at/near that price? Thanks, Jon