I’d like to assemble a clone of the M16A2 that I had when I was in the Army. I have a number of other AR’s, so this is just a “I want one” type of thing. However, I’m having difficulty finding a quality 20 inch barrel with a carry handle upper. I’d prefer to just buy a complete upper from BCM or someplace, but all they have are flat tops. I don’t mind buying a barrel (preferrably with the front site base already installed) and assembling it myself though.
Ideally, I’d like a chrome lined, 1/7 twist, 20 inch, GI barrel. Can someone point me to a place that has what I’m looking for? My search failed.
Not intending to hijack the thread, but I’m interested in an M16A2 clone as well. I picked up an AN/PVS-4, and am interested in an AR that would be a close match to what would have been in use when the PVS-4s were most commonly issued. An M16A2 was suggested to me.
I’m a novice, so I’m not sure exactly what I need to look for.
If I picked up one of these FN uppers, is it possible to get a FN lower to match? Or were they all full-auto only?
Or would a Colt be a better choice? If so, which model should I look for? Maybe 6500, 6550 or 6600?
Mine is a gray FN upper and barrel I found at a gun show and the lower is a gray McKay lower sold through Nodak Spud. Black lowers are pretty common on A2s these days but back in the late 80s, gray was the color they were anodized. It’s a minor thing though and if you want to go with a black upper, that’s fine too but I would still suggest going with a McKay or NDS lower. I also have several of their retro lowers and outside of the fact that they are the only folks that make lowers that are true to the original design (other than the auto sear pin hole) their quality is excellent and I wouldn’t hesitate to put it up against any big name high quality lower out there!
As far as time periods go, either black or gray finished A2 would be fine if all you want is for the AN/PVS-4 to match. Family members in the 10th Mountain were still using AN/PVS-4’s on M16A2’s in the early 90’s while deployed in Somalia and Haiti.
I had many of the same questions. Thanks for the links and info. Another thing to consider is guns were often mismatched so a little color difference in an upper and lower is “correct” too.
The one I purchased had a very dark gray or dull flat black finish. I do not think it would match perfectly with either the XM Gray or Black lowers from NDS/McKay. It would fall somewhere in between in color. I took it apart and had the receiver re-anodized in XM Gray by US Anodizing to match a gray lower. I was having a bunch of parts refinished so it was just one more item to throw in the box. If I had not been having other parts refinished at the same time, I’m not sure I would have bothered. A little color mismatch, as has been said, is not uncommon on the original rifles.
Good to know, thanks. I’ll have to weigh the FN upper + Nodak lower vs getting a full Colt setup like Scattergun’s above.
If I wanted it to be a really good clone, I guess I’d need to send in the Nodak lower in to have the FN markings engraved on it, and then have it refinished. Not to be a wanker about the details, but that’s kind of how I roll
FN didn’t get the contract until 1988 from what I read, so I guess the A2s were all Colt before that?
I got it from someone who put it away from the world for 17 years. I considered that decision was just wrong and put it through a carbine class with “Super Dave” Harrington. (Easily the longest thing on the course.) One operator induced FTF in 1200 rounds. It now sits in my safe with a TA-11 and is my final, last ditch, best-of-the-best, SHTF go-to. Tested and ready.
Thanks for the info. I’ll look into one of the FN uppers on Gunbroker. The other site did seem kinda proud of their stuff. I was hoping for a new upper though, but I guess I can go used, and perhaps have it re-annodized. Was considering sending a couple of items to US Anodizing anyway.
but what is the correct handguard cap for a M16A2 ?
in the pictures, im not sure if im looking at a round or triangular handguard cap.
i think it is a triangular one, also ? would it be correct to have the green furniture ?
thank you for any information you can pass my way.
The A2’s I was issued all had a round cap. They should accept a triangle hand guard. I never saw a triangular cap until recently. I know BCM uses them on their mid lengths.
Green furniture would be on a Very old gun and the furniture alone is very valuable.
