Retro AR Complete

[amd65]

I finished my retro ar build this weekend, and it turned out great! I may paint the lower to match the upper--I hear Norell Moly Resin comes in Colt gray.
I will give a range report as soon as I shoot it.
Knobcreeks step-by-step was very helpful, as was a tutorial on ar15.com. I used their vice grip method to press in the roll pins on the bolt catch and trigger guard, and it worked very well. My lower parts bag had a few extra springs and a spare detente.

[amd65]

Ans here is a pic of me circa 1979 shooting the first centerfire rifle I ever fired, at Camp Perry's Small Arms Firing School.

[k98k792]

Very,very cool man! It looks great! Oldschool!
Did you go with the longer A2 buttstock?

[hunter_la5]

looks like it turned out pretty good. looking forward to the range report

[amd65]

Yeah, I went with the A2 stock and grip, just because they were easy to get.
A1 stocks are available, but they are all used, and a grab bag as to condition.
There was a gun show here this weekend, and I looked at a few A1 stocks. One guy had several, they were all pretty beat looking, and he wanted $25 apiece. I saw one at another table for $15 that looked great except for a couple dents on one side. I'm going to keep looking. If I find one in good shape for the right price, I'll probably buy it, though the A2 stock is better--slightly longer, with a flat, checkered butt plate makes for better shooting. The shorter A1 butt with the rounded contour butt plate is a little faster handling, I think.
Did buy an LC 3-30rd mag pouch for $3, and a green cotton web M1/M14 sling for $10.
The upper from OOW is advertised as Colt. I didn't see any markings on it, other than the colt MP chrome bore on the barrel. I read a thread on ak47.net's ar forum that identified the Colt upper by tiny stamps at the front right base of the carry handle. They are so small, you would never see them without looking for them with a flashlight. It is a Colt.
Building retro AR's is really popular--There is a whole retro forum, and No Dak Spud is even making A1-style lowers.

[MID]

Ans here is a pic of me circa 1979 shooting the first centerfire rifle I ever fired, at Camp Perry's Small Arms Firing School.

Silly observation, whats with the pair of boots sitting there ?

[pigpen]

Nice

[amd65]

Don't know about the boots! I think they belonged to the cowboy. I was working for the NRA at perry that year taking photos. One thing for sure, those size jeans are a sad memory.

[jfowl31]

will that upper just pin onto any run of the mill lower? or does it require larger pins or something?

Ive been throwing around the idea of that A1 upper from OOW, probably spring for the new one... The finishes not matching will probably drive me crazy though.

[amd65]

It will pin to any standard receiver.
Painting is easy. In a way, I kinda like the two toned look! I've read elsewhere of someone who got the new condition OOW, and the finish was black--probably went through the Army refurb process. I do like the Colt gray, though.

[M1 Tanker]

I've been thinking about doing the same thing AMD, your A1 is a motivator! With everyone having M4's now with all the high speed low drag gear, your rifle is a stark old school contrast. I really like it. Where did you get your parts kit?

[amd65]

Complete upper from OOW (minus BCG and charge handle), lower and BCG from Kiser munition, internal lower parts and buttstock/buffer from Midwest.
Lowers are in short supply due to buying frenzy (AWB ban fear)

[SteelCore]

an AR. I like the ones that have the old school 4grp in OD...

[texlurch]

Now you need to get a 3-prong FH, and a proper 20-rd square mag...

I don't remember when the 30 rd came in, but I think it wasn't till the 70's or later

[Patria Povo]

Now you need to get a 3-prong FH, and a proper 20-rd square mag...

I don't remember when the 30 rd came in, but I think it wasn't till the 70's or later

Agreed! And the right pistol-grip and stock for the era.

I posted pics of my dad's AR copy of his '67-'68 Vietnam service rifle on the old forums. Will have to get him to join here and post some pics!

[amd65]

Well, like I said, I may pick up an A1 buttstock, if one in the right condition at the right price comes along. Still, I think the A2 stock with it's flat checkered buttplate is better for shooting.
I almost prefer the 20 round mags, I will definately get some, yet 30 round mags were around in VietNam, in the later years, plus, ya just HAVE to have some thirties!

[cetme]

looks nice! Let us know how it shoots.

[amd65]

See separate range report...