"SLICKSIDE" Colt USAF Model 604 clone build
I had sold my prototype build, and my KISS Carbine just didn't seem AR15ish enough for this 63 year old guy. The slick side Colt 601, 602, 603, and SP1 were the AR15 platform as Eugene Stoner and his team intended when they started on it in 1957, releasing the 601 in 1960/1961.
Retro's are hugely popular (and expensive). People out of state are buying SP1s for $1200, and parting them out, sell parts to retro guys, and lowers to East Coast pre-ban guys for obscene profits. an SP barrel will sell for $400-$450! Uppers receivers are selling for $250 and up.
Fortunately, a person can build a retro carbine entirely from new parts, and a retro rifle from new parts, except the furniture. (buttstock, triangular handguards, and A1 pistol grip) Even flat slip rings, early port doors and A1 rear sights are being reproduced (though it is usually easier to find an original than a DPMS or Fulton Copy) Nodak Spud, Fulton Armory, and Brownells make retro upper receivers, and Nodak, Brownell's , and McKay (occasionally) make retro lowers. Green Mountain, AR15Sport.com, and others make the barrels.
With that said, I want to build a slick side 604 clone, using all new parts, except the furniture. I had a spare Anderson A2 lower, so I used it. I am not that much of a purist that I want to wait 6 months or pay a couple hundred more for an A1 lower.
I found NOS original furniture for around $100. Though Fulton has new flat slip rings, I happened across a NOS USGI one for $15. Here are the pictures: I will post a parts list later tonight.
Here it is with some of my collection (some of which goes back to my Army and Air Force days in the 70s!) Three of the Colt 20 rounders are permanently blocked at 10 rounds to use with the retro. The others I use in my "Featureless" KISS carbine.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xgt5cqce-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dt3p1usp-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...plgxgufa-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8kvlwcoc-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ml4oujnx-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ijumjgbz-1.jpg
---------- Post added at 06:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------
Parts List:
-new Fulton Armory 604 "slickside" upper with Colt A1 NOS rear sight installed, from private party
-Anderson A2 lower
-AR15Sport.com 20" A1 pencil barrel, 1/9" twist with M4 feed ramps
-AIM Surplus Nickel Boron (poor mans chrome) bolt carrier group
-DPMS gas tube, lower receiver extension (buffer tube), spring and buffer
-Stag Arms lower parts kit, weld spring, snap ring, port door
-NOS Colt USGI triangular handguards
-NOS Colt Type "D: stock (pre1967) without trap door
-NOS A1 grip with USAF emblem inset (something I made up 30 years ago for a project)
-NOS Canvas M1 Sling USGI off E-bay
-Type II three prong flash hider and front sling swivel from Innovative Industries
-NOS A1 front sight set from my parts box
-NOS Colt flat slip ring off E-bay
"SLICKSIDE" Colt USAF Model 604 clone build
I had sold my prototype build, and my KISS Carbine just didn't seem AR15ish enough for this 63 year old guy. The slick side Colt 601, 602, 603, and SP1 were the AR15 platform as Eugene Stoner and his team intended when they started on it in 1957, releasing the 601 in 1960/1961.
Retro's are hugely popular (and expensive). People out of state are buying SP1s for $1200, and parting them out, sell parts to retro guys, and lowers to East Coast pre-ban guys for obscene profits. an SP barrel will sell for $400-$450! Uppers receivers are selling for $250 and up.
Fortunately, a person can build a retro carbine entirely from new parts, and a retro rifle from new parts, except the furniture. (buttstock, triangular handguards, and A1 pistol grip) Even flat slip rings, early port doors and A1 rear sights are being reproduced (though it is usually easier to find an original than a DPMS or Fulton Copy) Nodak Spud, Fulton Armory, and Brownells make retro upper receivers, and Nodak, Brownell's , and McKay (occasionally) make retro lowers. Green Mountain, AR15Sport.com, and others make the barrels.
With that said, I want to build a slick side 604 clone, using all new parts, except the furniture. I had a spare Anderson A2 lower, so I used it. I am not that much of a purist that I want to wait 6 months or pay a couple hundred more for an A1 lower.
I found NOS original furniture for around $100. Though Fulton has new flat slip rings, I happened across a NOS USGI one for $15. Here are the pictures: I will post a parts list later tonight.
Here it is with some of my collection (some of which goes back to my Army and Air Force days in the 70s!) Three of the Colt 20 rounders are permanently blocked at 10 rounds to use with the retro. The others I use in my "Featureless" KISS carbine.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xgt5cqce-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dt3p1usp-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...plgxgufa-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8kvlwcoc-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ml4oujnx-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ijumjgbz-1.jpg
