Kalifornia compliant Colt Model 653 (kinda) carbine clone now my PATROL CARBINE)
Posted a variation of this on AR15 retro and Milsurps Carbine forums.
Just got clearance from my job to carry my 653 as a patrol carbine. I have a armed contract patrolling dams and powerhouses in the Sierra at night (Homeland Security mandated "Critical Infrastructure Protection") Up to now I have been only armed with 9mm. Considering the plethora of mountain lion (saw 2 different ones this week), Mexican Mafia dope growers in the National Forest, and the fact that I am on patrol to prevent Akmed and his Muji buddies from blowing up dams, I have been feeling under-gunned . It is a solo patrol, and the county Sheriif is only back up. It is a good gig, three 12 hour shifts a week in a new Jeep Rubicon, but it will be nice to have a 5.56 backup now. When I was a deputy, I carried one that was NOT nuetered. Oh, well,my retro will get used for the AR15s original intended purpose.
Here is the 653 project. In order to use magazines with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds in Kalifornia, it must be a "Featureless" build: i.e. NO pistol grip, no collapsible stock, no EVIL flash hider.
It is a JD Machine A2 lower,
M16A1 upper, including BCG,
ER Shaw 16" 1/9 twist barrel,
Wilson Combat Comp muzzle brake,
pinned 4 position Fiberlite stock (pinned open)
Hammerhead non-pistol grip.
The high capacity magazine must have been possessed by the shooter in Kalifornia, prior to the ban in 2000. Kalifornia's laws are beyond moronic, but this carbine embodies the ways around it. I wanted a KISS retro carbine as a snatch and grab weapon that could use my high caps. The hammerhead is more secure, and handles much better than the other two grip options, Monsterman Grip and Kydex grip panels. It shoots and handle very well, though I need a ambidextrous safety, as the hammerhead (and other two options) prevent using strong hand to take the weapon off safe.
Pardon cell phone pics.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/6531b-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../10/6531-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../10/6533-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../10/6532-1.jpg
I think I found the problem
While it fired 59/60 rounds after the new gas rings and gas tube, that 1/60 bothered me. Well, when I broke it down to clean it, I found the roll pin that holds the rubber bumper in had drifted, protruded about 3/32"+ out of place. That alone could cause a problem with feeding.
That would explain why it functioned 100% before I switched the barrel to the M16A1 upper from the slick side SP1 upper. It had nothing to do with the switch, but rather the displaced roll pin. with the worn rings it significantly affected functioning. Replacing rings and gas tube overcame some of it, but not all. The difference in sound of the round may have been the bolt not opening all the way, rather than light load.
I would bet it will function 100% now.