Early 603 XM16E1 project finished

At long last! 99% done (still looking for mottled handguards). The only thing not Colt is the stripped NDS lower.

Parts list:
603 upper with Colt CMP C barrel, early bend stainless gas tube, correct Colt slip ring, and GI three prong flash hider.
No-drain hole early triangular handguards
Colt Bolt carrier group and Colt charging handle

NDS-XM16E1 lower, with original Colt semi auto lower parts kit (from SP1)
Colt lower receiver exrension (buffer tube) , M16 buffer, and spring
Early mottled Type D stock and early mottled skinny pistol grip

Colt marked M7 bayonet and sheath
Colt marked bipod and early case
Colt marked 20 round magazines with early aluminum followers and ".223" marking
XM16E1 "comic book" manual
USGI M14 cotton web sling

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../XM16E1b-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../XM16E1a-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../XM16E1c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../XM16E1d-1.jpg
I used the CMP C barrel from the faux-601. It is the one that shot this three shot battle sight group at 25 yards - just under 7/16" center to center. The bottom ho;e is actually 2 shots! It was the SP1 FCG in the 601 that I am using in the 603.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC04888-1.jpg

Here's a daylight photo of the bottom half showing the mottled early furniture:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../XM16E1b-2.jpg

Nice.

Thanks, It is like the XM16E1 that I had in basic, except that one had the three prong replaced with a birdcage.

Only thing missing in those pics are your toes! Nice looking rifle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

Only thing missing in those pics are your toes! Nice looking rifle.

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Hahaha! I cropped them out!

IMA,
WOW! That looks sweet! Outstanding work... I really appreciate the photos, as a future reference point for others!!!

Just about the way they were designed. About six pounds and you could carry it all day.

Nice rifle........................ I hated that damn varmit rifle. I worked with the Aussie 1st Royal Austrialian Regiment (1st RAR) and traded my AR for the Aussie version of the FAL (L1A1) in .308...... I never looked back. The Nato round killed everything I shot and usually with only one bullet too boot.

The AR-15 (M16) may be classified a "battle rifle" now, with its improvements, but it sure the hell wasn't in the 60's. As my German hunter instructor said "It is better to be over gunned than undergunned" It still remains valid statement today. If you must shoot your advisary numerous times............... it's time to get a better weapon/caliber.

I had an Argentine FAL about 15 years ago. I liked it a lot. I had a British SUSAT sight on it, Another deputy mde me an offer I could not refuse, though, so I sold it.

You did an excellent job on your project. Here is a photo of the early "small letter/numbered"
223 marked magazine. Very difficult to find now - only seen them on the very early SP1 rifles

I believe several of my mags are small number 223. I will check.

All,
A FAL is a darn fine rifle.. but I thought we were discussing the XM16???

Somebody had to chime in about how horrible the M16 was...As if the basic platform is any different after all these years...Jeeze, there's still 1960's vintage rifles still in service, esp. amongst the USAF FO types.

Amen. On another forum, I have seen numerous pic of 601 lowers with all sorts of uppers, including M16A2s. As for lethality, read the after action reports from project AGILE in 1962-64. I have personally seen how dead a single hit from an M16 with M193 ball can make someone.

Much of the M16s bad reputation comes from two things. One is the same as the M2 carbines rep. Bad fire control, spray and pray, and missing the target. I have seen what a single thoracic hit can do. The second is the bad ammo (changed to wrong powder) and no cleaning kits that post AGILE troops were issued.

The current M4s suffer from too short a barrel (14.5 inch) for ranges used, and badly designed ammo. (The M4 was designed for CQB initially, as the bullet will not yaw, tumble, and break up past 75 yards from the 14.5 inch barrel.)

Of my six Colt 20 round .223 marked magazines, five are the small numbers. Only one is larger numbers. All have aluminum followers.

Very Nice Work , you have my compliments ,



i have a few of the vintage mags with my retro , there are at least three with 556 designation and one with 223 , as well as a few of the NHMTGs

20rnd -

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0191-1.jpg

and 30rnd -

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0181-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0171-1.jpg

These are the earliest that I have - got them when nobody wanted them. There is another pouch like this one that hold four magazines, but difficult to find.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCS

These are the earliest that I have - got them when nobody wanted them. There is another pouch like this one that hold four magazines, but difficult to find.

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SWEET! Those pouches by themselves are $40. The magazines are expensive, too. Last one I saw for salw went for $140 and that is cheap for the original waffle mags.

There is a member on this forum that has a number of these ealy pouches, but have since forgot his email. The four magazine pouch is really hard to find. It is not uncommon to find the original waffles at between $200 and $400, all depends on what someone will pay. I have used these waffles in a early four digit SP1, always loaded 20 rds, never a problem.

Very nice job. I remember removing the front hand guards with that early retainer. I was a difficult job.

The later angled version made it so much easier.

great job!

Awesome, imarangemaster! That's a real beauty. :thup:

I put the early front handguards back on mine. So blk/gray and blk/gray and painted green pistol grip. Actually easier to shoot with the flat bottom early guards. I haven't put the A1 buttstock back on as it is too short. Need to look at my mags now.