"Slick Side" upper- no forward assist or brass deflect

Guys,
I scored another upper w/o the brass deflector or forward assist. :super:
I have debated on going the M231 route (now the sights wouldn't be correct in this case, but could be closed up).... or make an early SP1 clone.:confused:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...clear004-1.jpg
The lower would be no problem if I go with a slick/ slab side build. I would go with a Tactical Machining 80% and zip off the offending protrusions.:cheers:

Oh, that cool mottled finish was due to the primer and paint that was applied! Sorta like a camo coating to keep buyers away!:lol:

If youre hanker'n for a 231 I believe The Dealer Warhouse has the correct upper (stripped) that youd need.

Why mot build yourself a nice CAR 15 instead? Strip the offending finish off the upper first of course...they sure shoot nice!

BAR,
So which carbine ya thinking? GIve me some thoughts!
I was going with the M231, but found that although DPMS wire stocks were advertised, they aren't in stock (well the ad said discontinued but there was a buy it now button).
So plan two is to go back to an early M16 (semi auto) variant. I was hoping to go with a simple "plug n play" project instead of a total fab job.
I was thinking that this upper would be very light with a wire stock, "pencil" thin barrel and a slab side lower.
Anyone know of some good deals on AR barrels?
I have a 16in SG barrel for another project upper.... Kinda was thinking about a 20in.

Model 1 sales, Bravo Co USA, White Oak Armament, Brownells, Midway USA, Cheaper Than Dirt, check Shotgun News for parts kits with pencil barrels (Sarco comes to mind) and there's a vendor there that advertises different versions of lower, with fence, without,etc new manufactured. Can't remember where I read it, maybe here but someone has a large amount of A1 stocks. Hope helps.

Tom

TD of Mass,
Thanks for the words!
I do a lot of business via Bravo and Brownells...
I was actually looking for a good used barrel. Unfortunately, $$ are high for AR junk!
I will keep looking for A1 stocks.....
I "liked" Tactical Machining on FB, which qualified me for a $10.00 rebate. This will cover my shipping. So I will probably order one soon, and zip off the fences.
Anyone here ever do the spray finishes via spray can?

Back in the early 1970s when I had an FFL, the going price for those slab side AR15 Colt rifles was $219 each in lots of ten. The going rate for a single unit to a dealer then was $229. A pal of mine would buy ten Sterling built AR18 rifles and then we'd trade five for five.

Some of those Colt AR15s without forward-assist were just a hodge-podge of then obsolete and otherwise scrap M16 parts thrown together into complete rifles for commercial market sales. Others that became available to civilians from older stock, were in fact very early AR15 rifles that were built with the intention of easy conversion to M16 military rifles. While working for a defense contractor in the mid-1970s, part of my job was checking in weapons to be used for testing purposes. Would sometimes have a half dozen M16 rifles sitting out on my desk. While munching on a sandwich I'd spend lunch time examining the weapons. Remember being intrigued that on the left side was the rolled Colt logo with AR15 model designation. On the right side was deeply stamped in larger size font "M16 and just below "5.56 NATO". Of course the selector switch on those M16 rifles turned all the way around so to point at "SAFE - SEMI - AUTO".

Those early civvy AR15 rifles had a lower receiver that, except for the selector-switch stop nubs being ground-off, was identical to the selective fire M16 version. To transform one of those first edition AR15s into a rock n' roll genuine M16 was by swapping out a few then easily available internal components.

It's quite interesting to me to see people scrounging around these days for beat up parts in order to "restore" the things into vintage SP1 Colt AR15 rifles.

Capt,
Thanks for the reply.
You are correct about people scrounging these day to make them up. I know that until a few years ago... people were dumping the parts as obsolete, and upgrading to a M4gery. I managed to scroe a few A2 uppers for dirt cheap at local Gunshows due to this. However, after having a few in the safe, and being an avid history buff, I yearn for "simpler days".
I ordered the TM 80% lower today. I should have the upper mated to the lower by the weekend.
It looks like Sarco is out of their "original M16 Stocks".... the hunt continues for both barrels and stocks!

Never bought from them so this is FYI.

Retro AR parts.
Slick side uppers and lowers. (new manufacture)
Waffle magazines.
Retro small parts. Dimpled selectors etc.

NoDak Spud Retro Lowers

NODAK are great folks. I've gotten two retro lowers from them, a waffle mag, and 601 triangle charging handle. First rate stuff.

Guys,
After careful research, it appears that this upper is actually a "604" type. The factor that decides this is the raised lettering for the elevation. Technically a "601" doesn't have any lettering.... whereas a "602" is stamped or engraved. My research was from here:
Build Guide
So the question that I face, is whether to build it as a "604" or "601". I would simply grind off the elevation markings for the later.
I have yet to procure a barrel or stock set.
It appears that a "604" uses a conventional easily had charge handle. Which would save me a Nodak repo.
I have now seen photos of a 604 in service during Vietnam, which gives it a nifty historical precedence.
So whatcha guys think???

I was actually talking about the 610 or 649 because they handle so nice. Something short and handy, not rifle length.

BAR,
Ok... going with that Carbine concept... then we would have a GAU or GUU-5P type carbine.:thup:
I ordered an 80% Tactical Machining Lower and got it earlier this week.
Here we have beside my "604" upper:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...lower001-1.jpg
To "upgrade" the lower, I am going to mill off part of the fence surrounding the mag release.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...GUU5P002-1.jpg
Here is the lower roughed out.....
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...GUU5P003-1.jpg
The FCG is fully machined, and most of the fence is trimmed back. Next up to do is grab my dremmel and clean up the edges and smooth things out.:cheers:

Here is the "mockup" of the GUU using an M4 barrel. According to my research, this was common on rebuilt models. The stock as a UTG 4 position model. I snagged the handguards for dirt cheap a number of years ago. The blue is there just to jack off purists! I don't know if I have a charge handle to complete my build.... but here it is:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...GUU5P004-1.jpg

That's almost exactly what I was talking about. The only thing I'd do differently would be a light weight barrel to keep it light. But that one's probably a fast twist so in these times it might be better anyway. Heavy bullets are probably easy to get around you and it can also shoot whatever comes to hand.

This photo is a good overall of the build. I have ground and milled down the fence around the mag eject. Some minutes behind a dremel gave me this:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ndgun003-1.jpg

Nice closeup shot of the area. While this looks odd, photos confirm that the aluminum is contoured in this manner:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ndgun004-1.jpg

Next up to do is mill around where the buttstock screws into the lower. While this does weaken the rifle, technically this is "correct".
I still need to strip the upper to get it cleaned. It is rather nasty.

BAR,
If I had access to a pencil thin barrel as issued, I would use it. However, I have not found one "cheap" enough... and simply had the M4 barrel handy (and it is correct for late models). But I do wonder what it would be like with a lightweight barrel!:thup:

I often thought about turning an M4 barrel down to the light weight size, but I think the M4 profile is sexy so I just left it myself. We have ours registered anyway so the SBR thing you have to deal with is a moot point. I went a bit shorter.