Ode to the 602...

I have been really busy lately, first spending a lot of time with my M1 Carbines (shooting and reloading), then for the last month I have worked 23 of the last 28 days...12 hour shifts with an hour commute each way added. Add to that my frustrated efforts to complete an M4gery for a patrol carbine (for my high country security contractor job), dealing with hysteria prices and scarcities, and I have been busy.

I alluded to this in another thread, but decided it was worthy of its own thread. I decided to take my 602/SP1 clone on patrol since I was working day shift for a change. I already had my range bag and magazines and ammo in the jeep, so it was simple to grab the 602 on my way out the door. The only reason I don't use it for patrol is the Kalifornicating bullet button and 10 round magazines. I refuse to make it "featureless" like my M4gery (allowing me to use high-caps), and spoil its beautiful retro lines.

My 602 is basically a complete Colt SP1, put on a California legal Nodak Spud 601 lower, with early mottled furniture. I haven't shot the 602 in over a year. WOW! I forgot how absolutely wonderfully the retro AR-15 handles, and its light weight, balance, and symmetry. Off-hand at 75 to 100 yards, no can or pinecone was safe. I had a ball, even limited by 10 round magazines and a bullet button. The 601/602 IS the purest form of AR-15, as originally envisioned and designed Eugene Stoner's design team at Armalite. What a weapon.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../10/6022-1.jpg

I tried making it featureless so I could carry it with high caps and a regular mag button, but it was UGLY:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ureless2-1.jpg

Here's some view of what I patrol (Critical Infrastructure Protection), allegedly preventing terrorists from crippling Sacramento's power grid.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9b6771b2-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...848a2080-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1d2e2927-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...66823f4a-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d19cb518-1.jpg

A lot of country up there...I can see why you keep a Colt bolted to you...and a dozen mags.

Beautiful country. Like Maine only bigger. :D

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Originally Posted by imarangemaster

Here's some view of what I patrol (Critical Infrastructure Protection), allegedly preventing terrorists from crippling Sacramento's power grid.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9b6771b2-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...848a2080-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1d2e2927-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...66823f4a-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d19cb518-1.jpg

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I feel sorry for you, but I guess someone has to do it.

That is a real nice weapon you have there!!! Thanks for sharing it! :)

I've said for years that they've taken the "lite" out of Armalite. I'm another fan of the venerable SP1 and M16/M16A1. They don't need everything plus the kitchen sink hanging on them to be practical and reliable.

What a wondeful office you have. The decorator did a magnificent job. Any fish in that river?

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

What a wondeful office you have. The decorator did a magnificent job. Any fish in that river?

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Yep, lots of fish. Trout in several varieties. The lake (Loon Lake, with the Crystal Mountains of the Desolation Wilderness - due west of Tahoe) has Bass, Kokanee, and trout.

---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I've said for years that they've taken the "lite" out of Armalite. I'm another fan of the venerable SP1 and M16/M16A1. They don't need everything plus the kitchen sink hanging on them to be practical and reliable.

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They have taken a lithe, 5.5 pound mean machine, and turned it into a 9.5 pound cumbersome thing with lots of protrusions to catch on things and equipment. A friend had an S&W M&P15 flat top. It had a BUIS, Aminpoint, laser, flashlight, foregrip, stock with extra batteries, three point sling, etc. It weighed 10 pounds with a 30 round magazine....

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Originally Posted by imarangemaster

... [A] lithe, 5.5 pound mean machine...

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0381-1.jpg

This early '70s rifle has had added an old big/small aperture flip rear sight, a tritium front sight, a no trap buttstock, a chromed no-forward-assist-cuts M16 bolt carrier assembly, a three prong flash hider and a push pin in place of the big double headed screw.

ETA: oh, and the most important mod- the tritium front being second- a Geissele two stage trigger assembly!

So it seems possible to "accessorize" without adding weight or reducing utility! I do prefer the round handguards, but that's an easy swap, and again doesn't add weight.

:wave:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmoore

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tuff0381-1.jpg

This early '70s rifle has had added an old big/small aperture flip rear sight, a tritium front sight, a no trap buttstock, a chromed no-forward-assist-cuts M16 bolt carrier assembly, a three prong flash hider and a push pin in place of the big double headed screw.

So it seems possible to "accessorize" without adding weight or reducing utility! I do prefer the round handguards, but that's an easy swap, and again doesn't add weight.

:wave:

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Ahhhhh! RETRO GOODNESS! sweet!

Thanks!
Edited that post a bit since the quote.

I'm just not sure from which group the real threat is coming. Those that think you can effectively defend against a real threat with a neutered weapon, or those who think that those who think such craziness ought not be allowed to do so...

Help me here. What is a "bullet button" and I noticed what appears to be a reverse crown near the muzzle. Never seen one of those. My rifle is a Sp1/Sp2 also. Thanks!

AF,
Well, a bullet button is an attempt in Kalifornia, to make a so called "assault weapon" more safe. In other words, it requires a "tool" to remove a "high" capacity magazine.

AR15 Bullet Button


In this case, a bullet is used as THE tool, to remove the magazine. Whereas the intent of the law, was to require a jack hammer or monkey wrench. Or to make it impossible to actually own the AR....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A. F Medic

I noticed what appears to be a reverse crown near the muzzle

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Early grenade launching attachment which sort of stabilizes the tail of the rifle grenade. Simple, but it didn't last long. Probably because it isn't the best way of doing the job! But that's just a SWAG on my part.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Midmichigun

AF,
Well, a bullet button is an attempt in Kalifornia, to make a so called "assault weapon" more safe. In other words, it requires a "tool" to remove a "high" capacity magazine.

AR15 Bullet Button


In this case, a bullet is used as THE tool, to remove the magazine. Whereas the intent of the law, was to require a jack hammer or monkey wrench. Or to make it impossible to actually own the AR....

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I went to your link and I understand what your problem is. Thanks very much!

Also, the magazine must be 10 rounds or less. It has a Colt 20 blocked at 10. I have high caps that are legal (I had them before 1-1-2000), but they have to be used in a "featureless build" no pistol grip, no flash hider, no collapsable stock.

The spring is for launching rifle grenades (specifically ENERGA anti tank and anti personel grenades) They were used quite successfully in Vietnam on Colt 601 and 602s deployed with advisor in Project AGILE in the early 1960s. They discontinued with the advent of the M148 40mm grnade launchers attached to ARs and M79s (bloopers).

I appreciated everyone's attempts to stay within the forum rules. Well done.

Bob