Ode to the 602...

[imarangemaster]

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.



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

Information

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[imarangemaster]

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

[browningautorifle]

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

[Rumpelhardt]

Beautiful country. Like Maine only bigger.

[gsimmons]

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

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

[Midmichigun]

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

[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.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

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

[imarangemaster]

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

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 ----------

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.

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....

[jmoore]

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

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.