Black Beauty II: My Retro 653 Carbine Build is done

[imarangemaster]

Alright, black Anderson A2 lower with an early round forge Colt 603 upper, Ceracoated black, with a Del-Ton 16" Pencil barrel. Right now with a Californication legal bullet button and 10/20 Colt magazine. I am still waiting on the M16A1 birdcage flash hider Boiywonder777 sent, so I used my California legal CAV break. I couldn't wait to finish it and show off my baby. It will be a perfect companion for my 604 Black Beauty with an Anderson lower and Fulton upper.

I will probably run it California "Featureless" with a Kydex wrap, the CAV break, and the stock pinned, so I can use my grandfathered high-caps.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nice. Hope to have the 651 completed soon. Hop it turns out as well.

[imarangemaster]

Very nice. Hope to have the 651 completed soon. Hop it turns out as well.

Cool, would love to see it! I thought of doing a 651, but I had the Colt N1 style stock already, so I went that way.

[imarangemaster]

Range report. Forest Service lands up here are insanely dry, so I took the 653 build to the local indoor range to at least "battle sight it at 25 yards until I can do an outdoor range some day. At least then it will be on the paper at 100. I used the old style M16/M14 25 yard target like I used in basic , a rectangle with a notch out of the bottom. POA is 6 o'clock on the notch and POI is 1" below the notch.

Best groups were 1/2" to 3/4". I think the shorter sight radius (than the 20" retro that shot one hole) made a difference, along with bad lighting (with some burnt out overheads). Ammo was Federal 223, Federal Lake City 5.56, and my 55 grain reloads using IMR4198 and IMR4064 Carbine worked flawlessly. I really like this better than my flat top M4gery. No pics, as I had forgot my cell phone in the car.

[browningautorifle]

I too always liked the irons. Our C79 was never my favorite. I don't mind the Aimpoint for the red dot but would rather have an ACOG for it's standing retical pattern. Very solid optic too. My eyes aren't what they used to be...for irons.

[imarangemaster]

I too always liked the irons. Our C79 was never my favorite. I don't mind the Aimpoint for the red dot but would rather have an ACOG for it's standing retical pattern. Very solid optic too. My eyes aren't what they used to be...for irons.

Sadly, I have to agree... As much as I love irons, I really do need a red dot! Getting old is heck!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

At long last 651 is complete. Almost. The rear takedown pin and or the rear lug on the upper will require a bit of work (fit is a smidge off). Otherwise quite pleased. Colt upper,barrel,BCG etc..
The Duracoat Colt Grey is a much better match than I had anticipated. Love the 14.5 with th pinned & tigged extended flash hider. Sorry for the lack of photos my battery died.
Would be glad to post more if anyone is interested.

[browningautorifle]

(fit is a smidge off).

Not that unusual. I've had a few like that and it's just a matter of a chainsaw file to get the pin through. Use the nylon hammer for finding how much is needed, usually not much. Also depends on how tight you want it. (You probably know all this anyway...)

By the way, lookin' mighty fine. Time to take 'er out and warm it up? Right about 300 rds ought to do...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I was able to Tetra Grease and nylon hammer coax the pin in. I had another with the same issue & carry an oak dowel to drive it out until it wears in. I like the way it feels and hope it shoots as well.

[MinerJohn]

Very nice!