Colt 601 Build

[Madcap]

It's been a while since my last post after completing a M12 Trench Gun repro build and now interest in retro AR15's has bitten.

I've been lucky to acquire an early original USAF complete Colt 604 upper that I hope to complete into a semi-auto legal version. PSA and H&R seem to be one of the best options for lower receivers but don't seem to offer clone M16 stripped lowers that I find. So far that would seem to be the closest possible period option if they had them.

As a note, the early style rear sight on this receiver has no "Arrow" on the receiver frame around the windage drum and the drum has no arrow indicator either. I think some of the windage drums had a direction arrow included with the numbers if the direction arrow wasn't visible on the receiver which seem to be the most common.

I'll look forward to any advice, info or experience that might help with the project. I'll also try to post some photos.

Thanks,

Dick

Information

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[Sapper740]

Depending on whether you're doing an 'Early' or 'Later' Colt 604 you have a choice in partial or full fence lower and a three prong or birdcage flash hider. Yes, I believe the rear sight had the arrow. If you do an "Early" version a waffle mag wouldn't be out of place.

[Madcap]

First choice would be an early 604 version with the partial fence and three prong flash hider. I'm having difficulty finding a photo reference of a windage drum with arrow.... they must be out there somewhere. Meantime I'll be looking around a fairly decent "D" stock but they're getting hard to find at a decent price anymore, but it is what it is. I don't care to much about an original buffer or Waffle mag at this point but will keep the options open if something comes available. For the BCG I may temporarily donate an H&R non-serrated chrome bolt from an H&R USAF Slick Side upper.

That's about it for now - thanks for the interest you guys

[browningautorifle]

I'm having difficulty finding a photo reference of a windage drum with arrow....

I have a link here might help... Page Title

Also an Apex gun parts page showing almost complete rifles...for an example. https://www.apexgunparts.com/colt-60...t-rcvr-gd.html

[Madcap]

Is it too late to change the thread title to Colt 601 Build...?

Found a correct windage drum (repo) with arrow from AR15SPORT.COM - super pleasant guy to talk with and helped discover what I have is an original Colt 601 upper. I hope to find a method to remove whatever black paint was used to cover the original grey anodizing. After that to do justice by finding the best available option for a lower receiver.

Dick

P.S. excellent link - found good info on the 601 thanks Jim

[SNAFU22]

I bought one of these a while back for my future 601 project.

Slick Side A1 Upper Receiver, Stripped | Luth-AR

[Madcap]

If there's any Nodak Spud lower receivers available anywhere that would be my first choice. H&R (PSA) 601 would be fine but they have their trademark logo on it. If there's no luck finding an original former NDS lower I guess I'll have to go with the H&R.

[Sapper740]

If there's any Nodak Spud lower receivers available anywhere that would be my first choice. H&R (PSA) 601 would be fine but they have their trademark logo on it. If there's no luck finding an original former NDS lower I guess I'll have to go with the H&R.

I put my M16A1 parts kit on an NDS lower to build a Colt 603. Last I heard 3 years ago JJE acquired Nodak Spud LLC and made it a subsidiary of Harrington & Richardson. Mike Wetteland, one of the NoDak Spud co-owners was made CEO of H&R. NoDak Spud ceased all operations at their Edina MN facility and moved to West Columbia SC causing a delay in getting orders out. Shooters had been complaining about lengthy waits on backorders but in all honesty I haven't followed No Dak Spud's progress recently.

[Madcap]

Yea, I'm aware of NDS moving in with PSA. I've got an H&R receiver and pleased with the quality and customer service. The problem is the H&R trademark logo detracts too much from the lower if trying to build anything but an "H&R" period AR clone. Original NDS lowers allowed the option of adding what you preferred. An H&R "601" is available on PSA and I think probably that will be the only option for now.

[Madcap]

tHE MORE i THINK ABOUT IT,

---------- Post added at 09:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 PM ----------

The more think about it, I'd like to go with a 601 with the green furniture. If I can locate a of Brownells Retro set and paint it green that would be something less common. Whether it's possible I don't know. It could get expensive with all the correct hardware, etc. - just a possible thought. I do have an original upper even though the barrel is 1:12..........I don't know maybe stick to an upgraded 601.