My new retro

[jmoore]

Well, I wouldn't...



I'd forgotten how much I like the old version, but you and A square 10's inputs inspired me to shoot mine yesterday (15 April 2011). Slickest action of any AR I've ever used, light, well balanced, and a joy to shoot. Getting hard to see the front sight, but that's fixable (and operator induced- just need new glasses).

For such a light rifle , it still shoots well from the standing position- not that i'm any sort of David Tubb or anything close to it!

[imarangemaster]

Nice build! Is it an original Colt SP1, or is a SP1 "slickside" upper on a different receiver like mine?. Mine is 100% SP1 Colt AR-15 on a stripped JD Machine receiver.

[jmoore]

Colt SP 1 with a neutered (I didn't do it) early M16 chromed carrier and bolt w/o the fwd assist ratchets, an aftermarket forward pivot pin (I hate the screw thing), M16 buttstock, and a skinny 3-prong flash hider.

(Also an "old" Armalite 2 stage FCG.)

Barrel is old chrome chamber w/o chrome bore type. (Colt)

Stupidly enough, this fairly used SP1 has found favor over a few "nicer" SP1s over the years. This one's just nice and slick.

Oddly the above is the only photo I have of this rifle, and the light was low early in the morning, so it doesn't show much detail, sorry!

[imarangemaster]

I was visiting my best friend in Elko NV. He is a fellow firepower lover, so today we made a trip into the desert to make some smoke and fire with the long-guns. He had his mini-14, and I had my retro 604 and a VZ58. The retro has not been cleaned since it shot the 1,500 rounds fired in the Kalifornia desert watermelon 2 weeks ago. (or since the several hundred rounds fired before the trip sighting it in). Did about 300 rounds more today. (WOuld have shot more, but ran out of ammo!). It preformed flawlessly! ZERO failures of any kind.

The ammo used was IMI M-193 ball, and the magazines were Israeli Orlite 30s. Upper: late 70s Colt SP1 1/12" C MP with offset bushing.(everything but stripped lower SP1 Colt) Sights: IRON OF COURSE!!!!! We were using the truck bed for a casual rest, and we were hitting pop cans and PIECES of clay pigeons at 150+ yards with every shot. I actually got a can at about 200 yards with the iron sights. My buddy ditched the mini and started shooting the AR. He shot it almost as well as me. (It was battle sighted 1.5 inch below POA at 25 yards). Hold was a 6 o'clock hold on the pigeon at 150. This is the most accurate AR I have ever fired. I had contemplated selling the slick side upper and using the $$$ to switch it to a retro XM177E2 build, but I am not going to touch a thing! The retro will have to wait until afford to build another upper.

I'm in the second pic with the Cammy NRA hat.

[A square 10]

jmoore , i too have issues with the eyes and the front sight these days , back in the late 60s i had better sight and they worked better , today i use the scope to compensate and allow me to enjoy my shooting , i recommend it as an acknowledgment to our current state of 'experience vs time'

gotta recognize your limitations to overcome them , just me still enjoying life

[jmoore]

Last outing wasn't hideous, especially considering that I haven't had the opporunities to shoot as much in the last year. (Work or dramas)

Zero seems OK (set at ~250yds), but the operator needs help! (Low left shot was called- gotta quit pulling the trigger when I KNOW the shot will be bad...)

[A square 10]

at least your getting out to the range , ive yet to set foot on it since the first of the year , need to not work , load up and go shoot , then feel better and smile , soon i hope

[gulliver62]

Very nice. I would like to have one to extend my US weapons collection. Nice job.

[imarangemaster]

I went a couple steps further on my retro: I got a Nodak Spud slab-side 601/602 lower, M16A1 Upper with Forward assist, and an original early 603 hard chrome M16 Bolt carrier group. The slickside upper and JD Machine lower will come to life as a GAU-5/AA Air Force Commando.

[imarangemaster]

I'll try photos tomorrow. Uploader not working.