When was the round forward assist first used?

[RBruce]

Was there a transition period or overlapping of the teardrop and round forward assist knob? --TIA

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[BillyCorps]

Was there a transition period or overlapping of the teardrop and round forward assist knob? --TIA

My father was in the USMC in 1969 and was in Vietnam in '69 . when he first arrived "in country" he was given a M16 with no forward assist and he had the three prong flash hider, a few months in and he was then given a new M16 with the tear drop FA and a bird cage flash hider. In 1980 the 16A2 was adopted mainly because of changes that the Corps wanted such as a longer buttstock and a rear sight with windage and elevation.
I can't say for sure but I believe it was 1980 when the round FA was adopted

[Al Diehl]

I never seen a round one on anything prior to the M16A2 so, I say no to a transition period.
The Marines adopted the A2 in 1983 and the Army in 1986.

Al

[BillyCorps]

I never seen a round one on anything prior to the M16A2 so, I say no to a transition period.
The Marines adopted the A2 in 1983 and the Army in 1986.

Al

Your correct with 1983, I meant to write early 1980's so I apologize for any confusion on my part. It was around 1987 when the A2 pretty much wiped out any issued A1's .

I don't believe there ever was a round forward assist before the A2 so I'm not sure what you mean by " transition period" is that from something I said or from some where else?

[Al Diehl]

I think that he was wondering if there was a period where you would have either seen round ones on A1s or, Teardrops on A2s. If there ever was it would have been a 3rd shop diddle.

I do know that when the A2 was adopted we received round replacement handguards and buttstocks with spacers to use on our A1s long before we ever seen an A2.

A side note, I was watching some news show back in 1980 something and they showed either a Thai or a Cambodian carrying a brand new A2 (CIA issue?) and it ****ed me off because we were still being issued beat to death A1s.

Al

[RBruce]

Thanks all. Al, yes that was my question. I'm putting together a replica A1. It will have a 1/9 barrel, but I've seen several sources which mention and show pictures of late 1960s M16A1 HBARs. They have the light heavy barrels and bird cage flash suppressors. Can't afford a SP1.

[Bill Hollinger]

I think that he was wondering if there was a period where you would have either seen round ones on A1s or, Teardrops on A2s. If there ever was it would have been a 3rd shop diddle.

I do know that when the A2 was adopted we received round replacement handguards and buttstocks with spacers to use on our A1s long before we ever seen an A2.

A side note, I was watching some news show back in 1980 something and they showed either a Thai or a Cambodian carrying a brand new A2 (CIA issue?) and it ****ed me off because we were still being issued beat to death A1s.

Al

My old room mate was in the Marine Corps in the early 80s and he told me his issued rifle was mix of slab-side M16 and M16A1 with round hand guards and an A1 butt stock. He called it a "commemorative model" because it had no finish left on it and looked almost chrome in places. He also said he could turn it on it's side and shake the crap out of it and the take down pins would fall out.

I have a late mid 90s Olympic Arms A2 with a tear drop FA.

[BillyCorps]

After months and months I got my final A1 parts in a few days ago, last night I duracoated in black tactical T-1, my A1 upper with out shell deflector, A1 stock with rubber pad, no trap door, and Triangular handgaurds. It came out awesome and I finished putting it all together today. It took forever to get the correct parts I wanted but it was well worth it. I love my new A1 build. Its the exact same A1 my father used in the Corps in '69 Vietnam except the lower is a new version.

No need for a SP1 just do as I did and it takes time but its cheaper then a SP1

Here's a pic

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Thanks all. Al, yes that was my question. I'm putting together a replica A1. It will have a 1/9 barrel, but I've seen several sources which mention and show pictures of late 1960s M16A1 HBARs. They have the light heavy barrels and bird cage flash suppressors. Can't afford a SP1.

[Bill Hollinger]

Billy, I have absolutely no idea what you are doing wrong with these photos. I do see you are ending up with a [/URL][/IMG] at the end so you are clicking something wrong from what I posted on your other thread.

When I pull your post up this is what the picture looks like without the spaces:

[ IMG] http :// www .milsurps . com/ [ /IMG ] [ /URL ] [ /IMG ]

[RCS]

I have a Colt 606 upper which I believe is the first heavy barrel used, it has the 1 in 12 twist too and without the forward assist and birdcageAttachment 54150Attachment 54151Attachment 54152Attachment 54153