Building a M16a1 rifle

[waltsfastz]

While at the gun store today I bought a cheap stripped anderson lower. I looked into building an A1 back in the winter and seen I was about 6 months late on the cheap sprotsmans guide A1 parts kit. However everyone is sold out of this kit. What direction to go in now? Royal tiger imports has the stock set for $39 and a colt a frame upper for $39 as well, However they say they have a small crack. Any suggestions is appreciated. Could I Used a new 20" barrel and new parts as well as a new A frame upper with an old stock o would it look Awful with a surplus stock? Where to get parts? Thanks

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I would not buy a cracked upper.
Nodak Spud or Nodak Spud via Brownells is your best bet for an authentic A1 upper and lower unless you go the gunbroker /gunshow route. Another option might be an Anderson etc... lower (cheaper than Nodak but not authentic A1 profile and the colors will not match) and a Nodak A1 upper. There are a few sources for the 20" barrel Delton,Green Mountain, Brownells. The furniture can be had Numrich, sarco and a few others. Lots of fun to build but beware quite addictive.

[BEAR]

According to Brownells page the NODAK SPUD/ Brownells A1 upper will not fit on the Anderson lower. This is due to a depth differenc in the rear takedown lug.

[waltsfastz]

THanks fellers, That sucks about the anderson lowers not fititng? I may look into it and see if it can be machined to fit. My father owns a machine shop and i am fair with a mill.
The cracked upper kinda bother me as well. Im sure I could TIG weld it but it would lok nasty when I got done with it.

[browningautorifle]

The uppers are cheap enough that a cracked one isn't a good choice. You can look a bit and corral all the parts and build one without going substandard.

[imarangemaster]

According to Brownells page the NODAK SPUD/ Brownells A1 upper will not fit on the Anderson lower. This is due to a depth differenc in the rear takedown lug.

NONSENSE! That is a marketing tactic to sell lowers. I have Anderson lowers and have used several different Nodak uppers on Anderson lowers. I am currently using a Fulton (who use the same forgings as Nodak and Brownells) on an Anderson lower for my 604 build. Absolute BullS@*T. I currently have one on an Anderson and it fit perfect. Supposedly the takedown lug is too long. Funny, I've noticed there would have been enough room in the Anderson lower for a D.I.A.S. (hypothetically speaking, if someone had one) when using a Nodak upper. I hate a liar....

[BEAR]

NONSENSE!.... I hate a liar....

I am assuming, sir, that you are referring to Brownells as the liar in your post. I simply took what they said from their web page and informed waltzfastz of their comments. I am glad your circumstances turned out favorably, however I would hate for someone to get burned if Brownells comments are true. Probably no refund due to their comment being so clearly stated on the page.

[waltsfastz]

Im sure he was just referring to the website. Either way I think Im gonna look for an original old colt upper. IF there is a problem (if Im understanding it correct) it is nothing that an end mill wont solve. How do the old solid stocks mount? do they use a standard buffer tube? If so Im gonna start with building the lower with new parts I think.

[browningautorifle]

the old solid stocks

Yes. Standard tube and short screw.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

If you have machine skills and a mill you might think about doing an 80% lower. Not very difficult and quite rewarding. Nodak offers A1 80% lowers.