Putting together a circa 1960 AR15 (601 model)

[Frederick303]

Well in putting this item together I did learn a few things. Most of the improvements to the original design added weight. The first pattern edgwater buffer is lighter than the post 1966 part, same it true of the very early flashider, upper receiver with bolt closure device, charging handle and bolt release. Not a lot on each part but enough so the end rifle was a few ounces lighter than a circa 1980 M16A1 colt clone.

Second the reinforced bolt release and the buffer were required for the higher port pressure once IMR 4475 and the CR8136 powders were not available, but with the caveat that it was only in automatic fire that a real difference was seen.

Lastly the design changes were all relatively small part adjustments, the basic design really did not change much from the December of 1959 300 production guns to the end of production circa 1983. As a comparison the 1938 M1 was very much different from the 1952 gun, in fact the 1952 gun was quite a bit different from the 1940 original second gas system; it was not until the three prong gas cylinder dimensions were corrected and the deletion of the overly complex keystone op-rod spring set that the gas system assumed its final form around 1941.

I cannot say that having an early version would really be a gun I would beat up, but it was quite fun doing the research with someone else paying for all the bits. The end result looks pretty nice and it should be a decent shooter, I used a circa 1967 chrome chamber barrel and so the extraction force will be less than with an original barrel. The basic bolt/ action dimensions are still being used today, something that none of its contemporary designs can claim. Quite a design, still modern 56 years after the first production guns came off the line

[browningautorifle]

Quite a design, still modern 56 years after the first production guns came off the line

I expect we won't see the sun set on it. Much like the AK.