Thoughts on the "Original" AR-15, the Colt model (6)01

[imarangemaster]

Some random thoughts on the illustrious Colt Model '01. It earned its wings in ARPA's Project AGILE, being used by MAC-V Advisors in the early 1960s in The Republic of Vietnam.

First, let me preface it by saying that in 1979 to 1981 I was in a reserve Security Police outfit, and I had the good fortune to actually shoot a 601. It was in our USAF SP arms room. It was all original, complete with duckbill FH, and green painted brown furniture. We took it out occasionally on range days and let her rip.

I thought it was actually lighter and handier than the M16A1 I had been issued in the active Army 1974-1977. It was "sleek" and someone else aptly said, it was "Tubular" designed and simple. When you consider the times where heavy steel and wood weapons had ruled the roost for 400 years, the aluminum and polymer ArmaLite platform was truly revolutionary. For the amount of lead it threw down range, it was incredibly easy to handle. Compared to other martial arms at the time, it was much lighter and easier to handle than anything except maybe the M2 carbine - which was more limited in application.

BTW, I worked in the arms room, so I got to choose my weapon. Mostly it was GAU-5/A/A with a birdcage flash hider, then a GAU-5/P Franken Carbine on a 601 (or 602) lower, with a 14.5" 1/12 pencil barrel. Both were slick side uppers, and as I said my GAU-5/P was a slick side lower. Maybe that's why I am so found of "slick sides" and 601s in particular.

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