Swapping out Handguards on my STAG 15 Retro

[RedSnapper]

I'd love to get the most traditional looking handguards, the triangular ones, on my STAG 15 Retro. Is there anyway to do that? And/or what is involved in doing that? Thanks. (Yes, I know the STAG 15 Retro is a retro/clone purists nightmare, but it is what I have and can afford).

[bonnie]

Not sure where you want to go with this. The picture is an A2 rifle, or an A4 rifle if it has the detachable rear sight handle. Appears to be an A4 to me. It has the correct hand guards for that model rifle. The triangle hand guards were on the A1 and earlier rifles.

Read the specs on on the Stag Arms site. Appears to be decently made out of good materials.

[Singer B]

Brownells and RetroRifles sells the triangular handguards and retro rifle parts. As it is now, your rifle appears to be correct for an A2 with the handguard. If you are looking for the "M16" look, you are talking handguards, flashhider and upper receiver. I have an A2 clone and I love it. Maybe it would help to define "traditional." Are you talking Vietnam era, Desert Storm era, current military issue,etc? It is beautiful as is IMHO. Changing the drop-in handguards is very easy,especially if you have the special tool do it and there are plenty of videos showing how to do it.

[mrclark303]

I would think the triangular guards would look slightly odd on the heavier profile A2/A4 barrel. I assume the A1 handguards will fit as is, or do you need to swap out the delta ring and front collar?

[RCS]

The first heavy barrel (1 in 12 twist)that used triangular hand guards was the Colt 606, four variations manufactured. I found this upper years ago in almost new condition.

[mrclark303]

Interesting, so the barrel is heavy profile to the 'A' sight/ gas block and then reverts to standard profile.

Would I be right in saying (from dimming memory) that the A2 HBAR had a heavy profile to the flash eliminator, with a different 'A' block?

[browningautorifle]

the barrel is heavy profile to the 'A' sight/ gas block and then reverts to standard profile.

No...it's heavy all the way up. Have a look at any early M16 for comparison.

[RCS]

The Colt 606 heavy barrel was designed for automatic fire and the first attempt to use a heavy barrel on the AR-15/M16 receiver. The twist was 1 in 12 on the barrel.

I have fired this barrel at 100 yards slow fire using a Colt Sporter SP1 semi auto lower made in 1974. Accuracy was the same as the light barrel.

I think these Colt 606 uppers are not common as I really have seen too many over the last twenty years

[old tanker]

You will need to install the triangular handguard cap to be able to install the triangular handguards.

[old tanker]

I should probably clarify that. Both A1 and A2 GI issue rifle length hand guards will normally fit the triangular end cap. Some makers install only the triangle end caps which makes it easy to swap for the style you prefer. If you have the round end caps, only the round fore ends will work unless you change the endcap. This requires removing the flash hider and front sight block as well as ensuring you have the correct hole to fit your barrel diameter.