View Full Version : Finding an A1 AR
Anyone know if they still make the full size A1's? I saw for sale in gun shop a couple months ago. I couldn't get it at the time but I wish I could have. I know Olympic Arms makes a carbine model, but not the full size.
2021theax
2008-11-19, 16:17
i want a m1a1aberms:):):):):)
The Swede
2008-11-19, 16:20
shut up, troll.
jodevilgod1
2008-11-19, 16:41
What do you mean a1? Like carry handle and two piece plastic handguard? If so yea, DPMS, Bushmaster and probobbly most AR manufacturers still make them.
What do you mean a1? Like carry handle and two piece plastic handguard? If so yea, DPMS, Bushmaster and probobbly most AR manufacturers still make them.
Yeah the one without the windage nob, could be wrong about what its missing on the sights. The smooth triangular grips. Like what they used in Vietnam.
Exothermia
2008-11-19, 18:02
Good question. I'm not sure who is making a correct complete A1 AR-15 any more. However there are a few manufacturers out there making parts like A1 lowers and uppers and I know a lot of people are putting them together.
I know Nodakspud makes a couple different excellent early retro style lowers, and there are various Colt SP1 uppers floating around out there. You could put one together pretty easily I think.
I'm looking for the classic with the pencil barrel and everything else that made it unique among the newer models. Actually I think even the stock is slightly different too. I remember reading a while back ago, that the only reason the barrel was made thicker is because Soldiers were using them as pry bars to open 55 gallon drum barrels and it was bending the barrels. Whether that is true or not I'm not sure.
I'm looking for the classic with the pencil barrel and everything else that made it unique among the newer models. Actually I think even the stock is slightly different too. I remember reading a while back ago, that the only reason the barrel was made thicker is because Soldiers were using them as pry bars to open 55 gallon drum barrels and it was bending the barrels. Whether that is true or not I'm not sure.
^^ I could find that believable, but more likely it was to prevent overheating during sustained auto fire.
Cloaked Dagger
2008-11-19, 20:03
I remember reading a while back ago, that the only reason the barrel was made thicker is because Soldiers were using them as pry bars to open 55 gallon drum barrels and it was bending the barrels. Whether that is true or not I'm not sure.
That's what you get when you use conscripts.
jodevilgod1
2008-11-19, 21:21
Sadly that is probobly true, but the heavier one is more accurate and dosent overheat as easy.
That is a good question! I havent seen one in that configuration in some time, you may have to look for a pre ban one and expect to pay for it! They arent popular these days, there has been a lot of improvements made since then.
I guess it would be cool as a collector gun, but for anything else Id jump into the new tacticool stuff.
I guess I'll have to build one. I'm not too worried about barrel heat since I don't have full-auto and I'm not going to be going through 7 magazines in 5 minutes. I really don't have a need for all that tactical gear on a rifle outside the Army cause am I really going to be needing a PEQ-4 and a scope with nightvision for home defense.
jodevilgod1
2008-11-20, 01:35
Well I prefer the PEQ-2 anyway. ;)
You dont need all that, but things like a nice trigger and free floated heavy barrel sure do help.
Well a rifle is only as good as the person the shoots it. I see all these people with all this high speed shit on their AR's and most of them don't have the laser, iron sights, or optics zeroes in, nor do they know how to.
Back to topic, anyone know where I can find the smooth triangular handguards for an AR along with the lower reciever and the pencil barrel? I guess I'm stuck building one. DPMS doesn't have the parts and neither does Bushmaster unless I'm missing it some how. The upper reciever is the only thing I can find easily.
ilovechronic
2008-11-21, 11:12
Well a rifle is only as good as the person the shoots it. I see all these people with all this high speed shit on their AR's and most of them don't have the laser, iron sights, or optics zeroes in, nor do they know how to.
Back to topic, anyone know where I can find the smooth triangular handguards for an AR along with the lower reciever and the pencil barrel? I guess I'm stuck building one. DPMS doesn't have the parts and neither does Bushmaster unless I'm missing it some how. The upper reciever is the only thing I can find easily.
They still make light weight barrels. You just have to install a light weight barrel.
Yeah the barrel is not a problem, I'm justing wanting the butt stock, handguards, and pistol grip to make it look authentic.
ilovechronic
2008-11-22, 02:54
Yeah the barrel is not a problem, I'm justing wanting the butt stock, handguards, and pistol grip to make it look authentic.
i am sure there is atleast one company out there that makes reproduction hand guards and stocks. The grip real wont matter. You could also modify the newer receivers to give them a retro look, it has been done on ar15.com
Actually the grip does matter if I need it to look authentic, slightly different than the original but shouldn't be hard to get. I'm starting to the A1 more often on gunbroker.com so I guess by the time I get back from this deployment I should be able to by them.
Freelance Tax Collector
2008-11-22, 07:07
I'll bet you could find almost everything you need at Sarco. Seems like they always have that stuff kickin around.
PEQ15 FTW.
Yeah the barrel is not a problem, I'm justing wanting the butt stock, handguards, and pistol grip to make it look authentic.
I once bought a replacement set of all three for my M16A1 through Gunbroker. Ran me about $15 plus shipping, it was supposed to be National Guard surplus or something as it still has some yellow numbers stenciled on the buttstock.