Colt M16 A1

[CLASSIC12]

Saw an ad for a Colt M16 A1 on Monday. Called the seller and we met today.

He is a soon to be retired 57 y.o. Lt. Col. in the Swiss army. He likes his toys, he also showed me a Thompson M1, a Sig 551 commando, G18, Norinco 56, all full auto, and a multitude of other stuff.

He bought the M16 over 20 years ago, shot it FA a few times at the military range, but hasn’t shot it in ages.

Some obvious wear on it, but rifing is strong, doesn’t seem to have shot tens of thousands of full auto rounds.

I haven’t seen those sights before

One broken tooth

Inside

BCG

Hammer

Furniture

The mag seems quite vintage too, with the metal follower

I think serial number puts production in 1972, although the serial number does not appear

Wonder if it saw action in VN. And how the hell did it land here in Switzerland.

Anyway, seller advertised it at 2500, I offered 2 k round figure. We settled on 2100. The wait for the license begins.

 

[CajunBass]

Wonder if it saw action in VN. And how the hell did it land here in Switzerland.

That's neat.

Perhaps it was captured in SVN, and made it way to Switzerland through the Com Bloc world. But I know nothing about how such a thing might have happened. I'm sure you know more about rather those things are even possible.

 

[canoeguy]

You sure do find some neat stuff over there in Switzerland! Full auto rifles are available here but are crazy expensive, like house buying money expensive.

I'd buy a full auto M-16 A-1 for $2100 any day!

 

[CLASSIC12]

Just noticed these marks, is that a star of David ? Did Israel get US Property marked M16s ?

 

[Dieseltech56]

$2100 for an M16? The thought sounds utterly absurd in my mind

 

[apollo99]

The price of machine guns in the U.S. is unconstitutional. This is due to the amendment added to firearms owners safety act of 1986, which banned any full auto after the signing of the bill into law. If a case was argued in front of the present U.S. Supreme Court, the law would not stand on it's merits. A great argument is that only the rich can afford full auto in violation of the Justices own oath, the second would be "shall not be infringed", but besides all that, great rifle, great price, enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[Rudi]

Very, very cool. Way too expensive for most of us over here. You got a screaming deal.

 

[CptCurl]

Classic12, That's a nice M16A1 and will be a lot of fun for you once you get the license sorted out. Congratulations!

By the way, did you see the Swiss Parabellum carbine I posted several months ago? I thought you might be interested to see it. Here's the link:
DWM 1902 Carbine - 7.65mm ~ S/N 50100

Curl

 

[one eye joe]

Saw an ad for a Colt M16 A1 on Monday. Called the seller and we met today.

He is a soon to be retired 57 y.o. Lt. Col. in the Swiss army. He likes his toys, he also showed me a Thompson M1, a Sig 551 commando, G18, Norinco 56, all full auto, and a multitude of other stuff.

He bought the M16 over 20 years ago, shot it FA a few times at the military range, but hasn’t shot it in ages.

Some obvious wear on it, but rifing is strong, doesn’t seem to have shot tens of thousands of full auto rounds.

I haven’t seen those sights before

One broken tooth

Inside

BCG

Hammer

Furniture

The mag seems quite vintage too, with the metal follower

I think serial number puts production in 1972, although the serial number does not appear

Wonder if it saw action in VN. And how the hell did it land here in Switzerland.

Anyway, seller advertised it at 2500, I offered 2 k round figure. We settled on 2100. The wait for the license begins.

CONGRATULATIONS---THAT'S MY OLD FRIEND. IT LOOKS TO BE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE....

I WISH IT COULD NARRATE ITS INTERESTING LIFE'S STORY......

THANKS FOR THE GREAT PICTURES, AND THE DETAILED INFORMATION.......

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice, too bad that one cant talk as it likely could tell some interesting stories .

On a side note Colt has recently began producing semi auto copies of the old M16A1 and charging about the same price as you paid for the real McCoy.
Colt's Manufacturing LLC

 

[one eye joe]

Very nice, too bad that one cant talk as it likely could tell some interesting stories .

On a side note Colt has recently began producing semi auto copies of the old M16A1 and charging about the same price as you paid for the real McCoy.
Colt's Manufacturing LLC

AAAAHH, THAT IS SWEET ! ! !

IN CIVILIAN LIFE I GRAVITATED TO BUSHMASTERS, BECAUSE OF THE VARIETY OF MODELS, FROM BULL PUPS TO VARMINTERS. I OWNED BOTH--AND SOME IN BETWEEN. AT THE TIME, THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE ORIGINAL FACILITY IN WINDHAM, ME. BEFORE ITS SALE. I KNOW THAT FORMER EMPLOYEES ARE CURRENTLY MANUFACTURING RIFLES FROM THAT FACTORY, UNDER THE BRAND NAME WINDHAM ARMS.....

IN ANY EVENT, I AM A LONG TIME SHOOTER AND FAN OF COLT FIREARMS. AS SUCH, I APPLAUD ANY EFFORTS TO KEEP IT ALIVE, BY REINTRODUCING PRODUCTS INTO THE MARKETPLACE.......

 

[amazingflapjack]

Remove the hand guard and see if it is stamped "Matel Manufactue Co." or words to that effect. Mine did.

 

[jag312]

The price of machine guns in the U.S. is unconstitutional.....

Unconstitutional? How about disgusting? My son wants me to buy a Thompson. Either a 1921AC or a 1928AC. That will happen when my loving son gives me $30,000 to start looking, and I don't expect that to happen in my life time.

 

[one eye joe]

Remove the hand guard and see if it is stamped "Matel Manufactue Co." or words to that effect. Mine did.

LOL ! ! ! ALL OF THE AK-47s THAT I HANDLED IN VIETNAM, WERE MADE IN CHINA..........

 

[Frank46]

After the Vietnam War ended the captured ar's were sent all over the world. Probably some were sent to the middle east and maybe captured where they aquired the Hebrew markings. How it finally made it to Switerland is anyones guess. Frank

 

[stansdds]

Looks like a genuine Mattel rifle.

 

[samandglove1]

With a machine gun license (takes some time, but surprisingly not too hard to get in this state), a full-auto M16 can be had for $18K -$20K. That collection would put you back ~$150K+. Great score, congratulations.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Classic12, That's a nice M16A1 and will be a lot of fun for you once you get the license sorted out. Congratulations!



By the way, did you see the Swiss Parabellum carbine I posted several months ago? I thought you might be interested to see it. Here's the link:

DWM 1902 Carbine - 7.65mm ~ S/N 50100

Curl

I missed your post, and I am glad you linked it here, absolutely incredible gun and knowledge you displayed there.

As a German living in Switzerland and regularly shooting my mil surp 06/24 Parabellum I can certainly relate.

 

[CLASSIC12]

CONGRATULATIONS---THAT'S MY OLD FRIEND. IT LOOKS TO BE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE....

I WISH IT COULD NARRATE ITS INTERESTING LIFE'S STORY......

THANKS FOR THE GREAT PICTURES, AND THE DETAILED INFORMATION.......

Is that you in the picture? Great photo. Even the sling looks identical.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Very nice, too bad that one cant talk as it likely could tell some interesting stories .

On a side note Colt has recently began producing semi auto copies of the old M16A1 and charging about the same price as you paid for the real McCoy.
Colt's Manufacturing LLC

I saw that, the MSRP is actually 400 more. I find that to be on the high side.

SP1 sell for 1200-2000 here depending on condition and accessories. Paid 1500 for mine.

Same with Thompson, bought my genuine 1941 full auto for 2200 three years ago. The modern semi auto only repro by Kahr is sold 2700 here. Pretty easy decision.