Colt M16 A1 Carbine

[CLASSIC12]

I bought this one back in September but it took a while to get the special license. I also grouped three rifle on the same license as the local regulations allow it, which took more time. So I only brought it home a week ago. It’s an export M16 A1 that served in Israel where it was likely modified as a Carbine.

It was sold as a former full auto transformed into semi auto. However it appears that the semi auto conversion was minimal : removal of the full auto sear, semi auto hammer and safety lever. The bolt is a full auto model. So I’m considering bringing it back to full auto at some stage. Cost was $ 1500, which is actually cheaper than most semi AR-15 A2 here.

Went straight to the 50 m indoor range

Whereas accuracy was good (I only gave a few clicks to the front sight to raise the POI), it didn’t function well with a several failures to extract and double feeds.

So I decided to get out of my lazy ways and give it a thorough check clean and lube.

It had a strange long buffer tube and a crappy stock. I took it completely apart and inspected it, gave it a good cleaning and lubing including the gas tube which was surprisingly clean, and replaced the buffer tube and stock. I have yet to test it again.

So it’s a bit of a mismatched mutt, lower and upper have different colours (lower black, maybe repainted, upper anodised grey), with various parts slapped on it, but I like it.

And it’ll fit well with the rest of the family

M16 A1

AR-15 XM177E2

M16 A2

ArmaLite AR10

In case you missed those and have an interest :

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/571902-colt-m16-a1.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/589076-colt-car-15-xm177-e2.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/612591-colt-m16-a2.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/621056-armalite-ar10.html

 

[RWPBR]

Nice collection! You have to store them at a range or your club correct?

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Function issues could be due to the semi hammer and full auto bolt not working together correctly .Hopefully the cleaning and buffer change helped but if not try a semi bolt if you have access to one .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The long buffer may have been an attempt to slow the cycle rate and keep it from jamming. You can tune the rifle to "ODD" ammo by playing with the buffer springs and the buffer weight.

Ivan

 

[CLASSIC12]

Nice collection! You have to store them at a range or your club correct?

Nope, you can keep them at home, in a safe.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Function issues could be due to the semi hammer and full auto bolt not working together correctly .Hopefully the cleaning and buffer change helped but if not try a semi bolt if you have access to one .

Thanks, I have a spare one, will take it along to the range

 

[CLASSIC12]

The long buffer may have been an attempt to slow the cycle rate and keep it from jamming. You can tune the rifle to "ODD" ammo by playing with the buffer springs and the buffer weight.

Ivan

Thanks for info

 

[SLT223]

Nice equipment! It's crying for the right fire control parts. I bought an M16A1 back in 2003. Even then it was quite a bit more than what you paid!

 

[Doug M.]

My recollection is that most serious folks use only the full-auto bolt and carrier group. That's what my BCM m4-geries have, and what my spare bolt is.

 

[canoeguy]

Classic12,

With all those carry handle rifles, you might like a genuine G.I. M-16 A1 rifle rack. I don't know if these are available in Europe being they are a U.S. surplus thing, but they make a great display for carry handle rifles:



They used to be cheap as can be at surplus stores here in the States, like $15, now they are more like $100. You have to find one at a surplus store as shipping is expensive if you buy one online, like $200. Other rifles like Ruger 10/22, Mini 14, M1 Carbines, 20" barrel shotguns can be locked up in this rack.

 

[Rodan]

Very nice, and an unbelievable price to those of us in the U.S.!

Something you should check is the extractor spring and buffer. With a rifle of this age and use, they are likely to be worn out, and that will cause spotty extraction and the resultant double feeds.

 

[JohnRippert]

I have pretty much all the parts needed to build one just like that but it certainly will not have a Colt M16A1 receiver. Nice.

 

[CLASSIC12]

After replacing the buffer, spring and tube and cleaning / lubing it properly, it ran like a champ, 100 rds without a single hiccup

50 m indoor range

I also bought four second hand Israeli 10 rds mags, the ran flawlessly too

 

[CLASSIC12]

Classic12,

With all those carry handle rifles, you might like a genuine G.I. M-16 A1 rifle rack. I don't know if these are available in Europe being they are a U.S. surplus thing, but they make a great display for carry handle rifles:



They used to be cheap as can be at surplus stores here in the States, like $15, now they are more like $100. You have to find one at a surplus store as shipping is expensive if you buy one online, like $200. Other rifles like Ruger 10/22, Mini 14, M1 Carbines, 20" barrel shotguns can be locked up in this rack.

Very nice racks, thanks , but I doubt I can find one here in Switzerland