Colt M16 A1

[glenwolde]

Israel got planeloads of U.S. weapons during the Yom Kippur war. Google "Operation Nickel Grass".That's at least one way it could have gotten Israeli proofmarks.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I think the rear sight isn't right...not from my memory. The correct one was a flip-up peep for close and far ranges...different size peeps. But that's the only thing I see that isn't quite right.

On the OP's rifle I notice that the rear sight aperture is different than any I saw on the rifles I was issued. I am not sure why that would be, as the M16A1 featured a folding two-leaf rear sight aperture designed to provide accurate fire to 250 meters on the primary setting, and "long range" with the other aperture (maximum effective range of the rifle was considered to be 360 meters, approx. 400 yards). I don't recall ever using the "long range" aperture; even at range qualifications with targets out to 360 meters I just used the standard aperture and adjusted my aim for the longer range targets.

Thanks for posting! A little stroll down memory lane.

Concur on rear sight. Top edge was round, tho that one looks like it might be flat to clear the receiver, where it lays down...? Would be interesting to see the rear sight rotated back, to see how it lays in, and to show the forward leaf.

Typically, one was marked "L" and the other "0-250" or

"250" (CRS in effect).



The gas ring (?) on bolt looks different, too. Norm was three

thin rings, but that one looks like a single fat ring. Maybe

someone jerry-rigged a replacement, when original rings

wore out, and correct parts weren't available?



Maybe the rear sight is a non-spec replacement, too...?

Thanks to all for the infos, memories and great stories.

The rear sight is a flip-up peep, but one side has this square shape, the other side is round.

There are three gas rings on the bolt.

 

[Gene L]

The butt trap wasn't introduced until 1969, and mine never had it but this one does. I don't remember the rear sight having a flat top on it, but it may have or have been an upgrade. Looks like it's got an aiming notch on the flat top for short ranges.

 

[bummer]

I won’t argue on the utility of full auto fire, but I beg to differ on the fun factor, I had a ton of fun shooting it.

It’s always fun when uncle sugar pays

 

[CLASSIC12]

It’s always fun when uncle sugar pays[emoji6]

I’m sure it is ... but I pay for my ammo, I don’t even live in Uncle Sugar’s land

 

[murphydog]

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.......

Ok, since no one else asked - classic12's gun is the exact one you carried, down to the SN?

 

[CLASSIC12]

F.Y.I., the UI logo on the front of the mag is Universal Industries. They were the subcontractor back in the day that manufactured the 20rd mags for Colt. I bought an AR15 (SP1) new in the box in 1972. It came with (2) 20rd mags, blocked to 5rds. These mags came from Colt with Universal Industries marked floorplates. I still have them. Apparently, at that time, all Colt marked floorplates were going to the military.



That is an awesome looking pair of Colts you have there. I especially like the US Property marking. What does the paperwork consist of there and how long does it usually take to go through the process?



By the way the coloration of the barrel is due to bare metal subjected to high heat. The metal tends to oxidize somewhat during the cooling of the barrel. Totally normal and adds to the overall character of the rifle. Well done!

Thanks for infos.

A special license is required, in fact the law states that automatic weapons are forbidden, but then you can get an exceptional license for them, for collection purposes, same for silencers. It takes 2-4 weeks. The cost of the license is abt $ 150 versus $ 50 for a normal gun license. You must have at least a small collection and a safe. Bolt has to be stored separately from the gun.

Restriction is on shooting them. You also need a license to go shooting and a driving range that agrees to it.

This strongly limits the interest and demand for full auto weapons, so you can find most of them at reasonable prices.

 

[Steve912]

I won’t argue on the utility of full auto fire, but I beg to differ on the fun factor, I had a ton of fun shooting it.

Heck yeah!

Clip one of the clothes-pin bipods on her, push the
buttstock forward till the slack's gone, and let 'er
rip. Yank the trigger back and let off quick and
she'll give you three rounds every time, once you
get the cadence down.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

That is definitely an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) six-pointed star. Only the IDF uses that star with "round points". That's a Hebrew letter in the middle of that star, too. So, whether directly after Vietnam or right towards the end (1973 was somewhat towards the conclusion of the Vietnam War and the Yom Kippur War was that autumn) somehow that rifle made it to Israel. I had a German '98 Mauser that made it to Israel in the late 1940s. It bore the same IDF star but it had all of the German markings removed.

My Class III FFL dealer has a similar rifle but perhaps with a shorter barrel; I cannot recall. It is pre-86 and he claims it is a $40,000 gun today. And that is totally due to the ridiculous law that was passed. Ever so dumb, but in today's political climate nobody is about to challenge it.

As for memory lane, I trained on M-14s, spent years in the USAR with M-14s, and I remember being shocked when I discovered the M-16. When did that appear? Had the Army sent me to the Southeast Asia Tea Party I would have known that answer.

 

[clang444]

The butt trap wasn't introduced until 1969, and mine never had it but this one does. I don't remember the rear sight having a flat top on it, but it may have or have been an upgrade. Looks like it's got an aiming notch on the flat top for short ranges.

The aiming notch is for night fighting. It's darn near impossible to quickly line up a peep site in the dark so you are supposed to adjust the rear site half way between the regular and long range apertures so that they are both at 45 degree angles from the base. You are supposed to look over the sites and use the notch for the rear site.

At least that was how I was trained to do it when I served. I have to admit, when it's really dark you don't see the notch at all.

Both apertures were round on the top when I was in the Army, but they had the aiming notch on them.

 

[Dieseltech56]

I really like the reproduction M16A1. Would it be stupid to pay $2000 for an AR-15?

 

[Univibe]

I really like the reproduction M16A1. Would it be stupid to pay $2000 for an AR-15?

You mean the $2400 outsourced "Colt" reproduction? Probably, since I got my Brownell's M16A1 repro for $800 brand new, and it's at least as cool as the "Colt."