Colt M16 A1

[Valmet]

Legend has it that the hand guard of the first M16's was made by Mattel. Some Vietnam-era soldiers vehemently swear that their hand guard was stamped Mattel. Others swear equally vehemently that Mattel had no part in it. It's mostly the stuff of argument on the various gun forums. Snopes has a discussion about it, stating that the first versions of the handgrip were stamped Mattel, and the later versions, while still made by Mattel, were not stamped. I've never seen one stamped, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen . . .

I've never believed that Mattel ever actually mfg'd any M16 parts and most truly knowledgeable authorities hold that they didn't. I don't recall any mention of Mattel in the Ezell and Stevens work "The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective," by CGP.

It's a cool story, but I believe it is just that, a story.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Kinda like how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know . . .

I've never believed that Mattel ever actually mfg'd any M16 parts and most truly knowledgeable authorities hold that they didn't. I don't recall any mention of Mattel in the Ezell and Stevens work "The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective," by CGP.

It's a cool story, but I believe it is just that, a story.

 

[chiefdave]

Note the lack of a shell deflector. Don't try to shoot one left handed and don't trust the flimsy clip on. Didn't even get a T-shirt, just a few scars. That was over 50 years ago and would not buy or shoot an AR until 5 years ago when I bought one with left hand ejection.

 

[6518John]

The only M16 anything actually made Mattel.

The magazine on that thing looks like it would hold .458 Winchester Mag rounds! Those must have been the big bore version of the AR

 

[Gene L]

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. I think the Mattel thing is a rumor. It wasn't a rumor (I don't think) in 68-69, that I heard.) Mine was made by GM, same handguards but they weren't shiny like the earlier ones. Wonderful gun, and very lightweight. They had about a 12-twist, IIRC, for the 55-gr. bullets.

The Army used to publish comic book style maintenance booklets in bright colors and featuring sometimes a busty blonde, scantily clad. Wish I had one now.

The ones we had did not have a chrome-lined bore. Or the chrome bolts. The bolt retaining pin on early ones weren't keys, they were solid pins with a cone-shaped top, but these were quickly withdrawn and replaced with the key. And didn't have a trap in the butt, at least the earlier ones. Maybe later than 1969, mine had a Rubber butt pad. We got a nylon-bag cleaning kit we carried in our rucks.

As posted above, in 67 we trained with the M 14 and my first introduction to the M 16A1 was in Vietnam. In 68. My first one was what we called a Kar 15, which had a short barrel with a big flash guard and a collapsible stock. It jammed, got rid of it.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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. I think the Mattel thing is a rumor. It wasn't a rumor (I don't think) in 68-69, that I heard.) Mine was made by GM, same handguards but they weren't shiny like the earlier ones. Wonderful gun, and very lightweight. They had about a 12-twist, IIRC, for the 55-gr. bullets.

The Army used to publish comic book style maintenance booklets in bright colors and featuring sometimes a busty blonde, scantily clad. Wish I had one now.

The ones we had did not have a chrome-lined bore. Or the chrome bolts. The bolt retaining pin on early ones weren't keys, they were solid pins with a cone-shaped top, but these were quickly withdrawn and replaced with the key. And didn't have a trap in the butt, at least the earlier ones. Maybe later than 1969, mine had a Rubber butt pad. We got a nylon-bag cleaning kit we carried in our rucks.

As posted above, in 67 we trained with the M 14 and my first introduction to the M 16A1 was in Vietnam. In 68. My first one was what we called a Kar 15, which had a short barrel with a big flash guard and a collapsible stock. It jammed, got rid of it.

Yes, the CAR-15 was the original "Jam-O-Matic". Apparently there was not enough R&D done to tune the gas operating system (gas port, gas tube, etc) for the shorter barrel length. The lengthy flash suppressor was necessary because of the extreme flash created by the powder charge, which was geared more toward properly launching bullets through the standard 20" barrel instead of the CAR-15's shorter tube (12" or 14", plus suppressor as I recall). The CAR-15's were very popular with rear echelon units that wanted to look all "combat" everywhere they went (in their starched and pressed camo fatigues and boonie hats, which most combat units never saw issued), but actual combat units wanted nothing to do with them.

 

[Gene L]

We had boonie hats, later camo fatigues....I was a Recon Plt. Leader, (after a rifle platoon leader) and we had to obtain ours by outside the supply line sources for the cammies which weren't standard at the time. I don't know why, they were really helpful.

There were two types of boonie hats...the first was OD and had a narrower brim, not all that narrow, but less than the Cammie one we had later on (and which I still have an example of.) It's brim is a lot bigger and great for keeping the rain off. As I recall, we all had them. And wore them on operations, which rifle platoons wore helmets. Go figure.

I got rid of the Car 15 very early in my tour. It was cool looking, but not very accurate. The only time I fired it in duress, it didn't malfunction...one magazine.

 

[Steve912]

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. I think the Mattel thing is a rumor. It wasn't a rumor (I don't think) in 68-69, that I heard.) Mine was made by GM,

The Army used to publish comic book style maintenance booklets in bright colors and featuring sometimes a busty blonde, scantily clad. Wish I had one now.

Connie PM!

There's pdf's of the old PM comic/magazines, on line.
My AIT rifle at Benning was a GM Hydramatic, too.
I seem to recall one or two guys in my platoon having
what looked like a chrome-plated bolt carrier (with chips
flaked off, here and there). Pushing forty years tho,
might be disrecollecting...

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...?

Definitely seen a lot of carrying, by the lack of parkerizing
(everywhere!) and the worn anodizing, on high spots.

Nice catch, Classic12!

 

[KEN L]

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!

 

[CLASSIC12]

Mattel once made a replica toy rifle. People who liked military arms made primarily of steel and walnut called the issue guns Mattel rifles.

M16's are pretty dull guns to shoot in automatic mode, and full auto rifles and carbines in general have extremely limited utility in that mode. That said, in the U.S. people should be able to own guns made prior to 1986. It's flatly unconstitutional.

To own a "post" example one would have to become a machine gun manufacturer paying a special occupational tax. That's a bit ridiculous. These days you need a storefront to do such things.

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.

 

[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."