My new PSA H&R M16A1

[SF VET]

Been thinking for some time about acquiring a clone of the M16 I was issued and often carried in Vietnam as a Captain, MACV, advisor deep in the Delta. I already “scratched” my wish for a 1911 which I usually carried with a nice CMP pistol. So just ordered and picked up PSA’s H&R version; their main store is a short drive from me. Took three days. Was curious how much if any the builder had shot it, so ran some patches down the bore, and they were pretty dirty, so either to make sure it an or to sight it in. Came with one replica mag. Went yesterday to shoot it, was too windy to shoot at my outdoor range, so shot it off a rest at their nice indoor range, 25 yards. Was hard for my old eyes to focus on the front sight, with a little shake too, but was pleased to see it grouped at one inch, with what is likely a good zero for a hundred yards. No malfunctions in about 20 rounds. The trigger is OK, but just over 6#’s, I may put a lighter trigger in it. the chamber and bore are chromed, but the bolt is some sort of grayish coating, not chrome. Three prong flash hider, mine were the later full round end ones. Does not have true M4 feed ramps. Was about $200 more for GI stock and forearm. I compared these to the cheaper plastic ones on another rifle, the latter seemed like “plastics”, mine have a thunk when I tap on them. Rear flip sight slightly left, which is something others comment on. Offered in black and grey, but my gray one is pretty dark. I have lightened up the rifle in the pictures. 1/12 twist, which I wanted as I have a LOT of 55 grain, can order a 1/7 for heavier bullets. Several Magpul mags worked fine. When I handle and shoot it, it just seems right to me.

Now let me see if I can post a few pictures in subsequent posts.
SF VET

 

[TJm15.38]

I would like to see a photo of your rifle. Some years back I put together a PSA full length rifle whic resembles a M16A4. It's a great reliable shooter with reasonable accuracy using the irons or the carry handle mounted Primary Arms red dot.

 

[SF VET]

I will post some pictures when my hosting site is up again.
SF VET

 

[18robert]

welcome back S F.. vet. from nam vet-64

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Your service is genuinely appreciated!

I trained on a polymer stocked M-14 and that was my personal grail gun for years. In 2000 I acquired an M1A with a black polymer stock. I was delighted.

The stock warped during a fire, my buddy replaced it with a milspec wooden stock, I hated it, sold it, end of story.

Enjoy your rifle!

 

[SF VET]

gave up with trying with my new Ipad, so try this with an older computer. and thanks for the above comments. SF VET.

 

[SF VET]

PSA sells a number of variants of these rifles, tests, colors, furniture, Air Force variants, this is the one I acquired. I think I will enjoy some nostalgic times with mine. Not a perfect reproduction, but close enough for me, esp with the internal carry handle. All the best..

SF VET

Just a moment...

 

[M1A4ME]

My rifle in basic (Ft. Jackson) in 1975 was a GM Hydramatic Division rifle. It still had the 3 prong flash suppressor on it.

The Drill Sgts. would sometimes comment about problems they saw with those in Vietnam. Catching on vines in the jungle. Getting bent/twisted when soldiers used them to break/cut the metal straps on pallets of ammo/mortar shells, etc.

Mine worked great for the time spent at Ft. Jackson.

 

[TJm15.38]

That's a great looking rifle. Thanks for posting the photos. Now I want one.

 

[stanmerrell]

It's cool. My son has a couple of these. They are a good way to own something classic and still just as useful as they were 50+ years ago.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

gave up with trying with my new Ipad, so try this with an older computer. and thanks for the above comments. SF VET.

That looks just like my old Colt SP1.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice rifle.
For the retro M16 enthusiast the new PSA/Nodak Spud/H&R retro line has a lot of neat varients that mimic the evolution of the AR15/M16 series rifles and carbines, since PSA purchased the H&R name who actually briefly made rifles for the government , they also mark them with the Property of US govt and Auto markings.
Just like the SW revolver line the M16 had an evolution of small changes in its life that continue even today.
While I'm not crazy about their grey finish especially with the black partsor the quality of their stocks they are about the best mass produced retros out there right now, the down side is that they are still a bit pricey hovering in the $1300 range plus tax shipping n transfer etc considering they sell flat top M4 style carbines for around $400.
They do discount a bit for blem rifles or the black versions.
My favorite is the M16A1 with trap door stock in black and the retro 9mm carbine with 11" barrel and retro style pistol brace.
If the supply catches up with demand and prices drop to about 60-75% of their current msrp I'd be interested, until then I have my old Colt SP1 and A2 varients.

 

[bobsguns]

My rifle in basic (Ft. Jackson) in 1975 was a GM Hydramatic Division rifle. It still had the 3 prong flash suppressor on it.

My M16A1 in basic was also a Hydramatic! I had the birdcage flash suppressor though.

I also bought a H&R repo model after seeing what Brownells wanted for theirs. Yikes!

Mine has been 100% as well as pretty darn accurate using only irons. I can't remember if mine is 1-in-12 twist like mine did in boot camp. I don't think it does though.

Memories come flooding back when I shoot mine.

 

[bobsguns]

That looks just like my old Colt SP1.

Well, that's kinda the entire point, I think.

 

[old tanker]

I am of the opinion that M193 ball out of a 20 inch 1-12 twist M16 was more lethal than M885 out of 14.5 inch 1-7 twist M4...and the M16 weighed less.

 

[Wyo]

I acquired an original M16A1 upper assembly some years ago, but the Sheriff’s office where I got it wouldn't let me keep the lower (I tried, I really did!). So I got one of PSA’s lowers with the appropriate markings to use with it. The color match was really very good and it made for a nice rifle. I shot it today, in fact. Had no problem hitting a 300 yd gong time after time. PSA has really done a fine job with these retro rifles.

 

[ameridaddy]

.... The trigger is OK, but just over 6#’s, I may put a lighter trigger in it. ...
SF VET

FWIW, I've used a Rock River Arms two stage trigger kit for a number of years. Stage 1 ~3.5-4 lb, stage 2 ~1.5 lb, very crisp and repeatable. I'm no Sgt York, but it's been good value for the money for me, and far superior to the heavy, scritchy trigger my rifle came with.