XM16E1 at work

**Scotter260** · 02-08-16, 22:07

Not sure but I believe there was a freeze (2010ish maybe) on the program while an accounting was done. I'd found out about the freeze from one of our county's use-of-force deputies and he claimed it was due to unaccounted for weapons. Needless to say scrambled to get my info in. The freeze was eventually lifted so I can only assume they caught up with everything.

I can't say I have first-hand knowledge but know of one instance relayed to me by a dealer who has since retired so I have 1/2 of the story. He claimed a chief from the area tried to trade one of the A1s for a new semi-auto carbine. The dealer said,"I had to look in to that and found out it wasn't legal." - no shit, had to look into it huh?

Maybe it's local urban legend but I could see the less knowing amongst us trading off these "old junkers".

**Parachute Pants** · 02-08-16, 22:13

Originally Posted by Scotter260

Not sure but I believe there was a freeze (2010ish maybe) on the program while an accounting was done. I'd found out about the freeze from one of our county's use-of-force deputies and he claimed it was due to unaccounted for weapons. Needless to say scrambled to get my info in.

I can't say I have first-hand knowledge but know of one instance relayed to me by a dealer who has since retired so I have 1/2 of the story. He claimed a chief from the area tried to trade one of the A1s for a new semi-auto carbine. The dealer said,"I had to look in to that and found out it wasn't legal." - no shit, had to look into it huh?

Maybe it's local urban legend but I could see the less knowing amongst us trading off these "old junkers".

That's hilarious, actually. I bet that dealer thought it was a sting operation.

**masakari** · 02-09-16, 00:21

Originally Posted by Parachute Pants

Wow, that's in great cosmetic condition, almost no wear. Is it possible it was refinished?

I'm not really sure how to tell that, but it is a blackish color. Our A1s are that old Colt gray.

**mack7.62** · 02-09-16, 06:21

http://fusion.net/story/6371/fusion-...ssued-weapons/

Here is a fairly recent story on missing 1033 weapons.

**Scotter260** · 02-09-16, 08:27

I don't know this for certain either but I speculate that many items got "traded" between departments. We can also dispose of them by transferring to another department but a Form 10 (think that's the #) has to be completed and submitted. With NFA being such an unknown to most regular folks I could see chiefs or sheriffs not realizing the paperwork angle.

The term "permanent loan" may have also escaped some - "we can trade these old 1911s for flashy new ones" - not realizing the repercussions.

Again, speculation on my part but not outside the realm of possibility.

**Renegade04** · 02-09-16, 17:28

Originally Posted by masakari

As stated above, we unfortunately have to keep them. Shame, I'd love a set.

The upper and bolt are still the same, but the barrel was swapped. Thanks for the info though.
Out of curiosity, how did original parts for these rifles ever make it into circulation?

When they were de-militarized (lower receivers), the rest of the stuff generally got sold off in lots through the DRMO. This stuff has trickled into the market over the past few decades. Last year, Indiana Army Surplus in Bedford, IN started selling a lot of original M16 parts. The original owner had bought crates of these parts over the years and had stored them in his warehouse. Recently, he passed away and the family started going through the stuff in the warehouse. That is when they came across a gold mine of original M16 parts. These were parts from 602s, XM16E1s, and M16A1s. Unfortunately, they did not have hardly any barrels, but they had a slew of the upper receivers, BCGs, stocks, handguards, pistol grips, and small parts for the receivers.

**masakari** · 02-09-16, 23:07

Originally Posted by Renegade04

When they were de-militarized (lower receivers), the rest of the stuff generally got sold off in lots through the DRMO. This stuff has trickled into the market over the past few decades. Last year, Indiana Army Surplus in Bedford, IN started selling a lot of original M16 parts. The original owner had bought crates of these parts over the years and had stored them in his warehouse. Recently, he passed away and the family started going through the stuff in the warehouse. That is when they came across a gold mine of original M16 parts. These were parts from 602s, XM16E1s, and M16A1s. Unfortunately, they did not have hardly any barrels, but they had a slew of the upper receivers, BCGs, stocks, handguards, pistol grips, and small parts for the receivers.

I have a feeling that modern day DRMO won't sell gun parts, unfortunately. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

**ClassIIIGunsmith** · 02-10-16, 07:27

Hope you have all your paper work for that MG. Are you police? Reason for asking is you have a military rifle that they never released to the public but sold a bunch in the late 80's to police stations for pennies on the dollar.

**masakari** · 02-10-16, 08:22

Originally Posted by ClassIIIGunsmith

Hope you have all your paper work for that MG. Are you police? Reason for asking is you have a military rifle that they never released to the public but sold a bunch in the late 80's to police stations for pennies on the dollar.

That's kind of what this whole conversation is about. And no, they weren't sold to police departments, they are loaned.