A Rare AR Find

[ST911]

Incredible find.

[MisterWilson]

That is bad to the bone. Thanks for sharing.

[Army Chief]

SN 005700??

Has anyone looked up the production date range to see precisely what vintage that would make this rifle? I dare say it predates a significant portion of our membership base.

Great find .. it's always good to go back and see very early examples of this weapon system, and this one serves as a poignant reminder of not only how far we've come, but also how long the rifle has been in service. It's is a real testament to the soundness of the original design, notwithstanding the rough start in SE Asia.

AC

[Iraqgunz]

My guess is that whomever is handing the weapons thinks all AR's are the same and they just passed it out. The agency who received had an armorer that was apparently on the ball and knew it wasn't normal.

With the money that could be generated by selling this in an auction they could easily buy 2 dozen very good AR's.

Random chance or are they now having to dig that deep after giving so many away?

[chavez_e_chavez]

no rust and looks to be in great shape...armalite was the original builders of the m-16 am i correct??? didnt stoner leave colt and work for armalite???

[SeriousStudent]

......

With the money that could be generated by selling this in an auction they could easily buy 2 dozen very good AR's.

That would be an excellent outcome. The good guys get some much-needed resources, and a piece of history finds an appreciative home.

IG - Would that be possible, under the DRMO program? Or do they have to transfer it back to the original Federal agency?

Thanks for posting the pictures!

[Iraqgunz]

I am not a lawyer. As far as I know military weapons are not in the NFA registry so they can never be transferred or sold. As for the DRMO program it is my understanding that the agency has to agree that the weapon(s) are a "lease" and must be returned whenever it is requested. I believe that they also are not allowed to make any permanent alterations.

That would be an excellent outcome. The good guys get some much-needed resources, and a piece of history finds an appreciative home.

IG - Would that be possible, under the DRMO program? Or do they have to transfer it back to the original Federal agency?

Thanks for posting the pictures!

[SeriousStudent]

Rats, that is a shame. I hope it's current users never have to fire it in anger.

What's the old saying? "If it could talk, I wonder what stories it could tell?"

Thanks for the info, and stay safe over there.

[TOrrock]

Damn.

I know someone on here paid some serious coin for a parts kit (everything less the lower) of one of those.

That's a real piece of history. Just knee jerk reaction I'd say 1962/63 production for the Air Force.

[nickdrak]

I am not a lawyer. As far as I know military weapons are not in the NFA registry so they can never be transferred or sold. As for the DRMO program it is my understanding that the agency has to agree that the weapon(s) are a "lease" and must be returned whenever it is requested. I believe that they also are not allowed to make any permanent alterations.

That's correct. They are effectively on loan, and the gov can reposses them whenever they wish. I've never heard of the gov actually do it, but the DRMO M16's cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise.