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View Full Version : M4-MWS, AN/PVS-4 question


zackn
10-20-10, 15:35
Hi, newbie question. (First post, but I've been lurking and trying to soak up as much info as I can!)

I have one AR (an SBRed DPMS... I know, I'm now realizing the mistake I made there!) and am planning on my 2nd purchase.

I happened upon a cheap AN/PVS-4 night vision sight:

http://imgur.com/Kk1o0.jpg

I'm interested in building an AR that would be an "authentic" build to mate with the PVS-4. I've tried researching what AR weapon systems these would have been issued with, and have found that both the M16A2 and M4-MWS might be correct.

Section 2-9 here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-22-9/c02.htm

and this wiki article showing the M4 MWS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine#M4_MWS_.28Modular_Weapon_System.29

I'm more interested in the M4-MWS, if that would be correct. I already have the KAC rail system with foregrip that I purchased some time in the late 90s.

Would a Colt LE6921 like this one be the one to buy? https://policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5640

Thanks everyone, and thanks for all of the great info here.
C-grunt
10-20-10, 19:42
I think the 6921 is about as close to a real M4 you can buy without springing for the happy switch.
FloridaCreekIndian
10-21-10, 02:45
There is nothing wrong with your DPMS lower. As long as it is in spec you should have no issues out of it.

From the pictures I have found online ref. the AN/PVS-4 you could mount it on a flat top or A2 and be good. A colt 6920 looks like a nice, affordable place to mount one.
zackn
10-21-10, 16:01
Thanks for the info guys.

Actually, the first time I ever fired the DMPS at the range, the castle nut worked loose after I'd only gotten about 20 rounds through the gun. The lock plate slid back, takedown pin detent and spring flew out, buffer pin came loose and got chewed up by the buffer. Weapon completely jammed up and was done for the day.

As an AR newb, this was probably my fault for not making sure things were lock-tited and wrench tight before firing. Being more used to my HK and AKs, I guess I thought that since the gun was brand new that it would be ready to go...

Even if the fault ultimately lies on me, it sounds like this wouldn't have happened with a higher quality AR that has the castle nut staked from the manufacturer.
Failure2Stop
10-21-10, 16:06
The most historically accurate would be an M16A2 clone.
zackn
10-21-10, 16:16
Then I'm guessing that they were most often used with the M16A2, and maybe at the tail end of their issuance were part of the M4-MWS? Is that correct?

The mount included with my PVS-4 was for a built-in carry handle... a thumb screw goes through the hole in the carry handle and up into a block on the underside of the PVS-4. But I know flat-top mounts are also available.
Grumpy MSG
10-21-10, 17:05
The PVS 4 is still being issued. As it is manufactured the PVS uses the hole in the carrying handle on an M16A1/ A2 and a T handle bolt. It can be mounted on anything from M4 to M240 and with the right adapter even on the AT 4. The trick to mounting it on the M4 is getting the rail adapter. I am not sure who the manufacturer was for them. The 6920 (16" barrel) and 6921 (14.5" barrel, need to register as SBR) are semi only versions closely related to the M4 select fire carbines.
Ash Hess
10-21-10, 17:09
Yes, M16A2 is the way to go. We started getting aiming lasers around the time of the M4 change over.
Although, it might be cool to do a a M16A4. Then you could do a carry handle mount on that -4 and then a good sight on a QD mount
zackn
10-21-10, 17:44
Yes, M16A2 is the way to go. We started getting aiming lasers around the time of the M4 change over.
Although, it might be cool to do a a M16A4. Then you could do a carry handle mount on that -4 and then a good sight on a QD mount

What would be the best Colt models to start with for an A2? A4?
FloridaCreekIndian
10-21-10, 23:31
I have been looking online and it seems that the only current Colt products are the MT series weapons that do not come with bayonet lugs or flash hiders. I like the Colt 6520 rifle which is a carbine with a 16" lightweight barrel and A2 upper. Other than that the Colt 6920 model seems to be available at pretty decent prices and it is a close representation of the current M4 issued to the US military.

You can always just buy the parts and build it yourself. Plenty of places still sell the A2 uppers.
zackn
10-22-10, 10:24
The M16A2 and A4 have 20" barrels, correct?

Looking at this chart (http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/variants) it looks like the pre-ban 6500, 6550 or 6600 might work.