Ultimate M4A1 type build (Warning not a clone.)

Printable View

06-19-23, 20:52
Hammer_Man

Ultimate M4A1 type build (Warning not a clone.)

This is a build I’ve circled back around to about three times now. The idea was to build the best M4 pattern carbine I could, sparing no expense. I started with a new Colt cage code upper, and a Colt SOCOM barrel. The handguard is the now discontinued KAC carbine length FF RAS. It’s my go to 7” full float handguard. I have no doubts about its’ construction or durability. I had John Thomas pin and weld a Surefire 4 prong flash hider to it so I could mount my RC2 suppressor. The bolt carrier is an LMT full auto enhanced, and the bolt is genuine Colt. Charging handle is a PRI Gas Buster. The lower is a custom unit from MOA Customs, finished with a genuine Colt LPK. The rest of the lower parts are a Geissele SSP trigger, CQD end plate, Colt 4 position receiver extension, Colt carbine recoil spring and H2 buffer. For extra cool points, I installed a KAC trigger guard and KAC backup rear sight. Lastly, I outfit the carbine with a Vortex 3-18 Strike Eagle in a Sphur QD mount (leftover from an abandoned 6.5 Creedmoor project), an Atlas bipod, and Surefire M600V weapon light.

The scope is overkill for this carbine, but it’s nice to have the available magnification. So far I’ve run about 500 rounds through it without any hiccups. I haven’t shot it past 300 yards, but I’m finding it really easy to make solid hits at that distance. Overall I’m very satisfied with how this turned out. Like I said at the beginning, I’ve built this exact carbine at least 3 or 4 times before. My gun ADHD, and financial issues a year back prompted me to sell off the previous builds. Now that KAC has abandoned their retro handguards I plan to keep this one. If anything, I’ll eventually mount a LPVO of some kind to it, and move the Strike Eagle to my next 6.5 gun. Till then this will be a fun range toy, and my go to bump in the night gun.

https://i.imgur.com/OJPjjmJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KL8ihAG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zVatFVA.jpg
06-19-23, 21:53
Disciple

Your "bump in the night gun" has a 3-18 and no offset sights? Will you store it with the scope unmounted?
06-19-23, 23:38
Hammer_Man

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple

Your "bump in the night gun" has a 3-18 and no offset sights? Will you store it with the scope unmounted?

Yup. It’s a QD mount, and it seems to hold zero just fine.
06-20-23, 06:37
AndyLate

In a way, it's a better clone than my "M4" built on a LMT carbine. Not gonna lie, I am just happy to see a custom build in the Custom Build section :D
06-20-23, 10:27
markm

I like it. We put an Atlas on my SOCOM with QRF rail and our buddy was disturbed because that's not a standard military configuration, MOD H whatever clone nonsense. WTF? It works great!
06-20-23, 13:10
Hammer_Man

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyLate

In a way, it's a better clone than my "M4" built on a LMT carbine. Not gonna lie, I am just happy to see a custom build in the Custom Build section :D

LMT is part of the holy trinity of manufacturers: Colt, KAC, and LMT. No kidding about the build threads as of late. I’m just doing my part to put this section back on track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

I like it. We put an Atlas on my SOCOM with QRF rail and our buddy was disturbed because that's not a standard military configuration, MOD H whatever clone nonsense. WTF? It works great!

I like it a lot. I could have used a Harris, but I’d be pretty close to the cost of the Atlas by the time I set it up with the Badger picatinny mount, and Pod Loc that I like. The SOCOM barrel is one of my favorites, I haven’t had a bad one yet.
06-22-23, 08:08
CPM

Not quite my tempo.
06-22-23, 09:01
markm

We do prefer the 20 rd USGI mags on these (or any) bi pod AR set up. 30s get too cumbersome.
06-22-23, 18:52
Hammer_Man

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

We do prefer the 20 rd USGI mags on these (or any) bi pod AR set up. 30s get too cumbersome.

I have 20 rounders, they weren’t in my range bag that day. The bipod extended far enough that it didn’t matter, even with the Ranger plates on the bottom.
06-23-23, 02:02
bryan1211

Super cool build!
06-28-23, 06:31
gaijin

Good looking Carbine. I like it.
I’d go with an LPVO of some flavor.
07-06-23, 18:34
ABNAK

Nice piece!

My M4A1 clone is one of the "2013" (although I bought it in 2018) Colt M4A1's, U.S. Government Property marked. It has the original Colt FH with spacer pinned and welded, all factory stuff. Knight's carbine RAS, Matech BUIS. It remains unfired as I thought it *might* be worth something one day, but who knows. If needed (to keep with the gubment issue trend) I have a NIB Aimpoint M4, or an ACOG I could pull from another.
07-12-23, 14:27
Hammer_Man

Thanks for the compliments guys. An LPVO is something I’d love to play with, but funds are a bit tight at the moment. I’ll say this though, I’ve let a few friends shoot it, and they’ve all been impressed with how soft it shoots. I attribute that to the LMT enhanced carrier, and H2 buffer.

@ABNAK - I kick myself for selling my factory Colt M4A1. Mine had the 16” SOCOM barrel, but everything else was the same.
11-13-23, 19:02
Rngr188

Those rails are crazy money now, if you can find one, I paid more than I should have for a new RAS takeoff.
11-21-23, 17:04
AdalinesDad

I wish I could find one of those handguards for a Metal Gear Solid 4 build. Very nice!
12-19-23, 01:47
Honest Abe

If your budget is tight and you want an excellent LPVO with red dot and German reticle $159=https://www.alpenoptics.com/products...8e3f0247&_ss=c

I have one on my Colt HBAR and have shot service rifle at 200 yards with it...great scope for the money...the red dot is good and I love the reticle..great clarity and a solid scope. Get one and you will thank me!
12-21-23, 10:29
Hammer_Man

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rngr188

Those rails are crazy money now, if you can find one, I paid more than I should have for a new RAS takeoff.

Trust me I know, I paid more than retail for this rail, but I knew it would be my last chance to get one. It’s one of my favorite carbine hand guards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdalinesDad

I wish I could find one of those handguards for a Metal Gear Solid 4 build. Very nice!

Thanks for the compliment. I would recommend searching Gunbroker, as it seems to be the only place these pop up. Just be prepared to spend a metric crap ton of money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honest Abe

If your budget is tight and you want an excellent LPVO with red dot and German reticle $159=https://www.alpenoptics.com/products...8e3f0247&_ss=c

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I’m going to grab a Leupold Mark 3, or a used Mark 4 1-5.