New Brownells Retro Rifles at SHOT 2018

[Diamondback]

Does the XM have a plastic or metal stock?

MM, it looks like plastic, and a Commercial-spec ("designed to fit both tubes") from what Mike in their tech department told me.

I did mention that the folks who drop hardcore coin for prebuilt retro models might be a little less than enthused by commercial stock wiggling on milspec tube... pity, for a minute I thought my ship had come in finding a stock source for the girlfriend's C8.

[ClassIIIGunsmith]

funny thing is these are cheaper than it cost to build one with nice parts for $100 less. P.S. NDS has lowers back in stock again if you want them in black, just ordered the XM16E1 lower today! (been waiting for 8 months)

[Hulkstr8]

Why would anyone pay $1300 for a rifle that can be outperformed by the same price range.

[Stickman]

Why would anyone pay $1300 for a rifle that can be outperformed by the same price range.

When you were in the service did you have a chance to handle or shoot any of the old M16 or M16A1s?

[Hulkstr8]

When you were in the service did you have a chance to handle or shoot any of the old M16 or M16A1s?

Wasn't in the service, so that's a no.

[Kain]

You forgot the bug juice.

Which bug juice are we talking about? The skeeto repellent or the koolaid?

And to think I sold all my old LBE stuff, but I do got me some tiger strip BDUs. At least I got me plenty of old USGI 20s for it.


Honestly, I will wait for some indepth break down reviews. See how things shake out. I wouldn't mind owning a retro rig, something set up for just iron sighted enjoyment, an M16/A1 or other variant does draw me, don't need to throw anything other than M193 down the pipe, and I do enjoy the hell out of shooting irons on my rifles, it just makes me happy shooting groups with irons that are tighter than the guys with their optics.

[Diamondback]

Why would anyone pay $1300 for a rifle that can be outperformed by the same price range.

Veterans for sentimental reasons, collectors and historians who aren't up for hocking transplantable organs to get a papered select-fire original, guys who have particular aesthetic preferences...

Oddball example for ya: I'm an academic sort with the career goal of becoming a History professor, and since I believe in hands-on learning one of my build goals is a jiggered-to-fail-sometimes-and-work-others A1, so I can give my students the chance to endure some of the SUCK of the Vietnam experience firsthand, albeit with none of the danger. Rebarreling and regassing the Brownells A1 might be a good head-start on the Jamomatic...

Yeah, I'm an odd duck and maybe fat-boy nerd has no business trying to share the playground with the cool kids, but I'm past the point where I really care anymore.

[Circle_10]

I wasn't in the service, and even if I had been it would have been well past the M16A1 era anyway, but I will attest that my A1 rifle clone is a delight to handle and shoot.

[Hulkstr8]

Yeah, I'm an odd duck and maybe fat-boy nerd has no business trying to share the playground with the cool kids, but I'm past the point where I really care anymore.

This is basically me. Particularly the fat part haha, which is why I'm not in the military.

I think it would be cool to be a college prof and hold class at a range/farm to shoot some shit. The education system in this country is highly geared to female brains and some hands on stuff would just be dope.

[Hulkstr8]

I wasn't in the service, and even if I had been it would have been well past the M16A1 era anyway, but I will attest that my A1 rifle clone is a delight to handle and shoot.

That's fair. I would just like a 20" w/ FSB and detachable carry handle w/ rifle length buffer system. Nitride finish, etc. Modernize a good design.