M16A1 color and dates

[Cerberus]

Feet in the photo...even back then.... lol

The picture is edited. My first team leader took that picture of me. I cropped it to show the rifles.

[GRA556]

The M16s made by Colt, H&R, and GM Hydra-Matic all had varying hues of gray all the way through production up until 1982. You will find black M16 uppers, mostly XM16E1 and M16A1, that have a black finish. This was applied through a re-arsenal process. Many of the barrels were changed out during that time as well. I have a XM16E1/early M16A1 upper assembly with a SAK replacement barrel that was a re-arsenal and it is black. You will not find any factory Colt, H&R, or GM Hydra-Matic M16s that are black. Even most of the M16A2s made were of a gray hue. It was slightly darker than the gray on the earlier M16s. Here is the rifle I built with the re-arsenaled XM16E1/early M16A1 upper assembly.

Note: Early M16A1s (1967-1971) did not have forge codes. Forge codes appeared in 1972. The first forge codes (1972-73) were CK and a small number of CM forge codes. From 1974-82, they were CH.




Note: that safety selector has been replaced with a correct M16 selector (modified to SP1 specs).

Who is "SAK" ... ??? Need heard of them ever.

[Renegade04]

Who is "SAK" ... ??? Need heard of them ever.

SAK is Saco Defense in Saco, Maine. They had a one-time contract for the M16A1 barrels. These were replacements for shot out or damaged M16A1 barrels.

Saco Defense was one of the world’s leading producers of small and medium caliber machine guns, cannon barrels and complementary equipment. It is the sole producer of the MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher for the U.S. armed forces, and is in the final stages of development of a next-generation automatic grenade launcher called Striker. Saco Defense products are in the inventories of more than 40 countries; they complement the high-rate-of-fire Gatling-type weapons produced by General Dynamics Armament Systems. On May 11, 2000, General Dynamics and New Colt Holding Corp. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for General Dynamics to acquire Saco Defense Corp., a subsidiary of New Colt Holding Corp., for an undisclosed amount of cash. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, was expected to be completed that summer. Saco Defense had 225 employees at the time.

[scottryan]

I was in the Army from 83-87. Infantry. I recall the M16A1's I encountered and was issued as having a black anodizing on the upper and lower as opposed to the earlier gray-ish color.

No doubt these weapons had been arsenal rebuilt and I wonder if the anodizing color specs had changed from the original 60's specs????????

Your gun was most likely rebuilt and refinished with black arsenal rebuild paint.

The anodizing color on new guns did not change from gray to black until the late 1990s.

[GRA556]

SAK is Saco Defense in Saco, Maine. They had a one-time contract for the M16A1 barrels. These were replacements for shot out or damaged M16A1 barrels.

Saco Defense was one of the world’s leading producers of small and medium caliber machine guns, cannon barrels and complementary equipment. It is the sole producer of the MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher for the U.S. armed forces, and is in the final stages of development of a next-generation automatic grenade launcher called Striker. Saco Defense products are in the inventories of more than 40 countries; they complement the high-rate-of-fire Gatling-type weapons produced by General Dynamics Armament Systems. On May 11, 2000, General Dynamics and New Colt Holding Corp. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for General Dynamics to acquire Saco Defense Corp., a subsidiary of New Colt Holding Corp., for an undisclosed amount of cash. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, was expected to be completed that summer. Saco Defense had 225 employees at the time.

Thank you very much.

[Cerberus]

Your gun was most likely rebuilt and refinished with black arsenal rebuild paint.

The anodizing color on new guns did not change from gray to black until the late 1990s.

Might want to check out post #7 & 9. I can tell you right now, that those rifles were not gray, or so dark gray that they looked black. That 1988 rifle still had part of the DAS stamp intact when I was issued it.

[halfmoonclip]

I have a vague recollection that the lefties in my basic company were given HydraMatics b/c they kicked the brass more to the front than Colts. We're talking 1970, and I also remember the HydraMatics having a slight greenish tinge to their finish. Am I misremembering? Not that it happens much.
Moon

[ClassIIIGunsmith]

I have a vague recollection that the lefties in my basic company were given HydraMatics b/c they kicked the brass more to the front than Colts. We're talking 1970, and I also remember the HydraMatics having a slight greenish tinge to their finish. Am I misremembering? Not that it happens much.
Moon

your not mistaken, heck NESARD/ Sendra/ Drasen made purple hue receivers, Palmetto Armory lowers had a blue hue, and Essential Arms lowers were greenish

[artoter]

I was in the Army from 83-87. Infantry. I recall the M16A1's I encountered and was issued as having a black anodizing on the upper and lower as opposed to the earlier gray-ish color.

No doubt these weapons had been arsenal rebuilt and I wonder if the anodizing color specs had changed from the original 60's specs????????

I was in the Marines from 83'-87', and the first rifle I was issued, was labeled Colt AR-15 on the side. Old school.

[ABNAK]

I was in the Marines from 83'-87', and the first rifle I was issued, was labeled Colt AR-15 on the side. Old school.

Ah, so you're an old(er) bastage like me!

Rifles we had at my first permanent duty station were either Colt, Hydramatic, or H&R. Mine was a Hydramatic. I do recall seeing one Colt stamped XM16E1. No doubt these had all been arsenal rebuilt at some point.