M16 A2 Clone

[Hammer_Man]

First off I want to address what many of you may be asking, and that is why?? I have serious nostalgia for this weapon, as it is what I was issued in basic training, and my current Reserve unit still has these in their arms room. I've always enjoyed shooting the M16, as I like the sight picture, soft recoil impulse, and overall balance of the weapon. Are there more modern designs, sure there are, but I find the M16 a much more enjoyable weapon to shoot than the M4. When I started this build, I was a little discouraged by the lack of readily available parts, but after searching the internet I found the following pieces for my build:

-Fulton Armory upper (came fully assembled)
-Windham Weaponry 20" govt. profile barrel
-Windham Weaponry A2 flash hider, and crush washer
-Windham Weaponry gas tube
-Knights M5 RAS (eBay find, got it for a steal)
-Knights vertical foregrip (clearance sale at Brownell's)
-Colt Delta ring assembly
-Colt M16 bcg
-Colt lower parts kit
-DPMS A2 stock kit (came with rifle spring and buffer)
-Redi-Mag
-Dbal A3 (robbed from my M4 build)

I bought a Mega forged "Gator" lower receiver from a local gun store (Ready Gunner, Orem Utah). I wanted this specific lower because of its' excellent fit and finish, and as an added bonus Ready Gunner had them marked 20% off. I apologize for the countertop pictures, but my phone doesn't take very good pictures outside. I test fired 40 rounds of Federal 55gr. through it, and as expected it performed flawlessly. This is now my favorite rifle, I'm genuinely excited to have it. I look forward to many, many trips downrange with it.

[BUTCHL556]

Very nice rifle .

[kenny256]

I like it! I personally have no use for it, but I really like to see other peoples stuff and can appreciate it! Looks like a solid shooter, let us know how it does!

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[Hammer_Man]

Very nice rifle .

Thanks BUTCHL556!! I got a lot of compliments on it yesterday, and it's my favorite shooter.

I like it! I personally have no use for it, but I really like to see other peoples stuff and can appreciate it! Looks like a solid shooter, let us know how it does!

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Thanks for the kind words. I realize it's not considered cutting edge anymore, but there's something about these A2 rifles that tug at my heartstrings.

[kenny256]

It does look cool, if I had the funds I would have one in my collection for sure. Variety is the spice of life!

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[Hammer_Man]

It does look cool, if I had the funds I would have one in my collection for sure. Variety is the spice of life!

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Variety is certainly nice, as I find this to be a nice change from the carbines that are so commonplace these days. Not to take anything away from carbines, as they have their place as well.

[markm]

Shoot. I still love to shoot my A2/A3 Field sights out to 500 yards. I have the M5 RAS on a 16" dissipator type gun.

[Hammer_Man]

Shoot. I still love to shoot my A2/A3 Field sights out to 500 yards. I have the M5 RAS on a 16" dissipator type gun.

That's part of the reason I built this, at least what I told myself to justify building it. I now have something similar to what my current unit issues, to practice with so I can qualify "expert" every time we go to the range. Ha Ha, in reality I just wanted to build it.

[Pacific5th]

Looks nice. I went from a A2 to A4 and did not know the Army was putting the rails on the A2’s. Is that a common thing or unit specific?

[Hammer_Man]

Looks nice. I went from a A2 to A4 and did not know the Army was putting the rails on the A2’s. Is that a common thing or unit specific?

I took poetic license with this one, because I have seen A2s in a weapons vault equipped with these rails, however I doubt they were ever taken downrange in that configuration. I have heard stories of A2s being equipped with KAC rails downrange, but my take is that it was not very common and most likely unit specific.