M16 A2 Clone

[Circle_10]

The 20" barrel, fixed stock AR still has a lot of merit in my opinion, perhaps in particular as an "all purpose" rifle for civilian use.

[3ACR_Scout]

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.

I looked through photos of my Cavalry Troop at Fort Hood from Fall 2006, and nearly all of our A2s had KAC rails on them. I only saw a handful with the old plastic handguards. Those guys definitely deployed to Iraq with those rifles in 2007 after I left the unit, although I think they were plussed up with M4s in country. I’m not really sure why we had the rails, because no one even had vertical grips mounted, let alone any time of laser or light, in those training photos. The rails were basically just adding more weight to the rifles with no benefit.

One other thing to add: if you’re cloning an FN M16A2, don’t ever worry about mismatched uppers and lowers. I have photos from our unit of gray uppers with black lowers, purplish uppers, uppers with most of the finish worn off while the lower still looks pretty fresh, etc. These are all rifles that are in a fairly small serial number range, so I’m not sure if maybe some of them were partially refinished when they were reset or if FN just grabbed a bunch of mismatched parts from different sources.

[Hammer_Man]

I looked through photos of my Cavalry Troop at Fort Hood from Fall 2006, and nearly all of our A2s had KAC rails on them. I only saw a handful with the old plastic handguards. Those guys definitely deployed to Iraq with those rifles in 2007 after I left the unit, although I think they were plussed up with M4s in country. I’m not really sure why we had the rails, because no one even had vertical grips mounted, let alone any time of laser or light, in those training photos. The rails were basically just adding more weight to the rifles with no benefit.

One other thing to add: if you’re cloning an FN M16A2, don’t ever worry about mismatched uppers and lowers. I have photos from our unit of gray uppers with black lowers, purplish uppers, uppers with most of the finish worn off while the lower still looks pretty fresh, etc. These are all rifles that are in a fairly small serial number range, so I’m not sure if maybe some of them were partially refinished when they were reset or if FN just grabbed a bunch of mismatched parts from different sources.

Thanks for the insight, it's greatly appreciated. I use use my rail to mount my laser device, and my weapon light. The laser seems to hold a zero just fine, no issues with the non free floated handguard so far.

[FightinQ]

This thread has reminded me that my assembled A2 clone that's still without an A2 upper needs to be finished one day. The 603 next to it is a fully working retro build using mostly modern parts as the source for parts has dried up a lot but the Type E stock and upper are the real deal, feels weird now without the A2 next to the A1. I was issued both along with the A4 and the M4. Never liked the A2 because of it's target sights that was on a rifleman's tool or the longer stock and for the longest resisted the idea of actually having one.


The A1 is for show and tell, and now I am starting to realize that I was wrong letting my biases control me; The A2 will be for show and tell also just like the A1 and I have better more modern tools at my disposal god forbid should the need arise.

[Renegade04]

This thread has reminded me that my assembled A2 clone that's still without an A2 upper needs to be finished one day. The 603 next to it is a fully working retro build using mostly modern parts as the source for parts has dried up a lot but the Type E stock and upper are the real deal, feels weird now without the A2 next to the A1. I was issued both along with the A4 and the M4. Never liked the A2 because of it's target sights that was on a rifleman's tool or the longer stock and for the longest resisted the idea of actually having one.


The A1 is for show and tell, and now I am starting to realize that I was wrong letting my biases control me; The A2 will be for show and tell also just like the A1 and I have better more modern tools at my disposal god forbid should the need arise.

As someone used to say, "Get 'er done". Model 1 Sales, Fulton Armory, and JSE Surplus are three good sources for A2 upper receivers.

http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm...ategory_id=414

https://www.fulton-armory.com/upperr...ra2usgi-1.aspx

https://www.jsesurplus.com/a2upperreceiver.aspx

Windham Weaponry is a great source for the barrel kit.

https://shop.windhamweaponry.com/product/kit-ba20gvt-7/

[prdubi]

No bayonets...

Come on guys..

The beauty of the a2 a4 setup is attaching the m9 to it.

You don't need anything else in this world after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Hammer_Man]

This thread has reminded me that my assembled A2 clone that's still without an A2 upper needs to be finished one day. The 603 next to it is a fully working retro build using mostly modern parts as the source for parts has dried up a lot but the Type E stock and upper are the real deal, feels weird now without the A2 next to the A1. I was issued both along with the A4 and the M4. Never liked the A2 because of it's target sights that was on a rifleman's tool or the longer stock and for the longest resisted the idea of actually having one.


The A1 is for show and tell, and now I am starting to realize that I was wrong letting my biases control me; The A2 will be for show and tell also just like the A1 and I have better more modern tools at my disposal god forbid should the need arise.

I never had the privilege of carrying an A1, I suspect I would have really liked them if I did. Initially I disliked the A2s, because the one I carried in basic was beat up, and not as cool as an M4. However, over the years I've come to appreciate the A2 immensely, and it is now my favorite shooter. I'm really tempted to sell my carbines, but I'll keep my block 1 clone for show and tell.

As someone used to say, "Get 'er done". Model 1 Sales, Fulton Armory, and JSE Surplus are three good sources for A2 upper receivers.

http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm...ategory_id=414

https://www.fulton-armory.com/upperr...ra2usgi-1.aspx

https://www.jsesurplus.com/a2upperreceiver.aspx

Windham Weaponry is a great source for the barrel kit.

https://shop.windhamweaponry.com/product/kit-ba20gvt-7/

I've quite happy with my Fulton upper/Windham barrel combo so far, it's quite accurate if I do my part.

No bayonets...

Come on guys..

The beauty of the a2 a4 setup is attaching the m9 to it.

You don't need anything else in this world after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Eventually I'll get an M9 bayonet, but I have so many other priorities right now.

[FightinQ]

As someone used to say, "Get 'er done". Model 1 Sales, Fulton Armory, and JSE Surplus are three good sources for A2 upper receivers.

http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm...ategory_id=414

https://www.fulton-armory.com/upperr...ra2usgi-1.aspx

https://www.jsesurplus.com/a2upperreceiver.aspx

Windham Weaponry is a great source for the barrel kit.

https://shop.windhamweaponry.com/product/kit-ba20gvt-7/

Thanks for the source of parts but I'm already leaning on an email alert from PSA when it comes back in stock.


@prdubi, when mine is complete, I will for sure see about purchasing for myself an M9 bayonet for it. I have a gut feeling that my A1 doesn't want to share it's M7 with any A2, heh.

[Hammer_Man]

As someone used to say, "Get 'er done". Model 1 Sales, Fulton Armory, and JSE Surplus are three good sources for A2 upper receivers.

http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm...ategory_id=414

https://www.fulton-armory.com/upperr...ra2usgi-1.aspx

https://www.jsesurplus.com/a2upperreceiver.aspx

Windham Weaponry is a great source for the barrel kit.

https://shop.windhamweaponry.com/product/kit-ba20gvt-7/

Quick question, do you have personal experience with the A2 uppers sold by JSE, and Model 1? Are they comparable to the fit/finish and overall quality of the Fulton upper? Just curious, as I'm thinking about building another A2...

[Renegade04]

Thanks for the source of parts but I'm already leaning on an email alert from PSA when it comes back in stock.


@prdubi, when mine is complete, I will for sure see about purchasing for myself an M9 bayonet for it. I have a gut feeling that my A1 doesn't want to share it's M7 with any A2, heh.

What you need to get is a M9 Phrobis III. These were officially adopted in 1986. https://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...used?a=2130963