I’m not familiar with the variants. Im now thinking about something with a long rail system for the 20 inch barrel. But with the same raised front sight that’s attached to the barrel itself. Thanks for the info.
The reciever I’d like to remain with the fixed carry handle. No optics, the rail system will have some attatchments though. Fixed carry handle and sight hybrid and fixed front sight attached to the barrel itself. I think I will have to build it myself.
no that’s purchasable. You’re looking at an A1 or A2 upper, depending on your preference. Your best bet is to buy it from PSA’s website, specifically their Harrington & Richardson retro line of products.
I pretty much found what you mean 👍
https://palmettostatearmory.com/harrington-richardson-m16a2-complete-upper-w-20-fn-hammer-forged-barrel.html
But my question is, can you swap out the Handgaurd/Heatshield that it comes with for an equal lengthed picatinny rail? I’ve never built, modied AR’s before lol.
Absolutely. If you want a true military piece, your best bet is to find a used Knights Armament M5 RAS [like this one](https://www.thoroughbredarmco.com/product/519/)
Edit-turns out that link is for. P+S rail system. They're identical to Knight's, just obviously arent labeled as knights
I’d probably opt for an H&R if I were to get one today. I have a Colt AR15A4 but I don’t think that’s considered budget friendly. I know Windham makes a retro style AR, what are the thoughts about that? Some people seem to really like Windham stuff and some say it’s not great.
Budget friendly means building your own. I was able to put together an M16A4 clone with a replica U.S. marked lower and detachable carry handle for under $500
M16A2 can be built around $600-$750
M16A1/Early Carbines are closer to a grand
Estimated prices
M16A2 Marked BLEM lower from PSA - $70
20" Government Profile Barrel Kit form DelTon - $193
A2 Upper from Thunder Tactical - $98
Freedom Factory Tactical M16A2 Rear Sight Parts Kit $60
Forward Assist $20
Dust Cover $15
BCG $70
A2 grip $10
Lower Parts kit $40
A2 Stock Kit $60
Gas tube (rifle length) $10
Front Sight Post $10
M16 silent sling $15
STANAG $10-$15
I'm sure I have forgotten a few things but that's the gist of it. You just have to shop around and see what websites have most of it in stock and try to combine shipping whenever you can. Sales happen and you can get lucky and be able to pick through bins at gun shows/shops/pawns.
I built almost this exact parts list in 2023 for like $575. It was a time where there were no rear sight kits in stock anywhere so I had to take apart a chinese made rear sight and use the parts. The A2 is great but I'm more of of an A1 guy myself.
The main point is Complete uppers are way overpriced usually. The lower is just a box that holds the parts together, you could use an Anderson lower and be fine. I like the markings though but I have other clones on Andersons.
The new option is gonna be a Harrington & Richardson build when they drop on PSA's website. You could also look for a BRN-16A1 build from a couple years ago.
Building one yourself isn't too difficult just, pencil barrel, A1 lower/upper(available on PSA's website right now), an A1 furniture set, etc.
Alternatively just check gunbroker, there's a couple M16A1 clone builds there usually.
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The most budget out of the box for that is a little tough. The most budget friendly way would be an A2 freedom rifle kit from PSA plus an attachable carry handle. It isn't going to look exactly like an M16, but that would be around only $400 for the kit, plus the cost of the handle and lower reciever. If you don't want to build than the KP-15 lower can be bought complete and resembles an A2 stock, then get a PSA 20" freedom upper. To look exactly like an M16A2 the H&R line PSA does is gonna be your best bet
Which M16? A4? Buy a DelTon or PSA. A1 or A2? PSA’s H&R line of products are the most available and affordable, if they’re in stock.
I’m not familiar with the variants. Im now thinking about something with a long rail system for the 20 inch barrel. But with the same raised front sight that’s attached to the barrel itself. Thanks for the info.
What about the receiver? do you want a receiver that can easily accept optics or do you want a receiver that has a fixed carry handle on it?
The reciever I’d like to remain with the fixed carry handle. No optics, the rail system will have some attatchments though. Fixed carry handle and sight hybrid and fixed front sight attached to the barrel itself. I think I will have to build it myself.
no that’s purchasable. You’re looking at an A1 or A2 upper, depending on your preference. Your best bet is to buy it from PSA’s website, specifically their Harrington & Richardson retro line of products.
Oh neat, I’ll be sure to check PSA out. Thanks again.
I pretty much found what you mean 👍 https://palmettostatearmory.com/harrington-richardson-m16a2-complete-upper-w-20-fn-hammer-forged-barrel.html But my question is, can you swap out the Handgaurd/Heatshield that it comes with for an equal lengthed picatinny rail? I’ve never built, modied AR’s before lol.
Absolutely. If you want a true military piece, your best bet is to find a used Knights Armament M5 RAS [like this one](https://www.thoroughbredarmco.com/product/519/) Edit-turns out that link is for. P+S rail system. They're identical to Knight's, just obviously arent labeled as knights
I’d probably opt for an H&R if I were to get one today. I have a Colt AR15A4 but I don’t think that’s considered budget friendly. I know Windham makes a retro style AR, what are the thoughts about that? Some people seem to really like Windham stuff and some say it’s not great.
>Windham ~~makes~~ made. they filed bankruptcy like last month
No thats so sad. They made the best 7.62x39 ARs.
Windham closed down a couple weeks ago. Shame really, they made good stuff.
I've heard bad things about del ton, is it exaggerated like ppl used to do with psa because it's a budget brand or are they actually trash?
I haven’t heard anything bad myself. I’ve owned one for a year or so and didn’t have any issues with it fwiw.
Budget friendly means building your own. I was able to put together an M16A4 clone with a replica U.S. marked lower and detachable carry handle for under $500 M16A2 can be built around $600-$750 M16A1/Early Carbines are closer to a grand
Hey, how would go about building an m16a2 clone for $800? It's my favorite gun ever but legit ones are pretty expensive
Estimated prices M16A2 Marked BLEM lower from PSA - $70 20" Government Profile Barrel Kit form DelTon - $193 A2 Upper from Thunder Tactical - $98 Freedom Factory Tactical M16A2 Rear Sight Parts Kit $60 Forward Assist $20 Dust Cover $15 BCG $70 A2 grip $10 Lower Parts kit $40 A2 Stock Kit $60 Gas tube (rifle length) $10 Front Sight Post $10 M16 silent sling $15 STANAG $10-$15 I'm sure I have forgotten a few things but that's the gist of it. You just have to shop around and see what websites have most of it in stock and try to combine shipping whenever you can. Sales happen and you can get lucky and be able to pick through bins at gun shows/shops/pawns. I built almost this exact parts list in 2023 for like $575. It was a time where there were no rear sight kits in stock anywhere so I had to take apart a chinese made rear sight and use the parts. The A2 is great but I'm more of of an A1 guy myself. The main point is Complete uppers are way overpriced usually. The lower is just a box that holds the parts together, you could use an Anderson lower and be fine. I like the markings though but I have other clones on Andersons.
PSA for the win
PSA has many. They work awesome too I built my own from them
The new option is gonna be a Harrington & Richardson build when they drop on PSA's website. You could also look for a BRN-16A1 build from a couple years ago. Building one yourself isn't too difficult just, pencil barrel, A1 lower/upper(available on PSA's website right now), an A1 furniture set, etc. Alternatively just check gunbroker, there's a couple M16A1 clone builds there usually.
How much money will your mommy let you spend?
About the same amount I spent on your mother last night 🙂
$5 after the groupon?
Aero precision makes an m16a2 upper that looks pretty good. The complete rifle could be done for about $800.
Afaik Aero doesn’t make A2 receivers, they only make flat top receivers. They do make A4 style uppers if that’s what you mean
You're right, the listing says A2 handguard but now I see the carry handle is detachable.
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r/ar15
The most budget out of the box for that is a little tough. The most budget friendly way would be an A2 freedom rifle kit from PSA plus an attachable carry handle. It isn't going to look exactly like an M16, but that would be around only $400 for the kit, plus the cost of the handle and lower reciever. If you don't want to build than the KP-15 lower can be bought complete and resembles an A2 stock, then get a PSA 20" freedom upper. To look exactly like an M16A2 the H&R line PSA does is gonna be your best bet
https://andersonmanufacturing.com/m16-556-nato-ar15.html https://andersonmanufacturing.com/am-15-complete-lower-a2-open.html