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My first retro build
5/6/2012 10:27:20 AM
I had built a rifle 5-6 years ago using a Colt M16A1 upper and furniture, and a A2 lower. I didn't know any better until I started lurking around here. So Friday my new NoDak NDS-A1 lower showed up. It was a blem. I had to look for a while before I found the blemish and even then, it was so minor I laughed. Great lower at a great price. Pictures aren't great but here it is, my finally correct A1 style retro...
With my SA M1A Standard, Colt 1911 and my first AR15, a 1994 Bushmaster carbine. Iused to think it was great but this retro forum has got me thinking I need to build a better XM177 type.
With my SA M1A Standard, Colt 1911 and my first AR15, a 1994 Bushmaster carbine. Iused to think it was great but this retro forum has got me thinking I need to build a better XM177 type.
5/6/2012 10:40:54 AM
nice job! 
5/6/2012 10:45:03 AM
Originally Posted By crackedcornish:
nice job!
nice job!
Yes, very! The bottom pic says it all.
5/6/2012 10:45:37 AM
Very nice!
5/6/2012 10:50:27 AM
Well done sir!
5/6/2012 10:52:34 AM
One of my favorites. Very nice!
5/6/2012 11:12:17 AM
Very nice indeed. So what was the blem? Also is that the color anodizing that it came in from NDS? It looks fairly dark.
5/6/2012 11:30:41 AM
A job well done.
5/6/2012 11:41:17 AM
I like it -
5/6/2012 11:41:42 AM
Very nice Railhead
5/6/2012 12:38:27 PM
Thank you for the kind words guys. The blem was a partial pair of concentric rings on the right side of the mag well. They were about 3/8" in diameter and you had to turn the rifle a certain way to get the light to make it show. I did over spray the new lower with Norrell's to make it match the upper as it had been refinished along with the original A2 lower I used in the first build. It might not be exactly correct but after looking a shots of vintage uppers and lowers, the colors seem to vary quite a bit with time. If I could find something that stripped Norrell's paint I think I would attempt to put everything back to original finish but that stuff seems to be damn near invincible.
5/6/2012 12:51:41 PM
Good job, and welcome to the disease. 
5/6/2012 1:36:20 PM
Good job, nice rifles.
I got a nodak blem and I couldn't find a thing wrong with it.
Those guys are very picky on quality
I got a nodak blem and I couldn't find a thing wrong with it.
Those guys are very picky on quality
5/6/2012 2:48:57 PM
Nice build. My first retro used a C H 603/M16A1 upper. You are off to a real good start.
5/6/2012 2:56:12 PM
What type/color of Norrell's did you use on it? Looks good to me...
5/6/2012 3:59:37 PM
I'll add my "nice job!" to the chorus! The A1 looks great and color is very nice. Rumor has it "Dad's EasySpray" will remove most spray-on finishes, but I'm not sure I'd bother. The rifle looks good the way it is!
You have an excellent little family of weapons right there––lightweight carbine, lightweight patrol rifle, large-caliber battle rifle, and God's own sidearm!
You have an excellent little family of weapons right there––lightweight carbine, lightweight patrol rifle, large-caliber battle rifle, and God's own sidearm!
5/6/2012 9:52:52 PM
Very nice.
5/6/2012 10:46:55 PM
You did great.
Thanks for sharing your pics.
Thanks for sharing your pics.
5/6/2012 11:07:16 PM
Great job!
5/7/2012 12:23:13 AM
Nice. Nice family too.
5/7/2012 12:32:37 AM
One more compliment on a job well done. Now be satisfied and step away from all things retro!
Can't do it, can you? I have the same barrell on my XM177 style carbine - bugged me so much I ordered a correct barrel, with grenade ring. You may need to do the same to be happy with it.
Definitely a start to a nice collection! Welcome to the retro forum!
Can't do it, can you? I have the same barrell on my XM177 style carbine - bugged me so much I ordered a correct barrel, with grenade ring. You may need to do the same to be happy with it.
Definitely a start to a nice collection! Welcome to the retro forum!
5/7/2012 4:38:18 AM
That's a nice looking 603 you built.
5/7/2012 3:17:52 PM
Nice build
Good job!!
Good job!!
5/7/2012 4:41:14 PM
Nice rifle!
5/7/2012 6:58:58 PM
Good job on the M16A1 railhead.
The XM177 will need work.
We're an anally meticulous bunch here as you probably already know.
The XM177 will need work.
We're an anally meticulous bunch here as you probably already know.
5/7/2012 8:27:12 PM
The XM177 is a Bushmaster from 1994. It was cool until I found this forum. I think I'll just leave the Bushy the way it is and build a proper XM177 from scratch. The Bushy was my first AR and I still have a soft spot for it. Besides, the only salvageable part on it is the upper receiver.
5/7/2012 9:07:44 PM
Originally Posted By Railhead:
The XM177 is a Bushmaster from 1994. It was cool until I found this forum. I think I'll just leave the Bushy the way it is and build a proper XM177 from scratch. The Bushy was my first AR and I still have a soft spot for it. Besides, the only salvageable part on it is the upper receiver.
The XM177 is a Bushmaster from 1994. It was cool until I found this forum. I think I'll just leave the Bushy the way it is and build a proper XM177 from scratch. The Bushy was my first AR and I still have a soft spot for it. Besides, the only salvageable part on it is the upper receiver.
Not even the upper. That is a c7 type upper with the Brunton bump manufactured well after xm177's were being produced. You would want a no forge code a1 type upper receiver for an xm177. Good luck and nice rifles
5/8/2012 6:32:06 AM
That's right! I knew that too. This new addiction is going to be very costly. I like to do everything all at once but I can see that I'm going to have to gather parts slowly for this next project. I don't really have many bills to worry about, but I can see how I could go in the red in a hurry hanging around here.
5/8/2012 6:57:18 AM
Welcome to the retro forum.
Prepare to open thy wallet.
Prepare to open thy wallet.
5/8/2012 6:24:08 PM
Originally Posted By xoldsmugglerx:
Not even the upper. That is a c7 type upper with the Brunton bump manufactured well after xm177's were being produced. You would want a no forge code a1 type upper receiver for an xm177. Good luck and nice rifles
Originally Posted By Railhead:
The XM177 is a Bushmaster from 1994. It was cool until I found this forum. I think I'll just leave the Bushy the way it is and build a proper XM177 from scratch. The Bushy was my first AR and I still have a soft spot for it. Besides, the only salvageable part on it is the upper receiver.
The XM177 is a Bushmaster from 1994. It was cool until I found this forum. I think I'll just leave the Bushy the way it is and build a proper XM177 from scratch. The Bushy was my first AR and I still have a soft spot for it. Besides, the only salvageable part on it is the upper receiver.
Not even the upper. That is a c7 type upper with the Brunton bump manufactured well after xm177's were being produced. You would want a no forge code a1 type upper receiver for an xm177. Good luck and nice rifles
True ... So better use it to build a canadian C7 - start looking for a real Canadian thermold Mag. Well, actually will you wait till I find one? My C7 is languishing with a current production thermold!
