Got my M16A2 clone underway (UPDATE 3)

I ordered my parts kit from J&T Distributing this weekend (May 1st),

I got a good price of $550 for everything less the stripped lower. J&T has the correct chrome lined 1x7" twist government profile barrels, even though they do not show them on the websight, Just call them. I also threw in 5 more USGI mags with the DryFilm finish and Magpul no-tilt followers. The total ended up being $599 with a discount they gave me.

UPDATE 1: Just got a call from J&T (May 6), apparently they only have the barrel in non-chrome lined, with a 3 month wait time so I canceled the order and will be getting one elsewhere

UPDATE 2: Placed the order with PK Firearms this morning (May8), I got a Bushmaster CL 1/7" twist government profile barrel assembled on a A2 upper with M4 feed ramps, DPMS LPK, and A2 stock assy for $646 Shipped

UPDATE 3 Recieved my kit from PK Firearms (May11), great service from them and I will be getting my kits from PK Firearms from now on Got everything together and it looks great. I took it out back and set a Coke can at 75m for the function test, right out of the box it appeared to be dead on zero, recoil is minimal as to be expected with the rifle lenth system. This is my first 20" I have had since I was 15, and my first thought was "damn I miss this"





For the lower I chose a McKay Enterprises RM16A2 from NoDak Spud for $90 shipped.




I will be updating this post step by step as I receive the parts for the build and put them together. I will note the updates in the title.

Nice!! I used one of J&T's carbine barrels for a retro 651 build. I'll find out Friday how it shoots. I built an A4 on one of the McKay receivers and it went off without a hitch. Well made and a good price!! Good luck with your build, and you gotta post pics when it's done. I'm pretty sure it's a rule...

I will definatly post pic's

You did good and I don't think you will be sorry. I really like the lower. You just got probably the best quality and best looking A-2 lower available for any amount of money besides the real deal Colt or FN with R&R switch. Never had the first problem assembling a J&T kit and they have always shot phenomenal for me. Never tried their govt profile 1-7 because I didn't know they had one. Have used their bull barrels, Hbar and 16" LW's. Was a time when they were the BCM, DD and Spikes of AR15.com. If you didn't have a J&T you were missing the game. Even bought Colt barrels from them back in the day. Good luck on your build. Hope it shoots like all the one's I've used in the past. If so you're gonna love it. Check the LPK I usually find a few extra pieces. Usually detents and springs but did get an extra bolt catch one time. Again good luck.

Sounds like you've got a nice rifle in the works! Post pics when you get it all done.

Good choice of lower. I wish McKay/NoDak would make the following changes, though:

- change caliber marking to "CAL. 5.56MM." to match USGI issue weapons
- work with someone like Ident Marking to develop a font for engraving that would match for those who want to customize, so it doesn't look like you added "auto" or "burst"
- offer a model marked "RM16A4" so that I could have clones marked "NDS-16A1", "RM16A2", "BCM4" and "RM16A4"

I realize the logistics/feasibility of this isn't there, and that's why it's not done. I'd pay 2-3x as much for the above options, though and wish there was a market for it.

Oh, and can you give more info on the "DOD contract customers" you mention?

I'd really like the CAL. 5.56MM and the 3rd position marked - other makes go ahead and do the 3rd position.

I have no idea who McKay does business with in the DOD, I read something about it when I was doing my Google research before I placed the order. I had never even heard of McKay until I saw the marking on the NDS lower and searched it. But apparently they are a DOD contractor for weapon parts. I would imagine that the lowers would only be sold to security contractors or something of that nature.

I was hoping someone here would know more about it.

Origional post updated with new information

Mercenary I sent you an email about a Colt 20" barrel.

I have a Bushmaster M16A2 1/7 20 inch barrels from PK Firearms. Very high quality...I like the thick gray parkerizing much better than Colt/FN. You'll love it. Assembled to my Colt Upper according to the TO, torqued and mated perfectly together. Very much in spec.

I agree on the finish, I have had 2 barrels from Bushmaster in the past, one 11.5" HBAR and a 14.5" M4. Both were very high quality IMO. I don't understand the Bushmaster hate that I have seen on this forum in the past. I like Bushmaster products for the most part.

I feel like I made a better purchase with this barrel assembly. I also like the M4 feedramps, even though it is not "correct" for the M16A2

Sorry about J&T but you will be happy with the PK BM. I know I have been. I didn't think J&T had an A-2. The Bushy A-2 barrels I've assembled have been excellent shooters. I also like Colt and FN for A-2's. The only questionable part Bushy makes in my opinion is it's BCG but I've never seen one fail. Most the hate I believe is by people who never even owned one. Granted I assemble my own parts but the factory rifles I've shot also performed as good as any. They were very accurate, nothing was wrong. No canted FSB's, nothing was incorrect. They functioned flawlessly. I still have my BM barreled weapons, I sold my BCM. I think the BCM was a little over priced personally. They have come down a little and I think I know why. I hear their BCG's are gtg but I use Colt even in my Bushy parts rifles/carbines.. You could have saved a little using surplus parts but you wouldn't have a brand new piece and any problems you can contact PK. A NDS lower with a Bushy upper will be a real nice clone. You gonna naval jelly the DPMS lpk? Good luck. Waiting for pics and shooting report..

What would be the pourpose in using Naval jelly on the LPK? If I remember correctly you are talking about Phosporic Acid... Do the DPMS LPK's have a undesirable finish or somthing along those lines?

This is the first time I have purchased a DPMS LPK. I do not like DPMS rifles, but I have been seeing an Increasing number of there LPK's used in builds here due to the reasonable price tag. And from what I understand they are GTG? I wanted to get everything from the same place and the only two options were DPMS or RRA, and I didnt figure there would be much/any difference in the two.

Oh, and I picked up my lower today very impressed with the quality

Naval jelly is used to remove the black finish on DPMS LPKs. Mainly the trigger groups. DPMS parkerizes their parts and then puts a black finish over that. Removing the black allows your LPK to be the proper gray color. Obviously don't use it on the mag button, they're mostly Aluminum. BTW, good choice to go with the Bushmaster barrel. I tested my 651 with the J&T barrel on it last Friday and the front sight base is loose! One of the pins was broken. Plus they didn't use taper pins, they used straight ones. They also came right out with a couple of taps of a hammer. Can't say I'm impressed. If I didn't have so much time and money wrapped up in finishing it the right color parkerizing and pinning the extended flash hider, it would be on it's way back. Thanks to a fellow Arfcommer, I got a set of taper pin reamers on the way and I have proper taper pins on order so I'll get this thing fixed soon and try it again!

So you can end up with something like this:

J&T/Doublestar, Plus they didn't use taper pins, they used straight ones.

Thanks Farmboy. Got to looking at mine and one has straight pins in it also. It's not loose or broken but is a little disappointing. I've always recommended tham because mine shot so well. Guess they are getting like everyone else squeezing the profits. They have had at least three price increases in the last 2 years also while aparently cutting a few corners. Quess QC is no longer important to them or false advertising. We use only milspec parts. Well we know that's a crock with the AR-15 BCG's but the other parts used to be high quality. Second bad experience I've heard of from them in the last month. I would have never checked it before I did the barrel work either. You recon Victor had the FSB off to coat under the FSB or did he just color the the unit assembled?

Final Update

Finished it today

Nice rifle. Yours turned out just like I envision mine. I have my lower ready to go, now I just need an upper. I found one on the EE, but I have not heard back from the seller. If it does not work out with the EE, then I think PK will be getting a call from me.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Ron

...Semper Fidelis...

Not trying to hijack, but with the pins out of mine I found that it is not parked under the FSB. I think once it's fixed (and properly taper pinned) the barrel should shoot just fine, but I am a bit disappointed with how this one has turned out. I'm not saying I won't buy from them again, but I will give the barrel a much closer look before going through all the effort and work involved in pinning the flash and parking for the right color.

ETA- Sweet looking rifle!! Congrats!

That looks great!

Good job, nice looking A2.

Looks excellent!

Beautiful.

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.