USGI mag from my time in the service in 2004, with the original 100 MPH tape and paracord mag pull I made back then.

Presenting today one of a rare kind: Colt AR15 A2 Government Model (R6550), transitional A2 model produced between 1988-1990, only about 9000 examples were manufactured.

It comes with a Colt proprietary .22LR conversion kit and a mount.

An interesting feature is the neutering of the bayonet lug as Colt was bracing for the AWB in 1994. The first 3000ish, however, have the bayonet lug intact.

R6550 features a GS-prefix serial number, utilizes a 20-inch chrome-lined barrel with a fast 1:7 twist rate, a direct impingement gas system, and a classic A2-style fixed carry handle with a dual-aperture rear sight, with A1 lower. It closely mirrors military M16A2 specifications—complete with A2 furniture and a trapdoor buttstock

Allegedly the red dot and laser come from Atlanta PD itself, but I have no good way to verify that. Pretty soft shooting, I have a slightly heavier than usual buffer but may throw the Masen pad back on. Other than a B5 clone of a Lonestar, I think that we are calling this one done. Might actually have to snag an FRT for this one.

Added a PRI M84 combat latch, a ARD for colt 4x scope, and early style forward assist!

I recently picked up a Bushmaster xm15 e2s that someone has put a GM Hydramatic barrel in. I’m looking for some guidance.

I’m more interested in making the Bushmaster into a more accurate A2 with the proper barrel. I’m considering either selling off the GM barrel, but don’t really know the value on something like that. Or should I just holding onto it for an A1 build later on?

Period-correct recommendations
My uncle gifted me a Bushmaster upper from the ’90s, so I put together a Bushmaster lower to get it running. It runs great, but the current setup feels a little bland, and the A2 stock looks kind of out of place to me.
Since the upper is from such a cool era of Bushmaster, I’d like to keep the build period-correct rather than throw modern parts at it. I’m leaning toward something along the lines of the second picture, but I’m not entirely sure where to start.
One of my biggest hang-ups is the delta ring and handguard compatibility. I’d like to change the handguards, but I’m not sure what options would work best with this setup, especially with the fixed front sight base.
Has anyone put together a similar ’90s Bushmaster build? I’d appreciate recommendations for period-correct furniture, handguards, and any other details that would help give it that classic look. I’m open to constructive criticism, too. I was just excited to get it running and threw something together for now.

At a gun show today and quickly saw what appeared to be modified QXL dive light in the rubber coating with the switch sticking thru along with 2 hose clamps already attached and the bolts and nuts also attached for the handguard mounting. Looked legit but didnt have time to really inspect it. It did have an LED upgrade bulb which was unexpected.

I was very gruffly told $300.

I know its hard to judge with my limited description but should I go back and explore this a little more tomorrow?

My pre-injunction 11.5

I found these TACM III weapon mounted light lamp assemblies while going through some family estate items I inherited. They had been carefully stored away in a box that had receipts in it from the early 2000’s, so I believe they are quite old.

I have tried to google some stuff to know more about them, but can’t find much.

Based on the little I can find, it appears TACM III was a major player in the late 90’s and early 2000’s in the tactical light game. TACM 3 originally operated under the name Diamond Products Marketing, Inc.

It looks like they were popular with law enforcement. Did they ever have any military contracts? Any other interesting tidbits about them?

Hi all, getting ready to build my first ar. Does anyone have any experience with this kit from what a country? Looking to build an ar using real colt m16a1 parts and this looks to be my only option.

The three amigos

We are visiting a collector in Europe who has an incredible selection of rare firearms. Here is an extremely-early production Model 01 AR15. The serial number is 000192, and because the serial numbers for the Model 01 started at 000101, it is among the first 100 ever manufactured. This extremely-early serial number also indicates it was probably manufactured in December of 1959, the same month that large-scale production of this model started. 

The Model 01 was the first mass-produced version of Eugene Stoner’s AR-15 design after Colt acquired the manufacturing rights from ArmaLite. Serial production began in December 1959 and continued into mid-1963, with roughly 14,500 made in the range starting around serial 000101 through about 014484.

These early rifles were primarily for U.S. Air Force use, Project AGILE testing (AGILE was basically the predecessor to DARPA), limited foreign military sales, and some commercial/police sales. Key early export contracts included small batches (around two dozen each) to Malaya/Malaysia and India, plus smaller numbers to places like Australia, Burma, and Singapore.

Note some interesting features on this early AR include semi-gloss green furniture (is this original furniture?). These also have the slab-side lower (no fencing around the magazine release at all) and this is probably a 1-14" twist barrel. 

If this rifle was a transferable machinegun in the US, it would probably be worth in the $40k - $50k range. 

Lethal Weapons Retro Rifle match in Texas the past weekend. OG bushmaster upper.
Definitely a match to go to if you want to use your retro rifles!

After being bitten by the bug of carry handles, I decided I needed a gray build. Build details:

BAD Attitude Lowkey raw aluminum A1 lower, electro etched and Moly Resin’d ([u/SLN583](u/SLN583), thanks again for the tutorial my man.)

Original Colt A1 CH marked upper with C MP Chrome Bore barrel

70s SP1 LPK

NOS Seatbelt Sling

USGI furniture (don’t grill me for the wrong stock, I had it on hand already from a previous build, trying to source a Type E in good shape)

Early-ish Colt - Armalite marked Bipod

All in, I think the build cost around $1100. The upper was complete- I managed to snag it off gunbroker for ~$600. SP1 LPK & sling was from AR15 sport and about $200 total. Front take down pin and buffer assembly was from max arms (probably aren’t 70s produced but close enough) and were about $60.

Furniture was sourced from various places.

Only thing I’m not 100% happy with is the depth of the right side of the colt manufacturing markings. Definitely undercooked but I don’t think it’s entirely out of the realm of rollmark irregularities.

Ya know.... I love this little turd. Everyone needs a middy in my opinion.

The only thing its missing is a HEL-E4A.

An old guy brought in his AR to sell today and he had this bad boy attached. For the right price, I might like it for a late 90’s Colt SBR build that I have in mind.

I very much appreciate any input you all might have on a fair price that I may offer the fella.

Many Thanks!

Blood Diamond car 15 I know there’s some things that aren’t clone correct like the streamlight, the 100 concepts light cover, the radian charging handle (I have a m4 one for it), and the mount under the fsb isn’t a weaver one, and the slings a blue force gear, I also have a butt pad on the car 15 stock, aside from that it’s clone correct. Happy to answer any questions!

Hello! I’m planning on building an early 80’s style M16A2 as my first AR build and already have a nice gray colt upper. I was curious from people who have some retro rifles built under their belt on how they would recommend going about it.

My current plan is to get a B.A.D lower with a clear anodizing and working with a company to cerakote it a gray thats close enough but want opinions or alternative methods! Thank you!

(I could care less if they are identical cause I know that was a given in the service but close is nice) ((photo of my upper for fun))