Home CMMG A1 vs A2 Retro comparison

A1 vs A2 Retro comparison

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My A1 “C7” and A2. Just a little comparison between the two. Post up your info down below. But remember, there where lots of A1 variants fielded as improvements occurred.

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35 COMMENTS

  1. Damn I miss my old issue A-1. So much lighter and that oh so sweet “auto” position. More accurate tissue devastating 55gn M193 ammo also. And no stupid ass built in brass deflector! I even grind those things off my present AR’s. And that smaller diameter (in the front) triangular handguard really helped your hold. Simple rear windage adjustment. No rear elevation knob for unrealistic ranges. And don’t hate on the pencil barrel. The heavier A-2 ones are no more accurate. Mil-spec has only ever required 3 MOA. No rediculous uncomfortable collapsible stock, no sharp edges from quad rails. It was made to be a fucking battle rifle, not a cool guy toy to bolt bullshit onto.

  2. Now were you able to find a barrel with A2 feed ramps. Seems they are getting harder to find. I've been told the M4 ramps will work with an A2 receiver but would like mine retro build to be as correct as possible.

  3. A1 furniture was Bakelite, obviously its dangerous to inhale when they get smokey so those arent made anymore which is why people like the glass reinforced polymer because it gives a similar appearance

  4. I'm currently building an XM16-E1 inspired rifle. I'll be using a 1-9 barrel instead and I'll probably have a2 furniture to start due to cost effectiveness. I'll say it's inspired by the look of the Colt Sporter II.

  5. The m16a1, non f marked fsb is 400th of an inch lower than the F marked ones, the post is round on the a1 and square on the a2, the a1 lower has less reinforced area around the take down pin , and around the buffer tube, stocks were made from fiber light, they called i it , other than that I think you got most of the changes…

  6. I had an SP1 and getting rid of it was one of those things I still “ kick myself” for. No forward assist and It even had a VERY unique serial number! I don’t remember the first two digits but it was a low five digit number ending in “000”.

  7. A2 is 1:7 twist rate, & the m16a4 remains 1:7 to this day. The tighter twist rate will stabilize a heavier grain bullet at longer distance. where as 1:10 will not stabilize heavier match grade bullets, allowing users for a variety of bullet types like match grade rounds for squad DMs etc.

  8. When I was in the Air Force (when Reagan was president) we used 601s… I remember the firearms instructor at Ft Dix (army) making fun of the butt stock and the lack of forward assist.
    I bought a couple M16A1 kits and did a complete build. All original except for the NoDak spud lower…
    Now I’m doing a 601 build, even though I have an SP1.
    To me, nothing says M16/AR15 without the carry handle…
    thanks for the video… looks awesome

  9. ………….love the A1 and A2…..I prefer them ANYDAY over the current ugly flat tops…A1/A2 are gorgeous to me….I want one….leaning toward A2, but love the triangle forearms…great comparison…thank you…

  10. Good vid. Two small info points.

    Original M16A1 furniture was made from fiberglass-impregnated resin; the newer A2 stocks/handguarda were engineered from DuPont Zytel glass-filled thermoset polymers. 

    Also, the A2 stock is 5/8" longer than the A2. The A1 also has a 1/12 twist and the A2 has a 1/7 for the M855.

  11. Tha A1 has a slip ring, the A2 has a delta ring. I much prefer the A1 (I don't really consider the C7 to be an A1).  The A2 is also a fine rifle, but the A1 will always be my first choice.

  12. The A1's top receiver is actually what was considered an early A2. First A2 production models had A1 top receivers with the brass deflector added, after that the top receiver was reworked to receive the elevation knob and the windage knob.

  13. Carried and used an M16A1 from Jan – Dec of 1969 in Viet Nam. Never had a single stoppage. Used lots of LSA on the bolt and carrier. I am living proof that the A1 is an excellent firearm. 173rd. Airborne. Triangle grips rule.

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