A1 vs A2 Retro comparison

SINCE 1974,MY RIFLE CHOICE..

Are the hand Garuda interchangeable from A1 to A2

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.

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.

Where did you find your a1 parts?

Just now realizing your A1 has a brass deflector. That took me way too long

Thank you for the comparison. I would like to build one similar to the A2. Are the parts difficult to find?

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

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.

Front sights are different

Crashing through the night comes a fearful sight Cobra…cobra! cobra…Cobra! Nice vid bro.

Back for some schooling

Would you recommend the a2 as a first build? Also with so many component options how did you decide on which brands etc? Is there a parts list you would share? Thanks!

Your A1 has the wrong lower, those are A2 lower receivers on both. Not a big deal, but not but accurate.

Dont forget they reinforced the receiver on the A2 compared to the A1

Which one is better if you were in combat🤔 ?

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…

I really like your builds. I have an A2 I built from parts, and I think an A1 is next on my list.

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”.

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.

M16A2 i think its from 1970 and M16A1 is from 1967

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

which upper did you use for the a2?

………….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…

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.

I think its C7 rifle they only change the rifles handguard to A1

Theres a brass deflector in A1?

Can you put an A1's hand guard on any of the A2,3, or 4's? I really like the shape and look of it.

Love the "old" M16. A bit lighter and much better balance IMO. FYI, old Colt barrels were 1 in 12 twist. A2 spec was 1 in 7.

Awesome! Looove it!

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.

men how to be like you a gun smithing….

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.

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.

Dammit there goes my credit card bill