OK, "service muskets and rifles"? "service muskets, rifles, and carbines"? "service long arms"? Something like that...

My goal is a collection of the main (or "important") US issue weapons, from Revolution to today. So far, I am thinking along the lines of:

Long Land Brown Bess
1795 Springfield (One on the way)
1842 Springfield Musket (one on the way)
1861 Springfield Rifle
1873 Springfield Trapdoor (Got one)
1892 Krag (Got one)
1903 Springfield (Got one)
1917 Eddystone
M1 Garand (Got one)
M14

Here's where I start going off the rails a bit. Do I build a Colt 601, as the "first" version fielded of the M16?
Definitely a solid argument for doing an M16A1.
Is the M16A2 really different enough from the A1 to need to be in there?
Then do an M4 of some sort no doubt. I am not as up on these as some of the earlier pieces...

Of course, if there's anything I missed from earlier, please feel free to jump in and help me dispose of all this "excess" money! It's bad enough I've had to shift focus and scurry around trying to get anything that qualifies as "extra scary and super duper assaulty" under our new state law bought before it goes into effect.

that would be a fun collection to have

very cool

i wouldn't worry about adding an A2 initially - but you know eventually you will probably get one

I would say an A1 version is representative of the 'early' effective 'mass produced' design without getting too far in the weeds
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quote:

Originally posted by stylophiles:
Of course, if there's anything I missed from earlier, please feel free to jump in and help me dispose of all this "excess" money!

Well, if you're doing "service muskets, rifles, and carbines", then you need a M1 Carbine.

m1 carbine for sure.

Yeah.. I guess if I'm putting an M4 in there, then the M1 needs to show up, too! Got to find me some more $$$...

Bill R

I'd do an M16A1, M16A2, and M4A1 (with RIS and optic) because that is the configuration that has essentially become the current standard service rifle.

It would be very costly to clone a 601 in the current market. Some guys are doing it and it is approaching M16 prices.......


I would do an M16A1 (603) and call it good. That was the commonly fielded model. It would be almost impossible to clone every transitional/developmental version of EVERY rifle. Especially the M16. There were lots of transitional periods where old parts from prior models were used up on newer iterations.


It depends on how 'correct' you want it to be.

Do you want real 601 parts for everything except the receiver? Super costly and still not 100% unless you buy a transferable 601 receiver.

If you are willing to fake it for the look, much more doable. Just be sure that the parts are clearly marked as such in an obscure place so they never get misrepresented on the secondary market.


I don't think there is anything wrong with painting your handguards green or brown so long as you aren't trying to sell them as real 601 parts.

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
I'd do an M16A1, M16A2, and M4A1 (with RIS and optic) because that is the configuration that has essentially become the current standard service rifle.

Don't forget the XM177.


The BlackHawk down era CARs were neat too.

Your biggest limit will be your wallet.

You're just scratching the surface.

Wikipedia - list of US armed forces service weapons

Gotta have a Spencer rifle.

You're going to need to add a Charleville 1763 or 1766 to the Brown Bess - massive amounts came in as French aid or sales.

For it's time, the Henry rifle was considered important. I would include one especially since I like lever actions.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
You're just scratching the surface.

Wikipedia - list of US armed forces service weapons

I started down that road years ago and decided to stop,,,

The M16A2 is pretty different from the A1 and had a very long service life with lots of different combat use from Grenada, Panama to Gulf War 1 through Iraq and Afghanistan for the GWOT, plus it is relatively inexpensive and easy to clone. So I'd do that an an M4 clone and you'd be done until DOD finally settles on an M4 replacement.

Gotta get the 1917! My Winchester just had her 101st birthday, born December of 1917. I prefer it and it's sights over the 1903 by quite a bit.

I’m aaaaallllll over the 1917! Just wish I could find one local for a reasonable price.... they’ve kind of gotten up there of late. I lucked out on my 1903, and found a “less than perfect” example, but so far no luck on the ‘17

Bill R

Beside the 1903, you need an 03A3 as well!

quote:

Originally posted by Andyb:
Gotta get the 1917!

I prefer it and it's sights over the 1903 by quite a bit.

Same.

I think the M1917 is the ideal military bolt-action rifle from the WW1/WW2 era. Rugged and accurate, with a potent caliber, smooth and fast cock-on-closing bolt action, robust peep sight, and 6 round magazine. The main downside is that's it's a bit long and heavy compared to some others.

Definitely need an m1 carbine. Re: M16 variants, I would do a m16a1, m16a2, and a m4a1 - preferably all Colt if you can swing it.