Picked up my new Brownells Retro XM16E1 rifle today. Very nice. Came with a normal body 20 rd USGI mag, not the waffle mag in the picture. Picked that up separately from them. Definitely thinking about picking up one of their XM177E2s

How is the furniture?

It’s OK. Decent reproductions, I think. Finding original furniture in decent shape is getting harder and harder.

Looking good. Let us know how it shoots!

Would the XM177's use the waffle mag as well? Or are they that much newer to use the standard 20 rd mags?

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
Would the XM177's use the waffle mag as well? Or are they that much newer to use the standard 20 rd mags?

Think the waffle mage were only used with the original 601s and on very early XM16E1s. Believe they were gone by the time the XM177 came out.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
Would the XM177's use the waffle mag as well? Or are they that much newer to use the standard 20 rd mags?

They got pissed at me over on ARFCOM because I was pointing out some obvious "issues" with Brownells retro XM177. I guess I was being too critical for some. As a relic of the past, I was always told that anything worth doing was worth doing right. It was implied that these retro rifles were not meant for "perfectionists". And so it goes...

Oh, XM177s came into existence long after the waffle mags were phased out.

quote:

Originally posted by MG34_Dan:

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
Would the XM177's use the waffle mag as well? Or are they that much newer to use the standard 20 rd mags?

They got pissed at me over on ARFCOM because I was pointing out some obvious "issues" with Brownells retro XM177. I guess I was being too critical for some. As a relic of the past, I was always told that anything worth doing was worth doing right. It was implied that these retro rifles were not meant for "perfectionists". And so it goes...

Oh, XM177s came into existence long after the waffle mags were phased out.

I built a faux XM177 a few years back...on a budget....so not 100% correct. Whats not correct on the new Brownell gun? NOT trying to start a pissin' match, simply want to know.

What's with the BCG color? Is that the original version?

That's sharp! Although a clone, it's neat to see one new, knowing there's no pony logo on the other side. I don't recall the name, but there's a website that sells original furniture in various states of condition. If I can hunt it down I'll post it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
What's with the BCG color? Is that the original version?

The model 601s and early XM16E1s had chromed bolt carriers. The swap to phosphated BCGs occurred during XM16E1 production.

Nice looking retro rifle, what is Brownells asking for them? Nice alternative to all the tacti-cool AR15'S on the market.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Nice looking retro rifle, what is Brownells asking for them? Nice alternative to all the tacti-cool AR15'S on the market.

$1600 in .308, $1300 in 5.56

And it looks like they're rolling out most everything from these as parts, too.

quote:

Brownells Retro XM16E1

Surprised they kept the authentic 1 x12 twist.

My department had a Model 601 in the armory. bought from Colt back in the mid 60's full auto. Never had many rounds through it. traded years later for M4's.

I dig it!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:

quote:

Originally posted by MG34_Dan:

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
Would the XM177's use the waffle mag as well? Or are they that much newer to use the standard 20 rd mags?

They got pissed at me over on ARFCOM because I was pointing out some obvious "issues" with Brownells retro XM177. I guess I was being too critical for some. As a relic of the past, I was always told that anything worth doing was worth doing right. It was implied that these retro rifles were not meant for "perfectionists". And so it goes...
Oh, XM177s came into existence long after the waffle mags were phased out.

I built a faux XM177 a few years back...on a budget....so not 100% correct. Whats not correct on the new Brownell gun? NOT trying to start a pissin' match, simply want to know.

a) The front sling swivel should be roll pinned in place, not riveted.
b) There should be no bayonet lug present.
c) The ejection port door should have a short metal block on the exterior, not a long block.
d) The handguard slip ring should be the delta variety not the same diameter narrow variety.
e) The receiver extension/recoil spring tube castle nut should have notches (to stake) on the front towards the receiver and holes (to tighten) in the middle of the exterior ring, not notches in both the front and rear of the ring.

All of the above are relatively low cost fixes to make the rifle's appearance "correcter". The most obvious high cost fix would be to manufacture a nylon covered aluminum sliding butt stock. This obvious error was not mentioned or hinted at in any manner.

quote:

Originally posted by Rustpot:

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Nice looking retro rifle, what is Brownells asking for them? Nice alternative to all the tacti-cool AR15'S on the market.

$1600 in .308, $1300 in 5.56

And it looks like they're rolling out most everything from these as parts, too.

Ouch....a little to steep for my budget :-( I'm glad Brownells is building them and I hope sales are brisk.

MG34_Dan,

Thanks for the info.

My budget XM...

https://ibb.co/cRnNQc
https://ibb.co/hTx0BH

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:
Surprised they kept the authentic 1x12 twist.

There must people who want "authentic" over "utility". I have no barrels with twist rates slower than 1/8.

It's cool they are building them, but for the price I'd prefer to build my own, specifically for reasons like wanting to use a 1/7 twist barrel, which they do sell in the A1 pencil profile.