I have a hankering for a M16A2 clone. I THOUGHT I could just assemble one, but finding the right parts has been problematic so I started looking at just buying one. So far, the only one I've been seeing is the Springfield Arms SA-16A2. It looks great but MSRP is over $1K!?!?
1) Am I missing other options? 2) Is the SA worth the $1K sticker price?
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The artist formerly known as AllenInWV
November 12, 2024, 08:09 AM
RogueJSK
M16A2 clone uppers are offered by a number of builders and retailers, such as Brownells, H&R, Fulton, Rock River, M&A, Aero, Bear Creek, Black Rain, and a ton of smaller shops.
Or if you're okay with building it yourself, there are A2 stripped uppers and associated parts available from a variety of sources, and A2 stocks and grips for a stripped lower are trivial to source.
November 12, 2024, 09:05 AM
AllenInAR
Most of those aren't clones though. Barrels w/o chrome lining, removable carry handles, etc. Fulton looks ideal but the upper alone is $1K+
I didn't want to do a complete from-scratch build but I guess I may have to if I want as exact as possible.
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The artist formerly known as AllenInWV
November 12, 2024, 09:17 AM
Mars_Attacks
H&R is the best bang for the buck. I buy their chrome lined barrels and they are a match for my early Colt rifles.
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Eeewwww, don't touch it! Here, poke at it with this stick.
November 12, 2024, 09:26 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by AllenInAR: Most of those aren't clones though. Barrels w/o chrome lining, removable carry handles, etc. Fulton looks ideal but the upper alone is $1K+
Brownells: A2 fixed handle, chrome lined, ~$800
H&R: Same, ~$650
Etc.
They're out there.
November 12, 2024, 10:50 AM
AllenInAR
quote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks: H&R is the best bang for the buck.
Oddly enough, first rifle I had in the Army was an H&R A1 with a 3-prong flash hider.
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The artist formerly known as AllenInWV
November 12, 2024, 12:13 PM
Sauer Kraut
Another vote for H&R at Palmetto State Armory. Would take that one over the Springfield. $1299 for the A2.
Okay, yeah, the H&R looks like a better way to go.
Thanks all!
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The artist formerly known as AllenInWV
November 12, 2024, 03:13 PM
mrapteam666
I remember reading about HR contemplating releasing their M16A2 but I never knew they did.
That is pretty interesting.
The first M16 I was issued at 19D OSUT (fall of 1992) had the full auto notch.
I loved my M16A2 and when I went to boot camp for the second time 17 years later, I was issued an FN M16A4. I loved that rifle.
I was pissed when my unit took away my A2 for the M4. Fast forward 12 years and I am still trying to get one over the M4 at every new unit I report too.This message has been edited. Last edited by: mrapteam666,
November 12, 2024, 05:05 PM
AllenInAR
I've got a pic of the guys on our Bradley in Desert Storm. Hanging underneath is a rifle my OIC gifted me when I retired....a Mosin Nagant. He's a great guy, meant well, and I'll never part with the MN, but an A2 would be perfect. I qualified with one right up to my last qual before I retired when for some reason my unit got M4s.
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The artist formerly known as AllenInWV
November 12, 2024, 08:15 PM
copaup
A2 is harder to find than A4 at this point. Everyone wants that flat top to add an optic. I'd kind of like to build an A2 upper to swap back and forth on the A4 clone I built. Until I shot one recently I'd forgotten just how nice to shoot a 20 inch rifle with fixed irons was, but I hate the detachable carry handles.
Brownells is offering a 20 inch upper with fixed carry handle, but I have no idea who is building it for them. It certainly wouldn't be clone correct markings though. Does appear to be chrome lined.
November 12, 2024, 08:17 PM
captain127
My first rifle ever issued as a PV1 was an H&R I still remember the serial number 2216455! Had that big lion logo
I go to Iraq ( where an M4 would be optimal) they give me an M16A4
Go to Afghanistan where an A4 or A 2 would make sense they give me an M4
November 13, 2024, 12:06 AM
CD228
quote:
Originally posted by mrapteam666:
I loved my M16A2 and when I went to boot camp for the second time 17 years later, I was issued an FN M16A4. I loved that rifle.
I was pissed when my unit took away my A2 for the M4. Fast forward 12 years and I am still trying to get one over the M4 at every new unit I report too.
Good luck with that one. M16s are hard to find on AD these days. NG might till have some.
I wouldn't have minded an A4 with collapsable stock.
November 13, 2024, 07:10 AM
mrapteam666
CD228
When I went back to Fort Knox for boot camp in the fall of 2010, I was issued that FN M16A4 that I mentioned earlier.
What made me fall in love with it was the fact that it had a collapable stock along with the detachable carry handle and knights rail system.
I had the benefits of both the M16 and the M4.
I have been assigned to various USAR Civil Affairs/Psy Op units and a Counter Intel Unit and they all got switched over.
Two or three years ago, I started getting the hankering for the FN Retro version but the prices have soared.
I also looked at the Rock River Arms A2 and A4 variant but they are also north of a $1000.
November 13, 2024, 11:42 PM
CD228
quote:
Originally posted by mrapteam666: CD228
When I went back to Fort Knox for boot camp in the fall of 2010, I was issued that FN M16A4 that I mentioned earlier.
What made me fall in love with it was the fact that it had a collapable stock along with the detachable carry handle and knights rail system.
I had the benefits of both the M16 and the M4.
I have been assigned to various USAR Civil Affairs/Psy Op units and a Counter Intel Unit and they all got switched over.
Two or three years ago, I started getting the hankering for the FN Retro version but the prices have soared.
I also looked at the Rock River Arms A2 and A4 variant but they are also north of a $1000.
Do you remember which buffer it had? There was an H6 in the system for converting A4s to collapsable stocks, but I never aw one.
I had an A2 at Benning in 06, but they had already started transitioning all the basic training units to M-4s at that time.
He's a great guy, meant well, and I'll never part with the MN, but an A2 would be perfect. I qualified with one right up to my last qual before I retired when for some reason my unit got M4s. 