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Are American Tactical ARs quality products?

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April 14, 2020, 07:55 AM
Sportshooter
Are American Tactical ARs quality products?
Someone wants to trade me one for my HBAR in old style Vietnam era configuration I really don’t need a carry handle and the AT is a flat top. I’d like to have a one for a red dot sight.
Enlighten me please.
April 14, 2020, 08:40 AM
GarandGuy
In my opinion it’s a one sided trade and your pulling the short straw. If what you have is a bonafide Colt HBAR those are selling at a premium. You could probably buy two or three of the AT AR’s for the selling price of the Colt. Thing is Colt isn’t selling AR’s to the general public now and you have the recent gun run due to the pandemic. The high card is in your hand. I wouldn’t do that trade.


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April 14, 2020, 08:57 AM
esdunbar
is your gun a Colt? If so, it's not even remotely a fair trade. ATI's are low end rifles.
April 14, 2020, 09:14 AM
CD228
I agree with the above, take a look at HBARs on gunbroker for a price. The ATIs seem to list between 4-700.

If you want a flat top you get a replacement upper for your HBAR.
April 14, 2020, 09:58 AM
Sportshooter
The lower part is stamped HBAR but it has the Vietnam style furniture with a 1-12 twist barrel. So, I have a feeling it’s a Franken rifle. Did they even have HBARs with a 1-12 barrels during the Vietnam era?
April 14, 2020, 10:25 AM
RHINOWSO
Not sure, photos of what you have will tell the tale. Even so, if it is Colt in any regard, it's worth far more than an American Tactical AR.
April 14, 2020, 10:35 AM
Fundman
The ATI ARs are the lowest priced factory built ARs you can buy. Prior to the recent panic buying they sold for $350. If it is the polymer lower version run away.
April 14, 2020, 12:44 PM
CPD SIG
Don't trade it.
Especially if it's a Colt.

If you want a flat-top AR, just wait. I have a feeling that around fall, a lot of people who panic-bought $1200 AR's in March will be trying to sell them in November to get $ for Christmas.
You'll probably be able to get one for $8-900 then.


______________________________________________________________________
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April 14, 2020, 12:47 PM
RHINOWSO
I don't even think it will be that long - likely another 4-8 weeks if the economy stays dormant.

People with stacks of rifles will start letting them out to sell when it comes time to feed the family / buy more TP.
April 14, 2020, 01:37 PM
Sportshooter
Thanks for the advice Rhino. I’d be willing to trade a couple of rolls of TP for a flat top. Smile
In the meantime, I’ll hang on to the safe queen.
April 14, 2020, 10:22 PM
CD228
quote:
Originally posted by Sportshooter:
The lower part is stamped HBAR but it has the Vietnam style furniture with a 1-12 twist barrel. So, I have a feeling it’s a Franken rifle. Did they even have HBARs with a 1-12 barrels during the Vietnam era?

What is the barrel profile? Is it a heavy barrel?
April 15, 2020, 05:44 AM
Sportshooter
I don’t know CD228, what would the OD of a heavy be?
April 15, 2020, 06:10 AM
Jim Bridger
Our Pre-Ban Vietnam era AR-15 Colts are so close to the M-16 warriors. The early AR-15 rifles with Colt carry handle scopes are valuable. The Left/Democrats claimed these Colts were too easily converted to "machine guns",. They also spit on returning Vets.
April 15, 2020, 10:45 AM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by Sportshooter:
The lower part is stamped HBAR but it has the Vietnam style furniture with a 1-12 twist barrel. So, I have a feeling it’s a Franken rifle. Did they even have HBARs with a 1-12 barrels during the Vietnam era?



That rifle could be very valuable.

There is a HUGE market for original retro parts right now.

A Vietnam era 1-12 or 1-14 barrel can bring big money.


If I were you, I wouldn't even consider trading it for an ATI, which is not known as a premium maker of AR15s.
April 15, 2020, 10:45 AM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by Sportshooter:
I don’t know CD228, what would the OD of a heavy be?



If you can email picture to me, I will put them on a photo hosting service for you if you are not familiar with how to do it.
April 15, 2020, 10:47 AM
IndianaBoy
quote:
Originally posted by Sportshooter:
The lower part is stamped HBAR but it has the Vietnam style furniture with a 1-12 twist barrel. So, I have a feeling it’s a Franken rifle. Did they even have HBARs with a 1-12 barrels during the Vietnam era?



You could have a very valuable early upper that somehow made it's way onto an HBAR lower.

Even if it is a 'frankenrifle' of sorts that doesn't mean that it isn't still valuable.

Please share pictures in some way and we can identify what it is that you have.

Even if you never plan to sell it, you would at least then know what you have.
April 15, 2020, 10:48 AM
IndianaBoy
Is the barrel stamped with anything?


C MP Chrome Bore


?
April 16, 2020, 04:53 PM
Sportshooter
Couldn’t see anything Indiana. Talked to the guy that put it together. The barrel is a surplus barrel chambered for 5.56. The lower is Colt made. The upper is a who knows what.
This morning, I noticed some sort of an attachment that fits in front of the carry handle that looks like a place to mount my red dot sight. May not need a flat top after all. I never noticed it before. I bought it during the last recession from someone who needed cash more than the rifle. I hate to admit it, but I’ve never fired it. Too many other projects got in the way.
April 16, 2020, 05:57 PM
CD228
quote:
Originally posted by Sportshooter:
I don’t know CD228, what would the OD of a heavy be?

The OD will be about approximately .750-.8 IIRC

I generally look at the barrel and usually the heavy barrel's diameter is consistent from the base to under the FSB and to the muzzle. You might see some step downs depending on who made it.
April 16, 2020, 06:28 PM
gearhounds
If it has Vietnam era furniture and a 1/12” twist rate, I suspect it is a pencil barrel upper on an HBAR lower. I’m not familiar with any HBAR barrels with that slow a twist rate. Regardless, the lower with no upper attached is probably worth more than the other rifle.




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