Posted on 12/07/2016 4:54:38 PM PST by PROCON
The classic M16A1 was the iconic rifle of the Vietnam War. It was issued to the vast majority of U.S. soldiers during the conflict, and it’s general success in combat led to its continued service in the U.S. armed forces in varied forms over the years. And of course it wasn’t too long before the M16’s popularity translated to the civilian market as well.
Luckily, earlier this summer at the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Louisville, Kentucky, Colt teased the release of a reproduction, semi-auto-only M16A1 that faithfully replicates the look and features of the original, Vietnam-era rifle. The new rifle, which Colt has dubbed the M16A1 Reissue, is a virtual match to the classic design, featuring the same unique triangular handguard, 20-inch pencil-profile chrome-lined barrel with a 1:12-inch twist, and recognizable carrying handle.
Although I wasn’t in attendance at the event in Louisville, I did get a chance to get some shooting time with the new Colt M16A1 Reissue at Colt’s recent Media Day event at the historic Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the M16A1 Reissue from the Colt team and to put some rounds through it at the range.
While there are a ton of AR-15 style rifles available today, faithful recreations of the original military-issue M16A1 are a little harder to find. This can be especially disappointing for collectors looking for a semi-auto replica of this classic and historical rifle.
(Excerpt) Read more at gundigest.com ...
Specifications:
Colt M16A1 Reissue
Type: Semi-auto, direct gas impingement
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Barrel: 20-in., pencil-profile, 4150 CMV, chrome lined, 1:12-in. twist
Barrel Finish: Manganese phosphate
Overall Length: 38.8 in.
Weight: 6.37 lbs.
Receivers: 7075-T6 aluminum, hardcoat anodized
Sights: Fixed A1-style front and rear
Trigger: Single stage
Grip: Government A1 style grip
Stock: A1 style buttstock
Capacity: 20+1
Price: $2,499
Manufacturer: Colt
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I would like to have one but would much rather have an H-Bar with the 1:7 twist.
The longer barrel matters.
If IIRC from my Army days, the maximum effective range of the A1 was 480 yards.
Was the first rifle I ever fired. Hooah.
LOL, Colt’s getting desperate and hoping Colt fanboys will buy this overpriced ‘collectible edition’ version of the AR-15 after spending the last 25 years pissing all over the civilian market. FUCM.
***Price: $2,499***
WHA-A-A-T! I bought my first in 1970 at Looboyles, in Tulsa Oklahoma! $200.00!
And like an idiot I sold it a few years later. But then, no one wanted a plastic mouse gun! Even the gun magazines derided the aR-15 as inaccurate!
Then Mel Tappan wrote his book on SURVIVAL GUNS and began a series of survival articles in GUNS AND AMMO magazine. The desire for a .223 took off like a rocket!
Will it still have the logo for the manufacturer of the tail stock on it? How many here know what it is?
Well, if I was shooting at a target from 480 yards I would want a different caliber rifle all together.
And I would certainly be kicking myself in the ass for finding myself in a situation where I had to make that shot with anything other than an accurate, scoped platform of .308 or better.
Mattel.
I’d buy it just for the nostalgic value of holding a rifle I shot 45+ years ago.
Correctomundo! It was actually the pistol grip and going through basic while cleaning mine the first time, I caught it.
But hitting anything regularly over 300 was a crap-shoot unless it was as big as a small barn.
Many years ago my isolated garage apartment was broken into while I was at work. They took my Colt SP1 along with several other firearms. I ordered it brand new thru a local gun dealer in 1984 for $459. I sure miss that rifle...
I’m not a collector so I won’t spend that kind of money for nostalgia.
Meh.
I prefer the HK G3 even with the added weight.
I bought my first Beretta model 70 at the same store around 1974.
Remember when Americans weren't pussies?
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