Ron Paul's Rifles - photos only please!

[Gideon]

So, I finally have enough money on hand to start working on my gun collection and was going to start with just a stripped AR-15 lower receiver and a stripped AK-47 lower receiver. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand then some ass hat decided to shoot up a school in CT. Now it's really hard to find the lowers that aren't $150+ a piece, and that's when you can find them at all. Can anyone offer any advice in my quest?

IMO, unless something radically changes, these are the new prices, and ammo prices are even higher comparatively!

For three weeks I have been seeking out .22 lr ammo with no success!

 

[Pericles]

I just bought a National Match M1A as a response to the disgusting violent act perpetrated upon the innocent children of Sandy Hook Elementary. Pictures soon to follow. Now my SOCOM II won't feel so lonely. And I'm proud to announce that I have reached the famed double digit mark on assault rifles.

Welcome to the party, pal:

 

[pacelli]

AK in 223 (Russian) with AR mag conversion.

 

[Pericles]

Given recent developments, I have thought it necessary to "up my game". The vets know where this is going.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I really need to hit the lotto.

 

[Pericles]

I really need to hit the lotto.

I got a killer deal on a Colt A2 barrel just as the madness started, so I was able to build a Colt A2 upper for just under $300 - I'm still a Colt BCG short and need lower. Decided I need to learn to do 80% lowers as my next skill to learn.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I got a killer deal on a Colt A2 barrel just as the madness started, so I was able to build a Colt A2 upper for just under $300 - I'm still a Colt BCG short and need lower. Decided I need to learn to do 80% lowers as my next skill to learn.

My AR is a pre-ban Colt Sporter Match HBAR in 5.56 NATO. Problem is it has proprietary takedown pins, and I'd have to custom machine inserts to make a standard upper fit. I really really want an A4 upper as my eyes are not as young as they used to be, and it's time I started going to optics. I used to hit 9/10 at 500 on irons. Now I'm at 6/10 and it has nothing to do with mechanics but eyesight.

What I WANT more than anything is an LMT308MWS w a 20" barrel. I had enough coming back on a federal tax refund to buy it last year, but Washington decided to seize my refund. So whatever.

 

[AuH20]

Given recent developments, I have thought it necessary to "up my game". The vets know where this is going.

You are the king of Colt A2s. How many do you have?

 

[GunnyFreedom]

bloop



ETA - for those in the know this was an answer, not a bump.

 

[Darguth]

Was able to grab this before things got to be too out-of-hand for a reasonable price. It's a DPMS Classic-16 with Magpul MOE furniture.

 

[Pericles]

You are the king of Colt A2s. How many do you have?

That is my second Colt A2. The other A2s are FNs. I need to be prepared in case of national emergency.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

That is my second Colt A2. The other A2s are FNs. I need to be prepared in case of national emergency.

Do either of your Colt A2's have the larger pre-ban flat-head screw takedown pin up front?

 

[Pericles]

Do either of your Colt A2's have the larger pre-ban flat-head screw takedown pin up front?

No - the uppers are all military parts, not the civilian Sporter II upper receivers. In fact that is how I got the most recent barrel - it came as a group of parts where somebody was trying to mount it in a Sporter II upper and could not get it to fit - went right into a Colt Martin Marietta forge military upper. Lowers come from a company in MN that turns out a first class product (better than Colt IMO) that you can get in M16 gray rather than black, for the more tremendous appearance.

Close up of the other Colt A2 (also Martin Marietta forge upper):

FN gray tends to be a bit on the "purple" side:

 

[ClydeCoulter]

I got a killer deal on a Colt A2 barrel just as the madness started, so I was able to build a Colt A2 upper for just under $300 - I'm still a Colt BCG short and need lower. Decided I need to learn to do 80% lowers as my next skill to learn.

Do 80% lowers have to be finished off by the user, legally, instead of another 3rd party? Can someone else finish off to 98%?

 

[Pericles]

Do 80% lowers have to be finished off by the user, legally, instead of another 3rd party? Can someone else finish off to 98%?

Strictly DIY - the best way is to rent or have access to a 3 way CNC machine, where you down load the machining file from the NET and push a button. I've started the search to try and find such an opportunity. Otherwise, drill press time and some finishing work.

 

[ClydeCoulter]

Strictly DIY - the best way is to rent or have access to a 3 way CNC machine, where you down load the machining file from the NET and push a button. I've started the search to try and find such an opportunity. Otherwise, drill press time and some finishing work.

I have a mill, lathe and a CNC machine. I thought I might be able to help some others out.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

No - the uppers are all military parts, not the civilian Sporter II upper receivers. In fact that is how I got the most recent barrel - it came as a group of parts where somebody was trying to mount it in a Sporter II upper and could not get it to fit - went right into a Colt Martin Marietta forge military upper. Lowers come from a company in MN that turns out a first class product (better than Colt IMO) that you can get in M16 gray rather than black, for the more tremendous appearance.

Close up of the other Colt A2 (also Martin Marietta forge upper):

OK help me here, what's the difference between a Sporter and a Sporter 2?

Mine is labeled "Sporter" full stop, and by the serial number it was made well, well pre-ban. Has the fence around the mag release, the sear block, 5.56 NATO chamber, A2 style everything plus match grade 1/7 heavy barrel.

I'd be surprised as all get out if a barel exchange didn't work on this weapon, but what I REALLY want is some way to add a sleeve or some kind of fitting to the forward takedown pin to get a different upper for this lower, because I want a flat top to mount optics.

 

[Pericles]

OK help me here, what's the difference between a Sporter and a Sporter 2?

Mine is labeled "Sporter" full stop, and by the serial number it was made well, well pre-ban. Has the fence around the mag release, the sear block, 5.56 NATO chamber, A2 style everything plus match grade 1/7 heavy barrel.

I'd be surprised as all get out if a barel exchange didn't work on this weapon, but what I REALLY want is some way to add a sleeve or some kind of fitting to the forward takedown pin to get a different upper for this lower, because I want a flat top to mount optics.

Sporter II has the normal quarter inch pivot / takedown pin instead of the screw. Also has the full fence lower ..... and eventually also had the "A2" upper as standard. Sporters tended to be "mixmasters" as there is no technical data package as with the military rifles, so parts that did not make quality control on the military production could end up in the civilian market. There are bushings to fit the standard uppers on the Sporter lower.

 

[Pericles]

I have a mill, lathe and a CNC machine. I thought I might be able to help some others out.

You could be very helpful to visitors - but they have to do the work. You can make sure they don't make errors. The CNC is great because the visitor just has to start the machine.

 

[ClydeCoulter]

You could be very helpful to visitors - but they have to do the work. You can make sure they don't make errors. The CNC is great because the visitor just has to start the machine.

Thanks, good idea