The Quasi-Official M16A4 Clone Thread

[smores]

Alright guys, I'm mostly done with my build but had a few questions... and figured I'd make a thread for anyone who has their own 'A4 clone to spread the love and post up their own pr0n.

Why am I building an M16A4 clone? Well, I have always liked the feel of the M16A2, and the A4 allows some customization. I hate being stuck with the fixed carry handle with so many good optics available for this platform. It's just outdated and I wanted an up-to-date full-sized rifle. I qualified on the M16A2 in Army Basic a while back, earning Sharpshooter, and I qualified Expert with the bayonet... so of course I needed a host for my M9 in case I ever feel the need to practice some buttstrokes or slashes. Most of all I wanted a bare-bones (within reason) AR-15 variant to train my friends and family with. No BAD lever, no crazy stock/single point sling, no ambi safety, and so on. I love my SBR but when I take people less familiar to the AR-15 platform to the range, they become easily confused with all the extra doo-dads on it, so having a KISS-style rifle will be easier for them to learn the ropes on.

So far in this build I have the following:

- Spikes Tactical ST-15 lower
- Spikes Tactical LRPK
- Palmetto State Armory A2 buttstock kit & rifle buffer
- Magpul MIAD grip (like the A2 carry handle, the A2 grip is outdated and had to go)
- BCM 20" Gov't profile upper
- BCM 30 round mag

It will have the following installed within the next month or so:

- BCM M16 BCG
- BCM Mod3 Gunfighter CH
- KAC M5 RAS
- Sling (either USGI Web sling for authenticity or VTAC padded sling w/ adapter for badassery)

The ONLY part I need your guys' input in is on the rear BUIS. I need elevation adjustment, and would prefer that it be flippable, so that leaves out the DD, LaRue, LMT, Troy, LWRCI, and most other rear BUIS. So I'm between the Matech and KAC Micro-Adjust rear sight. The Matech offers quicker multi-range adjustment, but let's face it I'm more than likely going to want a 50m zero that I can set and forget since I don't shoot at any ranges that go much farther past 100 yds if that. But I would like to get it dialed in exactly. I've heard the Matech sight's flip detent/retainer can wear out under heavy use, and it defaults to the up position since it's spring loaded. I know Battle Arms Dev. has an upgraded base for it, anyone used it? I know KAC is supposed to be a legit sight, but I don't want to assume it's awesome because of their reputation - anyone have actual experience and can positively recommend it? Both the Matech and KAC are the same price ($150) so it's really a toss-up. Let me know if you have anything good/bad to say!

Here's a slightly better pic, with my Lan-Cay M9 bayonet mounted! (it sure looks sad with no handguards... )

 

[Ski169]

I wish you would have mentioned sights earlier. The least I could have done was brought the SR-15 I have so you could actually check out the sight even though it's not for sale (has to stay with the rifle). It seems fairly rugged but I don't feel I have enough time with it to actually recommend it. Sorry dude, I guess that was just bad timing. I do have the flip type on my LWRC (which is just a set of Troy sights) but it doesn't lay flat with the peep flipped one way but will the other. I hope that made sense.

 

[smores]

I wish you would have mentioned sights earlier. The least I could have done was brought the SR-15 I have so you could actually check out the sight even though it's not for sale (has to stay with the rifle). It seems fairly rugged but I don't feel I have enough time with it to actually recommend it. Sorry dude, I guess that was just bad timing. I do have the flip type on my LWRC (which is just a set of Troy sights) but it doesn't lay flat with the peep flipped one way but will the other. I hope that made sense.

I get what you're saying. I have the LWRCI Skirmish rear sight on my SBR, which allows you to lay it flat with either the large or small diameter aperature flat. However there's no elevation adjustment.

I like the LMT BUIS, but it's big and obviously not flippable. I have seen and handled the KAC BUIS many times but I would like to hear how it holds up over time. The MaTech one gets mixed reviews, people either love it or hate it!

 

[jawn]

A5, dawg. The official AR15 of Canadia.

 

[jaredm1]

Closest I got:

I have since sold the KAC M5 rails and put the standard plastic handguards back on...to me it wasn't worth the extra weight to only be holding a flashlight. Occasionally I will think about putting an Aimpoint on there, but honestly, I'm still trying to master the iron sights.

 

[Ski169]

Okay, this is posted in the gallery but since smores had to start this quasi-official A4 thread, I had to post it here too. Sorry the pic isn't that great but it's good enough to tell it's an A4 clone. No A5s allowed

 

[Tower43]

I'll post a recent pic once I finish moving; I have

Colt HBAR 6720 Lower/Upper.
White Oak Armament 20" SS SDM Barrel
Pinned FSP ("F" Mark)
MOE Handguards
Bipod
Primary Arms 4-16x44 Illum. Mildot Reticle. (Also have the detachable carrying handle)
Fixed A2 style stock


I built this based off the USMC/USA SAMR/SDM rifle. WOA manuf to the exact same specs for the weapon. All I need to do is get a bayonet, bayonet lug and have a Gunsmith parkerize the top 6 inches.. (I'm not really worried about parkerizing the barrel under the handguard).

I too used this rifle when active, 6th award Expert, Designated Marksman. I've built this one to be able to be used in CMP if I can ever find a CMP match that runs when I'm not working.

 

[04RWon]

View attachment 60704

Okay, this is posted in the gallery but since smores had to start this quasi-official A4 thread, I had to post it here too. Sorry the pic isn't that great but it's good enough to tell it's an A4 clone. No A5s allowed

If that is a ta31rcoa4 you have EXACTLY what my next ar will be. Bcm upper, kac rails. I freaking love it!

 

[Ski169]

If that is a ta31rcoa4 you have EXACTLY what my next ar will be. Bcm upper, kac rails. I freaking love it!

Thanks Dude. That's exactly what you see. It's the ta31rcoa4 acog. I had to make sure I got the right one as there's a couple similar acogs at a glance. Some minor differences between the real deal (my personal touches.... grip& trigger) but pretty damn close. It looks like we're all thinking alike on this A4 build. Good luck on the upper though. I sold smores the one he's got for this build since BCM hasn't had them in stock for a while. But again, thanks for the compliment.

 

[04RWon]

Thanks Dude. That's exactly what you see. It's the ta31rcoa4 acog. I had to make sure I got the right one as there's a couple similar acogs at a glance. Some minor differences between the real deal (my personal touches.... grip& trigger) but pretty damn close. It looks like we're all thinking alike on this A4 build. Good luck on the upper though. I sold smores the one he's got for this build since BCM hasn't had them in stock for a while. But again, thanks for the compliment.

Yeah for the rco's they have the a4 and m4 models. Hopefully next week when i get home some goodies will fall into place and ill start placing orders soon. Where do you normally shoot? I ask because if you didnt mind, i was gonna see if you would want to head to marriotsville agc. Id really like to check it out in person and shoot it if possible, all if you wouldnt mind. The grip, upper, stock, rails, and optic are what im going for.

 

[HokieCasey]

You know they also have the m150 (army) version of the rco. I ended up with the 150 due to a miss label that resulted in an amazon open box for $800. So I'm not complaining.

 

[04RWon]

You know they also have the m150 (army) version of the rco. I ended up with the 150 due to a miss label that resulted in an amazon open box for $800. So I'm not complaining.

Same thing just a green chevron right?

 

[HokieCasey]

Same reticle design/color. Hybrid bullet drop lines, not optimized foor 20" or 14.5" barrel, somewhere inbetween, and thumb knobs for zero, comes with flip covers

 

[Ski169]

You know they also have the m150 (army) version of the rco. I ended up with the 150 due to a miss label that resulted in an amazon open box for $800. So I'm not complaining.

I was avoiding the M150. Nothing against it. Just going for the USMC version. Although larue has a pretty good deal on a 150/mount combo.

 

[HokieCasey]

I think the one I got was opened boxed at $800 via amazon cause it was listed as an a4. Way I see for the break I wasn't too worried about it. At 400-500 of a essentially acog

 

[smores]

I'll post a recent pic once I finish moving; I have

Colt HBAR 6720 Lower/Upper.
White Oak Armament 20" SS SDM Barrel
Pinned FSP ("F" Mark)
MOE Handguards
Bipod
Primary Arms 4-16x44 Illum. Mildot Reticle. (Also have the detachable carrying handle)
Fixed A2 style stock


I built this based off the USMC/USA SAMR/SDM rifle. WOA manuf to the exact same specs for the weapon. All I need to do is get a bayonet, bayonet lug and have a Gunsmith parkerize the top 6 inches.. (I'm not really worried about parkerizing the barrel under the handguard).

I too used this rifle when active, 6th award Expert, Designated Marksman. I've built this one to be able to be used in CMP if I can ever find a CMP match that runs when I'm not working.

Have you shot groups with it since it was built? I helped you put that one together so I hope you're enjoying it!

I'm glad we have some A4 fans. I see so many carbines out at the ranges and so it's nice to stand out. Can't wait to get the last few parts I need and take it to the range. Nothing handles like the M16, even with the 20" barrel it's really not hard to handle in all but the tightest spaces.

Too bad I can't afford a DIAS, I'd love to have the burst function available.

 

[bigjohn]

i have the MI low profile on my latest. only 7/16 tall when folded. works great

 

[Slimjim]

My pretty correct M16A4.

It started as a stag arms model 4, changed out the Hbar barrel for a FNMI Gov profile M16A4 takeoff barrel. KAC M5 RAS, PWS FSC-556, Matech Rear sight. So basically this is an Army m16A4 clone. As all the marine corp ones i've seen dont run the Matech rear, And i'm running an Aimpoint comp m2 (ml2? the NV capable one) in a Weaver tactical ring, but thats not shown as i still need to get the correct height. I'm also using a GI sling on it, but i may change that out, as its kinda uncomfortable when compared to "tactical" slings.

The attachment on the top rail is an Laser Devices OTAL IR laser.

Those people who havent handled a gov profile 20" rifle, or have only shot carbines dont know what they're missing. Low recoil, Not throwing cartridges far away from you, And the longer sight radius as well as increased velocity make the M16A4, in my mind. The perfect ar15 configuration. I will be building a second M16A4 clone to backup the this one.

 

[04RWon]

Slim i agree 110% its soo good to see love for the 20" rifles

 

[smores]

M5 RAS has arrived. In a few weeks it's time for a BCM BCG (I will just use the WMD NiB one once it arrives for now), and KAC 200-600 BUS. I lucked out and found this RAS on gunbroker for $130 SHIPPED, with all these rail panels (still have a couple left over) and the foregrip. I don't think I could have gotten a better deal!