RETRO BLACK RIFLE - RIFLE GUIDE - OTHER U.S. MANUFACTURERS OF M16A1
HISTORY / BACKGROUND:-
The M16A1 was built by three companies for the U.S. Military.
Colt made the majority.
The Hydra-Matic Division of General Motors made approximately 469,000 from 1968 to 1971.
Harrington and Richardson also made at least 246,000 M16A1 rifles during Vietnam.
H&R's one known contract started November 1968 and ended April 1970.
*More info is currently being researched (Dec 2009)
Balimoy supplied replacement lowers for M16A2s.
Any that were A1 marked were re-stamped at the time that they were used.
They were never built to M16A1 specs and Balimoy never made complete rifles.
Pictures below are included for clarification.
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LOWER RECEIVER:
Hydra-Matic:
MARKINGS:
HYDRA-MATIC DIV
G.M. CORP.
U.S.A.
PROPERTY
OF U.S. GOVT.
M16A1
CAL. 5.56 MM
3XXXXXX
Harrington and Richardson:
MARKINGS:
(H&R Logo)
PROPERTY
OF U.S. GOVT.
M16A1
CAL. 5.56 MM
2XXXXXX
Balimoy:
MARKINGS:
MFR 2U894
PROPERTY
OF U.S. GOVT.
M16A1(overstamped with a 2)
CAL. 5.56 MM
XXXXXXX
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UPPER RECEIVER:
Uppers can be identified by no Colt triangle proof codes.
Also H&R uppers have a pronounced forge flash
ridge at the front and/or rear of the receiver.
Picture Courtesy of Engineer5
Picture Courtesy of Engineer5
Picture Courtesy of Engineer5
Picture Courtesy of Engineer5
.223 Cal / 5.56mm MILITARY RIFLE GUIDE
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