r/RetroAR • • Feb 24 '26

r/RetroAR is looking for a couple of new mods. Comment here to volunteer!

9 Upvotes

I'm stepping down to focus on my "joining the military" and folk music subs, so this sub could use a couple more new mods. If interested in volunteering, ensure your account has at least 1 year on Reddit, and comment below with the following:

  • What is your background or area of interest as pertains to Retro ARs?
  • What would be your priorities, goals, changes if you become a mod?

r/RetroAR • • Mar 06 '25

Finishing up sub policy updates: what post flairs do folks want to see?

47 Upvotes

The mod team is refining our sub policies to update the “What is Retro?” post that is the core of what we do and do not include on this sub.

I’ve been polling the readership, and so far we’re looking at:

  • Fixed carry handles are mandatory (exception for AR-18, T65, etc)
  • provided the carry handle is fixed, modern accoutrements are still allowed (Keymod, modern optics, etc)
  • builds based on ARs in fiction are allowed.

I’ve seen some strong upvotes for adding post flairs to the sub, so that folks that just want to see historically accurate rifles can single those out, folks who like Retromod can zoom in one those, etc. I conferred with the senior mod and he suggested we have fun(ny) flairs for each category. Once these are made, post flairs will be mandatory to make a new post. What flairs would folks like to have for:

  • Historically accurate (externally) builds. (Still allows “sleeper” internal modern touches like non-historical twist rates and cartridges)
  • “Retromod” builds that have a fixed handle but modern accoutrements
  • Fictional builds based off movies, shows, manga, video games, etc.

Pitch us your ideas, and the best ones will be instituted, along with making post flairs mandatory, in the near future.


r/RetroAR • • 5h ago

Slicksides

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65 Upvotes

601-ish clone and Colt SP1


r/RetroAR • • 8h ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out 607 Inspired 11.5

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74 Upvotes

Got the itch after seeing a proper 607 in this sub. Put a little twist on it and here is my new blaster.

I have intentions to fabricate a scout mount for the FSB, will post when complete!


r/RetroAR • • 6h ago

Was driving through a small town in SW MO and stumbled across an XM-15E2S. Is that $599 a good price for it? [More curious then anything else, im too poor atm to buy]

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31 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 6h ago

What is this, a 635/L? Naw, just a personal project that kinda looks like one for now. 😁

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24 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 14h ago

Look at my bush…master

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61 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 10h ago

Upper Receiver Question

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26 Upvotes

I don’t know too much about these so figured someone here can help. I obtained this and other bits and pieces from an estate sale.

1) Behind the front sight is marked 1/96…guessing this is when it was manufactured?
2) The barrel has a C engraved where it meets the receiver…this was done by Colt?
3) The top of the barrel is marked C MP without parentheses…most photos posted here showed (C). Did late 90’s barrels not have the parentheses?
4) The upper came this way when I got it…any ideas if these parts are all original or assembled by the previous owner? The hand guards have no identifiable markings. They are plastic and has one layer of what looks like aluminum. There is also a “4” engraved on the front face of the receiver.

Thanks in advance!


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

That Real Gourmet Shit I just bought this Colt SP1 off an old guy who lives in the neighborhood for $1200. Any SP1 experts here who can tell me more about what I've got?

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145 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 5h ago

Looking for a weaver light mount.

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longhorntactical.com
1 Upvotes

Just as the title says, I'm looking for one of these for a build. I saw that the site above has them, but I just want to know if they're trustworthy or not. Any information on other sites that sell a similar mount is appreciated.


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

Diet Retro Just Stuff

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160 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

RX-06 that completes the DOE

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144 Upvotes

Lucky to have scored the last piece to finish my ultimate DOE build. I have been searching for a long time and I am glad I finally snagged one 😁


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

Throw together build

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105 Upvotes

Had a 16in pencil barrel assembly/handguards, charging handle/bcg, car-15 stock/pad, and a1 grip left over from other builds. Grabbed a C7 stripped upper and built it with a A2 rear sight aperture I yanked out of a removable carry handle I don’t use. Then grabbed a complete PA-15 stealth lower during Labor Day sales and no tax holiday for the low. For a spare-ish parts build, I actually really like it.


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

A1 Rifle vs 723 Carbine

12 Upvotes

Curious on the expert opinions. If you could only have one rifle to do everything with, paired with a 4x carry handle scope, would you prefer an A1 or 723 clone and why?


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

Do I paint the 2000L black or leave it?

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62 Upvotes

I bought this Aimpoint 2000L used and tested it. Everything works good on it and I was surprised how clear the glass is and how sharp the dot is. Now I'm looking for suggestions on painting it black or leaving it alone. The rifle is not a Colt or even a cool M16 marked lower, but it works good and is very accurate for a 14.5" FSB upper(B.KINGS). 1.5" MOA with a 4x. and 77gr. otm from Palmetto. Not every group tho. So basically the rifle is a keeper(even registered it as an SBR before October 9th because I never thought we'd get here with the ATF). The Aimpoint 2000L also works good. Thanks


r/RetroAR • • 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out Rapco Panzer Grey vs legit Colt gray for reference

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46 Upvotes

After searching around for a simple to use "Colt Gray" lookalike, I decided to try out Rapco's Panzer Gray after seeing another post on here. It's not a match but overall I think it looks decent for spray paint. It might be a better match for a brand new H&R gray finish since this upper has been worn down by decades of service.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Making functional retro magpulls with zip ties, 550 cord and 100mph tape.

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370 Upvotes

So I see a lot of people make these by taking regular paracord and taping it to the sides of the mag. This method is less than ideal because it can eventually work itself free, potentially at an inopportune moment. Not only that but the floppy paracord can get pinned down and hard to grab defeating the whole purpose.

The better method is to tie knots in it, place a strip of zip tie inside and tuck underneath the base plate. Then you can still stick the tape around the base of the mag for extra grip on the slick aluminum surface. The combo of all these is an ideal form factor that is secure and more importantly, keep the vibes.

For this you need:

• Scissors/knife

• Lighter for melting cord

• 550 cord, color of your choice

• Medium sized zip ties

• 100 mph or Gaffer tape, color of your choice

• Beer of your choice

Cut your paracord into 5 to 6 inch strips, pulling the core out and melting the ends with a lighter, taking care ro keep the opening open, not melted shut.

Cut 2 to 3 inch lengths of zip tie, rounding off one side a bit to make it easier to put into the empty paracord sheath.

Tie a knot in one side of your 550 cord strip, then place the zip tie into the sheath, leaving a quarter inch between the knot and the zip tie.

Tie the other end of the cord, again making sure to leave a quarter inch to an eighth inch of flexible sheath between zip tie and knot.

Pull your baseplates back halfway, making sure to not release the spring in the process.

Place the knot on one side of your corded zip tie pull in between the baseplate and the wall of the magazine, taking care to not fray the 550 cord while working it into the space between them.

Place the knot on the other side of your magpull on the opposite side of the baseplate and tuck it in.

Slide the baseplate back into position, making sure to position the pull where you want it on the bottom of the magazine.

For a seamless tape wrap use a razor knife to cut it cleanly then apply at one of the back folds/corners, then carefully wrap the tape around the base, pushing it into the magazine as you go, then cut again right at the same corner where you began.

Et voilà, you now have a cool retro looking mag pull that has the vibes and the functionality of sticking out and being incredibly secure. Yank on that sucker all you want, it's not going anywhere.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Gordon Carbine - preparing to rattle

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124 Upvotes

14.5 with M4

Clone Aimpoint 5000, real one en route.

Used 5 o'clock instead of 7 o'clock for WML since I am a lefty. Not sure my tism will allow this.

Not a rattlecan guy but guess I should suck it up.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Det. Casals/Operation Reciprocity/Low Poly World In Conflict build

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89 Upvotes

Torn between keeping this rifle super basic or adding the optic and faux muzzle for a more standout look. I was more inspired to make this rifle from Clear and Present Danger more so than Heat but I was happy to see the Rapidex rear sight knob in the film. And yes I know that in World in Conflict the Washington National Guard uses M16A2s but wayyy back in the day when I played it on my awful laptop the grafics were turned so far down that the cutscenes were horrendous. The sight knob was identifiable but other gun details were most definitely not.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Vietnam era M16A1 upper looks like it had a “run through the jungle”

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68 Upvotes

Figured I would show off one of my extra Colt 603 uppers that has a beautifully worn patina on it. This upper and bolt carrier group originally came to me as a black-painted USGI refurb with a post-war barrel. The 1969-71 era C MP C barrel came off of another upper Vietnam era upper that’ll be getting the XM177E2 treatment.

Problem I find myself in now is that I have too many A1 uppers to build out, with some others that are in great shape. And now I’ve got a Soviet Type 3 AK kit coming that I’ll be looking to get rewelded. Too many irons in the fire, will have to pare down a few things


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Bad Attitude Department Tula build.

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93 Upvotes

Super happy with this. It shoots and feels better than I was expecting.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Diet Retro Parts bin Meme build. Runs flawlessly 🤯

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62 Upvotes

Kitty Kat we have at home. 8” 300BLK BA barrel, set screw* converted FSB, $50 BCG, DPMS/PSA lower built with the cheapest lower parts kit I could find/scrounge up from my bins.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Wanted a laser mount for my 80s HeNe laser. Wanted an 80s sci-fi look, so I machined an aluminum one.

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106 Upvotes

It utilizes an upside down Peq 2 barrel mount that has a bottom plate that locks into the bayonet lug so it’s a super solid, but heavy setup.


r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

Cag grip

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17 Upvotes

r/RetroAR • • 2d ago

That Real Gourmet Shit Building a light pipe from scratch for my C.M.O. M-16 Marksman Elite 4x21 scope

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114 Upvotes

Bought it off eBay for a good price, other than missing the light dome, it's in immaculate condition. Took measurements with what I had on hand to figure out that the threads were M12 x .075 fine pitch metric. Then grabbed some 12mm UV resistant acrylic rod stock off Amazon and an M12 x 0.75 die for threading. Thankfully 11mm rod stock fits in a standard DeWalt drill chuck so I was able to throw it in one and use it like a poor man's lathe to sand it down to the nominal diameter of 11.85mm to 11.95mm for threading.

After a few test fits and some shaping I had it down to a nice little rounded nub that sits below the elevation turret. Didn't have polishing compound so I grabbed some extra whitening toothpaste which worked brilliantly with a small buffing wheel. Polished up great.

Did I get to a state of fiber optic Total Internal Reflection? No, God no. But I got close and it works really well to keep the reticle bright in changing lighting conditions and doesn't look like the original one, which was a bright ass red caution light dome.