Durability of M16A1 vs. M16A2 lower receiver

[USSarizona]

On another thread it was mentioned that there were two primary changes to the lower receiver of the A2, being the reinforcements at the front hinge pin holes, on the buffer tube ring itself and where the buffer tube ring integrates into the lower. It was mentioned that this was to strengthen it for melee attacks and the like.

I am wondering if anyone can estimate how significant this upgrade in strength is. Are these extra reinforcements worth the additional 5-10 k the A2s command over the A1s, like an insurance for accidental drops, etc., or is the extra cost more of a collector thing?

My only interest is in the structural integrity of the rifle.

 

[sniperdoc]

Like the other thread said, it was a small part of a general upgrade. Of far greater significance was heavier barrel with different twist, truly adjustable rear sight,&(in the lower) changing from the A1's Full Auto to the A2's Three Round Burst.

 

[Villafuego]

The only reason an A2 commands a price premium is due to their relative scarcity (compared to A1's).....

 

[ftldrben]

A2's tend to look a lot more 'modern' than A1's, as well and are typically in much better shape.
A1's are all shooters, in my safe and the A2's are split between safe queens and occasional shooters (always without the original upper).

Get an A2 now or you will later.

 

[Z06]

The "old" A1 works just fine, but I tend NOT to use the buttstock as a weapon/door break in tool.

 

[Vegas SMG]

To answer you question, the A-2 will out last the A-1 by exactly 7,632 rounds.

The Black Rifle, (both 1 & 2 by Christopher Bartocci), are the definitive reference books on the M-16. For purposes of your research, I'd suggest the second publication. There is a wealth of information supplied directly from Colt making this a must have publication for any M-16 owner.

Additionally, I'd suggest buying a NIB AR-15 so you'll become famaliar with the platform. It's seems clear from your initial thread about NIB guns that you have very little practical experience with the platform. It's short money for actually owning and gaining hands on experience with the platform, and you'll be able to transfer that experience if you do encounter a NIB A-2. I'd speculate that most M-16 owners have more than one semi auto AR. I have several that I enjoy.

 

[USSarizona]

To answer you question, the A-2 will out last the A-1 by exactly 7,632 rounds.

The Black Rifle, (both 1 & 2 by Christopher Bartocci), are the definitive reference books on the M-16. For purposes of your research, I'd suggest the second publication. There is a wealth of information supplied directly from Colt making this a must have publication for any M-16 owner.

Additionally, I'd suggest buying a NIB AR-15 so you'll become famaliar with the platform. It's seems clear from your initial thread about NIB guns that you have very little practical experience with the platform. It's short money for actually owning and gaining hands on experience with the platform, and you'll be able to transfer that experience if you do encounter a NIB A-2. I'd speculate that most M-16 owners have more than one semi auto AR. I have several that I enjoy.

I'm not sure why you would say this. My question has nothing to do with round count (your response was obviously sarcastic); it was geared toward impacts to the weapon, hence, "accidental drops, etc." I have no experience with A1's, semi or otherwise (or M16's of any model), and therefore have no point of comparison, which is why I asked. Practical experience (manual of arms, marksmanship, etc.) has nothing to do with a deeper understanding of the structural integrity of a weapon, which is why I defer to the expertise of those familiar with that subject matter. As far as purchasing NIB M16's vs. AR-15's, again, experience with the latter doesn't necessarily translate to the former. I don't know anyone who purchased an AR-15 in recent years that got one with a wick down the barrel... which is why one may have plenty of practical experience with AR-15's and still inquire about the particularities of NIB M16's.

I will check out The Black Rifle books. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Vegas SMG]

Both books are superb reference pieces.

As has been stated, unless you use the butt stock to repeatedly stroke a combatant's helmet, or use the gun as a pry bar, there's no real difference in structural durability. These are military rifles and have some meausre of durability. Testing is covered in the books. You'll egg out hammer and sear pin axis holes before you'll "break" the receiver. I say this based on examining extremely high mileage rental Las Vegas guns. I absolutely agree with Villafuego, the rarity of transferable A2s dictate the higher price, not the enhancements.

I feel every American should own a few basic firearms and that includes an AR-15. Many of the things you'll learn about the AR-15 will absolutely transfer to a full auto variant. They're a realibely inexpensive and fun plinker as shipped and can be transformed into a fairly serious 500 yard precision rifle. There's a ton of available accessories and caliber conversions available that makes them one of the most versatile rifles on the market. As long as you use a full auto carrier, these various uppers can be used on a M-16. You'll also see first hand the primary wear points should you decide to pull the trigger on a NIB M-16.

 

[USSarizona]

Both books are superb reference pieces.

As has been stated, unless you use the butt stock to repeatedly stroke a combatant's helmet, or use the gun as a pry bar, there's no real difference in structural durability. These are military rifles and have some meausre of durability. Testing is covered in the books. You'll egg out hammer and sear pin axis holes before you'll "break" the receiver. I say this based on examining extremely high mileage rental Las Vegas guns. I absolutely agree with Villafuego, the rarity of transferable A2s dictate the higher price, not the enhancements.

I feel every American should own a few basic firearms and that includes an AR-15. Many of the things you'll learn about the AR-15 will absolutely transfer to a full auto variant. They're a realibely inexpensive and fun plinker as shipped and can be transformed into a fairly serious 500 yard precision rifle. There's a ton of available accessories and caliber conversions available that makes them one of the most versatile rifles on the market. As long as you use a full auto carrier, these various uppers can be used on a M-16. You'll also see first hand the primary wear points should you decide to pull the trigger on a NIB M-16.

Your assumption that I, “…have very little practical experience with the platform," (i.e. AR-15) is both presumptuous and irrelevant.
If I am mistaking genuine advice for condecenstion, I withdraw my objections. To the extent your comments are intended to be helpful I appreciate it.

Nevertheless, while I do appreciate your insight, I think you may have misunderstood the vein of my OP regarding NIB M16s, perhaps because I was unclear. I'll have to reread my post. *After checking I believe I was clear, as I specifically referenced subtleties and excluded the obvious (marks on brass deflector, feed ramp, bolt face, etc.). I also referenced how to tell if a gun was re-anodized or if unoriginal new parts were installed. Practical familiarity to any degree with an AR would not provide one with this type of insight regarding M16s and many of their idiosyncrasies.

This response is in the vein of my OP:

A correct-color reanodization can be tough to spot –– then you have to go by much more subtle signs. Reanodizing doesn't restore metal where it has worn away, so you can check the high edges –– if you are familiar with NIB Colts, you can see where to look. In addition, while Colt's metalwork was not flawless (after all, these were built for military/LE issue), the surface cuts and scrapes were pretty consistent, so you can spot a metalwork flaw which just looks odd.

If it's a factory Carbine, look for the dab of paint on the receiver extension ring covering the staking. No paint there, it's a refinish.

Almost (but not all) factory Colts have the same dab of black paint on the bolt release pin hole. They were so commonly scratched there when the pin was inserted, that that became the second spot where Colt routinely dabbed black paint. No paint there always raises flags for me (though I have seen a very few factory Colts in which the finish was never scratched there, so there's no paint).