How to tell if m16 is NIB

[USSarizona]

*UPDATE W/PICS How to tell if m16 is NIB

When inspecting an RR, what should one look for in trying to verify the likelihood it is in fact unfired, other than the obvious (marks on brass deflector, feed ramp, bolt face, etc.? Any subtleties one should be looking for? A patch through the gas tube?...

How does one tell if all parts are original and not replacements (everything from furniture to fire control, upper receiver, etc.?

Also, is there a way to tell if it has been re-anodized? (Looking at Colt A2's)

Thanks guys.

 

[dgleavitt]

Wear on the takedown pins. Hammer mark on the top of the disconnector. Wear on the catch. Marks on the selector stops from the owner flicking the modes of fire back and forth.

If he replaces the fcg and the bolt stop with colt fcgs I am not sure you can tell the difference. I do believe there are different versions of full auto hammers out there but I am not sure what the differences are and if they could be used for your detective work.

 

[X-Ray Zulu]

Look at the buffer and down the buffer tube for wear marks and grooves... always a good indicator...

 

[attherange]

NIB Colt's would likely have a wick down the pipe. Other wear areas: face of the buffer, top of the sear, face of the hammer, feed ramps, discoloration of the gas tube. As for OEM parts depending date of mfg. Colt parts are marked you will need to do some research.

 

[USSarizona]

. As for OEM parts depending date of mfg. Colt parts are marked you will need to do some research.

Any suggestions where to begin looking for information regarding the markings?

 

[attherange]

Use your google fu grasshopper.

 

[USSarizona]

Here are a few pics of an A2 I saw that is advertised as Unfired. Anything pop out to anyone? (Sorry, I tried to embed the pictures, but they wouldn't take)



Does the color of the upper look mismatched with the lower? If so, is this normal?

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=3&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired


The brass deflector looks like it has discoloration on it also. Does this look like it is from use?

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=11&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired


Few other pics:

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=12&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=10&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=7&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&print_popup_photo=on&db_id=25864&photo_number=2&photo_type=jpg&caption=Colt+M16A2+Carbine,+14.5",+Like+New,+Unfired

 

[attherange]

Typical example of colt M16 M4 looks to be great condition, older butt stock and carry handle.

 

[USSarizona]

Typical example of colt M16 M4 looks to be great condition, older butt stock and carry handle.

When you say great condition, is there anything in the pics that may suggest it is not unfired or original?

 

[Renegade]

I do not think transferable M16A2 ever came with a 14.5 BBL or a removeable carry handle. So it seems the entire upper is not original.

 

[USSarizona]

I do not think transferable M16A2 ever came with a 14.5 BBL.

I read on AR15.com that there are somewhere around 2k A2's in the registry and approx. 250 of them left the factory with 11.5 in. bbls. and approx. 250 of them left with 14.5 in. bbls.

Can anyone verify this?

 

[attherange]

I can tell you that Colt was notorious for assembling weapons and serial numbers out of sequence.

 

[USSarizona]

I can tell you that Colt was notorious for assembling weapons and serial numbers out of sequence.

pm sent

 

[Renegade]

I can tell you that Colt was notorious for assembling weapons and serial numbers out of sequence.

True but they did not have a Flux Capacitor, which is what you need to put a 14.5 flattop on a M16A2 prior to 5/19/86....

 

[pjeski]

Would the gun have to have been built prior to May '86 or would the receiver just have had to have been registered by then?

 

[attherange]

True but they did not have a Flux Capacitor, which is what you need to put a 14.5 flattop on a M16A2 prior to 5/19/86....

Yes sir there was only one Flux Capacitor……and we know how that ended but I think the OP was concerned if the weapon was original/new Colt components, not configuration.

 

[dgleavitt]

Did Colt stake the buffer tube castle nut on their factory builds? I thought they did and that castle nut in the first picture appears to be unstaked. So maybe the buttstock and buffer tube was replaced.

After a brief search on google, I found that it is in the Mil-specs to stake the nut. So I may be wrong but I dont believe the lower is in the original configuration.

 

[Renegade]

Yes sir there was only one Flux Capacitor……and we know how that ended but I think the OP was concerned if the weapon was original/new Colt components, not configuration.

The upper might be unfired and all Colt, but it is not the original upper that came with that lower. I thought that was what OP meant what he asked if it was "original". I did check the ad and the buyer is listing it as "Like New, Unfired", as opposed to NIB.

 

[Renegade]

Did Colt stake the buffer tube castle nut on their factory builds? I thought they did and that castle nut in the first picture appears to be unstaked. So maybe the buttstock and buffer tube was replaced.

After a brief search on google, I found that it is in the Mil-specs to stake the nut. So I may be wrong but I dont believe the lower is in the original configuration.

Hence my point. If you want an M16A2 shooter, that is a good gun. If you want a factory M16A2, that is not it.

 

[dgleavitt]

Sure is a great looking shooter(and an expensive shooter too) but the OP also asked if everything was original and it is not. Not the upper and not the lower furniture. And if he was willing to change out the original furniture, then it's possible he changed out the fcg too, if it had wear on it. Not saying he did but it's possible. Why would you change the configuration of a gun and not shoot it?

Having said that. The actual lower looks great and I can't see indication of it being shot. Which may be why the OP asked about reanodizing too.