AR15/M16A1 Lower Receiver Clone Building Guide

Introduction
Due to the fact that A1-type lowers are basically non-existent on a commercial level, one of the options

The purpose of this diatribe is to provide some examples of these modifications..

Lower Receiver Modification

*WORD OF CAUTION* (disclaimer): Before things get started it should be mentioned here that attempt
It should also noted that some of these modifications involve the use of welding. If done improperly, we
PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
The author of this thread and ARFCOM do not condone these modifications in any way, and assume no liability whatsoever for damages or injuries. Thes

The extent of the modifications to be performed will depend on which model or type of lower receiver is

All types or models should have the following modifications made to be considered cosmetically correc
1. Re-profile the rear of the receiver around the buffer tube/extension area.
This is basically a process of grinding off the reinforcement material that was added to strengthen the b

2. Re-profile the front of the receiver below the front takedown pin.
This is also basically a process of grinding off the reinforcement material that was added to strengthen

3. Remove the "Safe" and "Fire" markings from the left side of the receiver.
This is a process of filling in the markings with either a putty/filler, or by welding a "bead" over them. Th

Depending on which type or model of A1 lower is being made, the mag fence should be modified as fol

For a "Slabside Lower"

1. The full mag fence must be removed.
This is basically a process of grinding off the raised mag fence. Note that some sort of early-style pivot

For a "Partial Fence Lower"

1. A portion of the mag fence around the mag release must be removed.
As in the above example, this is basically a process of grinding off the raised mag fence. See the pictur

Notice the length and shape of the rear portion of what is now the pivot pin detent housing.

For a "Full Fence Lower"

1. No additional modifications are needed.

For additional information on this topic/process you can also see:

A2 lower receiver fence removal for XM177 old school VietNam look

Also, check out this thread by ar15inmn:

A2 to A1 Lower Conversion

A HUGE THANKS to BUZGUN, ar15inmn, and the other AR15.com members who have pioneered this

Once you have modified your lower receiver you will obviously need to refinish it so it will match the fini
Retro Refinishing?

__________________________________________________

A2 to A1 Parts Swap-Out

There are a number of parts/components that also should be switched out or modified when converting

For the Slabside Lower used with the Colt models 601 and 602

1. Front & Rear Takedown Pins

Some takedown pins were center-drilled; see the picture below for an example:
The original pins are almost impossible to find, so some people will drill a small dimple in a current style

2. Selector Switch
The selector switch was also center-drilled; see the picture below for an example:

Like the original pins, the original selector switches are almost impossible to find, so some people will d

3. Mag Release Button

The mag release button had a horizontal line pattern on it, versus the circular line pattern found on the

These are also almost impossible to find, so some people will modify (machine, file, etc) a current style

4. Bolt Catch/Release
The early bolt catch/release did not have the area that sticks out at the bottom; see the picture below fo

Like all other parts these are also almost impossible to find, so some people will modify (machine, file, e

Thanks to scottryan for this photo (used with permission).

For a "partial fence lower" used with the Colt models 603, 604, 605, 607, 608, and 609
The A1 partial fence lowers were transitional and could have been found with a mix of the original and c

For a "full fence lower" used with the Colt models 603, 609, 629, and later models
The A1 full fence lowers would have been found with the current style of components. The one exceptio

For additional information on the various parts/components please see:

Colt's USGI M16 Series Variation Guide Edition III

Once again, A HUGE THANKS to all of the other AR15.com members who have pioneered this proces

FAQ

1. Does anyone currently manufacturer an A1 lower?

NO - There has been some recent talk of them being made, but currently only the "A2" and "M4" comm

2. Is it possible to purchase a "used" A1 lower?

YES - There are a number of commercial semi-auto and military full-auto A1 lowers that can be purcha

3. I want to build a Retro AR15/M16 with an A1 lower; what are my options?

You basically have the three following options:

A. Buy an early Colt SP1 which will have a slabside lower.

Pro - it is a Colt, the slabside lower is correct for some of the earlier AR15/M16 models
Con - cost, the large-hole screw used for the front takedown pin is not "technically correct."
You can occasionally find a lower for sale by itself, but you may also have to buy a complete rifle.

B. Buy an off-brand (Eagle Arms, Sendra, PWA, etc) A1 rifle/lower which will have a full fence A1 lower
Pro - it will be an A1 lower
Con - it is not a Colt, quality may not be the best
Once again, you can occasionally find a lower for sale by itself, but you may also have to buy a comple

C. Buy an off-brand (DPMS, Rock River, Stag, etc.) A2 lower, and modify it to A1 specs.
Pro - it will be close to an A1 lower
Con - you have to be able to make the modifications and refinish it
See the information posted above for more info on the modification process.

4. Is a Colt SP1 slabside lower which was sold to the civilian market the same as the original Colt A1 "s
NO - Besides the obvious differences between an M16 and a semi-auto SP1, there are a number of dif
A. Components - the SP1 lowers were not made with the same external components that the original C
B. Front takedown pin/screw... the SP1 lowers were made with a larger diameter hole for the front taked

C. As mentioned above, the commercial SP1 was a semi-auto, and the military M16 was select-fire.

5. Can you mix & match the "milspec" A1 small-hole lowers and uppers with the civilian SP1 large hole
YES - there are a number of companies that make adapter pins/screws that will allow you to use a sma

6. Is there a gunsmith who will do the A2 to A1 modification?

So far, NO - There are individuals who have done these modifications, but currently no one has offered
rcial level, one of the options for completing an A1 Retro Build is to cosmetically modify an A2 lower and conduct

mentioned here that attempting to modify an A2-type commercial lower receiver into an A1 lower can result in a
elding. If done improperly, welding on an aluminum forging or casting can result in a reduction of structural integrit

y whatsoever for damages or injuries. These examples are presented for the sake of discussion only.

el or type of lower receiver is being reproduced.

nsidered cosmetically correct:

as added to strengthen the buffer tube/extension area, and reprofiling the area to make it resemble the original A

hat was added to strengthen the takedown pin area, and reprofiling the area to make it resemble the original A1 a

lding a "bead" over them. Then the area is ground/sanded smooth. See the picture below for an example:

nce should be modified as following:

some sort of early-style pivot pin will be required.

ed mag fence. See the picture below for example:

n detent housing.

bers who have pioneered this process and shared their experiences.

nish it so it will match the finish of your upper. For more information on that process you can check out:

or modified when converting an A2 lower to an A1 lower. Some of those parts include:

small dimple in a current style pin.

to find, so some people will drill a small dimple to simulate the hole in a current style selector.

ular line pattern found on the current ones, see the picture below for an example:

chine, file, etc) a current style mag release. These items *MAY* become available in the near future, so stay tuned

tom; see the picture below for an example:

le will modify (machine, file, etc) a current style bolt catch. There is also a "second generation" catch which had th

07, 608, and 609

with a mix of the original and current style components. The original style front and rear takedown pins with drilled

ater models
omponents. The one exception would have been the selector switch which would have lacked a position indicator

o have pioneered this process and shared their experiences.

only the "A2" and "M4" commercial lowers are available.

A1 lowers that can be purchased. These can obviously be a challenge to find and they can also demand a pretty h

M16 models
hnically correct."
to buy a complete rifle.

will have a full fence A1 lower.

ay also have to buy a complete rifle.

t to A1 specs.

ame as the original Colt A1 "slabside" M16 lower that was sold to the military?
P1, there are a number of differences between the two which include:
omponents that the original Colt M16 "slabside" lowers were. See the component swap-out/modification info abov
ameter hole for the front takedown pin. They also used a large diameter, double-headed screw versus a small dia

litary M16 was select-fire.

th the civilian SP1 large hole lowers and uppers?

at will allow you to use a small hole lower on a large hole upper and vise-versa.

currently no one has offered to do this on a commercial level, however, stay tuned for further developments! Rem
dify an A2 lower and conduct a parts swap-out so that it more closely resembles an A1 lower.

o an A1 lower can result in a worthless and DANGEROUS lower if not done properly! The main difference betwee
reduction of structural integrity.

ake it resemble the original A1 area. This may include some welding or filling of some sort. Use the pictures below

e it resemble the original A1 area. See the picture below for an example:

below for an example:

you can check out:
the near future, so stay tuned to these pages.

eneration" catch which had the serrations, but also had the extended toe as on the later versions:

ear takedown pins with drilled holes and large head, selector switch with hole, and flat end bolt catch/release coul

ve lacked a position indicator marking on the right side. These selectors would have been smooth on the right-ha
ey can also demand a pretty high price. For more on the used/out of production A1 lowers, see below.

ap-out/modification info above for more details.

ded screw versus a small diameter takedown pin. See the picture below for an example:

or further developments! Remember, you saw it first on ARFCOM

! The main difference between the A1 and A2 lowers is that the A2 lower had the weaker areas of the earlier style

e sort. Use the pictures below as an example:

ater versions:

at end bolt catch/release could have been found on a small number of the very early models. The majority of them

been smooth on the right-hand end. See the picture below for an example:
owers, see below.
eaker areas of the earlier styles that were prone to breakage or failure reinforced. The modification process descri
models. The majority of them would have used the current style mag release with the circular line pattern.
e modification process described below will remove that added material and can greatly weaken the lower to a po
e circular line pattern.
atly weaken the lower to a point where it may fail under use. If you have any doubt about your mechanical skills a
bout your mechanical skills and abilities, it may be best to defer to a professional gunsmith for help.
nsmith for help.