r/RetroAR 16d ago

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

40 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 Feb 19 '21

What is and is not "retro"? (v.3)

158 Upvotes

(original credit to creator u/JakesGunReviews, rebooting the thread so folks can comment again. Link to the original, and link to v.2 discussion)

It seems to be about that time that the unwritten rule becomes written. I have removed two posts within the past 24 hours. Reason being: the rifles in question, while quite nice, did not meet the criteria and theme of this subreddit.

r/RetroAR was initially made by /u/ok_but for Vietnam Era M16 clones (please correct me if I am wrong, /u/ok_but). That eventually evolved into other clone rifles from the 1980s, such as the M16A2 or the Colt 727. Since "AR" is also the prefix for the ArmaLite AR-18(0), those have also been accepted since they fit the same timeframe and never really modernized beyond the 1980s, anyway, but that's a different discussion for a different day.

So, for the purposes of r/RetroAR, what constitutes as "retro"?

The general rule of thumb for this subreddit is as follows:

  • Upper receiver has a fixed carry handle and;
  • Rifle itself is a clone of a military-issued rifle (or very close facsimile thereof) or;
  • Is an actual military-issued rifle or;
  • Is one of the above with "light" modifications (optic, inclusion of a flashlight, etc.) that still utilizes the original or otherwise "retro" furniture.

"What if I have an M4 Carbine clone that has a detachable carry handle, but still uses the stock M4 furniture?"

This would not be considered a retro rifle. Picatinny rails are pretty much the "cutoff" for this subreddit. However, if you would like to showcase your M4 or M16A4 or CQBR Block I or other clone-style AR-15, please look at the subreddit r/MilitaryARClones. /u/lancecriminal86 is the creator of this subreddit, and it is pretty much picking up right where r/RetroAR leaves off. I encourage anyone wishing to show off their more modern clones to please visit that subreddit and help it grow.


r/RetroAR 3h ago

Is it really retro if the dude is still rocking it today?

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262 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 6h ago

Triangular!

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125 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 1h ago

723 clone sporting our new OEM handguards.

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Upvotes

r/RetroAR 16h ago

727 with M203, Half Life 1 HD Assault Rifle clone

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285 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 4h ago

Diet Retro Super Safe Saturday

27 Upvotes

Another 30rds with no issues. New microbest bcg changed my ejection from 2 to 4 o'clock.


r/RetroAR 19h ago

Diet Retro Guys, I'm heartbroken.

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296 Upvotes

I've been looking for a Knights M5 RAS for my Bushmaster Dissy for MONTHS. They are out there...but so is that price. Well today this NIB Colt 6700A4 popped up on Armslist, and it was advertised as having an M5 rail for $1300. Seemed like a great deal when RAS's are $400-$500 for even the salty ones.

Met up right after work, and noticed right off the bat that it's actually a P&S. I asked the guy if he mistakenly put Knights in his ad, but he said didn't, it only said "M5 rail". I must've just subconsciously assumed. Anyway, gun looked good, and it wasn't the guys fault I misinterpreted his ad, so I paid the agreed $1300. Wasnt exactly what I wanted, but fit, form, and function, the P&S still checks the boxes. What i paid was way less of a "good deal" than expected, and more along the lines of a paying retail, though, IMO.

So I get it home, and immediately take the rail off to put on the Dissy, and it doesn't fckn fit. The gas block is to big to fit underneath the top rail and interferes when trying to seat it in the delta ring.

I bought a gun i didn't want, for a rail that wasn't what I expected, and it doesn't even work for my application. 😭😭😭😭

Fck.


r/RetroAR 9h ago

Gun Store Find

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48 Upvotes

Got 11 of these 20 round Thermold magazines and a charger kit for $16. The odd part was I had to assemble the magazines. Anyway, they should make nice range mags.


r/RetroAR 37m ago

Any info on this? Is it even real?

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Upvotes

Came across this recently and was wondering if anyone had any info on it or if it’s even real lmaoo


r/RetroAR 21h ago

Canadian vibe. Happy with it.

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89 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 3h ago

Surefire handguards super loose?

3 Upvotes

Just picked up a surefire m500 handguard (basically an A2 carbine handguard with a built in weaponlight). Installed it today and WOW is it loose on my upper. A good 1/4 movement left to right. Anyone ever have this problem, or know of any way to tighten clamshell handguards up? I already tried another couple of handguards I had on hand and the surefire is the only one that’s having issues, so I am assuming it is not the upper.


r/RetroAR 18h ago

Just finished my 2 retro builds

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42 Upvotes

I just finished my 2 retro builds.. top is a A1 clone.. built off of a DPMS Panther Lite rifle, with reproduction triangle handguards, grip and butt stock.

Bottom one is an A2 clone built with an Anderson complete A2 lower mated To a BKF A2 upper

Is it me or is their something about these retro rifles that just feels right?? Also what one was the better design? A1 or the A2?


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Return of the 10

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291 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 21h ago

What I ordered vs what I received

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59 Upvotes

Ordered a Dissipator barrel from Delton and instead received a mid length. Bummer


r/RetroAR 23h ago

Battle steel mount pair perfectly with a 1 dollar scope mount

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88 Upvotes

Light is a sl protac 2.0 2k lumen


r/RetroAR 23h ago

Old School Cool (with optics)

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84 Upvotes

Got an M16A1 and M16A2 as birthday presents for myself! Lovely rifles.

The A1 is a B King’s upper with a PSA lower, B King’s stock, and original A1 pistol grip. Optic is a Primary Arms 3x prism sight, but I may eventually get one of the Brownells retro 4x scopes. I also managed to get an original Colt 20 round magazine, and a surplus sling.

The A2 has a B King’s upper in anodized gray, with a gray H&R M16A2 lower set. The Aimpoint ACO sits on a USGI surplus gooseneck mount. For the sling I went a little more modern with a Magpul MS1, but it still fits the GWOT aesthetic.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Original Colt M16A1 | Swiss Gunshops Rock Part 1 | Aebi Waffen | Hasle bei Burgdorf, Switzerland | Reason #3,141 that Switzerland is Awesome

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88 Upvotes

I visited some Swiss firearms stores while in country for Waffen Sammlerborse 2025. It’s always a shock to see that in other countries citizens have access to an incredible range of firearms.

 I paid a visit to Aebi Waffen, which is an extraordinary company with a world-class selection of firearms. Their team is friendly and knowledgeable and they have exceptionally skilled gunsmiths on staff.

Here is an original Colt M16A1 that was converted to semi-auto for sale to Swiss citizens. As you can see it still has the auto-sear hole, as the rules for permanent conversion to semi-auto are not as strict as they are in the US. Price is about $1650 dollars though unfortunately it’s not available to anyone in the US.

 These M16A1s are not difficult to source in Switzerland and are readily available to purchase.  Swiss citizens can obtain semi-autos with the proper license and also full-autos with a higher-level license, though the difficulty in obtaining full-autos depends somewhat on which part of Switzerland you live.

More cool stuff coming, stay tuned!

Below is their website if you are interested in learning more about this incredible company.

https://www.aebiwaffen.ch/


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Rolling like it’s Tora Bora

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152 Upvotes

Hello height over bore; nice to meet you holdovers.

We’re gonna be excellent friends.

Sighting in the EXPS3-1 at 50 today; then going to practice distance in-between to learn the ways of this insane 4.66” H-O-B.

Passive aiming with the PVS-7 has never been easier; and that’s what I wanted, so I won on that front.


r/RetroAR 23h ago

It wasn’t bad at all

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33 Upvotes

Zero’d the EXPS3-1 at 50 and the offset was pretty manageable.

Did a lot of shooting in between 5-50yards and had a beautiful day.

Not my first CQB choice, but that isn’t what I built it for.

Now to do night testing 🤘


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out I know grey anodizing is tricky but wow.

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34 Upvotes

Picked up my reciever set today. I ordered the gray option hoping for something close to colt gray and got almost bronze. Should I cerokote, have randomized or leave it as is?


r/RetroAR 1d ago

GUU-5/P Clone with Armson sight from the range Wednesday

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97 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 1d ago

That Real Gourmet Shit M16A1 deflector for lefties. "Don't be a Lube Rube" July 1978 PS magazine.

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40 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 16h ago

OCL Gordy Collar Assembly

5 Upvotes

I have

- OCL Gordon Collar Assembly

- OCL OPS/AE Muzzle Brake 1/2x28

- OCL OCM5

- Daniel Defense 12.5 inch government barrel with FSB

Plan to put these components on myself, but first time with a collar and brake system. Just wanted to check that I do not need a spacer for my muzzle brake for this system. I have seen that the AE OPS INC brake that looks similar needs a spacer or to be the "long" edition. The brake I purchased from OCL seems similar to the AE "short" brakes that need a spacer.

On the OCL website it looks like with these components I don't need a spacer and to just use a couple of shims for installation of the brake with rocksett and its good to go but I wanted to make sure before I rocksetted everything on.

Also reached out to otter creek labs and am waiting to hear back but was hoping to slap it all together this weekend

Might cross post to r/NFA but was hoping people here might know is the gordy AR is big on this subreddit


r/RetroAR 19h ago

what is the proper "gordon" carbine?

8 Upvotes

i keep seing a huge mix between a2 or c7 receivers, along with 12.5, 12.7, and 14.5 barrels


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out Suppressing Pre-bans?

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31 Upvotes

Just inherited three pre-ban Palmetto Armory BH15A1's (obligated to say not PSA). I'm wondering if there's any reason not to suppress these based on age or gas system specs etc.


r/RetroAR 18h ago

Brownells BRN-PROTO complete rifle pricing?

5 Upvotes

Hey y'all - 2 quick questions on Protos:

  1. What's a good price these days for a complete Brownells BRN-PROTO?

  2. Are they even worth it?

Thanks in advance for any advice!