A few day ago several interesting replicas of AR-15 system rifles from a very early production period appeared at Gunfire.com. In our opinion, it is worth taking a look at them, because the analysis of photos shows that the degree of replication is unexpectedly good.
The first mass-produced AR-15 rifle was the Colt model 601 produced in 1959-1963. Further versions are the M602 and the M603 XM16E1, which was the first to enter service. Early M603 models have several features that distinguish them from later versions. To put it simply, the most important visual differences are the lower receiver with a single horizontal reinforcement on the right side of the magazine well and the rear carrying sling swivel which has a hinge. Other features of the early models are: a 3-prong flash hider, a cylindrical delta ring of the triangular handguard, a thin-walled barrel, a pistol grip without a finger nub, no sight sight vertical adjustment, no brass deflector. The new Cyma CM.009C looks like this:
Of course, there are some minor deviations from the original, but I do not remember another replica currently available, which is so close to the original and would be a better base for further refinement.
Another new model is the CM.009B.
It seems that this is also a successful replica of the later version of the Colt M603 marked as the M16A1. The differences from the XM16E1 is a different flash hider, the A1 birdcage version with ports all around it (the later A2 has no bottom ports), that is sill used today, and above all the lower receiver with an added horizontal reinforcements on the right side of the magazine well, the full fence used today. Additional, the rear carrying sling swivel has been permanently attached to the stock (without a hinge) and it has 30-round magazine.
The CM.009E it a replica of the earlier version of the Colt M609 or the XM177E1
The length of the barrel as proper, it has the long flash hider (4.5" moderator), a cylindrical delta ring and a "flat" pistol grip. Unfortunately, the stock is made of nylon and the hanguard's diameter is to big, but it is still great.
And the most important things are on the right - a partial fence reinforcement, no brass deflector and no rear sight vertical adjustment.
Below is the M629 XM177E2 - the Cyma CM.009F
A longer barrel, a delta ring used today and full lower receiver reinforcements.
The CM.009D - the Colt M653 - the second AR-15 carbine with a 14.5-inch barrel
It has the A1 birdcage flash hider, a thin-walled barrel, a cylindrical delta ring, a "flat" pistol grip, no rear sight vertical adjustment, no brass deflector and has full reinforcement of the lower receiver.
In our opinion, Cyma has done a lot of work, as I mentioned earlier, it is impossible to find other replicas with such a high degree of replication of ARs from the Vietnam War.
And finally something like this - a completely custom Colt M605, the first AR with a 14.5-inch barrel. Never mass-produced, therefore a unique rifle. I wanted to show it because it is thematically related although it is not built on a Cyma replica.
Photos of Cyma replicas- Gunfire.com, the M605 - author's replica , a still from The Green Berets, 1968 Warner Bros. directed by John Wayne (on the photo)
