Alright you AEG/Airsoft gurus, I need your help...

I've been trying to research a source for an accurate Vietnam era M16 airsoft with both a metal upper and lower receiver. Unfortunately I've been running across conflicting information, and have started to get burned out asking dozens of suppliers and sellers questions -- many of which are misunderstood or appear to be meaningless to them.

Just so that you are all clear on what my goal is, I am looking build a full scale Aliens flame thrower with all original or metal airsoft parts. In addition to the M203 Grenade Launcher hand guard, I need to procure an M16 upper and lower receiver -- in metal.

I've come across several variations of this weapon...

M16 / SR16 / M4 / AR15

...and then of course the different versions...

M16A1 / M16A2 / M16A3 / M4A1 / AR15A4 etc...

I'm not entirely sure which variations or versions will have the correct screen-used look, only that the carry handle is fixed and that it is an earlier release like the M16A1 from the Vietnam war era.

In addition to finding the right design, I need to find one with an all-metal upper and lower receiver.

Here is what it needs to look like (M16A1 pictured below), paying close attention to the upper receiver design...

[img]http://www.route73.com/USCM/images/M16A1_Strip.jpg[/img]

It appears that the Tokyo Marui M16A2 versions are all metal (although the wrong version for my needs), but their earlier M4A1 (the correct version) were plastic.

Can anyone begin to offer me any insight into this dilemma?
Rick "Ripstick"

[img]http://www.Route73.com/USCM/images/Ripstick_Aliens_Legacy_Banner_2006.jpg[/img]

All the Tokyo Marui Airsoft AR15 variants have a plastic handguard. Metal receivers were only available as after market items. When the after market makers started making lots of money on these parts, they started crossing over from being a parts manufacturer, to full on rifle manufacturers. An example of this is G&P, who now makes very high end all metal AR-15 variants at much more affordable cost.

So, in answer to your question, I looked over at DenTrinity Airsoft's site, and found a bunch of aftermarket all metal receivers that may work for your needs:
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=7235
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=6924
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=7591
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=8741
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=2092
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=7244
www.dentrinityshop.com/pr...p?pid=7192

The first 4 links are probably the most suitable. The prices range anywhere from $141 to $210+ If you shop around you may find variances in prices. I'm not sure how much of the AR-15 markings were left on the original screen used hero prop. If I saw the right side of the hero prop I'd have a better idea as to the exact variant that was used as there are some features on that side of the receiver that would indicate one model or another. What I can tell you with a high degree of certainty is that not only is the carry handle and the upper receiver is one piece, but the rear sight is not a seperate module (as it is on the M16A2 variant and all variants after that). So it should be a variant earlier than the M16A2.

-Alex
"The M41-A. When you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofo in the room. Accept no substitutes."

Thanks Alex -- that's exactly what I was looking for! Even better actually, because it looks as though I won't have to cannibalize an entire M16A1/AR15 for only those two parts.

I may have to do a little additional searching to find a selector switch and whatever other little pieces might be missing from the replacement receiver parts. Again, I'll only be needing what is visually apparent on the flamethrower -- but the selector switch is definitely one of them.

Have you ordered anything from Dentrinity for shipment to the states? I'm just curious as to what the shipping rate might be, and whether or not placing a larger order might be beneficial.

Thanks again for the links!
Rick "Ripstick"

[img]http://www.Route73.com/USCM/images/Ripstick_Aliens_Legacy_Banner_2006.jpg[/img]

Shipping from anywhere in Hong Kong (Or Japan for that matter...) can get a bit on the ridiculous side these days.

As an example, expect to pay $50-$75 for an AEG (smaller versions...) MUCH more for something like an M249.

I'd _guess_ that you're looking at $25-$45 shipping for those two receiver parts alone, plus any other small bits (switches, etc.).

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

You could use a Marushin M16A1, M655 or XM177E2 PFC gun. The receiver parts are all metal with these.

However, the original flamer was not build from original parts:
- the receiver parts have the typical airsoft screw holes on the side of the receiver
- the m203 shroud does not have the cutout on the bottom left side as some of the airsoft versions
- the receiver of the functional flamer at the LFCC was broken and it wasn't metal

Cheers,
Stefan
Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=bugstomper>Bug Stomper[/url] at: 5/3/06 7:14 am

Couple pics...

Flame Right side:

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/NetWolf/FlameRightSide01.jpg[/img]

It also looks like there is in fact a cut-out section present
on the lower left side.
I believe it is for the mounting clamp, on the launcher tube.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/NetWolf/FlameCutOut01.jpg[/img]
Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ts826>TS826[/url] at: 5/3/06 7:58 am

I thought I remembered seeing that they cut the carry handle off, and put the receiver backwards, and remounted the carry handle the correct direction.

Russ



"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."

They did, at least from what you can make out in the pictures.

Keep in mind that air soft isn't alway 100% accurate. By the time you start buying metal parts the accuracy should improve too.

The parts used in the flamer are from an M16A1. For the parts that you will be using, the only noticable difference is the bolt assis on the left hand side of the upper. It's the little plunger like doo-dad at about a 20' angle from the main axis of the barrel. It was added in the A1 to help force the bolt forward and into battery if the weapon was fouled. It's simply a little bar with a return spring that engages a series of milled groves or steps on the side of the bolt. The cuts in the bolt give the bar traction to help push it forward.

You can see the forward assist in the picture of the G&P assembly. It is the second item from the left in the parts group in the lower right of the picture. It has a spring around the shaft and looks like an L with the pushplate. You can also see the cuts in the fake bolt side (chrome looking bit i the center above the upper). This would seem to indicate the the G&P is actually an M16A1.

Other than the assist, some makring differences, and a small change in the rear sight, I don't recall any other external differences in the uppers and lowers between an M16 and an M16A1.

LRRP

Are you sure thats in fatc a cutout on the lower middle of the M203 shroud. From what I remember of the shrouds there is a little section there that in fact sticks out. It would produce a shadow exactly like what is pictured there.

[img]http://www.gunaccessories.com/AR15-M16Parts/M203-10.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.spartandesign.co.uk/pictures/jedibanner.jpg[/img]Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=neophyl>neophyl[/url] at: 5/14/06 1:48 pm

TS,

I was refering to the cutout for the barrel catch lever in the center section of the M203 shroud:
[img]http://world.guns.ru/grenade/m203_d2.jpg[/img]

The original M203 shroud has this cutout, however many airsofts don't.

Cheers,
Stefan

I have a real M203 shroud. Here's a pic for the reference pile.

[img]http://www.onebadmutha.com/pictures/vent.jpg[/img]
"I have defied gods and demons. I am your shield, I am your sword. I know you, your past, your future."

The cutout is at the lower edge on the left side below that "wing". It's barely visible on the last two pictures but it's there.

Edit:
Here's a picture with the cutout framed in red:

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/M203.jpg[/img]

The angle in this picture is better to show the cutout:
[img]http://world.guns.ru/grenade/m203_1.jpg[/img]

Cheers,
Stefan
Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=bugstomper>Bug Stomper[/url] at: 5/16/06 7:14 am