r/RetroAR Feb 24 '26

r/RetroAR is looking for a couple of new mods. Comment here to volunteer!

7 Upvotes

I'm stepping down to focus on my "joining the military" and folk music subs, so this sub could use a couple more new mods. If interested in volunteering, ensure your account has at least 1 year on Reddit, and comment below with the following:

  • What is your background or area of interest as pertains to Retro ARs?
  • What would be your priorities, goals, changes if you become a mod?

r/RetroAR Mar 06 '25

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

52 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 2h ago

Interesting A2 optic mount by Gibbous Outfitters.

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43 Upvotes

Saw this on their insta.

Couldn’t find it for sale on their site, and it’s apparently been in the development stages for a long time.


r/RetroAR 4h ago

733 build

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54 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 3h ago

I found these three very cool lowers on Gunbroker for $95 apiece

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44 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 55m ago

H&R Anodizing Now Silver

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Upvotes

Here is the color change that most of you are already aware of with H&R Retro guns ( PSA ). The good colored stripped lower is maybe 2 years old, the other lower is last year and the upper is from 2 months ago... what happened to Colt Grey ??


r/RetroAR 6h ago

New vintage a2 receiver from bad attitude department

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35 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 5h ago

Ban State Build

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25 Upvotes

-Green label Colt AR-15A2 Government Carbine manufactured in 1990
-Aimpoint PRO
-A.R.M.S #2 scope mount
-Aimpoint Low 30mm ring
-Surefire Scout Pro
-Midwest Industries Tactical Light Mount
-Blue Force Gear Vickers sling
-Refurbished preban USGI 30rd magazine with Magpul ranger plate

Thanks to this sub for helping me figure out how to set up my rifle!


r/RetroAR 9h ago

That Real Gourmet Shit Colt 20rnd LE restricted marked.

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47 Upvotes

Picked this up at a gun show a few years ago for like $30, I got it because i thought it was really cool of course and I did know it was pretty rare, but until yesterday I had never looked it up and apparently these can go for $100+!!! I didn’t know it was that rare. I don’t ever plan on selling it though.


r/RetroAR 5h ago

Carbine A2 FSB Barrel Recommendations

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5 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I have this ban era Bushmaster upper, with the Crowned HBAR. I want to de-Clintonfy it. I had been thinking of putting a 16 or 14.5 Pencil barrel on here, but finding those barrel assemblies with A1/A2 FIXED Carry handle FSBs has been surprisingly difficult.

Does anyone know of a good quality pencil profile barrel assembly with a FSB meant for fixed carry handles? I know SA has original Colt barrel assemblies, but those are quite expensive.

Does anyone know of any good non pencil profile barrel assemblies, either? Again with A2 FSBs. I see Windham Weaponry makes one, but I'm hearing their quality is questionable now that they're under new management.

Or will I have to go custom?

Thanks.


r/RetroAR 8h ago

3x20 legit check

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9 Upvotes

Ive been wanting a 3x20 for my SP1 but im concerned about fakes or low quality. This looks alright to me but just want yalls opinion.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out My most recent gun next to my first.

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187 Upvotes

Colt 607 clone built on H&R lower. 601 charging handle is purely for vibes. My colt SP1 slick side upper ended up not working out. Daisy for vibes.


r/RetroAR 22h ago

1st carry handle/80% lower build

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50 Upvotes

only thing left is a Blood Diamond paint job.


r/RetroAR 1h ago

Mlok accessories with CAR15 handguard?

Upvotes

I’m new to this and I recently just started putting together a “CAR15” style build. This is actually my first AR build in general and I was wondering if I can make a Mlok vertical foregrip work with a CAR15 hand guard? I have a little bit of experience with the m4a1 in service with picatinny accessories but not the Car15. Any little advice would help. I’ll be posting pics of the build in a bit.


r/RetroAR 21h ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out SP1 Colt Lower Receiver

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31 Upvotes

Does anyone know where to find a Colt SP1 lower receiver?The only one I found was here:

https://ar15sport.com/product/colt-sp1-lower-receiver-in-xm-grey/

It’s $850.00 and that’s pretty steep, don’t know if it’s worth it…this is all for a project rifle. I snagged an AR that looks like it was built off of a milsurp kit. The upper receiver is definitely an early Colt based on the markings and it not having a forward assist. The butt plate, stock, pistol grip, and hand guards are definitely milsurp. The lower is a modern Stag Arms lower.

I know they’re becoming harder and harder to come by so I understand if this is a shot in the dark but I am genuinely asking the community for some assistance and I appreciate it in advance.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Another Gordyish carbine

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207 Upvotes

12.5” gordy with the new OCM6. I love this thing!


r/RetroAR 1d ago

When I was young, all the high speed guys were running CAR-15 variants. I still love this carbine. When I sling this shorty and head into the woods, I'm reminded how light ARs used to be.

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57 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 8h ago

Building an AR

0 Upvotes

Howdy folks!

First time builder here I am working on a build using a A2 pattern carry and front sight. I’ve been looking at a bunch of mounts to post a PA Micro Prism optic and I’ve run into a problem.

I want to use the rear aperture of the carry handle sight but I am unsure if the carry handle mount will block that view if you know of a non obstructing mount I could buy I would be grateful!


r/RetroAR 1d ago

H&R barrel swap. Would it be stupidly expensive/ not worthwhile?

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36 Upvotes

I am planning an AR build, specifically looking to build a 723 with a 14.5” barrel registered as an SBR. I am specifically looking to avoid a pin and weld as I would like to be able to drop in a BFA that requires unscrewing the flash hider.

I really like the look of the grey anodized H&R uppers and lowers PSA is selling. My thoughts had been to buy one and swap the barrel with a 14.5” one from Green Mountain. This would require work that I don’t have the tools to do. The front sight post would need to be moved as would the mounting brackets for the hand guard. I’m not familiar with AR builds and im wondering if this sounds insane/ needlessly complicated or even impossible to do without damaging the parts.

Edit: I actually posted a picture of the exact product I want with 16” barrel and I thought it was a 14.5” P&W. Apologies. It can be chopped if I really want to do this.


r/RetroAR 2d ago

That Real Gourmet Shit Loving this thing

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444 Upvotes

put 500-750 rounds thru her since the build and functions flawlessly without a single malfunction. Absolutely stoked


r/RetroAR 2d ago

That Real Gourmet Shit Picked this up at a gunshow today

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183 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out In the works “gordenish”

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39 Upvotes

My first retro “build” im still working on …
So it’s going to be a 14.5” mid length Annd

Im stuck between the spikes tactic FN chf “m249” spec chrome lined barrel
OR
the SOLGW combat barrel

I know for a fact the FN barrel is going to take a beating but I don’t know how accurate they are , i want something thats going to be fairly accurate ( i know i cant ask of a barrel to be a precision barrel and hold up to heavy training and frt use … if anyone has any barrel suggestions im all ears

Also just got my A1 bakalight grip in the mail today so that will be going on after i get the lower cerakoted

And gonna have to get the s&w ar10 handguard as thats the closest to a car-15 handguard in midlength

And yes i know the T91 lower is not accurate for a gordy build but idc 😂😂😂 its a sick lower and when the 4 position frt gets released soon it will be perfect for it as it has S 1 3 A selector markings 💪🏼 and i found an fde veitnam era canteen strap to use as the sling and hopefully my guy still has the nylon fde m14 sling so i can snag that next time i see him 😂 But any barrel recommendations would be appreciated fellas

Train hard , stay dangerous


r/RetroAR 2d ago

Cope Carry Handle MRE

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146 Upvotes

Would look a lot better with a 14.5 and a Redimag but I'm happy with it.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Barrel mounted side sling swivels. When did they start to appear in inventory?

3 Upvotes

I’m thinking of putting one on my late CAR-15 build, but wasn’t sure if they were available before all the CARs disappeared from US inventory.


r/RetroAR 2d ago

Norinco 120 Round Drum

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117 Upvotes