USAF 604

[baboon]

Found out the small hole in the center of the buttstock tab was for filling the stock with foam during the production and the tiny "straw" was part of the process.

So did they under fill the stock or has the foam degraded over the years?

 

[Madcap]

...not sure what you mean "underfill" but out of curiosity I did a search for same "D" style buttstock and noticed the same thing in the center of that buttstock tab also.

 

[baboon]

...not sure what you mean "underfill" but out of curiosity I did a search for same "D" style buttstock and noticed the same thing in the center of that buttstock tab also.

By under filling I mean they did not inject foam until it backed out of the hole.

 

[Madcap]

By under filling I mean they did not inject foam until it backed out of the hole.

Ahh, OK that makes sense - can't understand what purpose that "straw" or whatever was meant for. It obviously must have been needed though somehow.

 

[baboon]

Ahh, OK that makes sense - can't understand what purpose that "straw" or whatever was meant for. It obviously must have been needed though somehow.

The straw is used to get the foam farther towards the butt stock. It starts expanding as soon as it is no longer restricted by the nozzle or the straw. My guess is they ran out of the can and thought they hand another, by tha time the straw was set in the foam.

 

[Madcap]

Thanks bud...curious how you understand how they did that?

 

[Madcap]

I had to bite the bullet and bought some green aerosol paint for the stock and handguards. After research it came down to ANA 611 "Interior Green" FSN 34151. It should be correct. The paint was about $12, but the shipping is almost $30.

Meanwhile the buttstock and handguards are being prepped with red filler primer and lightly sanded to simulate the original reddish 601 Fiberite material underneath the green finish paint.

 

[baboon]

Thanks bud...curious how you understand how they did that?

I remember hating the early AR-15’s for the sound of the buffer spring in the receiver extension inside the hollow stock.

Then again I had a H&K 91. The only thing back then that I liked about the AR-15 over my 91 was the cheaper ammo cost and the lighter weight.

I’m talking late 70’s when cheap ammunition was incredibly cheap by today’s standards. My friends with Ar’s where hitting targets were I was tearing shit up.

 

[Madcap]

Ref: Post #9
An aerosol can of "ANA611 Interior Green "arrived today and is not the example shown online at all. It's more like the Brownells 601 Lime Green they used on their first production 601's... $40.72 a can sucks out loud.

Not such a good day for this 601 build. USPS Tracking indicated delivery today from Brownells for a retro 601 front pivot pin. It arrived at the local Post Office OK just like it was supposed to, but someone decided that made too much sense. So..... they sent it to Rockdale.

Pressing onward

 

[Madcap]

I had an old can of "Testors 1265 Olive Drab Flat Spray Enamel" I've had several years. After a few minutes of shaking, it sprayed well enough for a few light coats, and it looks like a perfect match. Another can is on order and that should finish it up.

...and the front pivot pin is supposed to be "out for delivery" (again) this morning.

 

[majormadmax]

Y'know, everytime I get an update notification for this thread, I'm expecting new photos!

Please post more when you can!

 

[Madcap]

Photos of initial the first light coats OD Flat that I think should work. The first can is getting low and I don't want it to spit so I have another small can of the same stuff on order.
The independent square paint swatch is the ANA 611 for comparison that was ordered that isn't very accurate compared to it's online example.

The first coats of the Testors OD will be lightly sanded and given one or two finish coats, and cured. Then the receivers can be assembled, after I find a Colt full-length buffer tube and spring.

The last couple photos are a handguard and stock of an original USAF 601 a friend took for me. I t appears the Testors OD enamel model paint a perfect match.

The Brownells 601/602 dimpled front pin came it the mail and fits perfectly. That only leaves a safe/selector switch to be drilled and fitted to add the correct period detail hardware.

 

[Madcap]

Edgewater Buffer

 

[Madcap]

It's been a few days since spraying the stock, handguard and pistol grip. High humidity has prevented it from completely curing but will dry hopefully soon. A total of about 2-1/2 cans of Testor's 1265 Flat Olive over all over the red primer. As far as I can determine and from a personal friend who sent photos of an original it looks like the OD appears to match pretty well.

A later style selector switch is being "dimpled" and should be the final bit of hardware to be added to complete the project, I think.

Final photos will be posted ASAP.

 

[Madcap]

The stock has been sprayed OD Green a couple times, sanded with W/D 220 and 400 grit; then lightly rubbed with 0000 steel wool. It could use another coat along the bottom seam but humidity has been very high and time to cure has taken much longer so I'll wait for better conditions.
It's been exciting how this project has evolved from the discovering the upper receiver was an original "601" and finding an original Edgwater Buffer. Not all parts are original Colt due to the prices for them but considering that fact I'm very happy with the build. It should be finished soon as I can get the selector switch back after having it center drilled to match the original earlier style. Meanwhile I temporarily put an M16 selector on it out of curiosity. It rotates all the way to the AUTO mark which is interesting but there's no way the trigger is capable of firing so hopefully it's legal. The other selector that's being dimpled doesn't rotate all the way.
* Mag is orig Colt AR15 .223 - but not the Colt Armalite Waffle Style (rather not pay $50 for a repo not to mention cost for an original)

Photos include about 98% of the complete project - details include:
1.) Dimpled T/D & Pivot Pins - repro
2.) Chrome Bolt Carrier - (H&R) repro correct non-serrated
3.) Mag Release Button - modified later style - manually cut with cross-cut file
4.) Bolt Release Catch Lever - filed down - manually cut with cross-cut file
5.) Luth AR repro Triangle Chg Handle
6.) Orig "D" Style Butt Stock - no trap door w/repro stock screw (no drain hole)
7.) Orig Early Front Sight (incorrect for orig 601) should be cast with markings raised
8.) Orig Early Style Cotton Web Sling

 

[baboon]

Are going to shoot these projects of yours or are just something to do that you like?

 

[Madcap]

The 601 has been built to shoot and will be fired following an armorer complete check of everything. The Edgwater Buffer will be used but a standard Milspec Buffer and Spring will be installed also to save additional wear to the original. I'm curious how the recoil of the original compares.

 

[tekiwap]

The 601 has been built to shoot and will be fired following an armorer complete check of everything. The Edgwater Buffer will be used but a standard Milspec Buffer and Spring will be installed also to save additional wear to the original. I'm curious how the recoil of the original compares.

Why's that? Aren't you the one who built it?