r/RetroAR Feb 24 '26

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

8 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?

49 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 6h ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out 12.5 barrel P/W device?

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33 Upvotes

Ahhhh so here in NJ our AWB have been overturned. I can make my 12.5” barrel NON NFA “other” into a rifle with a CAR15 stock now. What retro flash hiders are we using that are 3.7- 4 inches that I can pin and weld? Thanks


r/RetroAR 46m ago

Anyone know if there is a commercial manufacturer for this VFG on the CAR-15 (besides a field rigging)?

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Upvotes

Was reading some article about Hamas, and they used this pic with an awesome VFG. It looks pretty strong, and I'd like to find one for my CAR-15.


r/RetroAR 17h ago

A1 Supremacy

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127 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 50m ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out Ar15 A2 GC Pre Ban

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Upvotes

going for a mix of xm177e2 and gordy carbine. Was my dads rifle when he was on the HRT in the fbi. Trying to make a 90s era build with modern features any recommendations? Next for the build will be a colt 4x20 retro carry handle scope I think!


r/RetroAR 17h ago

Bowman 653

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95 Upvotes

My form 1 is APPROVED. Type 2 kit.


r/RetroAR 21h ago

+1 Bad Attitude Dept Enjoyer

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160 Upvotes

Saw the experimental division lowers come up with distressed anodizing so of course I had to take a look. I’m thinking this will look badass on my old kit rifle with about the same wear on it.


r/RetroAR 20h ago

Were there ever any actual military studies done on the strength of carry handle optic mounting, either on its own or later being compared with Picatinny flat tops?

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99 Upvotes

This is something I’ve wondered about for awhile just for curiosity and history’s sake (I’m definitely not subjecting mine to anything extreme enough to matter lol). They started putting optics on there pretty quickly after these guns came out so there were plenty of years and situations for issues to crop up or research to be done by either the military or Colt/private companies. Intuitively the interface between a typical carry handle mounting solution is obviously going to be weaker than a Picatinny rail but I’m curious to what degree it is or if there were any notable problems when it came to hard military use.

I’m sure there will be variation there between different directly mounted optics, mounts for optics, etc but they’re all going to be relying on the carry handle and the one hole with the screw or whatever else that’s put through it. The only somewhat specific thing I’ve heard is the old Starlight scopes having some problems in regards to mounting but that’s of course a rather extreme edge case compared to most optics.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out Cloning Marksmanship

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216 Upvotes

M193 (probably should be M855 for clone purposes) at 100 yards.
Still need a flip off IR cover, spanner nut, and a CAR buffer weight.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Diet Retro Short tube guy.

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183 Upvotes

8.5 inch 300 BO with FSB cut toob hand guard with complementary weaver rails over a Surefire FA 762 SS


r/RetroAR 20h ago

For those of you wondering about the anodizing matchup.

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66 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 23h ago

If you missed out on the first run. More are available now.

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60 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 8h ago

That Real Gourmet Shit A basic cadet from the Class of 2030 completes the Assault Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 17, 2026. [OC] [4867x3246]

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3 Upvotes

US Air Force still using M16A1 rubber duck rifles.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

XM177E2 Stamped

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83 Upvotes

Got my lower and barrel back from the engravers/gunsmith and i dont regret it at all. Brownells a1 lower, H&R upper and a Brownells 12.7 barrel cut down to 11.5


r/RetroAR 1d ago

20” wasn’t long enough for me

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152 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 1d ago

Work In Progress, Chill Out A2 Clone Upper

5 Upvotes

Would a “C M” marked A2 upper with the small pin holes be close enough for an A2 Clone Build? It’s harder for me to find info on the A2 than it was for my A1 clone.


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Colt Teardrop forward assist

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15 Upvotes

If anyone happens to be on the prowl (like I had been for a while) for a properly shaped somewhat reasonably priced colt teardrop I found this little stash on broker, and finally have a couple in hand from his lot. Looks like there’s a few left as of writing this. I dunno, maybe I just had bad luck in my search but this was the most reasonable by a decent margin I had come across. They look nice, popped them in two different uppers today that until then were sporting the Luth AR or similar blocky abomination, was driving me nuts lol


r/RetroAR 1d ago

Leatherwood carry handle scope mount play

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50 Upvotes

Hey all, I bought a leatherwood scope mount for my carry handle and after tightening the mount screw at least finger tight, it still seems to have a fair amount of play at the front of the mount. Was curious if anyone has experienced something like this and if they know how to remedy it, or if I just need to keep tightening it. Thanks again.


r/RetroAR 2d ago

Weapon light

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94 Upvotes

What weapon light and mount should I get. I already have the weapon light mount off Amazon I gotta Dremel down to fit in the gas block.


r/RetroAR 2d ago

Diet Retro Pre-production 601

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115 Upvotes

Mostly a just 601 clone with a tiny bit of prototype flair


r/RetroAR 2d ago

It shouldn’t exist but it does

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400 Upvotes

TaiRene #1


r/RetroAR 2d ago

My retro collection thus far

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371 Upvotes

r/RetroAR 2d ago

My "Cordon Garbine" and Eliminator 1911

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198 Upvotes

I just like what I like and what I can afford to like. Got a cool looking 1911 grip scope mount off of eBay with an ultradot and it is niiice. Slayed steel non stop today with these two. RMR and red dots are cool and actually fit in your holster but do they look as cool? Also got the Griffin for mount. Sits ultra low and definitely recommend.


r/RetroAR 2d ago

Could someone please explain the difference between an M4-style lower and a true A2 lower?

17 Upvotes

I keep seeing people discuss the differences regarding the rear reinforcement and how most companies don't actually produce "true" A2 lowers. What's the difference they are referring to?