Not if you’re southpaw

Very close, the 3 best upgrades would be a better lightweight suppressor, a 4 position trigger, and an A2 style sight/handle (alternatively, a flat-top plus detachable A2 sight is acceptable)

@@1lovesoni These days I like the carry handle to use as an optic riser. The old integrated handle looks sleeker although it doesn't allow for disassembly. The old metal 2 position stock has less adjustment and is heavier than the newer plastic one but on the bright side it does act as a counterweight I like the way you think about weight though

I prefer the XM-177E2 version with the 11½" barrel and no forward assist. I bought the parts from Brownells.

@@celmer6 the sleek look of the forward assist-less receiver is an welcomed acquired taste for sure

Thank you for the kind words!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for commenting!

Can you elaborate?

I was the unit commander of a forward support maintenance detachment (about 55 people) in the 1st Cav in RVN in 1970-71. One of the things we repaired was small arms. The armorer built me a CAR 15 out of parts that he requisitioned. I flew almost every day, so it was very handy when climbing on and off crowded helicopters.

​@charlesnash2748 how common were the commando or xm177e2s in Vietnam?

The transition to full fence from partial was not necessarily exclusive to e1 to e2 as the lower forgings were more specific to manufacturing evolutions rather than model specificity. IE: Colt probably used up all the partial fence lowers and switched to full fence in the era of 604, 605 177e1/e2 etc.

Thanks for watching and commenting!

In that time period everything was new and recently developed. Hard to say what spring rates or buffers they used. But they did settle on the typical carbine buffer we know today.

We used the M14 pouches. Four 20 rounders (most would run best with only 18 rounds in them) in the pouch and another across the top of the mags and under the top flap which was kind of "hollow" and would accept a 20 rounder. A lot of us used a loop of para-cord under the bottom plate to ease lifting the mag out of the pouch. The pouch was a real lump after it was packed with five 20 round mags and two grenades on the side loops. Either frag grenades (M26 or early pop-and-smoke pineapples, or late pineapples with silent fuses). Or smoke grenades, either color or HC white. I always carried one M34 white phosphorus grenade as well. It was about as heavy as two frags.

@@tomgoodwin9161 Thanks for the help .

Not that I am aware of. The one in the video is one of the vinyl coated ones that I painted with rustoleum dark gray automotive primer.

Tony's customs has them occasionally

I used an old Colt barrel. 10" lightweights are difficult to come by.

Yes

@@pourindieselthe inches?

@uniquertunez5331 the nominal barrel length of a 609 is 10"

Sorry about that!

Dope vid❤

@@frithsteadfarm904 thank you

Thank you!

If I wanted a BCM or M&P I would buy one.

@@pourindiesel no shit but will it last as long as they is the question buuuudd.

​@gregoryc9087 good question. Build one and make a video testing out endurance.

@@pourindieselI’m thinking about it bud

I was in SF in VN from 8/1968 to 1/1970 and we had a few of these that we carried on patrols. We only had the 20 rd mags at first, but I scrounged a 30 rd mag which I carried in the XM177e1, and kept with me until I rotated home. I carried 20 rd mags in my ammo pouches. Nice little weapon and much more useful in the dense rain forest where I operated than the standard M16a1.