Unfortunately the Tarkov meta is nowhere near clone rifle status.

@DaedalusHelios

Жыл бұрын

6:57 "Except the actual three way, we went all the way". ~Caleb Savant

“We use the internet differently” *steve calmly starts deleting browser history*

If you know everyone wants the retro line back, you guys need to bring it back. I’m sure I’m not the only one who missed out.

@shielamaebrenot8929

Жыл бұрын

💯 but Nodak got bought out by PSA, so now we just have to hope their H&R line will be available soon and can actually meet the market demand

@CalebSavant

Жыл бұрын

Working on it, but you can blame PSA for the temporary lapse lol

@shielamaebrenot8929

Жыл бұрын

@@CalebSavant they left us hanging for sure

@GRIM_7REAPER

Жыл бұрын

@@shielamaebrenot8929 they have been available for awhile. but they are doing things in such small runs, catching them before they are out of stock is almost impossible.

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

Count me in! Those rifles generally had great reviews. The only ‘fault’ that appeared in more than one review was the windage had to be cranked all the way to one side when zeroing.

Patiently awaiting the day that a fixed carry handle upper can be fairly readily purchased again and isn't price gouged like crazy

@TeCHnORiOT

Жыл бұрын

I've been searching the ends of the Earth to find a fixed carry handle slick side upper that's in stock.

@NachoKitty6969

Жыл бұрын

@@TeCHnORiOT good luck

@traillesstravelled7901

Жыл бұрын

👍

@TeCHnORiOT

Жыл бұрын

@@NachoKitty6969 Thanks.

@johnmulholland1789

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. I bought a complete A2 police trade in Carbine to get around it. I payed about 500 for the gun, but I’ve seen just the uppers going for 400. It’s ridiculous

I love that Caleb called them, “butt hurt.”

The cool part about being in the military is whatever I do to my rifle now becomes clone correct the second I do it! 😂

@danielraul1989

Жыл бұрын

I’m adopting this philosophy 😅

@adamgriffin

9 ай бұрын

Obese Cloner that never enlisted: Well akshually...

Thanks for sharing your duty rifle Caleb.

Amen gentlemen. And like you pointed out a "clone" can only be so correct as we common pheasants don't get the giggle switch option. Build it...make it your own...enjoy it and be happy.

Built my M16A1 clone with all Brownells parts and I absolutely love it! Takes me back to the early 80's and is extremely light and accurate.

Mid 90s issued A2. If you couldn't put something on with 100mph tape or hose clamps, it couldn't go on. And you better be sure to have it off before it went back into armory or Battalion Commander was in the area.

I like retro aesthetics but modern functionality, so I have a Windham Weaponry "A1" that's nowhere near a true replica, but it has the most obvious aesthetic features, like the fixed carry handle, teardrop forward assist, and most importantly the triangular handguards. But it does also have a brass deflector, 1/7 twist barrel with M4 feed ramps, etc. I also added a carry handle mounted red dot, a FSB mounted rail for a flashlight, a two point adjustable sling, upgraded trigger, Raptor Radion charging handle, and a free float tube that the A1 handguards clamp over. That way, it has the features of a modern rifle but still looking like an older gun.

The main forum that I go to is mostly understanding when someone builds a clone that isn’t 100% minus the “fun” switch. When I first went in the Army we had M16A1s and when I retired we had M4A1s (and being in SF we had other fun stuff). The clone forums will point out if something as trivial as a marking on the barrel is incorrect, but it’s seldom in a mean way, it’s more informational in nature. Some of these guys know a lot more about the guns that I carried pre Special Forces than I do. BTW, your Retro line was great! I already had an M16A1 and an XM177E2, but I bought all of the rest. They weren’t perfect, and I’ve done some work on them, but they made arms available, especially the BRN-10, that just weren’t out there before.

@tomjjackson21

Жыл бұрын

The entire community is understanding, so long as you acknowledge your build isn't *"Clone Correct."* NO one gaf if someone is like *"Here's my attempt on my budget, I know it's not correct but it's the best I can do."* It's when plebs throw a MI quad rail on their M&P, rattle can it and claim its a MK18, that people become irritated. Caleb has no fkn idea as to what he's talking about here, and it comes across as bad faith, over being edgy thinking the cloning community will be triggered. I don't believe one claim in this video was correct. This coming from someone that could gaf if someones rifle is correct. If guys are willing to spend $1k on a brake, or $500 for a $5 part with a NSN, let the community dictate whatever they desire... I think they've earned it if they've spend 5x what it would cost to build a non clone correct firearm, over multiple years of searching for particular parts. This comes across as flaky as Caleb's scalp, with all that damn product.

When you came out with the Retro series I just had to have the A1 and the shorty! Can't thank you guys enough for that! Love them both!!!

I LOL'ed when he said we use the internet for different things. 😂

I agree. When I was Active Duty mid 90’s-2000. We had M16 A2’s some M4’s all with iron sights. The only adaptions or improvements that were done, were done by the individual Soldiers by means of 550 cord usually to the sling and 100 mph tape for a field improvised double mag set up. Occasionally I’ve seen large framed Soldiers pad up their buttocks to make them fit better. I was also a Unit then BN Armorer and sadly had to make those Soldiers take that stuff off when they turned them back into the arms room. So we didn’t piss off the BN CSM because they looked different in the cages. If they look the same, operate the same good. However with all the great products out there you can tailor or tweak your rifle to better suit your needs. It can still be a tribute rifle or at the least a nod to the original. If I had the resources of today and the authorization to modify my issued rifle, it would have been completely different. Actually it would be the rifles that I’ve built for myself today minus the three round burst. Great video.

Ive put together a clone m16a1 with all brownells parts. its very nice and literally every piece besides the BCG, trigger and trigger guard; compared to modern ar15s have not been changed on that gun.. It was a good learning experience to learn everything but those three things were different… Cant believe this is the rifle my Grandfather carried in Nam 50+ years ago already in 1968.. - Cod and Battlefield veteran

Caleb, thank you for your service!

As soon as Caleb gave reasons why stuff was on the rifle in certain places I was like ...I bet that was his

For me the whole point of a clone is to get an older and now rare weapon, as originally issued, to re-experience the older tech without paying a fortune for an original.

Since a clone isn't a perfect copy, this boils down to a semantic argument. Few people are going to own a truly period-correct M16/M4 simply because there aren't that many M16s in civilian hands. The best they can hope for is a close approximation in semi auto format. Frankly I prefer this setup. I've never found full auto or burst fire appealing in any assault rifle (SMGs and belt-feds are a different story). I'm not sure what the appeal is to go retro with an AR15, but if it ever develops into a serious collector's market in its own right, I do have some interesting tidbits in my junk bin. I wonder what I could get for a 1963 AR15 pattern rifle, complete with original triangle charging handle and waffle magazine.

Thank you for your service. Really enjoy listening to both your takes on firearms related topics!

When I saw that M4, I just new who it was gonna belongs too 🤔

Brownells needs to do more retro rifles or re-run the a1 or ar-10 love em!

@BlackoutPatriot

Жыл бұрын

They should. They still sell A1 barrels

@allthingsconsidered3211

Жыл бұрын

@@BlackoutPatriot yeah i see they sell some parts, but the main things, like the surplus hk416 upper receivers i dont see.

Now I'm gonna clone your gun Caleb and post it on all the clone groups lol.

If all women looked the same, the world would be a sad place! If all guns looked the same, it would be a Glock, ... ah, a real sad place!

@billdude1564

Жыл бұрын

Glock, the Hyundai Sonata of guns.

@elfeater1760

Жыл бұрын

ROFLMAO....in all it's glory!!!

@timbrassinne719

Жыл бұрын

Especially if they look like Hillary.

@leomtk

Жыл бұрын

OMG! Hating on my favorite gun! Feeling triggered now! I need my safe space and my wobbie! 🤣🤣

@nomad155

Жыл бұрын

Same as men

Are those retro A1 stripped uppers and lowers ever coming back? Been wanting to do a retro build forever but can't find a carry handle upper for the life of me.

@BlackoutPatriot

Жыл бұрын

Check out Luth AR , they been selling them

@jmpetersrn

Жыл бұрын

Check out Palmetto State Armory

Thanks for your service young fellow. ~appreciated it much respect.

My favorite video so far! Thanks

Anyone else hoping the BRN-4 lowers come back so they can complete their 416 clone?

@CalebSavant

Жыл бұрын

Challenge Accepted

@joshpifer9852

Жыл бұрын

For the complete brn4 upper and lower I will uppercut a grizzly bear to obtain one.

@heinrichfuhrmeister1244

Жыл бұрын

Just buy mr556 lower and have someone laser it

@joshpifer9852

Жыл бұрын

@@heinrichfuhrmeister1244 I still need to fight the bear for the upper until the brn 4 upper kits are back

@jackm8864

Жыл бұрын

@@heinrichfuhrmeister1244 nah I’m good bud

About 15 years ago I bought a surplus M16A1 kit with the idea that one day I'd assemble it. About 2 years ago I finally did and I decided to build a rifle like the ones I carried in the Air Force from 1975 - 1987. The thing is, though, that covered a lot of ground with regard to various iterations. Stuff got changed and updated all the time as rifles were sent in for maintenance until most of them were "Frankensteined" to a greater or lesser degree. In 1975 most of our rifles had 3-prong flash hiders, non-trapdoor buttstocks, and "no-fence" lower receivers. By 1987 I hadn't seen a 3-prong FH in years, a handful of rifles had trapdoor buttstocks, and there were probably more "fence" than "no-fence" lowers. The one thing that didn't change in that period is that our rifles all had "slickside" uppers and pencil barrels. To some extent, my build was influenced by what I had. The kit came with a trapdoor buttstock and a birdcage flash hider. They were still "period correct" so I used them. I had on hand an early-90s Bushmaster lower receiver with the fences so I used it. I used a later safety with the "tick mark" on the right side because I had one in my parts box. I had to source a slickside upper which took a while but I didn't want to compromise on that part. So is it a clone? Well, it feels and handles exactly like the originals and it will pass the "rack test" -- anyone looking at it in a rack will recognize it as a "pre-A1" rifle. There are a couple of tiny "errors" like the safety selector but overall it's perfectly plausible as a 1987 U. S. Air Force M16 rifle even though I doubt any rifle ever came from the factory with exactly that assembly of parts. TBH, I mostly avoid the "clone" controversy by calling it a "nostalgia build" instead of a clone.

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

I enlisted AF in early ‘91…we were still training with A1’s!

@itsapittie

Жыл бұрын

@@cadamsm11 Did they have the forward assist? When I left in 1987 AF rifles still didn't have the forward assist except for a handful of the newest early versions of what would become the M4.

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

@@itsapittie Can’t honestly remember…just remember we were threatened not to use the “fun button,” but our T.I. gave us a demonstration!

@floridagunrat1625

Жыл бұрын

"Nostalgia build" - that's a great term, I'm going to steal that! Thank you!

@n721sw

Жыл бұрын

@@cadamsm11 I was at Lakeland in Sept 90, pretty sure we had the A2, but I definitely remember the threats about full auto. And it was interesting how our TI disappeared when we were handed the M16 and ammo.

I buy parts from you guys even if they cost more because of these videos. I really enjoy your content.

@crazydave1145

Жыл бұрын

You forgot the Lifetime guarantee😉

@bucknasty8001

Жыл бұрын

@@crazydave1145 they have a life time guarantee??? Didn't even know that.

The M16 series will never be anything less than the epitome of excellence. Perfect blend of form and function. Currently have an A2 but the A1 is my dream gun.

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

Agree! My build ended up being an A4 clone, sometimes running an A1 handguard, but would still love an A1!

@crazydave1145

Жыл бұрын

I love the m16, but every Nam vet I've met said first thing they did when they hit the ground was throw it away & find an AK🤷‍♂️

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

@@crazydave1145 I’m sure that happened, but also lots of stories of no problems, especially after the A1 improvements. John Stryker Meyer, of MacVSog fame, has several times stated that his CAR 15 was the greatest thing ever!

@Barrios1096

Жыл бұрын

Perfect form, maybe. But perfect function not so much. I'd argue AK-47 and variants are closer to perfect function.

@imperialbricks1977

Жыл бұрын

@@Barrios1096 It is perfect function. 5.56 was literally designed for a 20" barrel.

According to the Internet, anything with a scope and an 18” barrel is a Mk12

@jeramyw

Жыл бұрын

"This is my MK12, SAM-R, DMR, IAR, -esque improved clone."

@wnemethvargo284

Жыл бұрын

with a quad rail

There is a matrix of Clone. Did it happen? Is it cool? Does it work? Your deployment rifle get a 10 out of happened 3 out of cool 6 out of work. it scores a 63/100 At least, from what I can see. I can't touch it and be surprised in a positive or negative way, so I'd be interested to hear your own rating of your own rifle on a 1-10 scale for these three things.

Awesome content as always guys

Bring back the retro line! "Wouldn't hurt..." I feel as if it was discontinued just a year or two too early before the sales would have been massive.

Great episode. Is it too expensive to keep manufacturing Brownelles clones or is it due to legal reasons? Brownelles never had trouble selling them, only had trouble keeping them in stock. You guys should bring them back/maintain the clone line for at least a few years, cuz it’s guaranteed money/sales.

@heinrichfuhrmeister1244

Жыл бұрын

It’s the lower. Only nodak makes them. Now they are bought out by psa, so brownell cant get them until psa starts allowing nodak to make the lowers again

@dhughes67

Жыл бұрын

@@heinrichfuhrmeister1244 they pushed out some lowers last week but not many. Dropped at a random time early in the morning and they were still sold out in minutes.

@heinrichfuhrmeister1244

Жыл бұрын

@@dhughes67 probably some old inventory or orders just been fulfilled recently

The BRN-180 is a clone rifle 🤷‍♂️

@wintonhudelson2252

Жыл бұрын

And cool one at that!

Your standard M4 "Clone" is probably the most common variation of AR-15 out there. I get a lot of shit for calling guns like the standard 16" PSAs, S&Ws, Rugers etc "M4 Pattern rifles" or "clones," but that's what they are.

You realize people are now going to be making the "Caleb" clone.... right.....

@BeltFedSelfDefense

Жыл бұрын

🤣 oof

Your 9mm colt/brownells mags are amazing !😊

Thank you for your service, gentlemen.

M4s have come in all flavors and variations. Saw M16s lowers that had been converted to M4s.

@ryanthorne5432

Жыл бұрын

I’ve seen that, too

@BeltFedSelfDefense

Жыл бұрын

Saw M16A4s that had old M16A2 marking restamped A4.

I believe the true clone rifle was called the *DC-15A Blaster Rifle.* According to the Star Wars Archives of course. Stay classy my friends.

@CalebSavant

Жыл бұрын

Fact

@BeltFedSelfDefense

Жыл бұрын

I need it. A phase 2 helmet with linked hud is 🔥

I wish we could still build the M16A1 or M16 (airforce) clones. The uppers have not been in stock over a year. Would kill for a slick side 601 upper....

I’m currently getting an A2 clone built too. Caleb is right for sure. Clones really can come in variations. As a reenactor who studies the different set ups people have had, I’ve seen things set up in so many different variations in different areas and stuff. Older ones like A1’s and even A2’s, there were only so much you could do. Plus even when you clone older firearms there’s certain pieces I know they don’t make anymore due to materials and stuff like that. You sometimes have to get them as close as you can. Might not be 100% but over the twist or something is no big deal. Sometimes there’s tiny little details that can be off to a point where it doesn’t matter. I study things so I can really get things so close you wouldn’t really notice anything different except for the serial number and stuff like that

Almost done with my 11.5 FBI HRT clone....with a brace 😔 I had a 12.5 in it but it will be getting the 11.5 colt barrel. It's the last piece of the puzzle. Next clone - dissipator 😃

I have a true Colt 6920, but because most of it is made of outsourced parts, I refer to it as a "frank-in-colt"... idk if that makes it a clone or not....but I love it like no other! :)

Please bring back the A1 clone!

If you can find references material to support your build, nothing is incorrect in a clone rifle.

Is the late production M16A1 buttstock with the trapdoor buttplate and the different sling swivel going to be introduced? Back in 1976 I qualified Sharpshooter with one in Basic and I wish I had one now. Thanks for the great content always.

Is Brownells gonna make the m16E1 receivers again? I've been waiting for years...

@CalebSavant

Жыл бұрын

Short answer, yes.

@dsan94

Жыл бұрын

@@CalebSavant sweet, then I will look to order all the other parts now and then wait for the receivers. I did see your other response and that kind of stuff is so frustrating. They are hurting not just Brownells, but the community.

I wish I had the money to make a clone of my old rifle. I wouldn't care for it because I really don't want the layout in the first place. But it would be cool to show my son what I carried and exactly how it was set up. I can put something together cheaper and more practical for my needs for probably a quarter of the price.

God bless you guys . Love your content.

Thanks for your service Caleb

"We're using the internet differently" Amen!

I was never able to serve due to medical conditions but my stepson did and he said that there M4s were set up as different as can be. They set there’s up for ease-of-use as well as to stand apart.

I'm not screaming but I would love to see the retro line resurrected.

Chairforce, lol. I served in the Army, and all the branches rag on each other. At the end of the day, it's about having each other's back. We might not agree on how a rifle is set up, but that's what makes collecting them fun. They don't all have to be the same or an exact copy.

I do wish the retro line rifles were still being offered. But it is what it is.

Kinda felt that reveal coming on the pictured M4 Caleb. To the coiners, if the rifle meets the basic requirements, build it to suit your needs and to me it’s still a clone. Thanks for all the great videos Brownells.

I would be happy with an affordable cloned MP-5. As long as it functioned and works good!

I understand where Caleb is coming from, using his duty rifle as an example. But a lot of what he did was add-on, replace, etc. I’m guessing it was a factory (as issued) barrel, twist rate, caliber, etc. I think those are the important “clone” items…things most issued rifles would have in common.

The “Meal Team 6 commandos” can’t seem to grasp the mission built configuration concept and it really doesn’t matter. You do you.

Thank you, you guys are always cool!, Thanks!.

I really pi$$ people off with my “clone”. It’s an M4 with a carry handle and a triangle hand guard! I built it as a kind of tribute to my dad. I grew up looking at pictures of my dad in Vietnam carrying his M16. I had a lower not being used, and a drawer full of lower parts, so I picked up a cheap 16” carbine upper, and threw on the hand guard, a triangle end cap and handguard. It’s not a clone of anything, because nothing like it was ever produced! But I inadvertently referred to it as a clone when describing, and explaining, it to a guy at the range one day. I was quickly corrected, and schooled on the Vietnam era variants!

I would love to have a Colt Commando clone the stock and moderator are readily available at Sarco among other places but as one of the commenter mentioned Brownells does a dang good job on their retro series I could Pony up a few bucks for that

I would like to point out that what Caleb said toward the end is kinda wrong. The rifles haven’t been sold as complete rifles for some time, but the parts availability is also starting to dwindle. I’m currently in the middle of building an M16A1 clone, and none of the parts aside from the barrel assembly have been sourced from Brownells. A1 grips, furniture, uppers, and lowers have been purchased from other retailers due to being all OoS both on Brownells site and in their store.

Saw a picture on " Modern Tactical Shooting" KZread channel of a MK12 mod 0 with an Aimpoint on it, never seen it before that. That is a great channel, Jeff is a former Ranger . He added parts to his guns with his own money, so I'm sure there's a lot of one off guns that were used by other soldiers.

The closest that I cared to get with a 20" A2 type, AR, doesn't have a carry handle, and has a modern Red dot sight. Good enough for me. Similar to my MK18 clone, if a newer version gives me capabilities that the original didn't have, I don't care at all.

Build what works and makes you happy, and to hell with anybody else!

@anangryranger

Жыл бұрын

My exact sentiments! 👍 Set up your weapons to suit your own personal needs. It's your weapon, and not built for anyone else.

As far as larp-ing goes, most people don't even have enough round-count on the gun to even brag about.

Last time I checked this America (with the exception of a few states) any citizen in good standing with the law can assemble anything they want and call it macaroni if he wants to. Those armchair experts need to calm down and go back to playing video games and shuddup. Another great video guys. Thanks

basement Generals. The problem with a lot of clone guys is they are not using the right brand of clone duct tape On their clone handgaurd.

Let's talk about the surplus firearms: numbers matching. When they get rebuilt in service, no one renumbered the parts to match. I hate that when people talk about surplus weapons.

Here’s one to give the clone police a melt down. I built an M4A1 “clone”. It has a 1993 manufactured Bushmaster lower with an Ergogrip, a new Palmetto government profile M4 barrel with a Blackhawk Quadrail with a Blackhawk vertical grip and a Surefire Micro USB light mounted with a Rogers RSS mount, on a Yankee Hill upper with a Vortex Strikefire II mounted on top, a B5 receiver extension and adjustable SOPMOD style buttstock and the sling is a Caldwell Modular dual/single point!

In my combat unit (101st) in Nam (68-69) we were not allowed to modify anything. Even to the extent that the double mag that I rigged to use when on night ambush and other guard situations had to be disassembled. I guess it didn't look pretty enough.

Great video! I’d like to see what you guys think, because I’m in this situation right now, what you think about people cloning civilian legal rifles? Say the original isn’t available or doesn’t do what the “cloner” wants it to do, like if they wanted it in a different caliber? For context, i just built, for all intents and purposes a Q Sugar Weasel but in .350 legend and I’m curious if you’d call it a “clone rifle”. I used the official Q parts where applicable (rail, SB tactical HBPDW brace) but I have a Faxon barrel, and Aero receivers. What do you guys think? Clone or not?

Need the retro upper carry handles ...that's what I can't find anymore

Never understood why more companies don't make basic A2/A4 style ARs

@jasoncastle4818

Жыл бұрын

Agree💯

The two main ways to clone a rifle are to copy the military issued rifle configuration and to copy the end user's rifle configuration. Too many people get caught up on just copying the military and not the user's. A great example is Russian SF and Military impressions in the collecting and airsoft fields. Both require reference photos and those guys go crazy on the details. As long as there is a user picture its accepted as a clone correct.

well covered!

before i finish watching the video i just want to say this. its YOUR rifle/gun. if its "clone enough" for you, then thats all that matters in the end. you are the one who is going to be using it in the end after all so as long as ur happy with it, thats all that should matter.

How about a "Chairborn Ranger"!

To clone or not to clone... What ever you do... Make it your Own...

Well said

Brownells will there ever be a restock of Brownells M16A1 rifles/parts?

You need to make more retro CLONES PLEEEEEAAASE

From the title I thought the video was going to be about manufactured clones like Tommy build or Turkish clone shotguns

I would have never guessed it was Caleb's due to lack of blue gucci parts.

Boom! Mind blown! Lol love the retro line

Glad they don’t sell the retro line anymore prior to that you could source their parts and build it cheaper. Then the retro line came out and parts were gone and completed rifles marked up a lot more than what the parts were selling for. Don’t Tell me they weren’t just pulling parts paying someone an hours wage to make 5-6 hundred more dollars than what the parts would of retailed for. Parts retail was already a profit btw. But I haven’t checked on cost of parts since then

Oh, how I can relate to this. I built a rifle to look just like the one I had in the Marine Corps and people just lose their minds over it even though I have a picture of me holding it.

@Ja2808R

Жыл бұрын

Hilarious

@theKashConnoisseur

Жыл бұрын

Never let other people's opinions stop you from enjoying nice things, right?

A "clone" needs to have some part of the original object. A copy is one made to appear like another object. A fake is when you put a name on a copy.

You guys thinking about putting out c7 uppers by any chance? Please?

Bring back the retro line! We need lowers!!

Caleb really worked up a thirst on this one!

My fave is "typer sniper" 😅

Can u guys start making the brn-16a1 again they were never in stock so we couldnt get them

Hello Guys, I am a hard core cloner but I don't get hung up so much with the things guys change out when they are in country. The hard stuff to come by is the lower with the exact Colt or FN markings. They can be very pricey to come by. A lot of my clones look identical to what was out in the field except for minor variances like the lower being from Aero Precision or Brownells, that has the right model, and property of the Govt verbiage, but is missing the pony. I do deviate when it comes to the BCG because I like the Nickel boron finish a lot better and want my weapon to hold up for a very long time. It takes time and money to get them right. When I first posted my M4 clone with the Troy industries, similar to KAC quad rail, I was jumped all over by the cloner group and threatened to be exiled. The KAC rails are hard to find and cost a lot more then the original issue plastic hand guards. I did finally manage to obtain one and install it on my M4 and it looks great. The DD RIS II FDE hand guard takes months to find and is extremely expensive for a CQBR clone build. I won't even go down the road for the optics, and to think some guys lost theirs overseas, I wish I could find them. Those are next on the list. Thank you for a great article.