Which AR to get?

[Gewehr43]

What AR-15 model looks most like a Vietnam Era M16,i saw one but cant rember what it was?:confused:

[sfc ret]

the early COLT SP1 is the close copy of a M16A1.......I have seen one with the 3 prong flash suppersor for sale at a local show

[Gewehr43]

just checked out the sp1 what is this type flash surpressor
called doesnt look like the birdcage type i have seen?

http://www.nwpm.net/ar/front.jpg

[sfc ret]

picture isn't the greatest, but it looks like a muzzle cap is on the flash surpressor, if you look at the front of it there is a slight "ridge" going around it.

I really can't tell if that is a shadow around the barrel of it that is making it look thicker then a A1 barrel.......or it's a A2 barrel. a A1 barrel will be very thin.

just becasue it has triangle handguards on it does not make it a A1.....some AR15s still had the triangle front retainers on them, that the round hanguards fitted around, it's a easy swap of handguards........what does the rest of the rifle look like, especially the rear sight....those are 2 complete different set-ups.

the earlier AR15A1s, didn't have a "fence" around the mag release button. also some didn't have a forward assist, the ones that did will have a "tear drop" shape to it......round ones are A2 types.

also A1 buttstock didn't have a trapdoor for the cleaning kit, but a solid rubber pad, of course later versions of the A1 had them, and the A1 buttstock is a tad bit shorter then the A2s.

A1 pistol grips will not have a "finger groove" in them