manufacturers for the military...

[hillmillenia]

just curious...other than Colt and I guess Bushmaster (Quality Parts) who else, if any, makes the M-16 lower and upper receiver for the US military? I see alot of makes out there and can only conclude it would be wise to stick with the ones acceptable to our GI's...

[Circuits]

Current military suppliers are Colt for the M4 series, and FNMI (US division of FN Herstal, Belgium) for the M16 series.

Bushmaster hasn't supplied any M16's or M4's to the US military since the first Gulf War in 1990/1991.

Catco, of Grand Junction, CO has the current M16A2 upgrade (from M16 or M16A1 config) parts contract, so supplies new uppers, fire control groups, and such.

[glock.40cal]

don't know what parts are contracted, but lewis machine and tool and continental machine and tool are reputed to have government contracts.

[MilsurpMutt]

Bushmaster only supplied during the Gulf War? I remember using one of those rifle range simulators in boot camp and the rifles were Bushmaster's that looked just about new. Guess I know when they were made then.

[M700Police]

As Circuits said, Colt and FNMI are the only confirmed current suppliers of full M16's to the military. Anything else is simply speculation.

As far as purchasing an AR for yourself, there is no need to stick with only govt. contracted manufacturers. There are many good choices on the market for civilians. Do a search in the general forum.....we have a poll thread that shows the most popular brands out there.

[Manticore]

Hey guys I'm in the market for a flat top upper receiver. Does this one look any good and do you know anything about the seller? Supposedly it is a military contract upper. Would there be a way to tell who made it? His feedback looks excellent.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=56124059

[irishone]

That piece sure looks "Mil-spec" and have seen that listing when looking for my upper but always wondered why he doesn't mention the manufacturer as do some other sellers. Personally , if they don't mention a brand , I keep shopping and then ya just gotta trust 'em.

[xdrkwonx]

I believe LMT also supplies some uppers to Navy EOD and Navspecwar for their new Mk18 shorty's. I think they're 10.5's...

[JE3146]

That piece sure looks "Mil-spec" and have seen that listing when looking for my upper but always wondered why he doesn't mention the manufacturer as do some other sellers. Personally , if they don't mention a brand , I keep shopping and then ya just gotta trust 'em.

Good advice.

Trust and Gunbroker are two things not often mixed.