It's been a few days since spraying the stock, handguard and pistol grip. High humidity has prevented it from completely curing but will dry hopefully soon. A total of about 2-1/2 cans of Testor's 1265 Flat Olive over all over the red primer. As far as I can determine and from a personal friend who sent photos of an original it looks like the OD appears to match pretty well.
A later style selector switch is being "dimpled" and should be the final bit of hardware to be added to complete the project, I think.
The stock has been sprayed OD Green a couple times, sanded with W/D 220 and 400 grit; then lightly rubbed with 0000 steel wool. It could use another coat along the bottom seam but humidity has been very high and time to cure has taken much longer so I'll wait for better conditions.
It's been exciting how this project has evolved from the discovering the upper receiver was an original "601" and finding an original Edgwater Buffer. Not all parts are original Colt due to the prices for them but considering that fact I'm very happy with the build. It should be finished soon as I can get the selector switch back after having it center drilled to match the original earlier style. Meanwhile I temporarily put an M16 selector on it out of curiosity. It rotates all the way to the AUTO mark which is interesting but there's no way the trigger is capable of firing so hopefully it's legal. The other selector that's being dimpled doesn't rotate all the way.
* Mag is orig Colt AR15 .223 - but not the Colt Armalite Waffle Style (rather not pay $50 for a repo not to mention cost for an original)
Photos include about 98% of the complete project - details include:
Meanwhile I temporarily put an M16 selector on it out of curiosity. It rotates all the way to the AUTO mark which is interesting but there's no way the trigger is capable of firing so hopefully it's legal. The other selector that's being dimpled doesn't rotate all the way.
Should be OK as long as the mechanism doesn't function auto...if you look at the depressions for the selector detent, you'll see the difference. They're cut into the side of the selector shaft. Auto goes three quarters around.
Thanks Jim - No sir, it definitely doesn't function auto. I like the fact it rotates it the way and wish I would have it center drilled it first - maybe some other time.
Waiting on the final selector switch now. An original auto selector and a semi are both being center drilled. The only parts that might represent a more complete 601 other than a different lower would be a cast FSP with raised adjustment arrow and an original buffer tube, but it's been very satisfying have arrived at the point and I'm looking forward to taking to the range sometime soon. If an original cast FSB were found it would probably require custom fitting unless the taper pin holes weren't already drilled. Considering the original parts that have been found and has made this project particularly interesting and exciting..
If an original cast FSB were found it would probably require custom fitting unless the taper pin holes weren't already drilled.
That might even make it harder, the FSB was pressed on, drilled and pins pressed in. They were done with a double set of tapered drills... Good luck with that one, yes they could be out of whack.