H&R Colt Commando 609 Retro Clone XM177E1 Vietnam Carbine 1966

[@Solly1984]

Amazing replica. Keeping these clones alive is also keeping the memories of the men who carried them alive. MACV-SOG, LRRPs etc. May they never be forgotten.

[@pourindiesel]

Absolutely 💯

[@kalui96]

Growing up is realizing this is the best AR variant

[@underratedcritic1983]

Not if you’re southpaw

[@dark2023-1lovesoni]

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)

[@kalui96]

@@dark2023-1lovesoni 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

[@celmer6]

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

[@kalui96]

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

[@DillonG71]

that is an awesome gun, and my favorite war time configuration in a tight race with the xm16e1

[@Marshal-ek8xp]

You are very knowledgeable about the Vietnam era AR15 and it's derivatives. Your clones are as correct as they can be and your videos are very informative and a joy to watch.

[@pourindiesel]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@birdsoup777]

Thank you for showing explaining this rifle.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for watching!

[@markknivila8383]

Great video! Loved all the old photographs!

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for commenting!

[@0utrider43A]

I have a Rock river carbine 16 inch upper that I refer as my CAR15 model. It's my go to rifle for property security patrols

[@TheGV50]

My favorite AR15 variant , thanks for sharing!

[@agenttexx]

I always liked the 609, 653, 635 and 733 variants. I have a 10.5" AR pistol and a 11.5" AR pistol. I prefer these to my 16" and 20" rifles. Although I am fond of a Hevy barreled 16" A3 Carbine as it is nearly identical to my very first AR.

[@Mopartizan4774]

vrery cool thanks for sharing!

[@garthland]

Numrich has a few of those 'fiberlite' pistol grips in stock,I've purchased a couple,they're nice!

[@RedHarlow-89]

Nice retro carabine, just one thing. I looked at images of the XM177E1 in Vietnam that had the full fence like the xm177e2, seems like there were later models maybe Before moving on to xm177e2.

[@pourindiesel]

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.

[@badas45]

Very cool

[@ai5dd]

They were called AR-15s when they were select fire (auto).

[@tsafa]

Did the original have the modern carbine buffer tube and 3 oz buffer weight?

[@pourindiesel]

Yes, but the original carbine buffer tube only had 2 positions. Also, note: the 607 carbine used somewhat of modified rifle buffer tube, with a lower tube as a anti-rotational guide.

[@tsafa]

@pourindiesel thank you for that information. I have not been able to find Details anywhere else.

[@xipingpooh5783]

Very nicely done

[@chrischiampo7647]

Awesome I Want to Build One of These Myself You Have Inspired Me 😀😊😀

[@Allenmar73]

On the carbines, were they always using standard 3.0 oz. buffers with standard spring rate? Or, was that ever an issue to experiment with?

[@pourindiesel]

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.

[@14arma]

Love this variant and have a similar one myself (an old colt SP1). Does anyone know of any videos of the ones from the military actually shooting, always been curious as to what they sounded like with the baffles in the moderator.

[@pitbull60]

Very well done love the vid . I am building the same set up but I cannot find the 20 rnd mag holder ??? belt or pouch I cant find the one the Vietnam soldiers had ??

[@tomgoodwin9161]

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.

[@pitbull60]

@@tomgoodwin9161 Thanks for the help .

[@charlesnash2748]

Carried one for a year.

[@pourindiesel]

Can you elaborate?

[@charlesnash2748]

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.

[@pourindiesel]

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

[@iliafigueroa4820]

@@pourindiesel Not that many were available, but in almost all of my vietnam war related books there are a couple of pics(in each book) of a commando in use. So, it also appears that they were some nice quantity out there!

[@iliafigueroa4820]

Recently, I visited my local antiques selling and whatever shop and in a corner between some old books i found a mint colt dealer flyer for the model 733! In color and all neat inside a plastic sleeve. Bought it on the spot!

[@Deathling21]

I like this Colt 601 more than the modern M4 carbine

[@MyRanger12]

Who's barrel did you used?, I just bought the PSA H&R Commando lower.

[@pourindiesel]

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

[@judahnation7410]

Is that an original Colt stock? How did you find it 😭

[@ThickCutOhio]

Cool 😎

[@CAR15Shooter]

Is anyone reproducing the anodized aluminum buttstock? I’ve seen the vinyl acetate coated repro stocks, but I haven’t found an anodized one yet.

[@pourindiesel]

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.

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

Tony's customs has them occasionally

[@Mithradates_of_Los_Angeles]

👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻Learned a lot, did you or can you post the specs of your build or who produced the rifle

[@Bogdan28394]

Does it fit pmags?

[@uniquertunez5331]

Do you know the inner barrel length?

[@pourindiesel]

Yes

[@uniquertunez5331]

@@pourindieselthe inches?

[@pourindiesel]

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

[@arnaudtravaler06]

at 0.41 what the name of the tissue belt for magazine ?

[@iliafigueroa4820]

Just a normal bandoleer

[@iliafigueroa4820]

Standard issue

[@davidschaadt3460]

Real nice video. I just finished a Retro CAR -15 build with Brownells and some original parts.🏆🔧🪖

[@pourindiesel]

Thank you!

[@454FatJack]

Mk18 i put that 4” way nicer to shoot indoor.

[@travhammer]

Too date. Colt yet offers the Commando in 11.5 to LE, semi and auto

[@edwinmakasiar9681]

Not full auto 😢

[@thomasd2867]

Full auto follow enforcement and military only

[@brycesattler2301]

☯️

[@edmundcharles5278]

Poor editing! No sound at the beginning of this video!

[@pourindiesel]

Sorry about that!

[@frithsteadfarm904]

Dope vid❤

[@pourindiesel]

@@frithsteadfarm904 thank you

[@iliafigueroa4820]

So? Learn to value and appreciate silence. Introspection, calmness, thoughts… I HATE lame, obnoxious music. One wants to HEAR the person.

[@gregoryc9087]

This going to last as long as a bcm or a M&P? Or this a gimmick that you shoot a few rounds through and put in the safe?

[@pourindiesel]

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

[@gregoryc9087]

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

[@pourindiesel]

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

[@gregoryc9087]

@@pourindieselI’m thinking about it bud

[@chrism3872]

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.