dalbert

There’s a lot of FRT discussion on Uzitalk, which I’m fine with there. I would not want to duplicate that here. If I decide to start an M16 forum here, I would watch it closely, and keep it suited more to what I see as the unique personality of this site. I would want it to compliment our other forums, and add value to the site. We have some M16 discussions here now that could be better focused for interaction in a dedicated forum. Usually I just start a new forum after hearing interest from members here, but I realize this potential M16 change summons some strong feelings, which I understand and respect. I am approaching a potential new M16 forum much more cautiously than I have with other forums I’ve added here in the past. Here’s mostly what I would want to explore in an M16 forum here. I would probably put a sticky topic at the top of the page indicating the intent of the forum in detail, and move or hide any topics that didn’t conform to the desired forum personality. 1. NFA M16 discussion (Including NFA AR conversions and registered trigger devices) 2. The history of the development of the AR15 platform in the early days of Armalite and subsequent Colt and licensed M16 manufacturer iterations. I would want the forum to become a respected resource. 3. I am particularly interested in the early XM16E1 issues which resulted from deviations away from the original powder design, shortage of cleaning equipment and appropriate training, sales and political missteps involving the implementation by Colt and Ordnance and use in Viet Nam, and the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. 4. I want to better document the multitude of paper items associated with the AR15 and XM16E1, M16, and later variants made by Colt, H&R, and GM Hydramatic. I would also encourage M16 related book reviews. 5. I want to document and explore military accessories for the early XM16E1 and M16, M16A1 + Rifles. (Maybe include Knight’s Armament accessories, but not include the plethora of civilian accessories that are in use today) 6. I’d like to document actual GI experiences among our members who were issued the various M16 variants since the early 1960’s, as well as some law enforcement use from a historical perspective. 7. Sales would have the usual forum restrictions, and would be limited to NFA MG items. No SBR’s, etc. I would expect sale posts to be extremely limited. Back in 1999, my brother documented some early collector information regarding magazines and other stuff that became a great subject matter resource for many at that time on Biggerhammer.net. I would like to gather and post some niche collector data like that if a new forum is started. Obviously, I have interest in starting a new M16 forum. But I really want to vet it well before I decide whether to proceed, and I value each and every opinion of members here. I really do. David

I’m still a bit conflicted about it, based on some of the feedback. I actually agree with everyone’s sentiment about it here so far, both pro and con, thus my indecision. I’ll be at the TCA show this Friday, and I think I’ll ask around there what people think. Perhaps I should do a poll here? If I created the new forum, I would want to focus on historical aspects of the platform, as well as NFA guns that we own. I am also deeply interested in the paper associated with the M16 over the years. A converted SP1 was the first machine gun I ever bought in 1988. Still have it and love it. David

Yes, my example was colorized by hand. The frame it was in is just like yours, though that was probably a common frame at the time. I still have the frame, but I display the print in a plastic sleeve on my display boards. David

Just a quick note that Morphy Auctions has a couple of really nice Colt Thompsons coming up for auction starting tomorrow, 5/12/26. Number 3380, originally from the Polk County, Iowa Sheriff's department was formerly owned by a member here, and I saw this gun on display many times, and used to love to hear the story of how he acquired it. Number 6014 is a 28 Navy that looks great. I will be very interested to see how much these go for. #3380: https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/lot-655876.aspx #6014: https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=655696 David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

"A number," as in many, many. Tom lives for C-drum dumps. Always fun! David

Yes, I will bring something Swedish K, though it may just be for show and tell. David

For many years I had a gentleman’s agreement with the owner of Uzitalk.com not to add firearm discussion forums that already existed on each other’s websites. Since I now have owned Uzitalk for a while, I thought about adding an M16 forum here, though I have no illusions of it ever competing with ARFcom. I’m open to suggestion as to whether it should be an NFA only or historical forum, mostly because those are my main areas of interest. I don’t really want it to be a general AR Barbie accessories forum. This site has a unique personality, and the level of expertise here is exceptional, and M16 topics often occur in the current Class III forum. If I started the new forum here, I would try to transfer as many existing topics as possible that pertain to M16’s. Your thoughts? David

I will be there. Looking forward to it. If anyone has any firearm manual needs who will be at the show, please let me know, and I can bring what you need. I most likely have it. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

My memory about my own draftsmen’s test drawing was off a smidge. The one in my collection is a drawing of a Model of 1919, not a 1928. Here is a pic. David

Hi Ron, Headstamp Publishing is the way to get it. David

Hi Tom, That is not the same as mine. I really like it, though! David

Very nice find! Tracie could probably add to this conversation, but it may be a draftsmen’s test drawing. I have one for the ‘28 that supposedly hung in the Savage factory, and as I recall Tracie indicated draftsmen drew the Thompson as part of their initiation or final training as a test at the factories. Does it indicate Savage or Utica, New York anywhere? We may be able to tell by the Colonel who is listed on it, though I don’t recognize the name off the top of my head, and am away from my books at the moment. David

Please send me a private message indicating the name to which you would like it changed. Thanks, David

The M1A1 Thompson served in the U.S. military in very limited service at least up until the early 1990’s, so it could have been for foreign or domestic use. David

My understanding is that a bill has been introduced in the WV legislature for the state to sell machine guns to the public, similar to liquor. The way the ‘86 law is written, states are exempted from the MG transfer laws, and someone has realized this is a potential loophole, allowing states to potentially transfer to individuals. We shall see what happens. David