Articulated replica M16, AR15, AR57

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BE SURE TO USE THE “Download STL/CAD files” OPTION TO DOWNLOAD. THE 3MF IS JUST AN EXAMPLE AND IS NOT THE FULL SET OF PRINTS.
 

ALSO BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTIONS PDF FILE BELOW. This is not a build for beginners, and is not 100% printed. Read the entire instructions PDF before beginning.

 

This is a full-sized, articulated (i.e. moving parts) replica of the M16 family of assault rifles. It can be built as an M16A2, an AR15, or the AR57 that uses P90 magazines. It can be built as a rifle with a buttstock, or as a pistol without stock, and in varying barrel lengths. Different handguard options are included, as seen in the pictures (wooden, original M16 style, MLOK). Various magazines are possible: short, banana, single and dual drum. The trigger is spring-loaded and pulls, and the selector lever stops it in SAFE. The buttons push and spring back, the charging lever releases the dustcover, and the magazine drops out when released. It's very satisfying as a giant fidget toy and as realistic and accurate as I was able to get from blueprints, etc. Suitable for responsible cosplay (don't go LARPing in the shopping mall!) or hanging on the wall.

 

The 3MF download is just an example lower receiver, showing proper print orientation (see note in instructions about the lettering.) The STL download is a ZIP with all the files and images of renderings and the models I built. There's so many combinations of build options there would be too many plates to make sense of. Hope that clears up some confusion.

 

The instructions have bills of material for each option, a list of which parts are required for which build, lists of required and optional but recommended tools, and a hopefully detailed assembly walk-through with pictures as I did it.

 

If you build one, post up pix. I'd love to see what options and colors and results are popular!