With the introduction of the Brownells Retro Series a few years back, Brownells has received a lot of customer feedback. I, for one, am happy to say they took it to heart - listened to the customers and got to work on making the changes they were asked.
Perhaps the most popular of the Retro Series has been the BRN-601, which is a clone of the very first Colt AR-15 model 601. When the rifle first appeared, there were a few criticisms, many of which were not easy tasks. Many of the small parts were way out of date and it would mean having to reengineer obsolete parts, which can be an expensive undertaking. This is especially true when you just don’t know how many of the obsolete parts you will sell. The issues brought up were:
1. The furniture was a mint green. The more proper color as seen in the Colt 601 picture is olive green.
2. The color of the receivers was matte black. The proper color was charcoal grey.
3. There was a tick on the right side of the safety. Technically it needed the dimples, but the tick had to go. That is a M16A2/M4 feature.
4. The ejection port is the more durable later A1/A2 style. The correct one would be the same as in the picture of the 601.
5. The chrome plating on the bolt carrier group was a very flat chrome where the proper finish would be shinier and more lubricious.
6. The mag release button should have straight lines, not the elongated circles of the current one.
7. The rear takedown pin should have dimples on each side.
8. The bolt catch should not have the lever on the bottom
Brownells is a very customer oriented business, so given these critiques they went to work to see what they could do to improve. So, let’s take a look one by one.
1. The furniture was a mint green. The more proper color as seen in the Colt 601 picture is olive green.
2. The color of the receivers was matte black. The proper color was charcoal grey.
3. There was a tick on the right side of the safety. Technically it needed the dimples, but the tick had to go. That is a M16A2/M4 feature.
4. The ejection port is the more durable later A1/A2 style. The correct one would be the same as in the picture of the 601.
5. The chrome plating on the bolt carrier group was a very flat chrome where the proper finish would be shinier and more lubricious.
6. The mag release button should have straight lines, not the elongated circles of the current one.
7. The rear takedown pin should have dimples on each side.
8. The bolt catch should not have the lever on the bottom
Brownells is a very customer oriented business, so given these critiques they went to work to see what they could do to improve. So, let’s take a look one by one.
The photographs show the difference between the old Mint Green and the new Olive Drab. The exact finish is not realistic to duplicate because they were painted on the originals. What a difference! For any who wish to purchase the new handguards, with an MSRP of $83.99, click here. And if you are looking to purchase the complete rifle, rest assured, you don’t have to worry about getting the mint green ones. They are discontinued and no old stock left.
Color of the Receivers
As the rifles first appeared, they were matte black. There was a reason. Brownells had great difficulty finding a company that could duplicate the dye color of the original rifles. Believe it or not, very few companies could do it. The picture showing the new Olive-Green stock sets have the new grey finish. Now Brownells offers all of the retro rifle receivers in either black or grey. The grey used is not exactly the same, it is a much smoother finish than the chalky feeling of the original Colt finish right up through the early 1990’s.
Color of the Receivers
As the rifles first appeared, they were matte black. There was a reason. Brownells had great difficulty finding a company that could duplicate the dye color of the original rifles. Believe it or not, very few companies could do it. The picture showing the new Olive-Green stock sets have the new grey finish. Now Brownells offers all of the retro rifle receivers in either black or grey. The grey used is not exactly the same, it is a much smoother finish than the chalky feeling of the original Colt finish right up through the early 1990’s.
- Black lowers for the BRN-601 has an MSRP $156.99, and can be found here.
- Grey lowers for the BRN-601 has an MSRP $157.99, and can be found here.
- Black slickslide upper receiver has an MSRP $99.99, and can be found here.
- Grey slickslide upper receiver has an MSRP $156.99, and can be found here.
The Safety
The safety which came on the BRN-601 was the A2/M4 safety with the tick on the right side to work with the mirrored selector markings on the right side. Brownells introduced a No Tick Mark Safety (found here), with an MSRP of $10.99.
The safety which came on the BRN-601 was the A2/M4 safety with the tick on the right side to work with the mirrored selector markings on the right side. Brownells introduced a No Tick Mark Safety (found here), with an MSRP of $10.99.
The Ejection Port Cover
The early rifles had current production A2/M4 ejection port cover doors. Now of course the newer ones are much more durable than the old, but the customer has spoken. Brownells recreated the original ejection port cover design to make the BRN-601. They can be found here with an MSRP of $18.99.
The early rifles had current production A2/M4 ejection port cover doors. Now of course the newer ones are much more durable than the old, but the customer has spoken. Brownells recreated the original ejection port cover design to make the BRN-601. They can be found here with an MSRP of $18.99.
Chrome Plating of the Bolt Carrier Group
The original BRN-601 and BRN16A1 both came with chrome plated bolt carrier groups. Of course, the BRN-601 was a slick side and the BRN-16A1 had forward assist notches. The color was a matte chrome that had a grainy feel to it. Some people even claimed it was a chrome color manganese phosphate (which it was not!). So Brownells got with their vendor and had them change the process to get the shinier smooth hard chrome the customers asked for. So, if you are looking to upgrade to a new production chrome bolt carrier group, (MSRP of $99.99) you can find it here. And if you want a chrome bolt carrier group with the forward assist serrations (MSRP of $156.99), you can be find here.
The original BRN-601 and BRN16A1 both came with chrome plated bolt carrier groups. Of course, the BRN-601 was a slick side and the BRN-16A1 had forward assist notches. The color was a matte chrome that had a grainy feel to it. Some people even claimed it was a chrome color manganese phosphate (which it was not!). So Brownells got with their vendor and had them change the process to get the shinier smooth hard chrome the customers asked for. So, if you are looking to upgrade to a new production chrome bolt carrier group, (MSRP of $99.99) you can find it here. And if you want a chrome bolt carrier group with the forward assist serrations (MSRP of $156.99), you can be find here.
Magazine Release Button
As far as the original Colt 601, the early magazine release button had horizontal lines, not the elongated circles found on the current rifles. This was changed very quickly; in fact, I have never seen a XM16E1 or later rifle having this horizontal line magazine release button. This was not worthwhile for Brownells to reproduce in my opinion. The number would be so limited. However, all hope is not lost. John Thomas at Retro Arms Works manufactures the period correct magazine release button. John manufactures a number of obsolete retro parts and some are even prototype parts. He can be reached at jntmjt1@yahoo.com or by phone at (801) 441-2801.
As far as the original Colt 601, the early magazine release button had horizontal lines, not the elongated circles found on the current rifles. This was changed very quickly; in fact, I have never seen a XM16E1 or later rifle having this horizontal line magazine release button. This was not worthwhile for Brownells to reproduce in my opinion. The number would be so limited. However, all hope is not lost. John Thomas at Retro Arms Works manufactures the period correct magazine release button. John manufactures a number of obsolete retro parts and some are even prototype parts. He can be reached at jntmjt1@yahoo.com or by phone at (801) 441-2801.
Rear Takedown Pin & Safety
Two other components which people asked for were the Colt model 601 rear takedown pin and safety. What sets these apart from the current production, even from the XM16E1 production was that on the left side of the rear takedown pin, there was a dimple. This dimple provided a slot for the projectile tip of the 5.56mm round to assist in pushing the pin to the right for disassembly. The safety although similar, had dimples on both left and right sides. Stoner designed this so the selector lever could be removed with a firing pin. This carried over from his AR10. This was quickly changed as well because soldiers are not permitted to remove the fire control group. This, like the horizontal line magazine release button are parts that have such a limited application it would not be worth it for Brownells to recreate them. But again, John Thomas from Retro Arms Works to the rescue. Both of the parts shown on this rifle came from Retro Arms Works. John manufactures a number of obsolete retro parts and some are even prototype parts. He can be reaches at jntmjt1@yahoo.com or by phone at (801) 441-2801. (This is not an ad or sponsorship.)
Two other components which people asked for were the Colt model 601 rear takedown pin and safety. What sets these apart from the current production, even from the XM16E1 production was that on the left side of the rear takedown pin, there was a dimple. This dimple provided a slot for the projectile tip of the 5.56mm round to assist in pushing the pin to the right for disassembly. The safety although similar, had dimples on both left and right sides. Stoner designed this so the selector lever could be removed with a firing pin. This carried over from his AR10. This was quickly changed as well because soldiers are not permitted to remove the fire control group. This, like the horizontal line magazine release button are parts that have such a limited application it would not be worth it for Brownells to recreate them. But again, John Thomas from Retro Arms Works to the rescue. Both of the parts shown on this rifle came from Retro Arms Works. John manufactures a number of obsolete retro parts and some are even prototype parts. He can be reaches at jntmjt1@yahoo.com or by phone at (801) 441-2801. (This is not an ad or sponsorship.)
The Colt 601 Bolt Catch
The Colt 601 had a very unique bolt catch. There is no post on the bottom to depress the bolt catch to manually lock the bolt carrier open. The Colt 601, in fact you could not lock the bolt to the rear with the bolt catch. Once again, this was seen as a problem and very quickly changed. As the previous parts, there would be so little market for this early bolt catch it would not be worthwhile for Brownells to produce. Once again, you can contact John Thomas from Retro Arms Works. This early bolt catch shown on this rifle came from Retro Arms Works.
As we see, Brownells has listened to the customers and made many of the changes requested. Ones within financial reason. Few of us who have to have every single detail correct would go as far as those smaller outdated parts. But for you AR nerds, John Thomas makes every retro part you can imagine. Now I am not speaking for Brownells, the explanation of the Retro Arms Works parts is and why Brownells is not making them are my opinion. That does not mean that you won’t see Brownells Paul Levy introducing another retro part. I have been happily surprised so many times with their entire retro line. Brownells offers Retro rifles at a great price with a significant amount of authenticity. People are just eating it up. The intro of their BRN-10 is such a perfect example of new uncharted territory. This first company ever to make a real AR-10 clone.
The Colt 601 had a very unique bolt catch. There is no post on the bottom to depress the bolt catch to manually lock the bolt carrier open. The Colt 601, in fact you could not lock the bolt to the rear with the bolt catch. Once again, this was seen as a problem and very quickly changed. As the previous parts, there would be so little market for this early bolt catch it would not be worthwhile for Brownells to produce. Once again, you can contact John Thomas from Retro Arms Works. This early bolt catch shown on this rifle came from Retro Arms Works.
As we see, Brownells has listened to the customers and made many of the changes requested. Ones within financial reason. Few of us who have to have every single detail correct would go as far as those smaller outdated parts. But for you AR nerds, John Thomas makes every retro part you can imagine. Now I am not speaking for Brownells, the explanation of the Retro Arms Works parts is and why Brownells is not making them are my opinion. That does not mean that you won’t see Brownells Paul Levy introducing another retro part. I have been happily surprised so many times with their entire retro line. Brownells offers Retro rifles at a great price with a significant amount of authenticity. People are just eating it up. The intro of their BRN-10 is such a perfect example of new uncharted territory. This first company ever to make a real AR-10 clone.
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