WE Tech M16A1 Airsoft
With the cold wet weather now almost behind us, I'll be able to get out and get back to work on the Goat. Over the winter, I was in search of a replica M16A1 for the cab. I thought about a Rubber Ducky M16, a real AR15, a replica, or an airsoft M16A1. After much thought and research, I settle on a WE Tech Gas Blowback M16A1 Vietnam. It came with an orange plastic birdcage that I quickly changed out. I had to re-thread the end of the barrel to accept the A1 birdcage. It had a flat back finish was was entirely incorrect for the era that I wanted to represent. So she got the XM gray finish. Next I changed out all the furniture with USGI furniture. It was a direct plug and play. I weathered her a bit to give her that used look.
The rifle feels pretty solid and is about the correct weight. So much so, I took it down to our family Thanksgiving dinner. My father in law was an 11B with the 9th Infantry Division, 2/60th in Vietnam from 1967-1968. He looked at my rifle and had a real puzzle look on his face. He asked he where I got it and said it was illegal. Passed the test. Soon thereafter, my father showed up. He too was an 11B with the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), 11th LIB, 1/20th, D.Co,3rd Platoon in Vietnam from 1969-1970. No sooner did he grab it he got a look in his eyes and started walking around with the rifle hanging at his side and bringing up in the ready position. He said this is what he did while out on patrol to combat arm fatigue. He too asked where I got it. I informed them it was a toy of sorts and they both just looked at me with a "Yah right" look. Then I showed them the airsoft magazine that went with it.