The 605 was Colt's 1st "carbine" variant of the AR15/M16 line. Developed 64-65 it was listed in Colt's 1965 catalog as "CAR-15 carbine". It was basically a standard rifle w/the barrel shortened in front of the FSB to 15", all other parts are the same. There appear to be a number of variations using, auto, burst, auto & burst FCG's & even a mid-length gas system (believed to be a 1 off prototype). The 605 was not officially "adopted" by the military but did show up in small numbers on an apparent trial basis. "Delineating" the "correct" features of a 605 is difficult as there were a number of "variations" of it, most of the surviving pics of the era are of "tool room" rifles & most of the surviving rifles show a wide variation in "collectors" features. These "carbines" appear to have been built as almost "one offs' in most cases w/parts on hand at a time when there was a large changeover to many of the parts, along w/the fact there are different "models" of the 605, 605A, 605B etc w/different features.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 30 of 30 Total. 32913 Visits.
Colt model 605 "carbine" Colt's first attempt at a carbine M16 variant, first shown in their 1965 catalog, the 605 used a partial fence lower, standard stock, grip & handguards (early type w/no drain holes), early type receiver extension & Edgewater buffer. The 605 shown here is a semi only replica using an NDS XM16E1 lower & all original Colt parts.
605 w/M1 sling 605's were reportedly made in auto, burst & auto/burst models, they were also made w/slickside uppers & reportedly a few w/forward assist (FA) uppers. The upper shown on this replica is a 603 w/FA that has had the FA housing milled flat w/no FA fitted, these uppers are commonly referred to in "collectors" jargon as 605 uppers but in reality they were also used on some 604's.
605 w/port dor open All 605's that I've gotten info on have been fitted w/full chrome bolt/carrier assemblies which can be seen here w/the port door open.
Stock, right side This particular carbine is fitted w/a "C" stock which has a slightly narrower profile where it meets the lower reciever & is still fitted w/it's original non coated steel swivel, most 605's appear to have used the "D" stock w/rubber coated swivel.
Edgewater buffer A view w/the upper/lowers seperated showing the original Edgewater buffer fitted to these carbines. Also note the "dimpled" selector but non "dimpled" takedown/pivot pins, this example is patterned after an existing registered 605 that has these same features.
605 action, right side The upper on this carbine is an original Colt "605" upper w/milled off FA housing, note the straight forge in front of the port door & the milled indent under the rear of the port door that matches the line of the mag well, all original 605's that I've gathered info on have these very early features.
605 Action w/door open View showing the chrome "slickside" carrier w/no serrations for a FA.
605 shaved FA housing A closeup view of the shaved forward assist housing on these uppers. Although generally known to collectors as 605 uppers these were actually made by Colt due to a shortage of 604 uppers early in production, 603 uppers were used w/the housing milled off to maintain production of the 603. Once this problem was solved the the remaining uppers w/the housing milled off were most probably used on the 605's as it was very limited production gun & seemed to utilize a variety of parts/configurations.
605 very early upper indent A closeup view of the very early profile under the port door area, if you follow the mag well line on the lower up to the join w/the upper you see they meet here, this line is indented slightly on the upper to meet, this feature is only seen on very early 603 & 604 uppers (it was also a feature of the earlier 601 & 602), it was dropped very early in 603/604 production & uppers made post 64, maybe very early 65 were not indented any longer.
605 upper proofs Original Colt proof marks. Also note the straight cut forge line just in front of the door, later uppers went to a curved line (post 68 or so)
605 forend This is the same as the rifle of this period (XM16E1 (603) & AF 604), the handguards on this replica are the correct early models w/no drain hole, it also uses the correct early type gas tube & the proper Colt 1/12 barrel marked M VP between the FSB legs.
605 barrel marking All 605's I have info on have the M VP marked barrel. Some use the early cast FSB some have the forged smoothed w/no drain hole under the sight post, the 605's had the bayonet lugs cut off as a bayonet could not be fitted.
605 muzzle right side The 605's used a standard 20" rifle barrel cut down to 15" w/the (then) standard rifle improved 3 prong flash hider. This replica uses an original M VP 20" barrel w/original forged smoothed FSB w/no drain hole & bayo lug cut off, the barrel was cut to 15" w/the FH permanently pinned to bring it to the legal 16" length. The gas port on this example was opened to .110. Barrel mods were done by heatNbeat of the ar15.com retro forum & his work is outstanding!
605 muzzle left view Opposite side of the muzzle, note the rubber coated swivel which is correct for rifles/carbines of this era.
605 left forend
605 action left side Here you can see the early straight forge lines on the upper just above the mag well, again these were slightly curved at the top in later production. This carbine also has the original markings replicated (w/minor differences) on the mag well along w/the auto marking & markings added to replicate the sear pin holes, these markings are slightly off center so do NOT exactly duplicate the sear location, if they were drilled through the sear wouldn't fit or function. Also note the roll pin at the rear of the lower, on the early rifles/carbines the receiver extension was screwed on then this hole was drilled & the pin installed to fix the extension in place. The maker of these excellent replica semi receivers, NoDakSpud LLC even drills this hole & provides the pin!
Replica 605 markings This was done as a 605 using the standard rifle FCG, safe, semi, auto, there was also an 05A & 05B model, I believe the 05A added a burst feature for a 4 pos FCG & the B replaced auto w/burst.
605 replica FCG markings
605 left side As noted earlier this carbine is fitted w/a "C" stock, most 605's used the "D" type.
605 left side The 605's look a bit "odd", at least to me they did but after building this one & getting used to it & handling it I find it actually to be very comfortable & very well balanced.
605 parts group Before assembly, showing the completed lower, w/stock, early slickside chrome bolt carrier 7 bolt group, early gas tube, charging handle & the barrel assembly after modification to correct 605 configuration.
605 parts, left side Here you can see the lack of the small drain holes in the liner of the handguards correct for this era. The bolt/carrier group is original Colt, bolt etched MP, original Colt 2 stake marks on key, machined firing pin retainer & "modified/lightened" flat head firing pin.
605 left w/sling The carbine here is fitted w/a standard M1 cotton web sling, sharp eyes will note the quick release buckle is fitted to the front swivel instead of the rear as would be considered "normal/proper", this one is attached in this manner as that is the way it is shown in Colts 1965 catalog in the illustration for the 605. (note) in the catalog illustration it appears the carbine is actually fitted w/the early type Colt supplied 601 style sling which lacked the buckle of the military M1.
605 & a Cobra driver Someone on ar15.com stated they had seen a pic of a "Cobra driver w/a 605", this is a just a tongue N cheek pic of my idea of a 605 & Cobra driver.
NDS 605 upper (modified) NDS makes a nice 605 upper, they have NDS forge codes under the handle & no indent under the rear of the port door though, this ia an NDS 605 I had the codes removed & the indent added & reanodized by US Anodizing.
NDS 605 codes removed Where the codes NDS used to be, I got this upper new, sent it to Victor at US for the work, it came & it came out beautiful, a couple of days later I found an original 605 upper!
NDS 605 indent added The area under the rear of the port door where the indent was added (compare to the pics of the original above).
NDS 605 upper left side of the NDS 605 upper. All in all like all of NDS's products an excellent piece!
