The AR market is absolutely flooded, and that seems to be a good thing for most American shooters.
If you want an AR-15, you can get one in nearly every combination of parts and pieces possible. From the ultra-tactical modern URGI wanna-be to a growing retro market.
Today we are talking about the latter. Most current gun owners weren’t born early enough to experience the guns of old, and besides, who doesn’t love retro guns?
But affording something like a real Colt SP-1 can be tough…
Luckily, the retro market has been growing, and with the AR-15’s popularity, there are some great options for those who want to experience the classics.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Retro Rifle
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Best Retro Carbine
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Best 90s-2000s Classic
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Best Value
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Best Retro AR PCC
Table of Contents
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Retro Rifle Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Action | Barrel Length | Weight | Capacity | Price | |
| H&R M16A1 Rifle | 5.56 NATO | Semi-auto, direct-impingement | 20″ | ~6.5 lbs | 30 | $1,099 |
| H&R 723 Carbine | 5.56 NATO | Semi-auto, direct-impingement | 14.7″ pinned/welded to 16″ | 5.5 lbs | 30 | $1,099 |
| FN 15 Military Collector M16 Rifle | 5.56 NATO | Semi-auto, direct-impingement | 20″ | 8.2 lbs | 30 | $1,741 |
| Springfield SA-16A2 | 5.56 NATO | Semi-auto, direct-impingement | 20″ | 7.5 lbs | 30 | $999 |
| H&R Retro DOE | 9mm | Semi-auto, direct-blowback | 7.5″ | N/A | 32 | $1,149 |
How We Chose the Best Retro ARs
The entire team at Pew Pew Tactical contributed to this article. Between recreational shooting, product testing, reviews, and media events, we have been able to get time behind a lot of new retro rifles. At least one member of the PPT team has had hands-on experience with every gun on this list.
Our picks for this list are based on the following criteria: Historical accuracy, reliability, price, availability, features, and overall value.
Remember, at the end of the day, these are nifty retro guns, so a lot of these guns are ones we’ve shot that we just think are super-cool. If you don’t see your favorite on this list, keep an eye out for updates or future retro rifle articles from us!
Best Retro ARs You Can Buy
1. Harrington & Richardson M16A1 Rifle – Best Retro Rifle
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Great attention to detail
- Fun to shoot
- Lightweight for its size
Cons
- Goes out of stock frequently
Specs:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-auto, direct-impingement
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Weight: ~ 6.5 lbs
- Capacity: 30
- Made In: United States
Corporate structuring is weird. Palmetto State Armory bought Harrington & Richardson when Remington finally went under.
Then, PSA purchased the premier retro receiver and rifle manufacturer, NoDak Spud. Now, the guys at NoDak work for PSA under the H&R label.
NoDak Spud’s fame came from their attention to detail. Since they transitioned the owner of NoDak into the CEO role at H&R, he’s been bringing that same expertise to a larger market and company capable of high-volume production.
H&R already has various models listed for sale, but their M16A1 is the very definition of retro.
With the classic A1 furniture, including the iconic triangle handguard, and correct A1 H&R marked receivers, this rifle is perfect for those wanting to channel Vietnam War vibes.
The 20″ pencil barrel keeps things light while maximizing velocity and allows for a rifle-length gas system. Not only do these rifles look cool, they are light and soft-shooting, just like originally intended.
2. Harrington & Richardson 723 Carbine – Best Retro Carbine
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Fun to shoot
- Handy size
Cons
- Muzzle device can't be changed easily
Specs:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-auto, direct-impingement
- Barrel Length: 14.7″ pinned/welded to 16″
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Capacity: 30
- Made In: United States
We get it, not everyone wants a full-size AR — that is where the H&R 723 comes in.
These guns feature an A2 lower with adjustable carbine stock alongside a 14.7-inch barreled A1 upper pinned and welded out to 16 inches.
Coming in right at 6 pounds, these rifles embody the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) mindset. No frills here, just a light rifle that handles like a light rifle.
Whether you are looking for an old-school carbine or a base to start a particular clone build, the 723 has you covered.
Be sure to check out our full review of the H&R 723!
3. FN America FN 15 Military Collector M16 Rifle – Best 90s-2000s Classic
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Includes KAC RAS rail
- Excellent build quality
- Soft shooting
Cons
- Expensive
Specs:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-auto, direct-impingement
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Weight: 8.2 lbs
- Capacity: 30
- Made In: United States
When you think of a retro AR, you likely picture an M16A1 or A2. But how do we define retro? Well, my definition happens to include the M16A4.
The M16A4 was the last of the M16 series and served both the Army and Marine Corps during the GWOT. I qualify it as retro because it’s out of combat service and mostly seen among reservists and recruits these days.
While Colt may be the definitive retro AR in everyone’s mind, FN was the one that snatched the military contract away from them. Since FN is a military contractor, a level of authenticity is already built in.
Features include the famed KAC M5 RAS quad rail for attaching the brightest 200-lumen light 2008 had to offer, flip-up rear sight, correct ambi safety selector, and a military UID tag.
Unlike other retro guns, this one was designed to accept optics (ACOG, here we come!). Like all rifle-length AR-15s, it’s a very smooth shooter, recoil is basically nil, and the concussion is much calmer.
Add a three-point sling and those ridiculous spare mag holders on the buttstock, and you’re ready to step back 20 years in time.
4. Springfield SA-16A2 – Best Value
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- U.S. Govt. marked lower
- Soft-shooting
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Tested trigger felt a bit heavy even for a mil-spec
Specs:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-auto, direct-impingement
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Capacity: 30
- Made In: United States
Well, we already covered the M16A1 with the H&R and the M16A4 with the FN. But don’t worry, we didn’t leave the M16A2 enthusiasts out to dry.
This time, we are looking at the SA-16A2 from Springfield Armory. The resurgence in popularity of retro-style guns prompted Springfield to join the fray in April 2024 with their own retro M16A2 offering.
Springfield did everything right here: Fixed carry handle, 20-inch government profile barrel, proper A2 furniture, bayonet lug, and even a neat lower marked Property of U.S. Govt.
You also get a 1:7 twist barrel that is chrome-lined, and the gun features M4 feed ramps — pretty much everything you’d be looking for in an A2.
The great thing about these is that they come in around $999, which is a few hundred bucks cheaper than the H&R M16A2s. The build quality on these guns is on par with the H&R stuff, in our opinion, which is a good thing.
We currently have a SA-16A2 for testing and are in the process of putting it through its paces, and we are digging the results so far, so be sure to stay tuned for the full review soon!
5. Harrington & Richardson Retro DOE – Best Retro AR PCC
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Accepts Colt SMG magazines
- Cheaper than 5.56 to shoot
- Great foundation for a Form 1 SBR
Cons
- Blade brace isn't the most comfortable
Specs:
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-auto, direct-blowback
- Barrel Length: 7.5″
- Capacity: 32
- Made In: United States
We are cheesing the list a little with this pick, but hey, it is still kind of an AR.
Up next, we have the H&R Retro DOE, a 9mm AR SMG that just oozes pure 80s vibes.
DOE stands for Department of Energy, and these little guys are pretty faithful reproductions of the Colt 633 SMGs carried by the US DOE security forces back in the day.
These guns are compatible with Colt SMG magazines and feature slick side A1 uppers with the correct gas deflector, Colt 633 DOE-style handguard, and proper front sight.
Instead of using a standard M16 lower with a spacer adapter for the Colt SMG mags, H&R decided to go with a dedicated Colt SMG mag lower to increase reliability.
The muzzle features 5/8x24mm threads, which isn’t as common as 1/2x28mm, but still common enough to easily find the correct adapter or muzzle device for your suppressor.
Since these guns are considered pistols, they come equipped with a brace that mimics the older Colt CAR-15 type stock. These braces work pretty well, but this gun is still an excellent candidate to throw down a tax stamp on and put a real stock on it for a more authentic look and feel.
These guns are absurdly fun to shoot, and with 5.56 prices still higher than we’d like, 9mm doesn’t seem like such a bad option. We have a full review coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
What do you think of the H&R Retro DOE? Rate it below!
Why You Should Buy a Retro AR
One of the biggest reasons the retro AR market is so dominant is that a variant of the AR-15 has been the service weapon for the United States military for decades.
You and I could find a pile of modern AR-15 rifles at any gun shop or gun show in about five minutes, but a retro AR is something special — It’s like a living piece of history.
It might not have been made in ’68, but it’s the closest you are going to get without paying the price. You’ll be able to embrace the original platform and experience what generations of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen did.
Even with just iron sights, these guns can be enough for most practical uses and make for handy, lightweight semi-auto rifles.
Pick up an authentic M16A1 clone, and you’ll be amazed at just how light the gun is while still being easy to shoot. Carbine variants are even handier and replicate the feel of guns from movies like Black Hawk Down, Heat, and Blood Diamond.
These days, retro guns are essentially designed to be fun plinking guns. You can step back from serious training and embrace the fun of shooting an old gun without all the bells and whistles.
When we first published this article, there were a handful of companies making retro rifles. Since then, Colt has suspended their retro line, Brownells has discontinued their retro line, and Windham Weaponry has gone out of business.
Palmetto State Armory is now the primary manufacturer of retro AR-15s under their Harrington & Richardson line. So naturally, this list will be H&R/PSA heavy.
Even though there are fewer makers of retro ARs right now, PSA is making up for that by offering more options than all the previous companies combined.
Meet the Experts
Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike spearheaded this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. His experience as a machinegunner, recreational shooter, and hunter has given him unique insight into bipod usage. Additionally, Travis has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications and has tested countless guns, bipods, and other firearm accessories.
Editing and adding to this article is Pew Pew Tactical Editor, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has a retro classic and retro style guns himself, and definitely has love for the old-school-cool.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
I personally love the retro market…I love retro shotguns, handguns, ARs, and I like it when a company returns to its roots and produces something a bit different from the modern fold.
Retro firearms deliver a different experience. If firearms are a hobby for you, then these guns are a great way to experience the past without potentially spending crazy money on something that is more fit for a museum than a gun range.
Which guns would you like to see make a comeback? Let us know your thoughts and favorites in the comments below! Interested in retro guns other than ARs? Check out our article on the 7 Best Retro Reproductions: Classics Reborn!
Latest Updates
- April 2025: Removed BRN-180, H&R 635. Added the Springfield SA-16 A2, H&R Retro DOE. Added comparison chart and How We Chose.
- February 2024: Removed discontinued/suspended Colt, Windham Weaponry, and DSA products. Added H&R 635, H&R 723, and FN 15 M16 Military Collector.
6 Leave a Reply
Yup, retro might be fun but those of us who had the m16A1 in the service will cringe to see the retro models with the A1 iron sight adjustments. One of the examples had the A2 sights - so much easier to use. I will smirk in amusement to see the noobs struggle to click the sights with a cartridge, and learn it is not as cool as they originally thought.
Eugene Stoner in his review of the M16A2 stated that while the new A2 was great for target competition and range work, it was superfluous and unnecessary for the regular infantry soldier or marine. He figured that you fix you combat zero on a weapon and you leave it alone and that an adjustable rear sight was a temptation for noted troops to fiddle with on the battle field. Mr Stiner also stated that once in combat, few troops actually changed their Windsor or elevation adjustments.
Additionally,, the ability to add a great optic unit such as the ACOG put iron sights as a secondary sighting system. Get the original Retto AR15A1 and place annACOG on it!
I built one as a tribute model. Before completing it I was hooked! Yes you can buy nice clones but you can’t beat locating original parts and furniture, assembling them and finally zeroing them! Completed several now, mainly A1s. Fun projects!
A complete AR-18/180. While it is my understanding that the AR - 180 was constructed out of folded metal for budgetary considerations, they are a good firearm with many good features - and a couple of fixable problems. Brownell's has captured many of the good features with their short stroke upper. Many features of the lower are of note also. From the folding stock - with the ability of shooting the firearm with the stock folded, to the take down mechanism plus more. The main problem with the 180, from what I have seen, is the hammer hooks having a tendency to break off. With no spare parts available, it rather limits the usefulness of a stellar gun!
It's nice that they've done this for the Die Hard Traditionalist.
Frankly though, at those prices, they can keep them. Even the budget model is $200 to $300 more than a decent modern AR, and if you want an Optic, to mount on top of the carrying handle, another $100 to $200 for a good mount.
Nostalgia's nice, if you can afford it.
I get your response, but for many of us- Old School AR15A1 is good-enough for our civilian enjoyment. The Retto is nice & light unlike some of the AR 9 lb variants. There is an old saying , ‘ You can shoot it all day or you can carry it all day, but you can’t have both! Amen- I am getting older and I feel every pound that I handle or lift. I love a 6.5 rifle!