First Look: Brownells Retro AR-15 Furniture Set

Brownells announced the launch of a new set of furniture for AR-15 rifles, designed for owners looking to emulate the style of retro rifles made back in the early years of the AR-15.

"Customers have a deep desire for nostalgia, and they wanted to be able to build their own version of an early AR-15 or M16A1," said Brownells CEO and National Rifle Association President Pete Brownell. "We're proud to offer these classic-looking parts to help accomplish those builds."

The new Brownells retro AR-15 furniture can be purchased in separate components or as a complete kit, which includes an early-style M16A1 fixed stock, a traditional pistol grip and the well-known triangular handguard that is often associated with the early rifle-length AR-15 and M16A1 designs used in the jungles of Vietnam.

The stock provided in the kit is specifically the Type-D pattern, which came without a trapdoor compartment located in the rear of the stock. The buttstock fits all standard A1-length buffer tubes. The triangular handguards are designed for use with the standard triangular handguard caps used on early rifles.

Brownells released these reproduction AR-15 furniture sets in response to demand for more components of these early rifles. Until now, consumers looking to build a classic early AR-15 reproduction rifle had to seek out components on the surplus market, which were often of poor quality, and prices on these surplus furniture kits continue to soar as the supply dwindles.

The Brownells retro AR-15 furniture kits are constructed using polymer and are available in three different colors. The black color is designed to match the same color used on the Model 602, XM16E1 and M16A1 and other AR-15 or M16 designs made after 1963. Green is also available to match the earliest AR-15 designs initially adopted by the U.S. Air Force. Finally, a brown color is offered that matches the furniture color used on some of the earliest prototypes made by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s.

Brownells notes that, while the design and construction of these furniture sets are largely similar to the originals, slight changes have been made to expedite manufacturing and remove concerns over counterfeiting. The suggested retail price for the Brownells Retro AR-15 Furniture Set is $79.99.