Back in the day during the height of the AWB. Our options were limited. 20rd and 30rd preban magazines were usually $30+ and the only options in magazines was either GI Aluminium, Thermolds, Isralei Orlites, and junk. In my personal experiences. The Israeli Orlites were shit. The only mags I stocked up on were GIs and US made Thermolds; the Canadian made ones were shit since the Canucks changed the polymer formula.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/xpPoF8z.jpg)
Honestly, back then, American made Thermolds were the Pmags of the decade.
AR-15 layouts and options were also mighty scarce. You had pre-bans like the Colt SP1 Rifle and Carbine or newer made guns like the A2 HBARs hitting the scene.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/k7hLHpJ.jpg)
Other than that. You were limited to post ban guns. If you wanted a carbine; good luck because like this unless you had a pre-ban rifle you can swap out parts on. If you didn't, all you had were options like this. Oh, and hope you had good hearing protection because that Mini-Y Comp and AK Muzzle Brake were the devil. A2s were verboten.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/PMa3JP6.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/599Al4n.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/zcqhO6R.jpg)
I happen to own a Ban Era Bushmaster Carbine that was a LE Letterhead gun. It is exactly the same as the Bushmaster Shorty AK Rifle. Only difference is my XM15-E2S Shorty Rifle has a A2 flash hider and a bayonet lug. It is a pig of a rifle but a hell of a shooter.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/x1NRH2U.jpg)
Colt came out with similar guns too like their Match Target Model 6731. A 16: HBAR Cabrine with a fixed A2 Stock and a A3 Reciever.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/yBxTAuI.jpg)
If you wanted to trick out your ARs; well. Your options were fairly limited. Red dots while in existence weren't cheap and mounting options weren't as varied as they are today. Same with lights. You had a few options and most of them were simply 60 lumen Xenon bulb Surefire 6Ps or Streamlight Scorpions. Tape switches were fucking magic.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/fWd5yel.jpg)
If you had cash to throw, you could send your gun to someone like Ted Yost. He'd cut off the carry handle and install a sight rail so you can mount a red dot optic and put on a free float aluminium tube as your handguard. Other than that. You were limited to a 60 lumen light and maybe a three point sling.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/JK7YBTb.jpg)
Seriously, you guys have options like this today and you can get them for a hell of a price.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/b2Ns64r.jpg)
If you want a basic M4 Cabrine, they're usually $500 or less (barring panics) thanks to places like Palmetto State Armory.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/r24tdan.jpg)
Consider yourselves lucky. Because something like my Bushmaster Shorty Rifle was about a $1,000 back in the day.