I'm only 30 but I can remember those being sold at Wal-Mart here in Kentucky in the mid '00s. By the end of '07 when I was old enough to buy a rifle they no longer had them there, for my first firearm I ended up buying a used WASR-10/63 at the local pawn shop for $300 with my first tax return in the spring of '08. I was still a senior in H.S. those were the days.
My first ar15 purchase i made after getting out of the army was a 6920 in 2016 or 17. Roll marked still but cr prefix. Just purchased a 6721 barrel off tacswap to play with and looking forward to it!
Colt's history is very interesting and very sad - a real cautionary tale on how not to run a company. It reminds me of Blackberry, where they made one product that sold and then just coasted on that until the whole enterprise just went belly up.
Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
@@spd579 Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
I always appreciate Chris’s videos covering Colt. Obviously a knowledgeable gun guy overall but his insights into Colt always really come through. I consider him the best on TH-cam when talking Colt.
Just wanted to say thank you for your channel and all the other Gun Tubers out there. You never know how important the 2A is until you need it and how my trusty AR turned the tables in the nick of time before I could be surrounded. I had to fend off looters trying to break into my condo building in Chicago last night. The response time of the CPD was 20-30 minutes because they were so overwhelmed as Chicago burns. Never had to fire a shot but these thugs knew the odds weren't in their favor and ran onto a weaker target. Thank you for the advice and knowledge over the past year. Stay safe!
Colt ... what a sad story - thanks Chris we're lucky to have you making these videos - learned a ton heart breaking as it may be - great American icon all but extinct
Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
Don’t forget about the Colt 6920 OEM! No furniture rifles with either FSB or shaved down FSB for use with a free float rail. In my opinion every manufacturer should have offered this option. Aero Precision and BCM offered them for a time through Brownell’s, but currently I don’t think anyone does. Damn shame.
Greetings from the Wabash Valley. In October of 2004 I traded a folding stock FNC for 3 Colt M6721s, AR-15s to an SOT from St. Louis. I gave 1 to my brother and kept two. Heavy use both on my own and at class--Awerbuck, Pat Rogers (I was there when he blew up your M6940, Chris, lol), and Thunder Ranch classes. Ran like sewing machines, not remember a single malf. After I downgraded them down the PACE chain (they are now emergency guns), I did EXACTLY what you said that the motivation of the AR-15A3 was, a short-range DMR: Magpul furniture, CMMG singe stage trigger (I like ACT from ALG, but those stupid pins!) and 1-4X from Swampfox, the "Tomahawk". I use 69 grain handloads, we just plink steel with them. Barrels still look great after all this time, but they live lives of luxury compared to other AR-15s. I know Monty likes the M901, did not know he thought that highly of it. Off to re-watch a couple of SAS videos!
Another awesome video and history on Colt M-4 Chris!! I've learned all my M-4 history from you. Definitely the best in my opinion on Colt and rifles bar none! 👍🔥🦁👏
I love these videos. The Colt black rifles have a very interesting story and your insights as a historian and former Colt employee are invaluable. Thank you
2012 LE6920 MAGPUL configuration owner. My first AR, best dam rifle I’ve ever owned out the box. Lucky to have it and purchased out here in commiefornia.
Awesome review thanks for doing it. I was always a die hard Colt fan first guns that got to shoot when I was young. They had the means and potential to stay on top of their game. Not to mention a long American history! Unfortunately they let the decisions of a few run their company into the ground. Your absolutely correct when you stated give the buyers what they ask for. Loyalty goes a long way in anything you do when the consumers feel left behind they will eventually leave you. Weather you like the pistols or the rifles it all makes your company capital. That was always their trademark quality made it a colt. Innovation and Development should go hand and Hand with that. It’s a shame they didn’t realize it until it was too late. CZ makes great products maybe they can turn things around for Colt. Colt will never be the same as a lot of us remember. Used to go to the gun shops they used to be the brand a lot of us looked for first. Just not the same as they used to be. Great review!!!
I currently have a 2011 ar15a3 tactical from 2011, a Lightweight LE Carbine from 2012-13 and an Law Enforcement Carbine from 2011, don't care for the CR series, your videos are awesome Chris
I have a 6721, but my version has a chrome lined barrel ("C MP 5.56 NATO 1/9 HBAR" markings on the barrel). Oddly enough, my 6721 has M4 roll marks (but an LE serial) on it with the words "M4 Carbine" on the lower. I like the 1 in 9 twist for the more common bullet weights of 5.56 ammo.
Is yours ''large pin" w/o the "T" markings? My 6721 was made in '99 and picked up off a retired LEO who used it as his patrol weapon. As accurate as anything in my stable...
The Colt 6520 that I bought around 2006/7 was a simple and solid platform but I traded even up, upper for upper, to a guy on ARFCOM for a LMT MRP Rifle upper with 16 middy bbl. I still have the Colt A2 Carbine lower on a Haley Najaf clone.
Great information Chris on all the Colt rifles. Been looking for a 6920 forever. Then the ones I've seen for sale are just totally outrageously priced. I think I just might have to pay it any way. So informative Chris. Love the history of Colt. I watched all your videos, great job.
I have a LE 6940 that I believe was the very first batch from my LE store. It has an identical lower markings as my LE6920. No lock on the front sight, matech rear, .155 trigger and no steel insert in the cam slot. I believe I bought it in 2009? It's been a great gun!
Nice video bro. Yeah I'm a sucker for the 6943 and 6945. I kick myself in the ads every single day for not picking up 6940P. I could of got one in 2013 and another one in 2016 for $1200. Now that same carbine on avg is going for $2500 before Colt stopped selling on Commercial market . The 694x series are phenomenal. I do wish they could of made 9" -12" rail like they Diemaco did on the L119A2 . I'm glad I've been a Colt hoarder since 2006. Colt 6920s can still be found at decent prices . I picked up one 2 weeks ago for $1150 online . It was brand new 2016 model . It even cane with Cage code Charging Handle and LE Prefix lower . I do wanna pick up one more 6943 URG . The 6943 is my favorite of all the Colt Uppers .
If law agencies were smart they would of purchased more 6721's. Hbar accuracy is always a good thing. I doubt very highly that not having a chrome lined barrel would of ever of been an issue.
Averagr patrol cop would not benefit from the heavy barrel. They are better with the lighter chrome bbl. These won’t rust due to sitting in a trunk all year round
The first AR-15A4 I bought doesn't have the 'F' marked fsp, while the 2nd rifle I bought does. I keep the first one I bought in its standard, stock config with carry handle. I converted the second rifle into the Marine corp style config, Kac rail, acog and all. Nice guns for sure.
@@SmallArmsSolutions So apparently an M16A2 barrel will fit into an M4 upper (of which the AR15A4 is marked), but an F marked barrel cant fit into an M16 upper. Here is Specialized Armament's statement. ""Upgrades Package for the new Colt AR-15A4 semi-automatic rifle. This is the first production Colt rifle to incorporate the 52 degree feed ramp barrel assy and carbine upper receiver, which requires a combination of the carbine and rifle modifications. While the AR-15A4 is a beautiful full-size rifle, it cannot correctly interchange its special (F) barrel assy with the real US Military M16A4 rifle. As we learn in the SA Advanced M16 Armorer Course - the Colt AR-15A4 is a “rife-bine.” ""
Jake Weston the F marked fsb is for use with the flat top upper receiver. The M4 upper is cut for the extended feed ramps to mate with the extended feed ramps on the M4 barrel extension. US give A2 barrel will have unmarked fsb and no extended feed ramps on the barrel extension. The A4 govt barrel will have an F marked fsb with a barrel extension which does not have extended feed ramps on the barrel extension, the A2 barrel woul mate with an A2 upper without feed ramps cut. The A4 would be a flat top upper without feed ramps cut. Thus not an M4 upper, M4 uppers have extended feed ramps cut. The Colt AR15A4 utilizes a M4 upper with feed ramps cut. The 20 in barrel is non Mil standard. The barrel will have the M4 carbine barrel extension which is cut for extended feed ramps to mate with its M4 upper. The front sights on these barrels may be A2 standard or M4 F marked, whatever fsb they had on hand. So the AR15A4 is not a mil-Spec A4 upper Assy.
Colt should have ditched the quad instead of slowing production. That was right around the time that the quad hand guard was falling out of favor anyway. I had, (and still do) the Ruger SR556, external piston AR. Ruger’s SR has the proprietary Troy hand guard with 3, 6 and 9 o’clock removable rails. I remember the first time I took off all 3 of the rails. I fell in love with the slimness and lack of sharp edges! Later, I cut and drilled a 3 or 4 inch section of rail to mount a light and have never put the rails back on. (I still have them tucked away) This was before I had ever seen any commercially available NON-quad hand guards. Everything was either the polymer or quad at that time. It made me wonder if that was what started the slim hand guard trend. When I’d let my buddies shoot it after removing the rails, they loved it too and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only Ruger owner letting his friends feel how good it felt. Because It wasn’t too long after that that you started seeing slim, keymod and then Mlok rails. If Colt would have just went to a hand guard with removable rails, like Ruger did with the Troy, I bet it would have been a lot more popular.
I was actually hunting down a Colt Combat Unit Carbine with my FFL right before they quit selling to the public and prices shot up way more then I could afford. Shame.. would've been a fine addition to my small Colt collection.
On the ‘AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine’ I understand that anything below the serial number BD000134 is preban and anything after that is post ban, but the post bans were marked LEO and with “LBD” prefix serial numbers. I have one with the S/N BD00xxxx but is not LEO marked. Colt can’t find the year this was made. I know it’s a post ban.
I'd like to see a video on the FN military surplus A4 upper. I recently bought one and it has the F marked upper receiver, bolt carrier, etc. Used it as the base for my A4 build.
My first AR was a 2013 manufactured LE6920 SOCOM II with a Daniel Defense quad rail, MaTech rear iron sight, and “M4A1” roll markings. It’s the one used to mount a M203 grenade launcher. Beautiful rifle that I still take to the range every time I go. I outfitted it with Larue Tactical furniture and index clips, a Seekins Precision brake, and a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x Firedot with Leupold one piece mount and Leupold lens caps. I’ve watched this channel and checked each and every part on it for the Colt specific markings and they are all there, which I was very happy about. I paid $1,300 out the door for it in 2014 and it’s listed on Gunbroker for over $2,000 now. Glad I got it when I did. I do have a quick question. Now that Colt has been purchased, will they start back making these rifles for civilians and making parts available to civilians?
A part of me wants that .gov model AR15A2 carbine. The light weight is appealing. I just noticed he does not not have notes in front of him. The technical data in this video is right in his wheel house.
Yeah Colt forgot the golden rule. The customer is always right. Find out what the customer wants and sell it to them. Back in the 90's trying to and buy Colt trigger pins and that stupid large diameter front takedown pin was a major pain in the ass. And not being able to swap out uppers with different calibers and barrel lengths with standard milspec takedown pins sucked too. Add Colt to the "How to alienate your customer base and run a successful business into the ground" handbook.
The issue is that you're only gonna be able to do that by moving states and Colt is essentially a CT/Hartford jobs program. If you don't move Colt out of CT to a state with lower costs of operation you're gonna be bankrupt no matter how good your R&D is, and if you move to greener pastures you're gonna get sued for going against union labor contracts.
No LE6900, i cant find much on that rifle and was hoping to fins some here. From what i can tell they were only produced in 2013 for law enforcement and competition shooting in VERY low numbers.
Great video! Of my ten or so AR-15’s, including DD, SOLGW, PSA, BCM, Colt, LWRC, my Colt 6720 is my favorite. Kept it completely stock with just a red dot.
I also have a 6720 while it's not my favorite it is among them. Mine is completely stock as well except magpul pistol grip, red dot, and sling of course. I'm gonna put a basic surefire g2 tactical light on it soon. Simple, lightweight, and effective.
The standard m4 handguards are double heat shielded. The after market hand guards such as Magpul or BCM seem to use a single heat shield preference. Does the double heat shield made any measurable difference during sustain fire?
Grat video Chris. I bought a used Colt 6721 years ago, and I noticed a few oddities when I received it. It has a Diemaco upper verified buy the stylized D, and fractured A markings on the upper. It also came with a SP-1 style carrier. It did not have the M-16 profile, nor did it have a fully shrouded firing pin. Everything else on the rifle seemed to be Colt correct for the 6721. Any idea why mine would have a Diemaco upper with SP-1 carrier?
I have a question regarding the AR15 A4. Has there been any literature about the accuracy of the rifle changing in any way depending on whether the rifle has traditional A2 hand guards or the M5 RAS? Both are not free-floating however, one fits relatively loosely and the other locks the barrel nut to the hand guard cap.
Does every LEO stamped lower use the large pin? I was under the impression they did but, without measuring I ordered a trigger and guess what! It's a new 6940 identical to one in vid
On the 2012 M4A1 SOCOM II did those come with a Socom profile barrel or were they just called socom because of the DD Rail that came on them? If they are the medium weight Socom profile did they have the M203 flats cut in them or not? Thanks in advance.
I have a question? I have a 2017 Colt M4 Carbine LE PREFIX- 6920 with the bar-code to the right of Colt Defense Hartford CT. (I called Colt for the year). BUT IT DOESNT HAVE A (F) Stamped on front sight post. shouldn't it have one or was they already using outside parts then? I'm not mistaken, it does not have one for sure! everything else checks out. your input would be much apricated. love your channel, keep up the great work & God bless!
Why are roll marks important to some? The 6920 series are made the same as the M4 with the exception of a longer barrel and no auto/burst. Having called a sporter, Law Enforcement, or M4 doesn't change the performance of the rifle. Are some roll marks preferred and does it change the worth of the firearm?
Thank You I have a question if you happen to read this I have a Colt M4 upper w/ C AF and it’s grey in color when were those made it came on a LE6920 lower made in 2013 law enforcement lower .i was told Colt would use up the older uppers and put them on the LE lower ??
@@SmallArmsSolutions I have been following a very longtime I want to thankyou for getting back with me that upper is on a Colt M4LE w/ bullets. I had one back in 2001 when I work patrol . I was lucky enough to find this one on GB ..Much Respect GodSpeed GodBless
@@SmallArmsSolutions I also have a 2013 M4A1 SOCOM HB Colt came out w/this configuration 16” heavy barrel hard to find it these days it came w/KAC RIS ambi safety
Hi! Could you tell me the threads on the colt 9mm carbine 6540 muzzle area. The rifle had a carry handle and was a police turn in. I want to place a linear muzzle compensator on and remove the a-1 flash hider. Thank you.
I'm thinking he's talking LE semi-auto configuration rifles, whereas the 653 and 723s were mostly for military/export market which had giggle switches.
Hi Chris! Great vid! I think I heard that The last commercially available AR that was true MilSpec was the 6920 LE with the M4 roll mark. Is that true? Was 2016 or 2017 the last year they could be purchased? Full Select Fire bolt and carrier even though it is semi only is on these guns etc. Thank you for your time and one of the jewels of YT channels on firearms!
I think that’s true. In 2016 I went to Academy and bought a Colt LE6920 M4 Carbine with keyhole receiver and a manufacturing date of 12/2015. All parts on it matches the finish and machining of my my earlier LE6920’s.
How often did you see 6920 without a c or cage code on the upper, I bought my 6920 fall of 2018 pulled it right out of the oil soaked bag and noticed no marking on upper aside from forge mark. Had the M4 engraving on the front , cmp bolt, cage code barrel. It always bugged me and I ended up selling it.
Can you get spare parts for that collectors model from military surplus or the police? I'm sure spare parts can be purchased directly from foreign military if they carry those rifles.
I believe that model is the CR6920 and the serial number is CR028709. CR6920s are the LE6920, just with a different model name. Once colt stopped making the LE6920, they would never start stamping them with that title again. Which is why the LE6920’s value is up so much.
A shame Colt really dropped off and had so much potential Its tragic! I want Colt to be successful and awesome because I grew up with Colts in the house and they were always the standard I judged other guns by Not so much today
Hey Chris, I've heard rumors that Colt is going to be releasing a GAU-5/A/A clone soon. You of all people would know if this was a bunch of hoopla or not. Have you heard anything?
Colt, as my go-to, has a history of arrogance and missing out on decisions that would've made them excel beyond others. Starting with Horace Smith introducing the "cartridge" style ammunition. Colt told him to go pound sand. Colt then had to wait 7 years for Smith's patent to end. Once Horace got the boot from Colt he teamed up with Dan Wesson. Hence, Smith & Wesson.
Great video! I have to say, the more I learn about Colt from this channel, the more determined I am to never buy one of their products again. Perhaps not the intent, but that is my conclusion. They are only pro-2nd amendment when they are unable to rake in money from government contracts. Colt, IMHO, couldn't care less about private gun owners.
@@SmallArmsSolutions There a lot of companies that are offering great products.....I appreciate the history and collector status of those rifles, but can you honestly say that Clot is offering anything besides the horsey over a company like PSA? The metallurgy is the same, designs the the same, my PSA bolt is MPI marked and pretty sure the barrel quality is right there too. Believe me..... I get allure of Colt just because of the history. Then you have the so called "top tier" companies like LMT are offering significant design improvements i.e. enhanced bolts and carriers and they draw serious money. So in the grand scheme of things Colt has been pedaling out dated tech at premium prices, it seems primarily on name recognition. Now I don't mind paying for quality. Lets for the sake of argument that we agree that Colt is a better product than PSA....... someone would have to demonstrate how it is better and how any differences would justify roughly double the price tag. Also I agree with John about what sort of company they are, crappy and looking to throw the civilian market under the bus any chance they get.
My one and only colt wouldn't take p mags I tried for a month to figure out why and never was able to find out is there any way you would know? The magazine catch was fine the upper and lower were in spec the magwell wasn't too big idk what was the issue.
I remember when LE6920's were being sold at walmart for 799.99, crazy how times have changed
They are now $1,299.99 on up.
I own LE6920HBPW(Heavy barrel pinned and welded) it’s using SOCOM barrel.
I'm only 30 but I can remember those being sold at Wal-Mart here in Kentucky in the mid '00s.
By the end of '07 when I was old enough to buy a rifle they no longer had them there, for my first firearm I ended up buying a used WASR-10/63 at the local pawn shop for $300 with my first tax return in the spring of '08. I was still a senior in H.S. those were the days.
@@11B30Inf Just got one for about $1,400+ crazy time to buy these ARs...
Yeah I got a 6920 at Walmart four years ago $1050.
My first ar15 purchase i made after getting out of the army was a 6920 in 2016 or 17. Roll marked still but cr prefix. Just purchased a 6721 barrel off tacswap to play with and looking forward to it!
Colt's history is very interesting and very sad - a real cautionary tale on how not to run a company. It reminds me of Blackberry, where they made one product that sold and then just coasted on that until the whole enterprise just went belly up.
Agreed!
Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
@@spd579
Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
I always appreciate Chris’s videos covering Colt. Obviously a knowledgeable gun guy overall but his insights into Colt always really come through. I consider him the best on TH-cam when talking Colt.
Just wanted to say thank you for your channel and all the other Gun Tubers out there. You never know how important the 2A is until you need it and how my trusty AR turned the tables in the nick of time before I could be surrounded. I had to fend off looters trying to break into my condo building in Chicago last night. The response time of the CPD was 20-30 minutes because they were so overwhelmed as Chicago burns. Never had to fire a shot but these thugs knew the odds weren't in their favor and ran onto a weaker target. Thank you for the advice and knowledge over the past year. Stay safe!
Lionel Hutz stay safe
Glad to hear you had one when you needed it most
I have a 6721. It is one of the most accurate rifles i own. I shoots amazing.
I have one as well, good rifle. Wish I would have gotten a 6920 when they were cheap
Love these videos... you’ve probably forgot more than most people know.
Excellent series. You should have a million subs.
Absolutely true! This guy is a friggin' encyclopedia!
Colt ... what a sad story - thanks Chris we're lucky to have you making these videos - learned a ton heart breaking as it may be - great American icon all but extinct
Was donald trump running Colt? trump bankrupted three casinos and three hotels, and had several dozen other business foreclosures and failures. Seems like running Colt into the ground is something he would be good at. He also added $10.2 trillion to the US debt; $7.8 trillion through spending and $2.4 trillion by giving billionaires tax cuts. The US debt's been accruing for 248 years, and trump added 1/3 of all US debt in four years.
Don’t forget about the Colt 6920 OEM! No furniture rifles with either FSB or shaved down FSB for use with a free float rail. In my opinion every manufacturer should have offered this option. Aero Precision and BCM offered them for a time through Brownell’s, but currently I don’t think anyone does. Damn shame.
I got a 6920. Purchased it at Walmart.
Donald Trump's Geissele URGI gas block Where can you still get complete colt rifles?
@@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595 The gun store. Just bought new 6920 over the counter here in Lafayette, Indiana over Juky 4th weekend.
Are the ones sold at Walmart seconds? I heard that from someone very high up in the Walmart chain of command, thanks
Chis is the best on Colt Rife with his personal insight from when he worked for Colt
Another great video as always. I'm happy to hear your positive comments about the 6940. I really enjoy mine and it's been solid.
I got my LE6920 in Feb. 2019. I absolutely love it.
Greetings from the Wabash Valley.
In October of 2004 I traded a folding stock FNC for 3 Colt M6721s, AR-15s to an SOT from St. Louis. I gave 1 to my brother and kept two. Heavy use both on my own and at class--Awerbuck, Pat Rogers (I was there when he blew up your M6940, Chris, lol), and Thunder Ranch classes. Ran like sewing machines, not remember a single malf.
After I downgraded them down the PACE chain (they are now emergency guns), I did EXACTLY what you said that the motivation of the AR-15A3 was, a short-range DMR: Magpul furniture, CMMG singe stage trigger (I like ACT from ALG, but those stupid pins!) and 1-4X from Swampfox, the "Tomahawk". I use 69 grain handloads, we just plink steel with them.
Barrels still look great after all this time, but they live lives of luxury compared to other AR-15s.
I know Monty likes the M901, did not know he thought that highly of it. Off to re-watch a couple of SAS videos!
Another awesome video and history on Colt M-4 Chris!! I've learned all my M-4 history from you. Definitely the best in my opinion on Colt and rifles bar none! 👍🔥🦁👏
Best made tcp
Dude. Your like an encyclopedia of AR 15’s. Anytime I want to brush up on knowledge of some of my AR’s or a firearm, I come here.
I love these videos. The Colt black rifles have a very interesting story and your insights as a historian and former Colt employee are invaluable.
Thank you
Colt use to make world renowned Guns. They went down hill when they stoped making some of the best hands know to mankind
I own a 60 ,s area
2012 LE6920 MAGPUL configuration owner. My first AR, best dam rifle I’ve ever owned out the box. Lucky to have it and purchased out here in commiefornia.
Best series I have ever seen on the Ar-15. Thank you
Awesome review thanks for doing it. I was always a die hard Colt fan first guns that got to shoot when I was young. They had the means and potential to stay on top of their game. Not to mention a long American history! Unfortunately they let the decisions of a few run their company into the ground. Your absolutely correct when you stated give the buyers what they ask for. Loyalty goes a long way in anything you do when the consumers feel left behind they will eventually leave you. Weather you like the pistols or the rifles it all makes your company capital. That was always their trademark quality made it a colt. Innovation and Development should go hand and Hand with that. It’s a shame they didn’t realize it until it was too late. CZ makes great products maybe they can turn things around for Colt. Colt will never be the same as a lot of us remember. Used to go to the gun shops they used to be the brand a lot of us looked for first. Just not the same as they used to be. Great review!!!
My 6940 was built in March 2011, leo markings both sides, mateck sites ect.
I currently have a 2011 ar15a3 tactical from 2011, a Lightweight LE Carbine from 2012-13 and an Law Enforcement Carbine from 2011, don't care for the CR series, your videos are awesome Chris
Cr or hunk junk.cokts nothing beats 6920le defense tcp mitlary spc best made goung up big time prices
I have a 6721, but my version has a chrome lined barrel ("C MP 5.56 NATO 1/9 HBAR" markings on the barrel). Oddly enough, my 6721 has M4 roll marks (but an LE serial) on it with the words "M4 Carbine" on the lower. I like the 1 in 9 twist for the more common bullet weights of 5.56 ammo.
Is yours ''large pin" w/o the "T" markings? My 6721 was made in '99 and picked up off a retired LEO who used it as his patrol weapon.
As accurate as anything in my stable...
ARMY veteran here. Only a Colt LE6920 will do.
I guess I was one of the lucky ones , to buy 2 le 6920 back in 2005-06 for
$699 each , I just love them .
The Colt 6520 that I bought around 2006/7 was a simple and solid platform but I traded even up, upper for upper, to a guy on ARFCOM for a LMT MRP Rifle upper with 16 middy bbl. I still have the Colt A2 Carbine lower on a Haley Najaf clone.
Thanks for all the information, your passion to tell the story really comes through
I bought a 6920 complete upper from SG for 425.00 it had the most beautiful blue box with the prancing pony embossed also had the Troy rail.
Great information Chris on all the Colt rifles. Been looking for a 6920 forever. Then the ones I've seen for sale are just totally outrageously priced. I think I just might have to pay it any way. So informative Chris. Love the history of Colt. I watched all your videos, great job.
Thanks for the kind words
I have a LE 6940 that I believe was the very first batch from my LE store. It has an identical lower markings as my LE6920. No lock on the front sight, matech rear, .155 trigger and no steel insert in the cam slot. I believe I bought it in 2009? It's been a great gun!
That was the first year of sales
You’re a wealth of information I can never pick up on all the small details between different models they all looks the same
Nice video bro.
Yeah I'm a sucker for the 6943 and 6945. I kick myself in the ads every single day for not picking up 6940P. I could of got one in 2013 and another one in 2016 for $1200. Now that same carbine on avg is going for $2500 before Colt stopped selling on Commercial market .
The 694x series are phenomenal. I do wish they could of made 9" -12" rail like they Diemaco did on the L119A2 .
I'm glad I've been a Colt hoarder since 2006. Colt 6920s can still be found at decent prices . I picked up one 2 weeks ago for $1150 online . It was brand new 2016 model . It even cane with Cage code Charging Handle and LE Prefix lower . I do wanna pick up one more 6943 URG . The 6943 is my favorite of all the Colt Uppers .
Great series! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experience!
If law agencies were smart they would of purchased more 6721's. Hbar accuracy is always a good thing. I doubt very highly that not having a chrome lined barrel would of ever of been an issue.
Averagr patrol cop would not benefit from the heavy barrel. They are better with the lighter chrome bbl. These won’t rust due to sitting in a trunk all year round
I thoroughly enjoyed my colt sp6920.
I sold it so I could get a colt 6940.
Today it's still solid with 12k rounds through it.
Menum Lor as I said, the LE6940 is their crown jewel!
The first AR-15A4 I bought doesn't have the 'F' marked fsp, while the 2nd rifle I bought does. I keep the first one I bought in its standard, stock config with carry handle. I converted the second rifle into the Marine corp style config, Kac rail, acog and all. Nice guns for sure.
Jake Weston Colt was using up old A2 barrels.
@@SmallArmsSolutions So apparently an M16A2 barrel will fit into an M4 upper (of which the AR15A4 is marked), but an F marked barrel cant fit into an M16 upper. Here is Specialized Armament's statement. ""Upgrades Package for the new Colt AR-15A4 semi-automatic rifle. This is the first production Colt rifle to incorporate the 52 degree feed ramp barrel assy and carbine upper receiver, which requires a combination of the carbine and rifle modifications. While the AR-15A4 is a beautiful full-size rifle, it cannot correctly interchange its special (F) barrel assy with the real US Military M16A4 rifle. As we learn in the SA Advanced M16 Armorer Course - the Colt AR-15A4 is a “rife-bine.” ""
Jake Weston colt installed M4 barrel extensions in the barrels to mate with M4 upper
Jake Weston the F marked fsb is for use with the flat top upper receiver. The M4 upper is cut for the extended feed ramps to mate with the extended feed ramps on the M4 barrel extension. US give A2 barrel will have unmarked fsb and no extended feed ramps on the barrel extension. The A4 govt barrel will have an F marked fsb with a barrel extension which does not have extended feed ramps on the barrel extension, the A2 barrel woul mate with an A2 upper without feed ramps cut. The A4 would be a flat top upper without feed ramps cut. Thus not an M4 upper, M4 uppers have extended feed ramps cut.
The Colt AR15A4 utilizes a M4 upper with feed ramps cut. The 20 in barrel is non Mil standard. The barrel will have the M4 carbine barrel extension which is cut for extended feed ramps to mate with its M4 upper. The front sights on these barrels may be A2 standard or M4 F marked, whatever fsb they had on hand. So the AR15A4 is not a mil-Spec A4 upper Assy.
Hey Chris I really enjoy your work bro! Great stuff!
Colt should have ditched the quad instead of slowing production. That was right around the time that the quad hand guard was falling out of favor anyway. I had, (and still do) the Ruger SR556, external piston AR. Ruger’s SR has the proprietary Troy hand guard with 3, 6 and 9 o’clock removable rails. I remember the first time I took off all 3 of the rails. I fell in love with the slimness and lack of sharp edges! Later, I cut and drilled a 3 or 4 inch section of rail to mount a light and have never put the rails back on. (I still have them tucked away) This was before I had ever seen any commercially available NON-quad hand guards. Everything was either the polymer or quad at that time. It made me wonder if that was what started the slim hand guard trend. When I’d let my buddies shoot it after removing the rails, they loved it too and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only Ruger owner letting his friends feel how good it felt. Because It wasn’t too long after that that you started seeing slim, keymod and then Mlok rails. If Colt would have just went to a hand guard with removable rails, like Ruger did with the Troy, I bet it would have been a lot more popular.
I was actually hunting down a Colt Combat Unit Carbine with my FFL right before they quit selling to the public and prices shot up way more then I could afford. Shame.. would've been a fine addition to my small Colt collection.
On the ‘AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine’ I understand that anything below the serial number BD000134 is preban and anything after that is post ban, but the post bans were marked LEO and with “LBD” prefix serial numbers. I have one with the S/N BD00xxxx but is not LEO marked. Colt can’t find the year this was made. I know it’s a post ban.
I'd like to see a video on the FN military surplus A4 upper. I recently bought one and it has the F marked upper receiver, bolt carrier, etc.
Used it as the base for my A4 build.
My first AR was a 2013 manufactured LE6920 SOCOM II with a Daniel Defense quad rail, MaTech rear iron sight, and “M4A1” roll markings. It’s the one used to mount a M203 grenade launcher. Beautiful rifle that I still take to the range every time I go. I outfitted it with Larue Tactical furniture and index clips, a Seekins Precision brake, and a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x Firedot with Leupold one piece mount and Leupold lens caps. I’ve watched this channel and checked each and every part on it for the Colt specific markings and they are all there, which I was very happy about. I paid $1,300 out the door for it in 2014 and it’s listed on Gunbroker for over $2,000 now. Glad I got it when I did.
I do have a quick question. Now that Colt has been purchased, will they start back making these rifles for civilians and making parts available to civilians?
A part of me wants that .gov model AR15A2 carbine. The light weight is appealing. I just noticed he does not not have notes in front of him. The technical data in this video is right in his wheel house.
Great series. Thanks for the info and the history lesson.
At this point in history, I'd never own anything labled "Military/LE Only." Atf is out of control.
Yeah Colt forgot the golden rule. The customer is always right. Find out what the customer wants and sell it to them. Back in the 90's trying to and buy Colt trigger pins and that stupid large diameter front takedown pin was a major pain in the ass. And not being able to swap out uppers with different calibers and barrel lengths with standard milspec takedown pins sucked too. Add Colt to the "How to alienate your customer base and run a successful business into the ground" handbook.
What about the Colt Ellie with the magpole furniture that came out what can You tell us or all the inner working mechanisms Colt ???
I wish i bought a 6720 when the uppers were available for cheap. Regrets!
Now you know you didn't waste your money and can get something better!
Great series-the best I've seen.
Life goals: Get rich>Buy Colt>Fire Colt Marketing and most of Management>Invest in RnD and Commercial Market>Profit
Let them die. Start up a better company
The issue is that you're only gonna be able to do that by moving states and Colt is essentially a CT/Hartford jobs program. If you don't move Colt out of CT to a state with lower costs of operation you're gonna be bankrupt no matter how good your R&D is, and if you move to greener pastures you're gonna get sued for going against union labor contracts.
Could you do a video on the different variations and evolution of the LE6920 specifically the ones marked Law Enforcement Carbine on the left side
Already did. I compare the LE6920 to the CR6920
Superb vid. Thanks!
No LE6900, i cant find much on that rifle and was hoping to fins some here. From what i can tell they were only produced in 2013 for law enforcement and competition shooting in VERY low numbers.
The LE6900 was not made by Colt. It was made in Texas under the Colt Competition line.
@@SmallArmsSolutions ah ok, I picked one up and was trying to find out more about it.
Great video! Of my ten or so AR-15’s, including DD, SOLGW, PSA, BCM, Colt, LWRC, my Colt 6720 is my favorite. Kept it completely stock with just a red dot.
I also have a 6720 while it's not my favorite it is among them. Mine is completely stock as well except magpul pistol grip, red dot, and sling of course. I'm gonna put a basic surefire g2 tactical light on it soon. Simple, lightweight, and effective.
Psa is 🗑
@@bigcitydiddystraighttalkmi7834 then good thing this video or anything else has nothing to do with PSA then lol.
Damn Colt ain't the pony it used to be, giving money away to the competition.
Nice work SAS!
I wonder why colt isn’t doing so good...”it’s gonna take a year to get your guns”.....
My 6920 lower is marked M4A1 carbine
I just picked up a ar6721 tactical carbine the 1:9 twist hbar is chrome lined, mfg 2013
I really enjoy watching your vids by the way; I don't know how you remember all these details.
The standard m4 handguards are double heat shielded. The after market hand guards such as Magpul or BCM seem to use a single heat shield preference. Does the double heat shield made any measurable difference during sustain fire?
Grat video Chris. I bought a used Colt 6721 years ago, and I noticed a few oddities when I received it. It has a Diemaco upper verified buy the stylized D, and fractured A markings on the upper. It also came with a SP-1 style carrier. It did not have the M-16 profile, nor did it have a fully shrouded firing pin. Everything else on the rifle seemed to be Colt correct for the 6721. Any idea why mine would have a Diemaco upper with SP-1 carrier?
I have a question regarding the AR15 A4. Has there been any literature about the accuracy of the rifle changing in any way depending on whether the rifle has traditional A2 hand guards or the M5 RAS? Both are not free-floating however, one fits relatively loosely and the other locks the barrel nut to the hand guard cap.
I have the vortex flash hider on my 6921
Does every LEO stamped lower use the large pin? I was under the impression they did but, without measuring I ordered a trigger and guess what! It's a new 6940 identical to one in vid
On the 2012 M4A1 SOCOM II did those come with a Socom profile barrel or were they just called socom because of the DD Rail that came on them? If they are the medium weight Socom profile did they have the M203 flats cut in them or not? Thanks in advance.
Should be titled: "This is why Colt declares bankruptcy every year."
watched all 5 episodes on Colt, do you have anymore info about 6721 tactical A3 HB? got one from buddys gun shop, they were gov security power bases?
I had talked about that one in this video
Awesome
Unable to get a Colt 6920 carbine back then I bought a Palmetto State Armory Premium. Lots of strike outs big time.
Ya, we always wish we could go back in time. Though a premium psa is going to serve you well too; some quality parts with those too
Thanks I have a hb 1/9
I have a question? I have a 2017 Colt M4 Carbine LE PREFIX- 6920 with the bar-code to the right of Colt Defense Hartford CT. (I called Colt for the year). BUT IT DOESNT HAVE A (F) Stamped on front sight post. shouldn't it have one or was they already using outside parts then? I'm not mistaken, it does not have one for sure! everything else checks out. your input would be much apricated. love your channel, keep up the great work & God bless!
Why are roll marks important to some? The 6920 series are made the same as the M4 with the exception of a longer barrel and no auto/burst. Having called a sporter, Law Enforcement, or M4 doesn't change the performance of the rifle. Are some roll marks preferred and does it change the worth of the firearm?
Im pretty sure the 6721 hbar 1/9 is chrome lined, you said non chrome lined. I have one and i checked and i definitely see its chromed
No it is not chrome lined
Thank You I have a question if you happen to read this I have a Colt M4 upper w/ C AF and it’s grey in color when were those made it came on a LE6920 lower made in 2013 law enforcement lower .i was told Colt would use up the older uppers and put them on the LE lower ??
That would be correct. That does not mean an old forging. That is specific to a Colt upper forging die used by Accurate Forge.
@@SmallArmsSolutions I have been following a very longtime I want to thankyou for getting back with me that upper is on a Colt M4LE w/ bullets. I had one back in 2001 when I work patrol . I was lucky enough to find this one on GB ..Much Respect GodSpeed GodBless
@@SmallArmsSolutions I also have a 2013 M4A1 SOCOM HB Colt came out w/this configuration 16” heavy barrel hard to find it these days it came w/KAC RIS ambi safety
Hi! Could you tell me the threads on the colt 9mm carbine 6540 muzzle area. The rifle had a carry handle and was a police turn in. I want to place a linear muzzle compensator on and remove the a-1 flash hider. Thank you.
I really enjoy my 2014 era Colt LE6920. It’s a damn shame they no longer sell them to civilian peasants anymore
They keep making stupid decisions. It's what they do.
thank you for this series it was great ? Do you know of anything new from colt on herizon
I believe you sir
5:33 - 5:43 what about the Colt 653 and 723 which sometimes had pencil 14.5 barrels as well as "M4" profile.
I'm thinking he's talking LE semi-auto configuration rifles, whereas the 653 and 723s were mostly for military/export market which had giggle switches.
Wait are the LE-6940 Ps as well as the parts more of a unicorn than a Colt Model 601 and it's parts or am I wrong?
Hi Chris! Great vid! I think I heard that The last commercially available AR that was true MilSpec was the 6920 LE with the M4 roll mark. Is that true? Was 2016 or 2017 the last year they could be purchased? Full Select Fire bolt and carrier even though it is semi only is on these guns etc. Thank you for your time and one of the jewels of YT channels on firearms!
I think that’s true. In 2016 I went to Academy and bought a Colt LE6920 M4 Carbine with keyhole receiver and a manufacturing date of 12/2015. All parts on it matches the finish and machining of my my earlier LE6920’s.
How often did you see 6920 without a c or cage code on the upper, I bought my 6920 fall of 2018 pulled it right out of the oil soaked bag and noticed no marking on upper aside from forge mark. Had the M4 engraving on the front , cmp bolt, cage code barrel. It always bugged me and I ended up selling it.
Can you get spare parts for that collectors model from military surplus or the police? I'm sure spare parts can be purchased directly from foreign military if they carry those rifles.
and everywhere I look that sold le6721's, its listed as a chrome lined barrel, If I am wrong please correct me.
I know you’ve covered POF before but never the P415 flagship rifle. If you are interested I’d be happy to lend you my rifle for a video.
Email Heather hbartocci@smallarmssolutions.com
Will do.
@smallarmssolutions Hi Chris were colt barrels being dated in 2019 and also were rosco producing them?
There were a few different subcontractors
afternoon Chris, thanks for the video! I've been watching this series after coming across a model R6550 at a lgs.. yay or nay?
edit: spelling
How long till the patent runs out on the .308/5.56mm rifle? I'd love for PSA or CMMG or someone start making that.
I’d buy one
The colt 6721 doesn’t have a Crome lined barrel? I see it’s stamped C MP Hbar 1/9.
Correct
I recently purchased a Colt CR028709. What is the story with that model? It's brand new from Colt.
I believe that model is the CR6920 and the serial number is CR028709. CR6920s are the LE6920, just with a different model name. Once colt stopped making the LE6920, they would never start stamping them with that title again. Which is why the LE6920’s value is up so much.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the new CR6920
You will
A shame Colt really dropped off and had so much potential
Its tragic! I want Colt to be successful and awesome because I grew up with Colts in the house and they were always the standard I judged other guns by
Not so much today
When they cave-in to the anti-gun zealots and decided to be Elmer Fudds to the gun world... I stop looking at any Colt products.
Hey Chris, I've heard rumors that Colt is going to be releasing a GAU-5/A/A clone soon. You of all people would know if this was a bunch of hoopla or not. Have you heard anything?
AR6520 wouldn't that be a 723 rifle? I guess not due to A2 configuration but with a pencil barrel.
Yup. Basically just like a 6920 is a semi auto LE version of the m4.
Colt, as my go-to, has a history of arrogance and missing out on decisions that would've made them excel beyond others.
Starting with Horace Smith introducing the "cartridge" style ammunition. Colt told him to go pound sand. Colt then had to wait 7 years for Smith's patent to end.
Once Horace got the boot from Colt he teamed up with Dan Wesson. Hence, Smith & Wesson.
Great video! I have to say, the more I learn about Colt from this channel, the more determined I am to never buy one of their products again. Perhaps not the intent, but that is my conclusion. They are only pro-2nd amendment when they are unable to rake in money from government contracts. Colt, IMHO, couldn't care less about private gun owners.
John Shaft not my intent, they make good products.. just the incompetence of the management that curses the success of the company.
@@SmallArmsSolutions There a lot of companies that are offering great products.....I appreciate the history and collector status of those rifles, but can you honestly say that Clot is offering anything besides the horsey over a company like PSA? The metallurgy is the same, designs the the same, my PSA bolt is MPI marked and pretty sure the barrel quality is right there too. Believe me..... I get allure of Colt just because of the history. Then you have the so called "top tier" companies like LMT are offering significant design improvements i.e. enhanced bolts and carriers and they draw serious money. So in the grand scheme of things Colt has been pedaling out dated tech at premium prices, it seems primarily on name recognition.
Now I don't mind paying for quality. Lets for the sake of argument that we agree that Colt is a better product than PSA....... someone would have to demonstrate how it is better and how any differences would justify roughly double the price tag.
Also I agree with John about what sort of company they are, crappy and looking to throw the civilian market under the bus any chance they get.
@@shootermcmillan properly sized gas ports, barrels with good life, good bcgs. Nothing wrong with colt except their bullshit
In my entire lifetime they've chosen to arm hajjis, other foreign governments and the US government but shunned the American people.
My one and only colt wouldn't take p mags I tried for a month to figure out why and never was able to find out is there any way you would know? The magazine catch was fine the upper and lower were in spec the magwell wasn't too big idk what was the issue.
@@packinc4917 I wanna say no atleast I didn't notice it in wish I had it still or some pictures it for months got me.
Some lowers are at the tighter end of tolerances so pmags may not drop free.