«-- Odds 'n Sods: | Main | Two Letters Re: Amassing Copper Pennies--By the Ton! --»
Two Letters Re: The Mil-Spec AR-15 Makers--Parts Chart
I imagine you are going to get a lot of e-mails stating the
chart [posted on an Internet Forum] that you cited is inaccurate.
At least in the case of the all-factory Bushmaster, I own I can say there
were
at
least
a
couple
of missing "X"'s [in the chart].
Likewise, I question who exactly was the metallurgist who placed a "1" in
the barrel steel column.
Also, Bushmaster has a lifetime warranty. It's right on their web site and
I can assure you they honor it. When I had a parts breakage issue after thousands
of rounds put through the rifle, I received prompt, courteous no-hassle service.
Internet commando reports need to be taken with a pound of salt. It's
hard to tell how many so-called "factory" rifles discussed in online
forums are little more than parts kit guns [that were] assembled at home [that
started out] with no more than the
stripped lower receiver being the only real factory part.
I have run into this a lot at gun shows with even FFL dealers selling complete
guns as "Bushmaster brand" and quickly finding that the rifles did
not even have chrome-lined barrels (this is standard in their mil-style civilian
knock-offs) and/or had the stamps of brands from the parts kits seller right
on them.
I'd like to note that many of the parts dealers here in the midwest do not
even sell chrome-lined barrels for the most part because the home [AR] builders
are more
interested in saving $35. At the last large show I attended there were only
two complete [barreled] upper [receiver]s out of 40 [seen there] which had
chrome-lined barrels. The parts dealers were at least honest about which were
which, even
if the re-sellers were not always honest. Buyer Beware! -
Chris S.
James:
The rifles from Colt's
Manufacturing have some undesirable features like pinned, non-retractable
stock and are lacking a muzzle device and bayonet lug. Colts Manufacturing is
the same operation
that makes the M1911-style pistols and single action revolvers.
The rifles from Colt
Defense have all the
desired features (except of course no [full auto] "fun switch" for civilians.)
Colt Defense has the M4 contract for the military and also make the "Law
Enforcement" rifles
which may also be purchased by civilians.
I'm not sure but I don't think either segment of the business (and both sell
[indirectly] to civilians) uses the old screw-type front receiver (pivot) pin
at this point.
The Colt Defense Model 6920 is the carbine that is closest to the military
M4. Using a 16" (versus 14.5" for [government contract] M4) chrome-lined
government profile barrel with M203 cuts,
bayonet lug, flash suppressor, removable carry
handle,
railed
flat top upper, fully shrouded bolt carrier and collapsible stock. It is the
weapon most likely to be chosen by someone wanting an all around, lightweight
accurate AR-style
carbine from Colt.
I have recently purchased several Colt Model 6721 carbines (similar to the
Model 6920 but with a heavier barrel) and both came with the fully shrouded
bolt carrier.
See this
post for details. Neither of these carbines have the "now
perennial two screws-in-place-of-a-front-pivot-pin design" [you mentioned]
although they do have the oversized [hammer and trigger] pins.
Although I am more of a FAL 7.62
mm NATO guy, I have owned a number of AR-15s including ArmaLite, CMMG and Stag
Arms. I find the Colt carbines, which I regularly
use for three-gun competitions and occasionally for tactical training, are
fine weapons and if needed I would certainly trust my life to them. In addition,
I had no problem finding guns available for purchase (I'm neither a LEO or
in the military) and contact with Colt has been excellent in regard to questions.
Keep up the good work with your informative and enjoyable blog. There wouldn't
be enough intelligent info across the spectrum relating to preparedness without
your remarkable web site. - John E.
