Hello all…
I am pondering the purchase of a Colt 6920LE… There is one Colt at the local gun shop here …it is marked A3 AND LE /Military only But has no box or paperwork…
#1 how can I identify this as a Colt 6920LE
#2 does the Colt 6920LE have all the proper “Mil Spec” attributes .
TIA
Doc
Unless I’m just being led astray by the perceived simplicity of what’s been asked here, I would suggest the following:
#1 - take another look at the lower. If it’s marked AR-15A3, then you’re looking at a Tactical Carbine, and likely not a 6920. Still an excellent rifle – some actually prefer it to the 6920. A 6920 is generally going to be marked “Law Enforcement Carbine” in lieu of a more useful model number or designation. The barrel profile will also serve as a solid tip-off, as the 6920 will have the characteristic military M4 “stepped barrel” appearance, while the other Colt carbines have either heavy or normal (thin) profiles without any visible dimensional changes forward of the front sight base.
#2 - If it’s a Colt – that is to say “all” Colt, to include the upper – then it’s a quality rifle built to MILSPEC (or near-MILSPEC) standards. I won’t delve into the distinctions here, but you aren’t necessarily trying to find a rifle that adheres 100% to the government contract stipulation for a “MILSPEC” M4; what you’re really looking for is a commercial rifle built to the same basic standards, which means quality internals, no shortcuts in assembly, and proper testing/inspection of things like the bolt/bolt carrier group, barrel, etc.
Regardless of which model you’re actually talking about, if it’s a new late model LE/Military marked Colt, you’re probably looking at a very safe bet in my view. Buy with confidence – but pay attention to what constitutes “fair market value” in your area.
If you aren’t certain that this is a new rifle, some red flags to look for would include significantly mismatched upper/lower receivers, as this could indicate that a third-party upper of unknown origin could have been snapped to the Colt lower (unlikely, but possible), and signs of aftermarket modifications/components, which would be highly suggestive of prior ownership. I’m not suggesting that some changes cannot be for the better, of course, but since you know nothing of the rifle’s history, or the competence/incompetence level of any previous owner(s), it is almost always best start with an unmodified rifle, and chart your own course.
Chief
I am heading out in few hours to take a gander at the Colt. I just called and he put it aside for me. They now just told me it is NIB …so there is a box will that be marked 6920LE?
Can you also outline the Lower markings of a Colt 6920LE
is there something I should be looking for … I know that the 6920LE is a 1:7 twist vs. the 6921 being a 1:9 twist.
I DONOT not want to spend 1200.00 on something other than a Colt 6920LE
any plan of attack would help.
TIA
Doc
If it has the box, the box will be marked with the model number.
For model name on the lower it’ll read “Colts Law Enforcement Carbine”.
The 6921 is a 14.5 inch barrel with a 1/7 twist - I.E.- a true M4 upper.
The 6721 is a 14.5 inch 1/9 twist.
you are completely correct…
I just have not paying to much attention to that “animal”
is the 6921 avail to civis??? probably not being 14.5 unless the FH is pinned/welded
Thanks again
For the low cost of a $200 tax stamp, some paperwork and some time, you* too can be the proud owner of a short barreled rifle.
*-Barring any past or present legal issues.
Purchasing a SBR this way is the easiest way to get one. You don’t have to worry about having your lower sent off for engraving or the like.
See the NFA forum for more info.
Hope your purchase goes well.
The lower will be marked “Colts Law Enforcement Carbine” on the left side of the magwell. The serial number will start with “LE”. As to the authenticity of the upper, you may wish to examine it for forge marks, make a note of them and do a search. The raw forging may have come from one of their many subcontractors. Mine has two marks on the right side, one denoting Canadian maker Diemaco and the other Cerro Forge. My box, however, had no marks or label save that of a bar code. So I did my due diligence after the fact, always the most exciting way, and all is good. The barrel, and BCG components should be appropriately marked, as well. Another search for that stuff will help there.
A 6721 is a 16" 1/9 twist flattop carbine with an HBAR barrel.
A 6920 is a 16" 1/7 twist flattop carbine
A 6921 is a 14.5" 1/7 twist flattop carbine
Not correct.
Most likely a 6721. Check GunBroker for the going prices. If it’s NIB, it may be a good buy.
I’ll be a little more helpful…
The 6721 is a 16" HBAR 1/9 with CAR handguards. Upper is a flattop with removable carry handle. Lower is marked Colt AR15A3 Tactical Carbine.
Here’s a pic of mine.
A magpul trigger guard on a Colt? :mad:
It’s just wrong!
DOH!
Absolutely, my bad, did not intentionally deliver bad data, insuffient attention during typing. Apologies to all.
So I went to the local dealer today and I checked out the rifle he had held for me…It was a 6721. Although a GREAT looking rifle I really want a 6920.
But very difficult to find here in Vermont. I was told Colt “does not want to sell the 6920 DIRECTLY to Civilians”. So i have one of the local shops looking for a 6920 that was ordered by LE and not picked up/sold.
I will hold out for the 6920…But I cant wait too long…I have a sinking feeling that prices are going up soon.
AGAIN Thanks for everyone input!!
Doc
Try Clyde Armory, I ordered my 6933 through them and they were very helpful. Last I heard they had several 6929’s in stock.
Why do some 6920s come with FA bolts and some not?
… I checked out the rifle he had held for me…It was a 6721. Although a GREAT looking rifle I really want a 6920. … I was told Colt “does not want to sell the 6920 DIRECTLY to Civilians”… I will hold out for the 6920…
Personally, I would have purchased the 6721 without a second thought. The 6920 may be the more in-demand weapon these days, but that is more a reflection of what it looks like than any real technical distinction between the two models. If anything, I think the out-of-the-box merits of the 6721 might even eclipse those of the 6920!
Look at it this way: you can always buy an M4-profile barrel/upper later on (ban or no ban), if it means that much to you; otherwise, the Tactical Carbine is a uniformly excellent weapon that is usually priced more reasonably than the LE Carbine. Again, the operational differences between the two are almost totally insignificant, unless you count the somewhat heavier barrel of the 6721 as an advantage in the heft and handling department – which some do.
The “does not sell to civilians” schtick, while technically true, is really a worn-out excuse. It is most often tendered by dealers that (a) do not have LE distributor status with Colt, and (b) are trying to move something that they already have in inventory. Still, by the time you find a 6920, pay for it, deal with the transactional hassles and then pay your local FFL to transfer it to you, you’ll probably be looking at some $300-400 more than it would have cost you to just go and pick up the A3. Perhaps considerably more.
Is the useless M4 stepped-barrel profile really worth that much more to you? If so, then I wish you luck in finding a Green Mountain LE dealer that is willing to a 6920 for fair market value. If not, then consider that you can pick up the A3 now, and put any fears about future bans, etc. to rest because you’ll already own a Colt lower.
I understand what you’re saying, but the longer I’m around these rifles, the more my advice turns toward the readily-available and underappreciated 6721.
Chief
Just as a side note…
The Colt 6922 is the 1/9 verison of the 6920. A 6920 (1/7) with a 1/9 twist M4 profile barrel in 16".
I have heard they are rare…not sure if the one I have is a fluke (factory mistake putting a 1/9 barrel on a 6920) or not…but a nice rifle never the less.
Greg