I’m brand new to this forum and have posted on a couple other forums only recently. I recently sold a gun and have about $1650 to play with. I’d like to set aside some money for an optic, sling etc. I have one AR already. After some fairly extensive research and hair pulling I’ve narrowed it down to what I think I want. I’m not overly comfortable doing much assembling or tinkering of technical aspects so I’d like to buy a rifle mostly already how I want it. The purpose is just mostly target shooting and having fun but obviously set up for home defense is great too. My other AR is a Del-Ton Sierra (which was given to me) and has a midwest industries free float keymod handguard, low profile gas block, grip pod vertical grip, magpul mbus back up sights, eotech sp1, and streamlight tlr 1s light. I like that set up just fine but I’m open to other configurations. I would however prefer to buy one already with a low profile gas block and free float handguard. A few that have caught my eye are the Colt Trooper, the Colt Combat Unit Carbine, and the BCM RECCE 14. Both the BCM and the CCU put me a little over budget but if that’s what is the best use of the money I’ll make it happen. My main concern about the Trooper is the carbine length gas system. I’ve read about some negatives and been told various things. I’ve got a lot of recommendations for separate uppers and lowers to save money. I’d prefer to buy a whole rifle but am I definitely getting ripped off doing that? Sorry for being long winded but this is overwhelming. Thanks in advance.
That’s a dumb thing to be worried about. Colt knows how to make a carbine length gas system. It is LITERALLY on every carbine they’ve ever sold, to include the industry standard 6920. They’ve never offered it before the CCU because in their testing it never proved to be worth it. They offered it in the CCU because people who didn’t know better asked for it. I’m the exact opposite. I would LOVE a CCU, but only if it came with the carbine gas sytem.
I would second not to worry about the carbine gas system. Although, I would’ve worded it a little friendlier. Also, consider buying a fully assembled upper and lower separately. You might save yourself some money. And no assembly required except for mating the upper and lower via pushing two pins. And if you can’t do that, which I’m sure you can, you need to re-evaluate if you’re ready to buy another AR lol!
Colt enjoys a great reputation for building solid, reliable carbines of which many are 16" barreled versions using carbine length gas systems. Personally, I don’t get hung up on the carbine vs mid length debate and feel good about using either so long as the carbine in question is coming from a maker that builds them appropriately.
Both the CCU and Trooper should be just fine.
Me? I went Trooper and plan to use the difference to help set up the rifle.
To me, this one is easy-if the Trooper is available at last month’s pricing, ~$700-750, then that is a no brainer; if the Trooper is available at its current pricing, ~$950, I’d go with the CCU, for the upgraded furniture and slightly better CMR rail with the integrated QD cups. If the Trooper had been available for $750 back when I bought my CCU, I’d go Trooper 10 times out of 10. I really like my CCU, but not for $300 more than a last months Trooper pricing.
I could care less about mid vs carbine gas systems on a gun with a 13” rail. I’ve never been able to tell the difference between the 2 anyway, and Colt more than any other manufacturer has the 16” carbine gas system down to a science.
I bought a Trooper because it was $689 plus shipping. Kind of felt obligated to do so at that price. The gun shoots well. I have some mid length gas system guns also.
I agree that for under or around $700, the Trooper makes a lot of sense. But when the Trooper is selling for close to $1,000 then I’d look hard at the 6960 CCU.
The one negative thing I have found with the Trooper is that the M-Lok rails at the 6 o’clock position are for the most part useless. This is because of the combination of the diameter of the barrel and the remaining portion of the bayonet lug combined with the small internal diameter of the Centurion rail. I tried to mount a VFG and a MagPul finger stop. The M-Lok screws were hitting against the barrel or the bayonet lug stub. I ended up putting one of the M-ok screws in a vice and filing down the length of the screw so as to mount the MagPul finger stop.
The thinner profile barrel of the 6960 CCU would prevent this from being a problem. I’m really tempted to sell off the Trooper and buy a 6960 CCU.
+1 Cyberstalk GunsMidwest and Tombstone Tactical for $700-724 Colt Troopers
Email both and use the search engines to find a new Trooper in that price range. That is your best option for the $$. I second that Colt really knows how to build a carbine gas system and would never hesitate to run a Colt carbine.
Have you handled a CCU? The CCU does have a LW barrel. More of a medium weight vs a standard gov profile or the BCM or 6720 LW profile, but it is LW and noticeable. I have a Trijicon TA31 on my CCU and it handles nicely. I can tell you this is not a safe queen and it is used as it’s supposed to be. How much lighter does one need? Personal preference I guess.
From the Colt website and the CCU data sheet:
“Mid-Length Gas System, Lightweight profile barrel and Extended Handguard make this upgraded Carbine the preferred choice for the Modern Sport Shooter.”
I will say that similar to the experience above, the space between the bottom of the Centurion rail and the barrel/gas block area is tight. I also had to shave down one MLOK fastener to fit a vfg.
That’s awesome to know! I have not handled one and have been debating ordering one but want a lighter than gov barrel. Now it has everything I want so guess Tombstone is getting a new order placed.