First of all, I’m not trying to sell this, just asking for opinions. I don’t want to be in violation of forum rules.
I picked this up a while back. It’s a police trade-in that originally came with an A2 rifle stock and of course the standard hand grip (I still have both). I added the carbine RE and stock, new hand grip and a QD sling attach point to the upper hand guard. It has the restricted markings on the right side of the lower. It’s cool and everything, but I already have a DD LW mid length that I really like and I’d like to get another similar gun as a backup. Unfortunately, I can’t/won’t afford/justify keeping it and adding another AR. I really like the Colt A2 retro look, but I’d rather have a flat top and mid length gas system. I have several options two of which are:
Sell the whole gun and replace it, or
Sell the upper assy and build one that suits my preferences better.
I really like the Colt lower, but it doesn’t work with my DD Omega X rail. The DD upper fits on the Colt lower, but will not tip open because the bottom of the DD rail contacts the lower side of the Colt front pin tabs (hard to describe). So, I’m inclined to sell the whole gun as I value interoperability.
What are your thoughts? How much would the whole gun or just the upper worth. Is there any collector value in it? Would it be a shame to break up the upper and lower?
Thanks to all in advance for the help with this and all the other help I’ve gained from you over the years.
I really like this Colt. That being said, it sounds like you are not too fond of it and it will collect dust. Sell it to someone who wants to run it hard and use the funds to buy ammo and a 3 day class by a SME.
With that said, if the lower is milspec and not one of Colt’s large pin oddball lowers I would likely consider keeping it since you don’t need to worry about odd parts if something were to break. If you have all the original parts then I don’t see you ever loosing money on it as Colt collectors are always out there. If you do decide that you’d rather have another rifle then sell the Colt as a whole since it will make it worth more and as a complete factory gun would have more value.
As far as keeping or selling it, that it really your choice. If it were mine I would have a hard time selling it, and would just buy another lower and build another rifle from parts, but then you are not me.
If you’re not a collector there is probably no reason to hang on to it unless it’s an insanely good shooter. People seem to be paying top dollar for a ride on the nostalgia train these days. I’d try to put it back to as close to original as makes sense economically, sell it for a good price, and get what you really want.
Never sell a Colt! Unless you have twins. (as in rifles, not children) One day, you’ll look in the mirror, and see a guy who sold his Colt rifle. And you will never like him again! Friends don’t let friends sell perfectly good Colts and all that. If your house hasn’t been foreclosed, keep it.
If I were limited to only two ARs, neither one would have fixed carry handle. In your shoes, I’d just get another upper and save money now by getting it with a MOE handguard. It can always be upgraded later and maybe you won’t have to sell anything yet. Later, if you do get the DD handguard, does it really matter if it doesn’t open all the way? Pop both pins and the upper will come right off and it’s a back-up carbine
I was waiting for someone to catch that, well done good sir!
I wore a “Punk Rock Warlord” t-shirt with my kilt on St. Patty’s Day, no one got that either, thought is was appropriate since he filled in with the Pogues after the Clash broke-up.
You already answered your own question…you want something else, and you don’t want to or can’t afford three…so like is said above, sell it complete and get what you want/need.
I’ve been there before, I sold off my pre-ban ARs when I back into shooting, including a Colt, and made some profit off of them even I used the funds to build a more modern arsenal. Do I miss stuff I’ve sold in the past? Yeah, sometimes, but I also enjoy what I have now, and I get better use out of it.
Thanks to all (except markm --ha ha) for your advice. Because it is a police trade in and has a bit of wear and scratches from use, I don’t think it has a huge amount of collector value. Besides, like BGREID said, I don’t want to get too attached to anything. I’ve found that a key to having peace of mind is to never own anything you’re afraid to lose. Based on past experience, I’m always reluctant to sell a good gun, but in view of eternity, it’s not that big a deal.
