Some Interesting Colt/ S.A.W. Website Info.

Guys,
I was wondering if anyone can answer a few questions regarding some interesting info I have been reading on the S.A.W. site lately.

  1. I saw an article referring to the “Famous Red Spring”, which is apparently a mag spring that SAW came up with years back. Apparently it will “outperform and outlast many newer CS springs costing 75%-100% more” (direct quote from SAW) Anyone know about these? They speak very highly of them, and I usually take Ken/Tinas word.

  2. I was reading another quote, that was simply stating info on Kens Reliability Package (RP) upgrade, which made mention of a “Four Way” fire select setting option, which I’ve never heard of. Can anyone tell me what the hell “four way” means? Here is the exact quote from SAW:

“The RP will work on all Colt Carbines (1992-present) regardless of fire contol system (Auto, Burst, 4-Way, Semi)”

  1. Here is another quote, regarding a couple M-16 manufacturers that I have honestly never knew made M-16’s. Did a company called “Hydramatic or H&R” once make M-16’s for the military??? Here is the quote from SAW:

“Having said this – we will work on all Colt AR-15/M16 series weapons; all (real) U.S. Mil-spec M16’s (FN, Hydramatic, H & R); or any AR-type firearms that we have built, upgraded, or sold – (although there are inherent pitfalls here too if the firearm has been modified from its original configuration or was purchased as a receiver – we will try to help as best we can).”

While I have seen old H&R (I think) made M1 Garands, I have never heard of Hydramatic, and I did not know either made M-16’s. Is this the case?
I think that CURRENTLY, the only company making the M-16 is FN Herstal, correct? I don’t know, maybe Colt still makes them, but I can’t be sure.

Colt makes M4s and M16s, FN makes M16s, during Vietnam M16s were made by Colt, Hydramatic (a GM division IIRC) and H&R. They were mil-spec guns in every way.

Colt four way selectors are just that, and in order it rotates safe-auto-burst-semi. A tourist trap IMO.

The spring will last longer with mag loaded , they say to load it to 28 . The spring has more pressure.

The first M16 I was ever issued was an H&R-manufactured M16A1.

Paul-
I’ve been using the red springs since '04 in combination with MagPul followers. Use has been both downrange and law enforcement here. Throw in an EAG class and I can only think of one magazine related issue - morning of TD2 in Pat’s class. I’m not positive that the magazine in question had that mix - it’s been eighteen months.

Erick

I have a bunch, all about four years old. They’re GTG.

Do note that they are a 28rd spring, not a 30.

I’ve been wondering about their long term effects in a PMag, but haven’t done any deliberate contemplation or experimentation. Anyone else?

My first M16 issued to me in Iraq (as a Police Training contractor) was an old Hydramatic A1. Came out of a pile of guns that had been captured from the Kuwaitis by the Iraqis and then recaptured by American troops. Looked like hell and shot like a dream. I fired three one hole three shot groups with it when I BZO’d it. It was later replaced by a BM M4gery that was a POS.

Oddly enough, so was I, circa 1984.

Chief