What's the current consensus on Colt's QC?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

While I was out of the country earlier this year, I ordered a Colt 6933. The stamp came back two weeks ago, and I picked up the rifle from my LGS.

I am under the impression that Colt is not known for producing pretty rifles (e.g. scratches on receivers, dings, etc.), and I’m cool with that. However, it looks like an amateur installed the flash hider, and marred the barrel.

Yes, I should have inspected the rifle when it was first delivered to the LGS.

No, I don’t really care about the physical appearance of the rifle.

I just want to know if this is ‘normal’ for a NIB Colt.

2

“Normal”—no. Unheard of—No.

3

I have a few different Colts and have never had anything to the extent of yours. That just sucks. Sorry to hear that.

4

I wonder if the person that assembled that FH would be OK if the person in charge of bolting the brake calipers on their car took the same amount of care.

5

Looks to me like it was damaged after the install.

6

First of all, that is unacceptable. I wouldn’t be ok with a NIB pony that arrived in the above-depicted shape. Secondly, in my experience, Colt’s QC has been excellent. Ive read the anecdotal reports of marred receivers and other cosmetic issues. Perhaps ive just been lucky, but my Colt gear has come in looking every bit as good as anything ive gotten from anyone else (bcm). In fact, I just received a Colt 6921 upper that really impressed me. All the little things were done right (I came really close to picking up the BCM equivalent, but after inspecting the 6921, im really glad I went with the Colt). I don’t know if Colt will take care of something like this or not, but I hope you get it sorted out. I would be very disappointed. You are right…shoulda done a thorough inspection before taking possession.

7

They were just trying to stake the flash hider and crush washer to keep it from coming loose!

…looks like it may have been a slip by but that should have been caught. It doesn’t appear that it would cause you any issues though.

8

I had a recent dealing with Colt customer service. Shoot them an e-mail with the pic, for me they were nothing short of excellent.

9

Plouffe daddy hit the nail on the head. But Tzed, I totally agree with you. It’s a gesture, for sure.

10

I’ve seen a Barrel Nut that was put on Hand-Tight from the factory, on a New 6920.

Handled a 6920 at the LGS the other day and the Safety Selector Switch was in a bind and wouldn’t move freely.

I’ve noticed a very sloppy fit between the Upper/Lower on several different Colts.

11

First post…I spent about a year reading everything I could here so I could make the best decision possible on my first AR(Been a bolt guy up until now). I decided I was going to go with Colt, though I came close to buying a BCM complete upper on Black Friday thinking I’d just put one together with a complete BCM lower from Rainier since they’re in my backyard. One of the guys I work with knew I wanted a Colt and one Friday night he heard a Surplus Ammo radio ad saying they had 2 6920 M4 2013 configs NIB lower than anything I’d seen local, or online, as part of their Christmas special. I was there the next day when they opened to pick one up. I looked over both Colts and I did not see anything that concerned me and I took one home. Had the wife with me, and I got her to agree that would be my Christmas present!

I completely disassembled the carbine as Iraqgunz recomended in the sticky on inspections for the M4 in the Tech Discussion. I found no problems, no flaws, the fit was tight, and everything worked as it should. I cleaned all the parts and lubed it up and reassembled it. The only thing i saw on the entire carbine was what looked like some hot glue dropped on the lower half of the handguard in 2 small spots up front by the sling swivel under the front sight base. It looks like I could probably chip it off but I haven’t yet. The two flats on my flash-hider are unmarred. That’s my 1-gun Colt QC story for the OP; So in my case, your damage is not “normal”. In my business rounding off fastener flats is not cool, and I’m certain Colt doesn’t think so either.

This is a great time to thank everyone here that helped me. What a great site! Now I have a million questions about ammo, slings, optics, and more.

12

I have older Colts (1977 SP1, 1993 MH6601, 2008 LE6920) and I have a newer Colt (2013 LE6920). I am more impressed with the Colts of old than I am with the newer Colts. I have home builds that have better fit and finish than some of these newer Colts and they shoot every bit as well. I will say this, I haven ever had an issue with any complete AR I have ever bought, be it from Colt, BCM, DPMS, KAC, LMT, Del-Ton, or PSA, but there is a quality difference between my older LE6920 and the newer one.

13

I picked up a Colt 6920 SOCOM two months ago. I have yet to shoot this one, but I haven’t noted any QC issues with the rifle. It seems on par with my other Colts.

14

I’ve only owned Bushies & Colts and have been lucky as well as they have all been spot-on. I was a Marine Armorer and handled thousands of Colts from 1981-2001. Overall, the defect/problem rate was miniscule. I just picked up another 6920 for $856 and can’t even find a scratch.

15

I’ve never had any problems with their QC or CS for that matter. My problem has always been with their management. Where are the revolvers? Where are the new designs? It’s about time to bring some “new” stuff to the table!!!:sad:

16

scooter22, I tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full.

17

My 6920 I bought a couple months ago had the front sight noticeably canted to the left. The rear sight was also drifted pretty far to the left (out of the factory) to accommodate for the cant. When I discovered the next day after I took it home, my dealer was great and swapped another 6920 upper for me. This new upper has a slightly right cant to it, but it’s very negligible. It’s still a shooter and functions 100%.

18

Hm. This is kind of making me want to swap out the upper. I’ll see what the dealer says first.

Yes, I know the M4C protocol on dealing with QC/CS issues.

Cleared! Try again, please.

19

This is correct, almost like it was dropped off a bench or rammed against the side of machinery.

20

I would contact Colt and have them make it right.