Colt Match AR..?

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Came across an ad for a Colt AR that is described as a Match rifle. It's said to be from the mid-90's.
Was this a "thing" and are they worth more than the many current versions of AR's that we have available?
 
Rifles like the Colt MT6601 come to mind. You will see them billed as a Colt HBAR where HBAR is Heavy BARrel. They are COLT MFG CO INC Match Target HBAR Rifles and there is no real factory magic to them, they are excellent AR type rifles. The early guns were often refereed to also as Pre Ban and had a bayonet lug before Clinton's so called AWB (Assault Weapons Ban). Their value likely lies more in their nostalgia than shooting ability. The older Colt SP1 rifles with original triangular hand guards of 70s vintage actually command a higher premium as long as they have the original parts. The term "Match Rifle" likely gets bounced around more than it should but the old HBAR guns were real nice rifles. I just wouldn't use the term as a selling point if I were trying to sell you one.The Colt Match Target like the MT6530 (I think) is another popular rifle and in the ones I mention the MT in the product number is Match Target.

Ron
 
They had a transition period back then where they introduced blind pinned blocks in the receivers so DIAS couldn’t work, cut the bottom off the BC, even changed the pin diameter for the trigger group and goofy upper/lower pins.

That’s was the start of Colt shooting themselves in the foot, so to speak.
 
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That blind pinned block was a giant pain to remove. Somewhere I still have one of those offset front pins.

They also removed the front pin detent and replaced the push out pin with one that had a screw head. Because the detent pin hole isn’t drilled you can’t just replace it with a normal pin.
 
I have an early '90's big pin H-Bar, its a decent rifle for what its worth, but... honestly... it has the worst trigger in the safe, and this on a 'target' rifle. OP, make sure what you are buying... I would not buy a big pin, let alone a receiver with a block.

FWIW, Pre-ban H-Bars are actually in demand in states that still adhere to AWB laws... I've considered selling mine off as such, but it would cost as much or more to replace it, so it stays.
 
I have a “Match Target HBAR” that is think was put together to get around the “name and features” ban of the AR-15 in the 1990s. This was sold with no flash hider or bayonet lug... but it operated like every other AR. I swapped uppers for a M4 profile and kept the lower all Colt.

I also had a “Colt Accurized Rifle” that was a flat top 24” stainless barrelled gun with a free-float aluminum handguard, 2 sling swivel studs and a weighted A2 stock. This gun was really accurate with Federal Match ammo. I sold this gun ages ago to pay my airfare for a trip to Europe.

Stay safe.
 
Thanks for all the input Gents. :thumbup:
My interest in it was slight but I was curious... o_O

I didn’t mean to come off disparaging just pointing out they are different.

They started out in the late 80’s early 90’s. I have a “transition” gun that has the bayonet lug cut off and auto sear block but not the .315/.169 pins.

It’s not that big of a deal because I don’t own a lightning link or DIAS and if I did, I’d use it in one of my other AR’s anyway. It is a very accurate rifle.

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BeIng “mid 90’s” the one you are taking about will be a large pin for sure but there are folks that sell triggers just for them as well as conversion pins to use .250 uppers on the receiver.

I think colt quit making the oddballs in 2009 because no one else jumped on the wagon with them.

That said, I think I only have one AR that could mount a milspec bayonet on and it’s a .22lr.
 
Geissele makes a big pin drop in trigger, if I was ever going to get serious about shooting mine, I spend the loot.

Mine has a ground off bayonet lug, so it's safe... thank goodness.
 
Also to note..between late 80s early 90s, is the name change on colts lower receivers from...
Colts Firearms Division to Colts Manufacturing Division

I have a pre-ban A2 HBAR Sporter/slick side with front big pin/screw and 5/8" longer stock
And Colt Firearms Division lower.
 
I bought mine new in the box back then....no lug and came with 2 5 round mags. They had a few different names, Colt Sporter was another I think. They are interesting, I have not looked at mine in a while but want to say it is marked 223, and 5.56 in several places.

A few years ago a friend tried to talk me into selling it saying they go for more cash in the restrictive states....no I will keep it, it works just fine.
 
The guy is asking 925$,which seemed high, so it got me wondering what was so special about this version.
I don't live in a restrictive state so it's, so far, not an issue.
I'd like an A2 version sometime but they seem to be available for less... o_O
 
I'd like an A2 version sometime but they seem to be available for less... o_O
Then I would consider the less.
I see the Colt SP 1 versions going for as much as $1,500 and as low as $1,200 give or take. It's a matter of what someone wants to pay or is willing to pay for any given gun on any given day. This also depends on why the prospective buyer may want the gun? There is no shortage of AR rifles out there which will shoot just as well or better for a lesser price if the buyer just wants an AR type rifle. Now if the buyer simply wants an earlier Colt AR then maybe, depending on depth of pocket book they would pay a grand for the rifle.

Ron
 
The guy is asking 925$,which seemed high, so it got me wondering what was so special about this version.
I don't live in a restrictive state so it's, so far, not an issue.
I'd like an A2 version sometime but they seem to be available for less... o_O

AR prices are all over the board. Much of it is because people bought AR's during the Obama Scare, at much inflated prices... now they are trying to get rid of them in a flooded market. There is also the issue of the Colt name, which seems to make people think it's gold plated and crusted with diamonds because, well, it says Colt right there. Colt builds pretty good rifles, but IMHO they are not All That and a bag of chips... that is from my personal experience, mind you. You are correct, there are equal or better rifles for the same or less cost... you just have to be patient and picky. The seller might also be trying to cash in on the pre-ban waiver his rifle has.

A2's are a mixed bag. When I bought mine, that's all there was. About a year later, Colt released the A3 Convertible... a flattop with a removable A2 carry handle. I would much rather have had that than the fixed A2, but it is what it is. Now that retro is all in, you are seeing more interest A1 and A2 variants, and there may be some requirement with sights for competition, which the A2 would qualify for (I'm not hip on all the rules for competition, I'm just guessing.)
 
I'll admit to a touch of that "nostalgia" being part of my interest.
I do enjoy shooting my M4gery but the A1 was what I had shot as a "Coastie" when they wanted all boat crew members to be qualified.
 
That's the same reason I bought my Colt A2... although in the Army I was always issued A1's, and they certainly were not H-bars. Good thing was... I didn't have to look at the owners manual to see how to break it down! Mine is still bone stock, except for a Magpul grip. I even still have the round A2 handguards.
 
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