Are Colt ARs getting hard to find?

[mcb]

Same configuration doesn't mean the same rifle. The 6920 is built to correct spec using the correct materials and testing proceedures. I was issued a "just as good" Bushmaster years ago. They just flat out didn't hold up to real training use. The rifles were constantly down at training days. My rifle broke several times and went through a set of gas rings every 6 months or so. After we switched back to Colt rifles the issues went away. My 6920 is somewhere around 12 to 13 thousand rounds and has never been down.

When you use your rifle for more than range work a properly built one gives you ease of mind and a much lower chance of failure in a gunfight.

All that being said I like PSA. I have several of their rifles and just picked up one of their AKs. But if it goes down at my house I'm grabbing either my Colt or my Colt-BCM franken gun.

That is interesting but sort of misses my main point. I am not a soldier. I have zero interest or use for an AR configured like 6920. For that matter I don't have much interest in ARs chambered in 556. Most of my ARs at chambered in other cartridges. And they are configured for the activities I enjoy, hunting, practical shooting games etc. If I suddenly felt the need for an M4orgery I could build one from any number of sources for significant less cost than Colt and depending on my druthers I could build it as reliable if not more so than a 6920. There is nothing special about Colt or Mil-Spec. In the current AR market there is plenty of performance above mil spec to be had if you want to go find it. There is also much more affordable if that is your preference.

 

[fpgt72]

A friend has a Green Box AR. He finished university in Essen Germany before moving here (for the now-defunct "international aviation school" in Bolivar TN) in the 80s.

His 1985 Colt AR might be worth $1500 (?) and has seen very limited use or wear. Seldom touches it, and let me emphasize that the guy never really caught the 'gun virus'.
I doubt that he kept that original Green cardboard box which people include in many photos.

I had all the boxes for every new gun I ever bought....had. Water hose blew on the washing machine and the flood that came after turned every box, manual into a water soaked mess....REALLY pissed me off, and after I told the wife I wanted to run to town and get braided hoses for the washer and all toilets. Not that I am still bitter 25 years later or anything.

The only AR I have is a early 80's colt....at the time I think you would be hard pressed to find an AR that was not a colt...or find an AR at all.....I remember going to ranges and getting asked....is that a "real" AR....is that an "army" gun....is that a "machine gun".....people back then just never saw them.....not common at all.

I actually went out and ran a few mags through it and learned quite a bit....the old GI mags I always used are just fine.....I will say I understand all these "loading devices" I see as hand loading P-mags SUCKS A BIG BAG OF.....ROCKS. And it was kinda fun, but no real difference from other small center fire rifles....low recoil, light weight, easy to shoot, and shoot quickly....bla bla bla. I do get it.

I don't mind the rifle....it is the fan club that I just can't stand.

 

[fpgt72]

I will say that I have never had an issue with the gun, it has always shot better then I can shoot it.....it always runs even on the most bottom tier ammo, and tends to group that ammo better.....at least a few years ago when all this steel cased stuff started to become popular.....I guess that is a bit more then a few years.....

I always thought why should I sell a gun that runs, puts holes where I want them even if I can sell it (with the 5 round mags still that came with it). Thinking back on it I want to say new that gun was 1200.....1400 back in 1980...83...I don't remember....that was some money back then. And if I sell it now what do I get out of it....the same money I put in, and that is really having less buying power then it did in 1980....so why sell it, just stupid.

Nope I will keep a gun that is popular, shoots well, runs....I have thought about putting a different "upper" on it to save the barrel.....just swap the entire mess out and shoot it till it smokes, I have boxes of ammo going back to the 80's that I need to shoot up......I hand load for the bolt 223 now and those loads will not work in the mags of the AR so I need to have two different things worked up if I do work a load up for the AR.

 

[castile]

Colt will always have a premium. That is just a fact. It does not matter that some don't buy it. Just like a Colt Python holds its value and goes up over time. All the pony guns do. Colt has a name that is very historical and was there through many of Americas wars and conflicts. Same with Smith and Wesson. I know some will not want to buy a Colt but that does not mean that many others will. Prices IMO will continue to rise over time. My two Colt ARs are the last ones I would sell. I will sell my old PWA long before my Colts and my Anderson and PSAs and the first to go is my Omni with PSA upper. If Trump looses the election its going out the door as soon as prices spike.

 

[WestKentucky]

Only reason to pay a pony premium is in the hopes of another ban panic or bankruptcy ordeal which will drive prices up. Either option is terrible for the gun community and should be wished to avoid. As for the ban panic option, other names will get just as much profit if the goal is to buy now and sell then. On bankruptcy, I think the political and social moves have made the Colt brand less desirable but they have brought back the revolvers so maybe things will change. It’s not solid enough of a gamble for me to put my money into.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Never cared to look either. I’m sure they are getting hard to find as they quit selling to civilians “to focus on government contract.” Oh well, there are much better options than Colt in my opinion for an AR, so collectors can have them. I’ve bought exactly one complete AR rifle in my time, ever since it’s been buying parts and putting them together for me, and I’ve been very pleased with the results.

There is no way that I’m spending more than $700 on a Colt 6920 that’s for sure.

A quick search on gun.deals for Colt 6920 says one can get a used one for $989 and a new one with MagPul furniture for $1,399. So if your a Colt fan there you go.

While I tend to agree with most of your points, Colt makes a quality AR, including the 6920. Are they worth $1,200? Not in today's market but they are definitely worth more than a $500 S&W M&P Sport.

People told me that DPMS and Bushmaster were the same as a Colt but over the years I have found that to be untrue. The adherence to a quality standard which includes the bolt carrier group and barrel, and many of the other small parts, are what make Colt a better firearm. I've bent dust covers on Bushmasters because they were soft, tweaked the cheap charging handle on a PSA for the same reason, and had a gas port on a DPMS erode in less than 500 rounds.

The biggest reason I won't buy a new Colt today is because they don't come with a lot of the features that I want...free floated, lightweight barrels, and midlength gas systems would be a good start.

 

[mcb]

This article seems appropriate to this thread since "mil-spec" has been thrown around a fair bit.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/d...z8YUmV317YPEYi_uTnJLRoJP4K40gXJ8rc8kRtQabGnE0

 

[Ignition Override]

fpgt:
The feature I really like on the friend's 1985 Colt AR is the long sight distance, because of its 20" barrel.

The aperture sight with that distant front post is very nice, and the carry handle holding the rear sight must be extremely rugged.

 

[taliv]

i still have a new in box 6920. i have it just in case i can't get one in the future but I still believe that while there are lots of parts that are more desirable than colts mil spec, nobody does assembly better than colt and that’s worth a premium.

 

[ether]

....nobody does assembly better than colt and that’s worth a premium.

That about sums it. They've let some ugly looking stuff out the door, but their ARs just tend to work. Colt's "mil-spec" barrels and bolt groups are second to none.

 

[Bill460]

Colt is a Chevy, going at the Cadillac rate.

A Cadillac is a Chevy going at the Cadillac rate.

 

[army_eod]

FN has the military contract for the M4. Maybe look at the FN?

 

[Demi-human]

I don't mind the rifle....it is the fan club that I just can't stand.

And will take every opportunity to tell people that, full well knowing you are, in fact, talking to the fan club, and blackening every rifleman's eye at the same time...

A veritable rut I have been observing...

Just like a Colt Python holds its value and goes up over time.

The originals have lost over twenty five percent since re-introduction...

Are Colts good? Yes. Are they magic? Only in some circles...

 

[ms6852]

Had a chance to buy a Colt AR from an army buddy but passed on it. Could not get pass that they use different size pins to hold upper and lowers together. Bought a Rock River Arms instead, and glad I did, also happy with my S&W M&P15 as well.

 

[army_eod]

Like it or not the Colts set the standard for what an AR is because it is THE mil spec. At least the earlier ones were.

 

[MistWolf]

Same configuration doesn't mean the same rifle. The 6920 is built to correct spec using the correct materials and testing proceedures. I was issued a "just as good" Bushmaster years ago. They just flat out didn't hold up to real training use. The rifles were constantly down at training days. My rifle broke several times and went through a set of gas rings every 6 months or so. After we switched back to Colt rifles the issues went away. My 6920 is somewhere around 12 to 13 thousand rounds and has never been down.

When you use your rifle for more than range work a properly built one gives you ease of mind and a much lower chance of failure in a gunfight.

All that being said I like PSA. I have several of their rifles and just picked up one of their AKs. But if it goes down at my house I'm grabbing either my Colt or my Colt-BCM franken gun.

I logged on this morning to say this thread is a prime example why I don't look to this forum for informed AR discussions and you had to go and ruin the ride!

 

[Terry G]

I'll go against the flow here and say Colt, Colt, and Colt. AR -15 SP-1. I bought it in 1970, PTSD, no doubt. SP-1 Carbine. and LE6920. I don't want any others. My Son has an Armalite M-15, that one is excellent too. Colt SAA and Colt .45 Series 70. Whatever Colt's doing now. I don't care. At one time they were THE company. Sad.

 

[Gordon]

I'll go against the flow here and say Colt, Colt, and Colt. AR -15 SP-1. I bought it in 1970, PTSD, no doubt. SP-1 Carbine. and LE6920. I don't want any others. My Son has an Armalite M-15, that one is excellent too. Colt SAA and Colt .45 Series 70. Whatever Colt's doing now. I don't care. At one time they were THE company. Sad.View attachment 894057 View attachment 894058

Yeah I bought an SP1 Carbine in late 70s for $400 , it is very light , under 6 pounds and allways ran on good 55 grain ammo ! It lived in a jeep strong box for 6 years 86-92 when I went on frequent crawls tru the Sierras. When I pulled it out in 92 during a divorce it was rusted and beat up pretty well. It cleaned up well and I shot it a couple years getting back into the AR scene as a back up. My son has it now in Oregon and it still runs ! Man that was before we fiddled with buffers and ports and barrels ect! I see the SP1s (especially Carbines) are climbing in price these days

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Hard to find?? Nope----just 5 feet to the safe to find all the Colts I care to.

 

[Old Dog]

i still have a new in box 6920. i have it just in case i can't get one in the future but I still believe that while there are lots of parts that are more desirable than colts mil spec, nobody does assembly better than colt and that’s worth a premium.

Same here - I've got a 6920 in the box (Wilson-Rogers SuperStock) kept in reserve -- and yeah, the complete 6920 is still a worthy version of the M-4. It's been my work carbine in the military and in law enforcement, never done me wrong.
This Mag-Pul edition has been excellent.

 

[Charlie98]

At the Fort Worth Gun Show saturday, they were not common; not scarce, either. Just hard to see in all the black rifles afoot.

After the election in 2016, I went to the Dallas gun show... usually pretty crowded... it was a ghost town. The year or so after that, the tables were PILED with ARs and AR parts, and the AR builders and vendors were either discounting their wares, or they weren't there anymore. I remember seeing NIB AR's for $360.

As far as Colt? Who cares? Colt makes a good rifle (I have one... it has the absolute worst trigger in the safe) but they are playing games like they did in the early '90's. Fine with me... there is oodles of other options, and there is always the option to build your own.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Like it or not the Colts set the standard for what an AR is because it is THE mil spec. At least the earlier ones were.

They set the minimum standard. KAC, LMT, Larue, all offer better rifles if you want to pay a premium for it.

JP rifles set the standard for high end competition rifles.


Hell it took Colt more than a decade to get with the times and offer a 16" midlength. They were pushing out carbine length 6920s for years with carbine length gas systems because 'mil-spec'. Meanwhile, innovative companies like KAC recognized that wasn't optimal and started building rifles with their intermediate gas system. Not to mention their E3 bolts.


Colt makes a reliable carbine. But there is nothing special about it.

 

[SSN Vet]

The answer to the OP's question is yes. And that's why the prices are now absurd.... dealers with remaining inventory are taking advantage of the Colt's business decision to abandon the civilian AR sales market.

 

[Charlie98]

Colt's business decision to abandon the civilian AR sales market.

...for now. Just like with Colt revolvers.

 

[<*(((><]

...for now. Just like with Colt revolvers.

They'll start selling civilian ARs again in 20 years, but you won't be a cool kid unless you have a "vintage" Colt 6920.