Been seeing them used at the gun show here for $75. Vendor has a box full of them. Some are in better shape than others. I picked one up for $70.

Nice! About time. I need another AR like a hole in my head but think that might be a "must have".

I find it interesting they didn't mark M16A4. Colt already has a rifle roll marked AR15A4, and with the AR marking they're completely unobtainable in Kalifornia. Is not the one of many reasons Colt changed the 6920 to read M4 Carbine was so that Kalifornians could own them? Seems like a bad decision to market a rifle that is banned purely by name in a state of 37 Million+ people.

William

I can make a "truer clone" of this rifle easily, and have made several of them.  Put a M5 rail on it, Matech BUIS, and a side sling adaptor on it and it's about as close to a true A4 other than the select fire option.   Hell, anybody can make them, and probably lower priced as well.  I like Colt stuff, but in today's market, it's cheaper to build yourself in my opinion.

This is true but the resale value won't be the same, not even close, Colt's hold their value significantly when compared to a garage gun. I too have build a clone of a A4, loved it!! Also in the 6 years I was in I've never seen a MA-Tech on a M16A4, Marine Corps that is. I'm sure the Army has at one point, but the Marines always used the carry handle or an RCO. I honestly can't wait for this rifle, I hope the price isn't stupid like they've been as of lately though!!

William

I haven't seen an MSRP posted yet for this rifle - but if it's commensurate with the 6920 ($1,097 at Walmart, cheaper at some online retailers), then I think you will have a hard time building a clone with all Colt parts at that price.  

While NOS M16A2 barrels are [were] available relatively easily, an "F" marked A4 barrel is not the most common thing to find on the second hand market - nor is a matching Colt M16A4 upper (without extended feedramps).  

Also depending on service and timeframe - the carry handle, 200-600m KAC Micro, or MATECH could all be "correct" for an M16A4, and no M16A4s are supplied OEM with side sling swivels.  

If your argument is for using other brand parts... well, perhaps you could do it for less - but it's not the same parts.  You will almost certainly spend more trying to piece together FNMI parts, and I believe the number of FNMI lowers available on the civilian side are somewhere in the order of seventeen.

~Augee

THe upper I have has a bayo lug.

It is a flat top, the carry handle also interfaces with the upper differently than the current flattops.

FN Manufacturing, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on Dec. 21, 2007, a $33,670,649.00 firm-fixed-price, contract for M16A3 and M16A4 Rifles to support the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Columbia, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sep. 10, 2007, and nine bids were received. TACOM LCMC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-D-0121).

http://www.militaryindustrialcomplex.com/contract_detail.asp?contract_id=3452


Colt Defense, Hartford, Conn., was awarded on Dec. 21, 2007, a $ 15,925,000.00 firm-fixed-price contract for M16A3 and M16A4 Rifles to support the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Hartford, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 13, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sep. 10, 2007, and nine bids were received. TACOM LCMC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-D-0122).

http://www.militaryindustrialcomplex.com/contract_detail.asp?contract_id=3454

While the majority are FN, I've seen probably somewhere around 30-40 Colt A4's while I was in. Quality wise they were identical, except for an FN that had to be adjusted something like 20-25 clicks to make 500 meter hits. The barrel was like a f@#king banana!!

Except for the roll mark it looks exactly like my PSA 20" with FN-made government profile, chrome-lined barrel which I got for around $900.  Sorry, not that impressed.

Why do you want the heavy bbl.? On advice from several, I am tending to the light bbl. of the 6720 over the heavier 6920 for an M-4.

May I ask your thoughts about this? TIA

I hope they fix that AR-15A4 font. Looks like Superior Arms font, sorta low brow for a Colt. I have an A2 Colt and a Clyde's Armory 6920 A4 Colt and both of mine have the normal military style font. Maybe it's a tool room gun?

Do I need to worry about the lack of an M-4 feed ramp on my 12 yr. old Bushmaster Dissipator ? If I should have one where and how would I get it? Need a new bbl.?

Yes.  I would send that upper to ADCO immediately and don't even try to sleep until you get it back and shoot at least 1K rounds through it to make sure it functions properly.

It's about time...

Nice, I like it.

Hi -

I thought I replied to you last night but I don't see it. Can I ask why you want the heavy bbl.? On the advice of several,  I have been trying to get a lighter LE 6720 instead of an LE 6920. Would you enlighten me? TIA

No, it's no big deal. It's not something extra that you buy and put it, it's the feed ramps that are cut into the barrel extension. On extended M4 type feed ramps, they are steeper and the bottoms of the ramps are cut into the lower receiver itself. It's possibly an absolutely useless upgrade.

Incorrect. Feed ramps have nothing to do with the lower receiver.

M4 feed ramps are designed to feed rounds easier. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But for a ground-up build, I would prefer M4 feed ramps.

No, you don't need to worry.

Does this come with the Gov't profile barrel?

Yes...

Good on Colt for finally getting into the 20" A4 game.....
Its certainly a quality option for those who want and off the shelf rifle and if your the finicky buy and sell AR owner I'd guess it would retain a 20% premium over a Franken A4 build.

That said both Bushmaster and PSA have had great govt profile uppers available in the last few years.

I picked up one of the PSA FN barreled A4 uppers a year ago to complete a lower I had from 08. Total cost for the rifle with a Like new KAC M5 with panels,VFG and a Colt carry handle was a shade under $750.

Your looking at at least $250 more just to get a pony roll mark and then 70-150 for the rail.

Wrap that bad boy up, one time.   I gotta A quad clone now based on a Spikes lower, and Sabre A4 upper.  Totally kool piece, but the all Pony version will have extra drool factor as standard equipment !  

Here's an A4 clone I had made up several years ago. Colt MT 6700, I installed an new Colt A2 barrel assembly, had ADCO install an F marked FSB.

I want one!  For what it's worth I've had both Colt and FN M16A4's.  I had the Colt in SOI and FN in the fleet.

Same here, and now I can use one of my spare lowers for a stealth build.. This makes me happy, I loved my A4.

My A4 was a FN, and all of the A2's I had were also FN's

If this were released at shot show 02 Id care.

I don't get it. An A3 with an A1 stock is an A4? My head wants to explode.

I agree....I have owned 3 Bushmasters and they were great rifles. I made the mistake of selling/trading them at various times. I have a KAC M5 RAS for this one and will not let it go this time.

I had a Bushmaster 20inch  rifle  I sold when I moved to FL.

I regret it to this day. with a scope 3.5-10 and prone it would shoot  clover size group with 69gr smk

It also ran just as good as my colt or LMT`S carbines

The big question is will Colt sell it at a competitive price. They don't seem to have a history of competitive pricing.

Immediately before the panic, Colt's prices were probably the best (taking into account inflation) that they have ever been.  Their MSRP for a stock 6920 was around $1,150, while such obscure retail outlets such as Walmart were (and are) selling them for $1,097.  If you spent some time looking online, you could find them cheaper, too.  

Though Gunbroker and EE have gone nuts, there has not yet been any indication (not even a 2013 price increase) that I have heard of that they are raising their MSRP (distributor price), nor does there seem to be any reason to believe that the A4 model will MSRP any higher than the 6920.  

~Augee

+1. really want adjustable stock too.

Any word on what the model number will be?

~Augee

I don't get it either , I'd  rather keep my SP and it was cheaper.

maybe something like AR6700, SP6700 or LE6700

6700 is already the model number for the MATCH TARGET COMPETITION HBAR II with a 20" 1/9 HBAR.  

6720 would be a good candidate, except that's the AR-15A4 LIGHTWEIGHT LE CARBINE, which is a 6920 with a 16" lightweight 1/7 barrel.  

"6920" and "6921" are derived from adding a "6" to "920" and "621" respectively, the model numbers for the military version, but the M16A4 is the RO945, but 6945 is already the model number for the 10.3" monolithic carbine - plus, the 694x series seems to be reserved for the monolithic upper types.  

The commercial model number for the M16A4 is RO901 for the S-1-F FCG model, and RO905 for the S-1-3 model, making 6901 as well as 6905 possibilities, considering the 6933 - the semi-auto model number for the commercial RO933 11.5" carbine, but is far from guaranteed.  

Some have claimed that the semi-auto model is somehow derived from the "series" number of the select-fire models, with the "7xx" series designating M16A2 derived carbines with fixed carry handles and the "9xx" series denoting M4 based systems - but that fails to explain the 6721, 6700, or even the 6520.  

Not to mention, Colt has designated the select-fire variant of the 6940 to be the RO923, which is not consistent with that model numbering convention either, nor the 6940P versus PO923.  

So, there's not any real consistency in Colt's selection of model numbers so far - plus, Colt seems to have started preferring the addition of suffixes to their model numbers to describe new models, though most of them are arguably cosmetic furniture modifications rather than configuration modifications like the 6920MOE and 6720CAR models.  Nevertheless - why is the 6720CAR not the 6933CAR if it uses the 11.5" barrel?  The 6920SOCOM is odd in and that per their normal convention, the 6920 should have been the 6920HB, the 6920SOCOM, when stripped of furniture is an identical configuration to the 6920HBs commissioned by SAW in 2003, minus the M203 flats under the handguards - plus, this is the convention that they adopted for the RO921HB.  

Perhaps in that case, they might stick with the similar "6700" designation, but add a modifying suffix, like "6700USMC."  In which case - what someone else has already suggested - maybe like the 6920SOCOM II, there will be a limited edition "6700USMC II" with the KAC 200-600m Micro rear sight and M5 RAS?  

While it may not be a big deal, I am quite interested to see what direction Colt goes with the model numbering on this model, since they seem to have no real consistency in how they number their commercial models, and/or they appear to have "used up" the appropriate ones that would be consistent, and will now need to figure out a new model number.  To be honest - I wouldn't be surprised if the reason the model number hadn't been released yet is because they're still trying to figure out what the hell it should be.    

Anyways - I may be the only one in the world interested in this question, but I'm still eager to find out!  

~Augee

yup I was thinking about the MT6700 when I posted the reply above.
maybe they'll just change the prefix since is the "closest" thing to the AR15A4 in production for the civilian market.

but it would be tacticool if they use the AR15A4 name saw at the Shot Show or something with the USMC suffix

a quick look at sports south's website and gun genie show the model number as (edited:) ar15a4 - sports south shows this as a 20" barrel with 30 round mag and gun genie actually calls it AR15A4 with 20" barrel, 30 round mag and removable carry handle. SS say SSPR is ~$1500 and GG says MSRP is ~$1200.

ETA: the model changed: http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=AR15A4&index=3&mfg=Colt&mdl=AR15&cat=2&type=Rifle&cal=All&fin=&sit=&pid=&inv=

Some interesting items based on Colt's MFG 2013 Catalog, now posted on their webpage:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRifles.aspx

The "AR15A4" is still listed without a "model number," just as "AR15A4."  

Also listed, however, is the "AR15A4MP-FDE," featuring a Troy Medieval MB, a MOE rifle lenfth HG, MagPul K Grip, and MOE fixed stock.  Interestingly, though, the mockup photo shows a Norgon ambidextrous magazine catch, though the "features" list does not mention it.  

The AR15A4s are clearly still mockups, though, as they are pictured with "M4 CARBINE" marked 6920 lower receivers.  

The LE6920 is shown with an MBUS rather than the standard detachable carry handle.  

As a matter of fact - only the AR15A4 is pictured with a detachable carry handle, every other flattop model, save for the LE6920SOCOM is shown with an MBUS, while the SOCOM retains the MATECH.

Every model, again, minus the SOCOM is shown with a MagPul MOE M2 PMag as well (USGI for SOCOM model).  Every new model also appears to have an ambidextrous safety selector.  

Interesting distributors' exclusives:

LE6920MPFDE-R:

Flat Dark Earth Anodized Upper and Lower Receivers
FDE Troy® Rail, FDE Magpul® Furniture
16.1” 1-7” Twist Chrome Lined Barrel
Exclusive through Sports South

LE6920SOCOMV1

Knights Armament® Rail System
ACE SOCOM Stock
14.5” 1-7” Twist Chrome Lined Heavy Barrel with
Pinned and Welded Vortex® Flash Hider
Exclusive through RSR Group

~Augee

DO WANT

here's the link to ss' listing: http://www.internetguncatalog.com/Default.aspx?tabid=179

This will be a good surprise for you guys but my local dealer's distributor list of this A4 rifle is model number "AR15A4" and like what I posted on page 2 of this thread they are listed at:

MSRP of $1,270 (sale price of $1,225.99 that's without any dealer gouging or panic buying price, probably lower than that from DSG Arms TX).

Here are some info from the distributor's list, quote:

Mfg: Colt
Item #: AR15A4
Model: AR15A4
Type: Rifle
Caliber: .223
Finish: Matte Black

Additional Specifications

Action: Semi-Automatic
Capacity: 30+1
Receiver: Black Matte Anodized Flat Top
Sights: FT: Adjustable Post RR: Adjustable A2
Barrel Length: 20"
Muzzlebrake: Bird Cage Flash Hider
# of Mags: 1
Additional Features 1: Removeable Carry Handle
Additional Features 2: 1-7 Gov't Profile Barrel

In comparison the new model carbine with the 5.5" pined & welded CAR style flash hider, flat top, Magpul MBUS rear sight, "Commando" roll mark, 4-position telescoping Colt Defense-Rogers Super-Stoc, model number "AR6720LECAR" with a MSRP of $1,468.

All other common models are listed as AR6720, AR6721, LE6920, LE6940, LE6920MP-B, LE6920SOCOM, and the new entry level model LE6900.

HTH

Colt Sporter III ?

After using 14.5's so long that thing looks HUGE

If "AR15A4" ends up staying the model number... well, all I can really say to that is "WEAK!"

Colt can't even figure out their own model numbers so they're just giving up, huh?  

~Augee

The word Sporter is another name banned in some states.

The Sporter III would be unofficially the R6551 Sporter Target model ('91 to around '94), then that model was replaced by the Match Target series MT6551 Match Target Rifle (not a Sporter anymore) during the beginning of the AWB, then it was discontinued.

Colt Sporter IV maybe.

From the 2013 sneak peek vid that I posted at the Colt Industry forum I remember the Colt Rep said the AR15A4 model is a 50th anniversary of their first contract with the Air Force.

Maybe it's just a limited run just for this year only so they didn't bother to assign a conventional model number.

AR-15 is also banned in several states (mine). Too bad, I'd love to have one of these.