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USGI Colt Carbine parts variation guide Edition IV (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 9/21/2006 1:47:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Ekie][Edited]
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Am excluding the GUU series, while largely made of Colt parts they are not a factory item. Will add the MK18 MOD 0 later on. Uppers: 607 USGI GX5857 Colt Model 607, these carbine are US PROP marked found in the 14,500-14,916 serial number range, and roll marked GX5857. These were made up as part of the 1965 S.A.W.S. contract (photo by Tokoi):  609 USGI M177E1/CAR-15/Commando, these carbine are US PROP marked found in the 900,000-909,999 serial number range, and roll marked COMMANDO. First deliveries occured in Nov of 1966, and issue in Vietnam was completed by March of 1967: NO PIC 610 US Air Force GAU-5/A/CAR-15/Commando, these carbine are US PROP marked found in the 900,000-909,999 serial number range, and roll marked GAU-5/A. First deliveries occured in Nov of 1966, and production was completed by the Spring of 1967:  629 USGI XM177E2, commonly referred to as a “CAR-15” or “Commando” 1967-1970, these carbine are US PROP marked found in the 900,000-909,999 serial number range, and roll marked XM177E2. After US military production ceased in 1970 Colt continued to manufacture an export version of this Carbine as the Model 639:  649 US Air Force GAU-5/A/A, commonly referred to as a “CAR-15” or “Commando” 1967-1970, these carbine are US PROP marked found in the 900,000-909,999 serial number range, and roll marked GAU-5/A/A. GAU-5/A/A Carbines, or an export version with SINGLEPOINT optics were used in the Son Tay raid:  653 Commonly referred to as a M16A1 Carbine, slang as "CAR-15", nine million serial number range, 1971-1984?:  723 Commonly referred to as a M16A2 Carbine, slang as "CAR-15", 8 million serial number range, 1984-?:  723 with A2 profile barrel and M203 cut Commonly referred to as a M16A2 Carbine, slang as "CAR-15" or "M4", 8 million serial number range, 1987-?:  727 Commonly referred to as a M16A2 Carbine, slang as a "CAR-15" or "M4", 8 million serial number range, 1988-1993:  733 Commonly referred to as a "Commando", 8 million serial number range 1984-1993?:  920 USGI M4 Carbine, W serial number prefix, US PROP marked, 1994-current:  921 USGI M4A1 Carbine, W serial number prefix, US PROP marked, 1994-current: 921HB USGI M4A1 Carbine with heavy barrel, W prefix serial number, US PROP marked, deliveries beginning as early as January of 2001, to current: 933 Commonly referred to as a “Commando”, A serial number prefix 1992-current (might pull this one, not sure they were ever issued):  Parts guide: Keep in mind that Colt used up quite a supply of 600 series parts on early 700 series Carbines. For example, just because a 723 should have a delta handguard ring don't mean that it will, because quite a few were sent out from the factory with the older slip ring. 3.5” 607 moderator (photo by Ordnance):  4.5” moderator used on the 607/GAU-5/A/GAU-5/A/A/XM177E1/E2 (Total Silence reproduction):  When the “grenade ring” is installed correctly it covers the lock washer (GAU-5/A/A and XM177E2 only):  Bird cage flash suppressor used on the 653:  A2 flash suppressor used on the 700 and 900 series:  Early lock washer on left, as used on the 600 series. Middle is the A2 peel washers used to time the A2 flash suppressor to TDC on the 700 series, and early M4/A1’s. Right is the current crush washer used on the M4/A1 starting in 2000:  M VP marking found on the 607 (photo by Ordnance):  GAU-5/A/XM177E1 barrel marked MP on right side of the barrel (photo by ranchhand):  We only have one GAU-5/A/XM177E1 example and it has the following numbers stamped on it (photos by ranchhand):   GAU-5/A/A/XM177E2 barrel marked C MP C. C meaning Colt, M meaning Magnetic particle inspected, P standing for Proofed, and the C marking indicates a chrome chamber.  Early 653 barrels were marked C MP B, the B meaning chrome Bore, and they were 1/12.:  Starting in 1974 653 chrome bores were marked C MP CHROME BORE. This marking was also used on early 1/7 twist 723's barrels:  Early on 723 barrel markings were changed from that used on the prior 653. The C MP marking means the same as before. The NATO 1/7 specifies the rifle is designed for NATO standard ammo rather then M193 as used with the 653:  733 barrel markings, the CB meaning Chrome Bore:  727 barrels have the same codes as M16A2 barrels, but are in two rows, and the C is in parenthesis (Note that some 723's use this same marking):  M4/A1 barrels are marked similar to 727 barrels:  Starting as early as 1989 a single or two digit code by the front sight base is used, this one marked 56. Not sure of the meaning, maybe a lot code?  Early 727 barrels, as in 1988 had a star stamped near the chamber, meaning unkown:  As early as 1989 an O is stamped by the chamber (some look like C’s) were the star was previously, indicating a chromed chamber/bore:  Starting in 95 a date code is stamped by the front sight base all though barrels can be found with dates as early as 02/95 production continued well into 1995 with some barrels being dated and other not. First two digits is the month, second two digit number is the year, this one 03/02:  This one 11/00:  Beginning in the late 90’s a paint mark is added in front and under the barrel nut, not sure of it’s meaning (note that the barrel nut is improperly installed, seen quite a few like this since 1998, they don't work very well):  Original front sight base forging was machined to remove forging flash:  From 1971 on front sight forging was no longer machined to remove flash:  Original front sight base had no forge code:  The .625" "C and Bell" front sight base was used on Colt Carbines from 1971 until the late 1980's (653 pictured):  Late 1980’s “C and Bell” FSB on a 727:  "Crown" front sight base was used on some 700 series Colt Carbines in the Mid 1980's, this one on a early 723 barrel (photo by YardDogOne):  “BFI” in diamond FSB are commonly found on mid to late 1980’s Carbines:  Front sight bases coded with a letter the a R1 in circle and number were common in the late 1980’s onto the mid 1990’s:  Typical gibberish front sight forge code, such codes have been used since the late 1980's:  The M4/A1 front sight base is similar to earlier front sight bases, except that the platform the sight post screws into is higher, these are marked with an F on the left side, and use a standard A2 front sight post. The "F" front sight base went into production in 1995. At least one large 1995 batch of flat top M4A1 Carbines were issued that did not have F front sight bases and used standard A2 front sight post.  607 front cap was the same as used on rifles:  Standard handguard cap:  Handguard cap with M203 clearance cuts. Pictured is a early variation on a 727:  Regular production handguard cap with M203 clearance cuts. These were used on later 723 Carbines, and on the 727 and M4 series.  Original front pivot pin lug was black counter bored:  Starting in 1970 front pivot pin lugs were gray and not counter bored:  GAU-5/A/GAU-5/A/A non-forward assist upper did not have a forge code:  Forward assist upper used on the 607/XM177E1/E2 did not have a forge code:  Forward assist upper used on the 653 typically had a CH forge code:  The 723 and 733 upper incorporated a cartridge deflector:  727 upper was the same as used on the M16A2 with the addition of extended feeding ramps:  M4/A1 Carbine and the 933 ( 920/921/921HB/933) utilize a flat top upper:  Soon after working on carbine versions of the M16A2 Colt found that M855 fed low due to various reasons. To maintain reliable feeding the feeding ramps in the barrel extension were lowered into the upper receiver. Left, M4 feed ramp used on the M4/M4A1. Middle, extended 700 series Carbine feed ramps. These are shallower then the feed ramps used on the M4/M4A1, date app 1988-1992, are commonly found on 727 and 733 Carbines/Commandos, some later ones are even stamped "4". Right, standard rifle feed ramps. These feed ramps were used on 600 series Carbines, and can be found on 700 series Carbines as late as 1990:  Extended 700 series Carbine feed ramps cut into upper:  M4/A1 feed ramps cut into receiver:  Extended 700 series Carbine feed ramps, note the chrome on the inside of this 1988 727 barrel extension:  M4/A1 feed ramps, note extension marked “4”  GAU-5/A/GAU-5/A/A /607/XM177E1/E2 front swivel was attached via a roll pin:  1970 and on Colt Carbines had riveted front swivels (save the M4/A1):  Early M4/A1 swivel was a pinned on type developed for use with the M16 series and the M203. It was reversible so it could be used on both .625" and .750" barrels:  Late M4/A1 swivel, same as before but now .750" only, used in 2000 and on production:  GAU-5/A /607/653/XM177E1 used a standard slip ring:  The GAU-5/A/A/XM177E2 , Colt 700 series, and later used a tapered delta ring:  Top barrel is standard profile as used on the M4 and early M4A1. Lower barrel is the 4 oz heavier barrel used on M4A1's, or Colt Model 921HB as early as January of 2001:  The forward M203 cut out on 700 series Carbine and the M4/A1 are a bit different. The angle slopping into the cut out is sharper 700 series Carbines. Model 727 on top, and M4/A1 on bottom:  607 handguards, note the rear handguard cap (photo by Ordnance):  Handguards, 600 and 700 series on left (excluding the 607), early M4/A1 in the middle, and late M4/A1 on the right. Early M4/A1 handguards are double heat shield, and late (1999 on) M4/A1 handguards have glued in double heatshields and are more matte.   Front sight post used on the 600 series Carbines was the same as that used on the M16A1 except it is about .040" taller:  Front sight post used on 700 series Carbines are the same as that used on the M16A2, save it is about .040" taller:  Front sight post used on the M4/A1 is that same as that used on the M16A2:  600 and 700 series Colt Carbine buffer on the left. On the right the "H" buffer used on the M4/A1 (note the flats on the sides of the "H" buffer). There are more variations of the buffers, will add them once I get ahold of some examples:  The "H" buffer's pad is pinned on. Early 600 series also had a pinned on pad (not pictured):  600 and 700 series Colt Carbine 2 position receiver extension on bottom, M4/A1 four position receiver extension at top:  600 and 700 series Colt Carbine castle nut on left, M4/A1 castle nut on right:  607 buttstock (photos by unkown)   607 buttstock details (photos by Ordnance):    Top GAU-5/A/XM177E1 buttstock, it is the same as the bottom standard 600 series aluminum Colt buttstock, but lacked the coating (photo by Ordnance):  Top, standard 600 series aluminum Colt Carbine buttstock, used from about 1967 until the mid 1980's. Middle, buttstock used from the mid 1980's up through 2002. Bottom, modern Colt buttstock used since 2002:  Typical Colt aluminum raised markings (photo by Ordnance):  Buttstock pictured in the middle are typically marked with a raised "N":  |
The nut is on past TDC. One tooth is in contact with the gas tube, and there is a gap on the other side. The tube on this carbine would bind with the gas key on the carrier. The bind was sever enough to cause malfunctions. Have observed an alarming percentage of Colt's with improperly installed barrel nuts going back to 1998. |
Ahh...I see. Thanks for the info. Great pics BTW. |
Better to have and not need than need and not have
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Got the XM177E2 upper as a mutt. Got it on trade for a spare 653 upper and some cash. It had a home done riveted front swivel, a late CH upper, etc, but did have an original grenade ring. I restored it with 1968 era parts, save the upper receiver which is a CK forge code upper circa 1971. Am hoping to find a correct upper for it one of these days. The 653, 723, and 733 uppers are factory originals I found on WTS ads on Buddy's and the EE. I have the receipt for the 727 upper, it was purchased factory direct by some Navy War something or the other as a upper and barrel in 1989 or so, and completed with some parts they must have had on hand. It was purchased from that guy with the ACR parts on Buddy's board. I restored it with take off parts from a 733 from the same era. Colt M4 uppers are common, no explanation needed there. The 933 upper is a 1995 or so 6721 upper with a 733 barrel swap. Also replaced the bolt carrier. The feed ramps don't mate up quite right in that the 6721 had modern M4 ramps, but it is close. |
| The 733 is still being produced, in its current iteration with the 4th gen "enhanced" stock and A2 rear sights. From what I've seen it, like other early 700 series had a number of transitional variations. We've talked about this, so are these just what you're considering the "standard" configurations? |
"Standard", maybe, but do consider them to be the following:
Even though the 733 is a cataloged item, am unaware of any recent US Military use. |
Am missing the first Colt sling, so am waiting to find one of those.
Have not really got started on grips, so not sure, but I would not be afraid to use one on a clone. |
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Question - I thought 723's had lightweight profile barrels?? ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=279416 |
Which is why I duct-tape my AR to my body every night before I go to sleep. - DK-Prof
Some do, there is a picture of the barrel marking of a pencil barreled 723 in the guide. Sorry that was not clear. |
I've seen pictures of 11.5" carbines that I believe are 733s with the pencil barrels. What I've always wanted to know is if the current production uses gov't profile ones. |
What about this is 'improperly installed"? ...........and the 'paint mark' survives to this day. |
"You can achieve just about anything, if you don't care who gets the credit for it" - Ronald Reagan
The nut is on past TDC. One tooth is in contact with the gas tube, and there is a gap on the other side. The tube on this carbine would bind with the gas key on the carrier. The bind was sever enough to cause malfunctions. |
A friend encountered this on his M16. The gas tube was improperly aligned to the gas key. We removed the handguard and slightly bend the gas tube and dropped the bolt/bolt carrier until we didn't encounter binding between the gas key and tube. |
But a 601 clone was born because of it so...
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Good thread. I was issued a CAR-15 (653) when I got to my unit in 86. Later that year we switched over to M16A2s, but those that were issued carbines kept the A1s because the A2 carbines were not available. We got the 753 with the M203 stepoff a few months later in early 87. They were still referred to as CAR-15, at least informally. During the transition, while the majority of the battalion had M16A2s, we were issued the new ammo. When we would zero the older carbines at 25m, they could not stabalize the ammo and it was common to see a hole in the target that looked like a sideways profile of the bullet. I am glad I did not have to use that combination of rifle/cartridge in combat. RTLW 1/75 86-89. |
Great info. That should have been a 727's you guys got in 87, with A2 rear sights. Did you just get new uppers, or new complete Carbines? |
Definatly not 727's. I remember thinking it should have had the A2 sights. I have a picture of myself in Jordan in 89 and I am carrying a CAR-15, but I dont know how much detail is in the pic. Let me see if I can find it when I get home. We got all new carbines. |
We have this pic of a Ranger with a 653: And these with 727 Carbines, or 727 uppers on 653 lowers:   You describe a 723, would be great if you had pictures of those in service with the Rangers. Am planning on adding who used which Carbine/Commando to the guide, but this information is hard to get in that save the M4 and the XM177 series none of these are standard issue. Pretty much have to go by pictures. |
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The SGT in the first pick was before my time. (I think I may know who it is but am not sure, I will check with some contacts) By the scrolls he wears, that picture was taken after Grenada (Oct 83), But before the Regiment formed in 84. Good chance he is a 90mm Recoiless rifle gunner (another Ranger is carrying one in the background). Until I left in 89, Rangers that carried CAR-15s were mortar and 90 asst. gunners along with RTOs and some medics. I think some M60 AGs might have carried them but am not sure. For the 90 crews, they would switch off carrying the 90 and when the gunner switched off, he would carry the carbine/rifle of the AG or ammo bearer. A few 90 gunners I know carried a carbine along with the 90, but it wasnt standard. If you have the carbine slung patrol style, and are carrying the 90, the carbine will swing back and forth. That is why alont of gunners just carried the 1911A1/M9. I carried one while serving as a FDC RTO, 60mm asst gunner and FDC Cheif /RTO (we were short-handed so I ws my own RTO). I never saw them assigned by rank and I never saw support MOS people carry them that did not rate one. It was given to those that already had a ton of weight assigned to them to carry. The others pics are after my time. We did not have the same type of body armor and I dont remember ever seeing a .50 cal in 1st Batt. |
Have posted this pic a few times. And awhile back there was a guy that knew who he was. Said that he died of cancer awhile back.
Yes, those are circa 1993. |
| Learn something new everytime I check this thread. Here is a question for you Ekie, one I have had for a long time. Component part names & numbers manufactured by Colt lists the M16 & the XM177 upper receiver both as 62306, while the M16A1 upper reciever is listed solely as 62278 and the XM177E2 upper receiver as XM7306. Why a different name/number for the Commando's forward assist upper? Can you shed any light on this, & if an XM177E2 upper was found on the loose, how would you ID/recognize it? Thanks Kenneth |
| Ekie, great thread, very helpful. Would you know if all Colt CAR stocks (the middle one in your photo) are marked with 1's or N symbols? I've got an almost identical stock off a Colt and it has no markings at all, it came off a Colt and I'm beginning to question its authenticity. Thanks! |
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I've been promising Ekie for a while that I'd post some photos of the 607 in the Oregon Military Musuem collection. Actually, I really don't like that factory model number and prefer the Military designation, GX-5857. This SMG is in about new condition and is left over from the 1960s Infantry Board tests at Fort Benning. Sorry the images aren't a bit better but conditions weren't too favorable in the vault for quality photography. Hopefully, some will be adequate to add to the variation guide.  Handguards. It's not that apparent from the photo, but I think the gage of the sheet steel used in the rear retainer ring is heavier than what is normally seen in the reproductions. Not by much but maybe .010 or .015. I'll try to verify that later.  Barrel markings. Note that the barrel is new enough that the dab of black paint is still present to cover the bare metal in the proofs.  Suppressor  Better view of the receiver markings.  Stock   Buttplate and latch.  |
USGI Colt Carbine parts variation guide Edition IV (Page 1 of 3)
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