Posted: 1/24/2026 2:15:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: EagleArmsHBAR][Edited]
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I think they are interesting, given the political climate at the time they were produced and how things have changed so much since then. I recently picked up this 1999 Colt Match Target. It has a 1/99 govt profile barrel, large FCG pins, a plastic buffer, 10 round magazine, and a fully cut bolt carrier rear. To my surprise, this one has the web sear block in the lower instead of the protruding sear block. I didn't know that was a thing that long ago. I remember these being about $950 in 1999 and I wanted one so bad! At the time, I didn't like that they were missing bayonet lugs and flash hiders, but they were Colts! I've been eyeing this one for over a year at the local gun shop and made a deal on it this week. Given inflation, I'm happy I paid $750 in 2026 instead of $950 in 1999 dollars!   |
| Honestly, I'm glad that I didn't get into collecting Colts until after the AWB expired. I have no interest in Colts that subtract features or add obstacles to please the gun grabbers. That said, it shoots the same. Enjoy your rifle. You definitely saved a boatload by waiting. |
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Originally Posted By Bret: Honestly, I'm glad that I didn't get into collecting Colts until after the AWB expired. I have no interest in Colts that subtract features or add obstacles to please the gun grabbers. That said, it shoots the same. Enjoy your rifle. You definitely saved a boatload by waiting.  You have 16" barrels and no happy switch...
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I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
| I do not, but I saw one at a local gun show today and I almost bought it. I don't know what drew me to it, but for some reason I really liked it. The guy wanted $950 for it and I took a quick look on Gunbroker and saw several identical ones sold for $750+/- ish. I ended up passing after seeing that. When I came back around he'd sold all 3 of the Colts that he had. |
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Originally Posted By EagleArmsHBAR: I think they are interesting, given the political climate at the time they were produced and how things have changed so much since then. I recently picked up this 1999 Colt Match Target. It has a 1/99 govt profile barrel, large FCG pins, a plastic buffer, 10 round magazine, and a fully cut bolt carrier rear. To my surprise, this one has the web sear block in the lower instead of the protruding sear block. I didn't know that was a thing that long ago. I remember these being about $950 in 1999 and I wanted one so bad! At the time, I didn't like that they were missing bayonet lugs and flash hiders, but they were Colts! I've been eyeing this one for over a year at the local gun shop and made a deal on it this week. Given inflation, I'm happy I paid $750 in 2026 instead of $950 in 1999 dollars! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/298/IMG_7236-3700558.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/298/IMG_7235-3700567.jpg I still have mine made in 04/00. It matches your description. Some had the hole already drilled for the front take down detent & spring.. so the front take down screw can be easily replaced. Also had the plastic trap door on the buttstock. A friend has one made in 1999 and had a F-FSB despite having a A2 upper receiver ETA Just realized you’re talking about a Target Model… I was talking about the Hbar series. I guess yours is one of the latest made before switching to Hbar |
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OP I had a Colt MT6551 as my first Colt AR back in 2000. Fortunately the mag fence was drilled so I installed a mil spec front takedown pin detent and spring. It was sold years later after the ban expired. I wanted to find a leo ban-era version of it model AR6551 but never could locate one. A few years ago local shop had a police trade-in AR6601 Match HBAR. It was interesting because the lower was cut to SP1 spec without any type of sear block. Unfortunately the shop wanted too much for the Colt so I passed on it.  
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Originally Posted By Frens: I still have mine made in 04/00. It matches your description. Some had the hole already drilled for the front take down detent & spring.. so the front take down screw can be easily replaced. Also had the plastic trap door on the buttstock. A friend has one made in 1999 and had a F-FSB despite having a A2 upper receiver ETA Just realized you're talking about a Target Model I was talking about the Hbar series. I guess yours is one of the latest made before switching to Hbar I like to keep these ban rifles in their natural configuration. It will fit in nicely with these:  |
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I owned an LE Colt during the ban. It was an M4 style. Had a telescoping stock that was pinned in one position and a compensator at the end of the 16" barrel. I believe thst was pinned as well. I was in CT at the time and CT had a state ban that mimicked the federal one. As soon as I moved out I sold it and bought some real rifles. I wouldn't mind having it now for the nostalgia. But it's just stuff. |
| A surprising number of these show up on the market as PD trade-ins, which I find strange since police departments could always buy whatever they wanted. The prices are usually low because of the lack of threaded muzzle and bayonet lug. I wouldn’t mind having one of the Match Target lowers but don’t care for the ban compliant uppers. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: You have 16" barrels and no happy switch...Valid point. However, I want to get them as close to how they're supposed to be. If I have a choice between a rifle that has ban features and one that doesn't, I'll choose the one that doesn't. Of course, cost can be a factor. Back then, Colt created ban features such as oversized pins, sear blocks and modified bolt carriers that were not required by law. I don't take issue with manufacturers comply with the law in order to bring their products to market but voluntarily creating ban features to appease the gun grabbers is revolting. Therefore, I just avoid those types of rifles. BTW, I do have one with a happy switch and several with <16" barrels. |