Did Colt ever put out a 16" M4 upper without M4 feed ramp cuts in the upper receiver?  I ask because I purchased what I thought was a Colt M4 upper off of Gunbroker, and it DOES NOT have M4 feed ramp cuts into the upper receiver.

The barrel does have C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7 on it, so I am going to assume that the barrel is a Colt, but I am questioning the M4 upper receiver assembly.

Also, the FSB has "B99 R1 (in a circle) 2" marked on the right side, and a F marked on the left side.  I wonder if I was duped out of my $355 thinking this was a genuine used Colt upper?

ETA: I just pulled the handguards, and noticed that the month/year of mfg stamp was 1/99.  I don't know if this makes a difference or not.

how is the upper receiver marked? what forge marks? is it marked M4 above gas tube clover leaf?

Quoted: how is the upper receiver marked? what forge marks? is it marked M4 above gas tube clover leaf?

I can't find one single mark on the upper receiver, nada, nothing is there.

ETA:  I guess I am the proud owner of a franken-Colt

ETA2:  The handguards are double shielded too.  So I guess that came with the barrel portion!

ETA3 Is it possible that this came from the "large hole" era, and the upper receiver was swapped to utilize a standard lower receiver?  FWIW, I can't remember when Colt stopped using the Large pivot pin hole upper receivers.

The upper might be an A3 upper (no ramp cuts).  but if it's a real Colt upper, it should have the letters C AF on the left portion of the upper, near the forward assist; if not, then you got a Franken-Colt.

Quoted: www.cmmginc.com [email protected] www.cmmginc.com/cmmg_images/tbl_images/FrontPAge/CMMG_LOGO_M.jpg

Yes, I know I should have just ordered a brand spanking new upper from you and you did not need to rub that in (just kidding ).  I have used CMMG in the past for parts, and I will continue to use them in the future because CMMG's customer service is the best out there!

ETA:  I have had great experiences with the vendors in the ar15.com industry section who I have delt with.

Quoted: The upper might be an A3 upper (no ramp cuts).  but if it's a real Colt upper, it should have the letters C AF on the left portion of the upper, near the forward assist; if not, then you got a Franken-Colt.

I guess I can always "roll my own" M4 cuts.  I believe I can do a better job than some of those dremel hack jobs I have seen performed by shady individuals who advertise them as genuine M4 cuts.

Regardless, it will be at least two more weeks before I get to fully put this upper through its paces.  If it runs right, and keeps a tight pattern, that is all I really care about.  This will probably be my last low budget AR with used parts.  If it works, I can't bitch too much because I will have yet another AR that I put together for less than $600.  If it doesn't work, I will put it up on the EE or part it out at one of my local fun shops.

I WONDER How many of us have FAKE UPPER and Barrels

I refuse to buy from gun dealers or web sites  unless I know of them

Quoted: Quoted: how is the upper receiver marked? what forge marks? is it marked M4 above gas tube clover leaf? I can't find one single mark on the upper receiver, nada, nothing is there. ETA:  I guess I am the proud owner of a franken-Colt ETA2:  The handguards are double shielded too.  So I guess that came with the barrel portion! ETA3 Is it possible that this came from the "large hole" era, and the upper receiver was swapped to utilize a standard lower receiver?  FWIW, I can't remember when Colt stopped using the Large pivot pin hole upper receivers.

I have a LMT upper wich has ZERO Forge marks except for the LMT LOGo

I also order a M4 14.5 upper from LMT themselves

it came with  there Logo and a Forge mark I can Barely make out?
I think its Cardinal Forge


I do think Colt might buy from other makers  not just one Forge

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: how is the upper receiver marked? what forge marks? is it marked M4 above gas tube clover leaf? I can't find one single mark on the upper receiver, nada, nothing is there. ETA:  I guess I am the proud owner of a franken-Colt ETA2:  The handguards are double shielded too.  So I guess that came with the barrel portion! ETA3 Is it possible that this came from the "large hole" era, and the upper receiver was swapped to utilize a standard lower receiver?  FWIW, I can't remember when Colt stopped using the Large pivot pin hole upper receivers. I have a LMT upper wich has ZERO Forge marks except for the LMT LOGo I also order a M4 14.5 upper from LMT themselves it came with  there Logo and a Forge mark I can Barely make out? I think its Cardinal Forge I do think Colt might buy from other makers  not just one Forge

I have a LMT that I purchased used too, but I purchased it locally from someone I could somewhat trust.  I used it on my other "budget" AR.

The earliest Colt A3 uppers, found on the first 6700s, had no forge marks.  They did, however, have large pivot pin holes, so it was pretty easy to tell they were Colt.

I have seen at least one Colt small-hole A3 upper with no forge markings.  I know it was Colt because it came out of a factory sealed box and had "Colt 223" rollmarked on the left side.

Try looking on the right side of the receiver just forward of the ejection port.  A real Colt receiver should have two small stamps, one square and one triangular in shape.  Use good light; sometimes they can be hard to spot.