Colt "Dissipator"?

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Posted: 4/27/2013 7:59:52 AM EDT

In the CDNN ad from today, a "ultra rare uncataloged LE marked Colt Dissipator" was listed:

ETA, archived thread indicated 1/9 bbl

Colt "Dissipator"

Found an archived thread possibly about something similar, but no pics:

Colt "Dissipator" thread

Another archived thread, not alot of info

I wonder if it was a special run, as Colt has been known to do, or some type of transitional gun?

Archived link above indicates a ban era mfg date for an LE agency. I'm foing to IM the OP of that thread.

Posted: 4/27/2013 8:13:31 AM EDT

[#1]

Weird - the link's not showing in the original post, but I saw it when tried quoting it. Must be CDNN's fscked up URL.

CDNN link

Posted: 4/27/2013 8:16:40 AM EDT

[#2]

Thanks grondike, I couldn't get the pic to work

Posted: 4/27/2013 8:17:04 AM EDT

[#3]

I was interested until I saw that pencil barrel.

Posted: 4/27/2013 8:31:11 AM EDT

[#4]

When I saw that ad I figured it was a Bushmaster upper on a Colt lower.

Posted: 4/27/2013 9:51:00 AM EDT

[#5]

I also wondered about that one when their email arrived.

Posted: 4/27/2013 10:00:48 AM EDT

[#6]

I got the email this morning as well and was intrigued. Has anyone talked to CDNN and found out anything about these dissipators?

Posted: 4/27/2013 10:27:10 AM EDT

[#7]

I call BS. Why would Colt use a commercial receiver extension and a non Colt stock. I'd be willing to bet that rifle isn't even 60% Colt parts.

Posted: 4/27/2013 1:24:55 PM EDT

[#8]

I IM'd kenzo who started the Colt "Dissipator" thread in '02 hoping he will IM back and shed some light on this gun. It appears the LE agency he worked for had these "Dissipator" Colts as well as some Bushmaster Dissipators.

Posted: 4/27/2013 4:31:29 PM EDT

[#9]

I have one of the Colt Dissipator uppers, It is a 1-9 6721 16"barrel with a carbine gas system, the front is milled down to .625 with a commando front sight assembly on it. A2 reciever, I can send pics tommorow if anyone is interested. I like it because I can hold my off hand further out to control the weaspon...

Posted: 4/27/2013 6:23:01 PM EDT

[#10]

I've never been a big fan of the dissipators, but I find myself wanting one of those. I've also REALLY wanted to get a Colt Python for a long time and been looking at getting one of those. I know, drastically different, but they both have a pony on the side!!

Posted: 4/28/2013 5:09:09 AM EDT

[#11]

That is not a Colt stock, and Colt uses two and four position receiver extensions.

~Augee

Posted: 4/28/2013 9:32:15 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
That is not a Colt stock, and Colt uses two and four position receiver extensions.

~Augee

kenzo did say that the Colt" Dissipators" his agency had were fixed A2 stocks

ETA 5-1-13 - he said the Colt "dissipator"barrels his agency had were marked "CMP 5.56 NATO 1/7"

Posted: 5/1/2013 6:20:04 AM EDT

[#13]

My apologies to Rumble Truck, it was a 1/9 twist bbl. I wish I had save my pics from back then as it was the only Colt "Dissipator" variant I have seen. I have since transferred from that station and my current station only has Bushmaster Dissipators. Anyway, the pics were of the Colt lower and a pic of the upper with the handguards removed showing the dissipator profile.

regards

Posted: 5/1/2013 1:48:01 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
My apologies to Rumble Truck, it was a 1/9 twist bbl. I wish I had save my pics from back then as it was the only Colt "Dissipator" variant I have seen. I have since transferred from that station and my current station only has Bushmaster Dissipators. Anyway, the pics were of the Colt lower and a pic of the upper with the handguards removed showing the dissipator profile.

regards

Honestly doesn't terribly surprise me.

Do you happen to know what the lower was rollmarked?

Colt used to pretty much build anything that you asked for provided you were willing to order three hundred or more at a pop. Things like the LE6320 and LE6922, not to mention the well known LE6920HB came about this way. These "non-catalog" models are not very well documented.

It's quite possible that whatever department had them replaced the Colt fixed stocks with those aftermarket atrocities as an "upgrade" before finally selling/trading them in.

~Augee

Posted: 5/2/2013 2:08:51 PM EDT

[#15]

Maybe something like this but half the price???

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=339578618

Seems like a cool collection piece but I'd rather spend my limited funds on other things I guess...

Posted: 5/2/2013 4:54:14 PM EDT

[#16]

Hmmm... no pics showing the barrel markings or the upper markings.

But hey - no reserve!

Posted: 5/5/2013 10:08:01 AM EDT

[#17]

I bought one of the Dissipators from CDNN. It arrived yesterday.

The barrel is marked 10/02. There are no other markings on the barrel - i.e., no CMP or twist or anything that I can see. The upper does have a Colt proof mark so I'd assume that the barrel is original Colt being that only complete guns are proof tested at Colt and thus have uppers with proof marks. I doubt that any agency changed barrels.

Don't know what to make of this gun. Looks original Colt but very odd that there are not the usual Colt markings on the barrel. The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps they were 20" barrels which were cut down at the factory. Who knows.

The bore, internals, etc. are very, very clean. Some scuff marks on the upper and lower from carry. No sling swivel in the front.

New to this forum and don't know how to post pics on it. Happy to do so if anyone wants and can tell me how.

Pretty steep price for a trade in.

Posted: 5/5/2013 12:19:09 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
I bought one of the Dissipators from CDNN. It arrived yesterday.

The barrel is marked 10/02. There are no other markings on the barrel - i.e., no CMP or twist or anything that I can see. The upper does have a Colt proof mark so I'd assume that the barrel is original Colt being that only complete guns are proof tested at Colt and thus have uppers with proof marks. I doubt that any agency changed barrels.

Don't know what to make of this gun. Looks original Colt but very odd that there are not the usual Colt markings on the barrel. The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps they were 20" barrels which were cut down at the factory. Who knows.

The bore, internals, etc. are very, very clean. Some scuff marks on the upper and lower from carry. No sling swivel in the front.

New to this forum and don't know how to post pics on it. Happy to do so if anyone wants and can tell me how.

Pretty steep price for a trade in.

Would like to see pictures of the profile under the handguards. This could tell at least part of the story.

To post pictures, all you need to do is upload them online at photobucket or another similar site, then link to them using the "twin peaked mountain with sun" button, fourth from the right under the response box.

~Augee

Posted: 5/5/2013 3:09:14 PM EDT

[#19]

Thanks very much!

Here is a photo w/o the handguards...

I can send more if that would help.

The first step down can be hard to notice in the photo but can be seen in you look carefully.

It seems to me that they should have put the gas block more forward so as to take advantage of a longer gas impulse. Don't know why they didn't.

BTW, CDNN had 40 of them.

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Posted: 5/6/2013 9:54:54 AM EDT

[#20]

Thanks Raufus!

Does the gas block look like it was a cut down "F" FSB?

And does the stock look like a factory Colt stock with proper staking?

Posted: 5/6/2013 11:27:39 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Thanks Raufus!

Does the gas block look like it was a cut down "F" FSB?

And does the stock look like a factory Colt stock with proper staking?

That's not a Colt factory stock.

The barrel does look consistent with a 6721 barrel that's been turned down to mount a .625 gas block, though.

Either way... there are a lot of steps on that barrel.

One under the handguards... one down to the gasblock journal... one down from the gasblock journal... then one down for the FSB... probably another one down after the FSB.

If there's any trace of barrel markings left on it, I'd suspect they'd be between the gas block and the "new" front sight base. Off top of my head, I don't remember exactly where and how the 6721's barrel markings are, but the mounting of the FSB may have obliterated them.

~Augee

Posted: 5/6/2013 1:35:11 PM EDT

[#22]

Thanks for the info guys!!

Lots more pics attached.

Not sure about the gas block. Pics attached.

As Augee guessed, there is another step down after the FSB.

I was clearly in way too much of a hurry when I looked at the barrel. I didn't look carefully at all as the CMP markings are plain as day. Jeez.

The stock is not staked properly. Did it leave Colt w/a fixed stock and the agency put this on? Clearly Colt does use non-Colt stocks as we see with the Rogers stocks today but they are always staked correctly.

Not also the Colt proof mark on the upper.

Posted: 5/7/2013 2:48:12 AM EDT

[#23]

Great pics!

kenzo mentioned that his came with a fixed stock, and I guarantee you - that stock was not installed by Colt, and those are not Colt parts.

The Roger's stock, while "aftermarket," still qualifies as a Colt stock despite being OEMed by someone else - it's a special model installed only on Colt rifles (not convertable to commercial dimension) and marked "Colt."

A Colt M4 stock would be a completely different profile, with a straight wall ahead of the latch, in addition to many other small detail differences.

From your photos, it looks like a pretty straightforward conversion - an LE6520 "base," rebarreled with a 6721 barrel with an additional FSB installed. Likely with an A2 stock from the factory as well, and whatever agency was using them probably decided to "update" them with el-cheapo commercial collapsible stocks during their service lives, and traded them in like that.

If I were a collector, I'd probably just restore it with a Colt A2 stock and consider it an interesting and unusual variant. I would be interested in knowing what model number was assigned to it.

~Augee

Posted: 5/7/2013 3:30:16 AM EDT

[#24]

If I were a collector, I'd probably just restore it with a Colt A2 stock and consider it an interesting and unusual variant. I would be interested in knowing what model number was assigned to it.

While probabally not correct, a Colt "CS" stock would look at home on the Dissipator...

Posted: 5/7/2013 4:58:58 AM EDT

[#25]

I would throw a a2 stock on.
Here is where I purchased 2 new colt complete a2 stock kits for $95 each New colt a2 stock kit $95
Real nice kits except they have the new colt plastic trap door. I replaced the plastic door on one with the metal door & used the other with the plastic door.

Posted: 5/7/2013 5:33:44 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
While probabally not correct, a Colt "CS" stock would look at home on the Dissipator...

I really wish - and I'm not entirely certain why they haven't, that Colt would re-issue the CS stock. I'd love to install them on my A2 and A4 clones - not strictly correct, but they would still be A2-type stocks, but I can't bring myself to pay the secondhand prices on CS stocks that they currently command for the A2 and A4 that I shoot relatively infrequently as is.

They'd also be great for a simple fixed stock carbine - a 6720 with a CS stock would be nice, light, and handy for recreational shooting.

~Augee

Posted: 5/7/2013 2:45:41 PM EDT

[#27]

Thanks again for all of the info!

I was thinking about buying a history of the gun from Colt. I would thus be able to find out the model number and original configuration. I'll have to look into the cost ($50 a few years back, I think) and whether they'll do this for a PD gun.

I do plan to buy an a Colt A2 stock assy. to replace the after market one on the gun. I don't see any more at the link but emailed them.

I assume that it came with a standard A2 stock given the date of manufacture.

I'll also have to find a front sling swivel as the original is missing.

Posted: 5/8/2013 7:18:04 AM EDT

[#28]

I called Colt to inquire about an Archives search for the gun. Luckily, I got the best Colt rep that I've ever spoken with. He said "how about I save you the trouble and look it up?". Sweet!

Anyway when I gave him the serial number this is what he found:

The "Dissipator" is a Colt Model AR6536 (can't even find that on a Google search).

2003 mfg, 16.1" H BAR, ,1:9, chrome lined, A2 Upper, Fixed buttstock, A2 front and rear sights, rifle handguards, bayo lug, muzzle break.

He could not tell me how many were produced.

So, that's the scoop. Now I have to find a factory A2 stock with the metal trap door and a front sling swivel to restore it.

Very cool!

Will have to update the Wiki page with this model.

Posted: 5/8/2013 8:24:43 AM EDT

[#29]

AR6536, huh?

Thanks for finding that out and posting it!

The "AR" prefix sounds odd to me - IIRC, in 2003, the models should have been either MT or LE prefix. I didn't see the "AR" prefix until around 2009-ish, when the LE6520 and LE6721 models became the AR6520 and AR6520. I wonder if the model number was "retroactively updated" to reflect that. I would think, espeically with the "LEO only" marked lower, it would have received an "LE" prefix. The LE6920HB was also produced in 2003.

The 6520 in particular has been the R6520 (preban), LE6520 (ban era), and the AR6520 right before being discontinued in favor of the LE6720. The Sporter series was "R" prefix (R6000 = SP1, R6001 = SP1 Carbine, R6601 = Match Target HBAR).

Gotta love Colt model numbers...

I wonder if they made a flattop version if they would designate it the "6936."

It would be seriously interesting to see what the Colt model number naming convention looks like... it's almost as if they try to have an internally consistent naming convention, but then can't figure it out themselves, and start throwing together random numbers.

~Augee

Posted: 5/8/2013 6:04:07 PM EDT

[#30]

Hi Augee-

I agree that sometimes there is no rhyme nor reason to the Colt model numbers.

As to the AR prefix, the very limited edition AR6320 from Ken Elmore which has been discussed on this and other forums was produced in 2001, prior to the LE6920HB. In fact, I bought one of these rifles from Elmore some years back and the AR6320 model number is on the box. I wonder whether the AR prefix was just used for very limited editions early on.

I'm glad that CDNN offered these rifles. They're an interesting and unusual find. I wonder how many more such small run Colt ARs are out there that we don't know about.

I ordered an A2 stock today as well as a front sling swivel. I'll post a pic of the "restored to original configuration" rifle once they're installed.

R-

Posted: 5/17/2013 3:06:48 AM EDT

[#31]

I called CDNN yesterday and talked to Steve. They still had some, so I went ahead and ordered one, should have it Tuesday. I will give a report when it arrives.

Posted: 5/17/2013 4:12:24 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
I called CDNN yesterday and talked to Steve. They still had some, so I went ahead and ordered one, should have it Tuesday. I will give a report when it arrives.

Awesome! looking forward to seeing it.

Posted: 5/24/2013 10:16:21 AM EDT

[#33]

Sorry it took so long to comment. My rifle came in on Tuesday. Looks just like Raufus' gun. I am delighted with it. Last week they had free shipping and three extra C Product magazines. This week they upped the mags to ten, to my utter surprise when I checked they still had these so even though it stretched the household budget and the wife will likely hit me with a rolling pin, I have another on order.

Posted: 6/29/2013 6:53:46 AM EDT

[#34]

Post details please. BCG, bbl twist, commercial/Milspec receiver extension, etc.

When you have time

Thanks,

S/F

Al

Posted: 7/1/2013 9:10:14 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Post details please. BCG, bbl twist, commercial/Milspec receiver extension, etc.

When you have time

Thanks,

S/F

Al

Look at Rafus 1st post on 5-8-13 in this thread

Posted: 7/8/2013 8:33:48 AM EDT

[#36]

Alright, I re-read the entire thing and still don't see if it is a FA carrier or one of the Colt "cut-down" semi-auto ones. Please someone chime in.

Thanks,

S/F

Al

Posted: 7/10/2013 11:34:21 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Alright, I re-read the entire thing and still don't see if it is a FA carrier or one of the Colt "cut-down" semi-auto ones. Please someone chime in.

Thanks,

S/F

Al

You're right - I IM'd gopguy asking if he would post a pic of his BCG

Posted: 7/10/2013 2:56:19 PM EDT

[#38]

Thanks to this thread, I just picked one up from CDNN. Bastards. My wife and my credit card hates you.

Posted: 7/10/2013 3:17:08 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Thanks to this thread, I just picked one up from CDNN. Bastards. My wife and my credit card hates you.

I need one like I need another hole in my head... but I have to admit I am tempted.

Posted: 9/21/2013 11:46:55 AM EDT

[#40]

Thank you to everyone that gave photos and info on the Colt Dissipators CDNN is selling. Great info, really helped me make up my mind!!

I just ordered one. They dropped to $999 in their latest catalog. But when I called they said they were $899 ($923 shipped)...jackpot!!

Posted: 9/22/2013 6:05:05 AM EDT

[#41]

Could someone please tell me if they have the FA BCG or semi?

EDIT: I decided not to wait for an answer on the FA/semi carrier. I called and ordered one today. $899.00 plus shipping. It came to $92X.00 I don't remember exactly. I was thinking about my cover story about that time

Posted: 9/26/2013 6:25:09 PM EDT

[#42]

SFguy....Just picked mine up. Bolt Carrier is C marked half-moon semi-auto carrier.

Other Colt Dissipator (AR6536) details:

Lower Receiver: Colt AR-15 A2, Gov't Carbine, Cal .223; Ser. LGC02#### by Colt Defense, Hartford, Conn USA

Stock: Seemingly non-colt, commercial sized, 6 position adjustable. Not staked. [edit: now replaced with Colt 4 position buffer tube and Colt adjustable stock....I feel better :) ]

Upper Receiver: No forge marks at all by rear sight. Has two Colt proof marks to upper right of ejection port, one triangular and one square'ish. "4" stamped above gas tube inlet on front of receiver. M4 cuts. 8/3 rear sight.

BCG: C marked half-moon semi-auto carrier. Bolt markings may be MP, but hard to tell as that once area has wear over it. Properly staked.

Barrel: Marked "C MP 5.56 NATO 1/9" before rifle FSB (if it said HBAR originally then that would have been milled off for rifle FSB install). Date code is "11 02" right before carbine shaved gas block. Small "o" stamped under gas tube back by receiver. M4 cuts in barrel extension.

FSB (at rifle position): marked "F6 I2" (raised forge marks, not F stamped). Has hole for gas tube, but was never drilled for gas tube roll pin. Held by taper pins.

Gas Block at Carbine position (looks like cut down FSB): Marked "G4 I2" (raised forge marks). Held by taper pins.

No photos yet, but looks like the the one Raufus posted pics of earlier in this thread, except for lack of forge marks.
Very good condition. Used a little, but no abuse at all. Can't wait to get to range.

Posted: 9/27/2013 4:06:00 PM EDT

[#43]

Cool thanks for the carrier info. I was hoping mine would come in today but I haven't heard from my dealer. I'm very excited.

Posted: 9/30/2013 4:37:40 AM EDT

[#44]

These are very cool.

I made one out of an A2 Hbar years ago and people were all

Posted: 10/23/2013 7:02:58 PM EDT

[#45]

Hello all,
I found this thread while searching online for information for the Colt Dissapator I just got and just wanted to register so I could share that I got mine from Atlantic Firearms for $999. .
Here are some picture of my new baby.

Posted: 10/24/2013 3:34:39 AM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hello all,
I found this thread while searching online for information for the Colt Dissapator I just got and just wanted to register so I could share that I got mine from Atlantic Firearms for $999. .
Here are some picture of my new baby.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff389/hunterbobby38/Bigbore/2d1e567b-8c91-4660-b728-ec153a7cc91f_zpsed421ac0.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff389/hunterbobby38/Bigbore/af4410c1-96f0-45ee-a2d8-efdaa10a86af_zps66b51c3d.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff389/hunterbobby38/Bigbore/3b99cfba-caa7-4c7e-b394-30aebeb0c4db_zps2300391b.jpg

View Quote

Nice first post!

Welcome to the forum!

Posted: 11/19/2013 4:31:22 AM EDT

[#47]

This thread is of interest to me as I remember seeing dissipator type rifles in California Highway Patrol (CHP) cars when I was serving as a Military Police Officer in NAS Lemoore. They had concurrent jurisdiction so they could patrol/enforce on the base as they desired.

The rifles I saw in the cruisers were dissipator uppers with a A2 butt stock stock and all had 20 round magazines inserted. I never got a good look at the roll marks to see if they were bushmasters, but these verywell could be CHP weapons. I saw other posts on other forums and those at the OP as well indicating that the boxes the rifles came in were Sig rifle boxes and that CHP went with the Sig M400 for a replacement for their used guns.

What is Colts minimum order for a custom run? 300 units? 500 units? I think this question has been answered before here. CHP is a big enough agency to do a custom order like this. If we know that minimum and consider how many officers the CHP has you could guess how many rifles maybe out there. My guess is a distributor did a trade in program for the SIG M400's when they won the bid, and so the CHP doesn't look like they armed criminals they had the distributor sign a NDA about the source of the weapons. Also the distributor may have switched the fixed stock for a cheap collapsible one for better resale potential.

I think its pretty likely that CHP purchased a large amount of these type guns to augment there AR/M16 federal government handouts, and then when many started showing signs of wear and tear after many years of patrol went and put out a bid and Sig won.

Put into original configuration these would be a good buy for a collector of CHP memorabilia or a retired or former CHP officer living out of the state of CA.

I don't have any inside knowledge, I just put my experiences together with what was presented here and at other forums.

Posted: 11/19/2013 12:30:52 PM EDT

[#48]

No clue on whether they're CHP rifles, but it sounds feasible, the minimum order number used to be 300 for "custom" runs like the 6920HB.

That being said, I would suspect that it's more likely that the cheap aftermarket stocks were installed at the department, not by the distributors. Probably someone was able to get a budget line item for collapsible stocks, and figured they could do it much cheaper buying a bunch of stocks from Tapco than from Colt, and upgraded them in a mid-life cycle "upgrade."

Department trade-ins happen relatively often, and it's a good opportunity if you have the cash in hand to pick up lightly used guns for a pretty good price.

~Augee