Posted: 7/10/2014 1:36:24 PM EDT
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In looking at some AR videos on YouTube recently, I saw some that showed Colt rifles being shot in various situations, including competitions. A couple of the models that I viewed were the CRE and CRP, but I couldn't find any information about them on Colt's website. I finally found a link to a Colt Competition site. It looks like a group in Texas, or at least with Texas in their company name, are the ones that are actually producing these rifles. Plus, I noticed that they are only giving a one-year warranty on the guns.
Questions - 1. Is this, in fact, another group that is producing the guns under licensing from Colt? 2. Are the guns up to the same standard for which Colt is known? 3. Should the warranty be considered to represent the quality of these products? (Not sure what the usual Colt warranty is, so might not make a difference.) 4. Any other comments about the Colt Competition rifles, good or bad? (Especially for someone wanting a competition-ready gun out-of-the-box) I appreciate any information anyone is willing to provide. Thanks in advance. S4F NRA Benefactor Member VSSF Member VCDL Member 
Aim Small / Miss Small |
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They are license built under the Colt name in Texas by New Bold Ideas.
Of the Colt Competition guns I have seen, which have probably been a dozen +, I have been impressed with the fit of parts and their finish. Colt Competition makes high end products, both their autoloaders and bolt guns, using high quality parts. FWIW, I have never been impressed with any Colt MFG run of the mill AR15s. |
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BPR - Thanks for getting back to me. I bought a few Colt 1911's after I got out of the service back in the 80's. Shortly after that, the company petty much turned its back on civilian customers while it devoted its resources to military contracts. While I can't completely talk bad about them for going where the money is, I did feel they could have done more to devote some resources to non-military customers. But then along came Springfield Armory and Kimber to take over the 1911 market, and that solved the supply issue.
Now that the military contracts have been fulfilled, the company is again turning its attention to the civilian market. Nice that they are thinking about us again. But I am still reluctant to give money to a company that seems to show so little concern for "regular Joe Blow" customers. Perhaps New Bold Ideas aren't hampered with old equipment and union labor. Some people swear by Colts, and some swear at them. Hence my questions. Thanks again. S4F |
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cdmanti - All of the guns in all of the videos that I have seen appear to be well made and perform well in regard to functioning and accuracy. Plus they look real nice, too. I am currently leaning toward a CRP-18.
Maybe someday I will build an AR from parts, but until then I try to find products already assembled that will look and perform like I want them to. Thanks for your input. S4F |
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poortrader - Another "plus" vote for the CRP-18. As I mentioned in my reply to cdmanti, the CRP-18 is the model that I am leaning toward right now. Because of the job that I have, I don' have a lot of time for shooting. So when I do make it out to the range, I don't want to be spending time clearing jams or fixing failure-to-feeds; I want guns that shoot when I want them to. And I like them to be visually appealing as well. From everything that I have seen so far, the products from Bold New Ideas, in particular the CRP-18, fit the bill in all the aspects that are important to me.
Thanks for your input. S4F |
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Tuflehundon - In comparing the 3G with the CRP, about the only difference I noticed was the gas adjustment on the Colt. And I'm not sure I see the necessity for that. Plus, my question about the warranty - Stag gives a lifetime warranty, while CC only gives a year. I am thinking that the Colt would not need any work for much longer than a year, but their warranty policy raises questions. Every company advertises that they have the best product on the market, but few are ready to back up that claim with a corresponding warranty.
Thanks for the input. Something to think about. |
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Quoted:
Colt guarantees the accuracy of each rifle with a test target, less than 1 inch. I think that is definitely worth extra $$. My rifle is more than 2 years old and Colt Comp sent me a new adjustable gas system because mine was fouled and not working properly. Ya, I've had companies send me parts when I was out of warrenty. I called to ask were I could buy the part since I couldn't find it online anywhere. Mossberg didn't even ask when I bought my gun, they just sent me the part I needed no questions asked. |
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Quoted:
They are license built under the Colt name in Texas by New Bold Ideas. Of the Colt Competition guns I have seen, which have probably been a dozen +, I have been impressed with the fit of parts and their finish. Colt Competition makes high end products, both their autoloaders and bolt guns, using high quality parts. FWIW, I have never been impressed with any Colt MFG run of the mill AR15s. ^^^this^^^ |
| Honestly, at that price point, I would build a rifle. That's what I ended up doing. You will be hard pressed to find a rifle that will be exactly the way you want it. Even the sponsered shooters like Jesse tend to do a few mods to the rifles they get to personalize them. Why not have a personalized rifle from the start? |
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Quoted:
Honestly, at that price point, I would build a rifle. That's what I ended up doing. You will be hard pressed to find a rifle that will be exactly the way you want it. Even the sponsered shooters like Jesse tend to do a few mods to the rifles they get to personalize them. Why not have a personalized rifle from the start? It's always cheaper to build unless you find a gun that has the exact features you really want. Most new shooters don't know how or have the tools or know what to build. Personally I have yet to find a gun that I thought was perfect for me. I bought a $2800 JP and changed a bunch and I have a $1250 Stag 3G that I have added a bunch too. This is why I recommend looking at the various models and their features. If you know you like a certain trigger because your buddy has one or a certain comp or hand guard that you may like it may be worth buying brand x over brand y. If you don't know what you like get e Stag 3G because it has the features you need and he lowest price. Once you change the comp and shoot for a few months you will know what you want to tinker with and you won't be out $3000. |
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Tuflehundon - actually that is the conclusion that I am coming to, that I should build a rifle. As you mentioned, I can't find a rifle set up exactly like I want it. The CRP-18 has the gas adjust system, which I don't want. I like the Stag 3G - the trigger and the stock - but want something with a slightly different barrel - just something that looks different, and maybe with a 1 in 9 twist rate, since I shoot 55 grainers almost exclusively.
I have a bunch of AR's now and have added/removed/replaced most components except for installing the gas tube. In fact, I am in the process of changing several of the A2 stocks to Magpul stocks like on the Stage 3G. And the more YouTube videos that I watch, the more brand names for specialized parts (like barrels and hand guards) I become familiar with. That way, I will have a gun that is accurate, reliable, and looks nice, as well. And it will have the features and appearance that I want. Thanks for the input. S4F |
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Jesse - I appreciate your comments. As I replied to Tuflehundon, that is the conclusion that I am coming to, that I should build a rifle. Because of the demands from my job, I can't plan a rigid enough schedule for any kind of competition, except for the rat race. But it does allow me to be able to buy nice toys. And when I do get out to the range, I want something that is accurate, since we shoot from 35 yards out to about 300; I want something reliable, since I want to be shooting, I don't want to be clearing jams/FTF/FTE/etc.; and I want something that looks kind of special.
Right now, I am in the process of changing several of the A2 stocks to Magpul stocks like on the Stage 3G. And the more YouTube videos that I watch, the more brand names for specialized parts (like barrels and hand guards) I become familiar with. I need to decide on the barrel brand, since I want something that has a silhouette of a bull barrel. And then I need to decide on the brand and style of a hand guard. I will probably go with the Giessele (Sp?) trigger. Maybe I can get some suggestions from the folks on this board. Thanks for the input. S4F |
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Recent update......
Well, I have my lower half all ready to go: -Spike's Tactical Punisher lower/buffer assembly - Thanks to Kat for all of her help. -Blackhawk Ergo Grip -Magpul STR stock - I like the ACS stock on my 3G (wide cheek piece), but I prefer the more open look of the CTR. -Black Rain Ordnance Drop In Trigger - like it even better than the Geissele (really prefer single stage to two-stage) Now trying to decide on parts for a 20" upper: -15" Samson Evolution or 15" Midwest Industries Keymod handguard -Trying to decide on make of barrel - it doesn't have to be match grade, but I want decent accuracy, and I want a stainless barrel and stainless muzzle brake. Hopefully, I will have everything by next week. S4F NRA Benefactor Member VSSF Member VCDL Member NAHC Life Member
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I will admit I'm biased towards the Samson Evo handguard, it just seems like the perfect size, and I favor the round profile because it works better on barricades that are not plumb and level than handguards with flat surfaces.
The MI rail is so small in diameter, I've seen several that are no longer free floating because the gas block is touching the rail. |