Posted: 9/19/2006 2:46:03 PM EDT
|
I need some help from you experts. My friend has two COLT AR15s that he is selling- But I need to know which is the betterone- Colt Sporter Target- has 1-7 marked on what apears to be a HBAR barrel. Weighs about 7-8lbs ser#017*** Colt AR15 A2 HBAR Sporter-Has 1-7 marked on barrel and is very heavy at about 10lbs. ser#224*** This model also has a piece of steel on the top & bottom inside of the handguard(Free floating-more ridgid- )I do not know what it is for. So Is one better then the other- What are they worth? Please I will take all advice-he needs an answer by tomorrow. The Sporter Target is NIB, The HBAR LNIB..... |
What are the first three letters of the SN? That should validate the true rifle configuration. I think because of being lighter and closer to the M16 barrel configutation, the Target is more desirable. Some things that ding the desirability is The SPORTER nom des plume, the potential Colt sear block in the lower, a possible large diameter pivot pin hole, larger diameter fcg group pins. All these downfalls compared to the slightly earlier Green label AR15's, and the politics of the then times. Not all Sporters had these features demerits on Colt's bad hair days. It's a dukes' mix. If the Target model is valid, I would go for that one if I was in your shoes. But to a Colt lover, both these would be welcome additions. |
They look the same in front of the front sight but if you take out the handguards you will see the HBAR have a heavy thicker barrel than the Sporter Target, the later have thinner Gov't profile (M16A2 type) barrel. I used to have those two rifles at the same time, the HBAR is model R6500 production years was from '84 to '88, I bought mine in '85. The Sporter Target is model R6551 made in '91 and doesn't have a bayonet lug, check to see if it have a sear block above the selector in the lower receiver, it is more desirable without the sear block. They're both good rifles and I never had any problems with mine, it depends what you want to do with it, if it's for general use the Sporter Target would be my choice, for just target shooting the HBAR is fine. Ref: Biggerhammer.net Colt Commercial Variants link Ref: Biggerhammer.net Colt Serial Number List and FAQ link |
|
The HBAR has a Large front pivot hole that uses the double screw pin. The Sporter has a smaller hole and uses a oneside slotted screw pin. The Sported has a block-marked colt -behind the sear. The HBAR does not have this. The HBAR has a bayonet lug the sporter does not. The Sporter is NIB, the HBAR is not. What are the values of these ARs & should I be leary of the large pin holes? |
That's a difficult position you're in. I see that you do have an AR15 marked rifle, and that "to me" is very much so desirable. That is what they call the Green label, but that HBAR makes things very heavy. Where are you located in Illinois? I am in Joliet and you would be welcome to give me a call, and we can discuss the "vibes" on the two rifles, not possible in printed words. Both these rifles have their merits but also their downfalls, and with no ban and the viability of other Colt options, it certainly can muddy the waters. I will IM my phone, and feel free to call if you so wish, and we can shoot the shi"ite on the matter. You've got me going as well. BTW, I have never owned or kept track on a AR15A2 Hbar, but I did buy a new Sporter Target in 1992, and paid $675 for it during a nationwide Colt promotion at the time. Both models went for insane prices during the ban, and at gunshows, some still might. Back then, the HBAR was a very popular concept. But the pendulum has swung to the carbine of recent. Especially anything lighter in weight, IMO. Fell free to call. |
The flat sided mag wells without the fence around the mag release button are the older A1/ SP-1 lowers, the lowers with the fence are A2 type reinforced lowers which replaced the A1 type lowers around '90 and on or so. My former A2 HBAR also doesn't have the mag fence but my Sporter Target had it but no sear block, I liked my Sporter a bit more than my HBAR.  There are two types of AR-15 bolt carriers, the half moon are used usually for lowers with sear blocks, the blocks are no problem a lot of guys here just dremel them off. +1 Get both. 
|