Posted: 10/20/2013 1:56:33 PM EDT
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I paid a premium for a LE6920MG-FDE that was labeled as 2013 configuration. I was disappointed to see Colt downsized the package and priced it as high as the older LE6920. In addition, there were scratches on lower receiver and some of the threads on Magpul's furniture were obviously cross-threaded during assembly, as indicated by the plastic debris seen on the other side of hole.
What my friend got from the box back in November 2012: Rifle, Manual, two magazines, cleaning kit, sling, and lock. What I got at the similar price: rifle, manual, one magazine, and lock. I understand the pressure and economic benefit of cutting corners and cost reduction. As a person working in the manufacturing industry, I am fully aware of the possible profit from cost reduction on a mass produced item (If $20 can be saved on one rifle and 10,000 were sold in one year, that is $200,000 on the balance sheet). However, for a premium brand, cost reduction can be dangerous to its reputation. Does anyone remember what happened to the Big Three (Ford, Chrysler, and G.M.) when bean counters were the top brace instead of car guys? Colt is a great company with its reputation and technical expertise. However, sometimes details matter and I sure hope them do not end up like the Detroit Big Three back in 2008. |
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Colt did indeed trim corners for 2013.
It appears they chose to 'economize' in areas that most people change anyway . Most 6920 owners, for example, ditch the carry handle, and replace it with an optic and BUIS. Colt seemed to think it made sense to drop the carry handle and substitute the Magpul sight. I may not agree with it (because I happen to like the carry handle on the 6920), but I see the logic. Pmags are VERY popular these days, so if Colt substitutes 1 30 round Pmag in place of the 2 20 round metal mags (and save a buck or two in the process), I get it. I don't pretend to like the changes Colt made to keep the price point competitive, but I get it. They kept the quality in the important bits, which is the reason people buy Colt in the first place. |
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Quoted:
I paid a premium for a LE6920MG-FDE that was labeled as 2013 configuration. I was disappointed to see Colt downsized the package and priced it as high as the older LE6920. In addition, there were scratches on lower receiver and some of the threads on Magpul's furniture were obviously cross-threaded during assembly, as indicated by the plastic debris seen on the other side of hole. What my friend got from the box back in November 2012: Rifle, Manual, two magazines, cleaning kit, sling, and lock. What I got at the similar price: rifle, manual, one magazine, and lock. I understand the pressure and economic benefit of cutting corners and cost reduction. As a person working in the manufacturing industry, I am fully aware of the possible profit from cost reduction on a mass produced item (If $20 can be saved on one rifle and 10,000 were sold in one year, that is $200,000 on the balance sheet). However, for a premium brand, cost reduction can be dangerous to its reputation. Does anyone remember what happened to the Big Three (Ford, Chrysler, and G.M.) when bean counters were the top brace instead of car guys? Colt is a great company with its reputation and technical expertise. However, sometimes details matter and I sure hope them do not end up like the Detroit Big Three back in 2008. If your buddy bought the LE6920 "law enforcement marked" rifle, that was the standard package included. Those rifles were not intended to be sold to civilians, they were meant for law enforcement sales, export and so on. The rifle you purchased, assuming It's marked M4 carbine, or M4 carbine Sporter doesn't include the extra equipment as supplied with the LEO package. It is the same rifle in every aspect, aside from the MagPul gear. Colt is paying attention to current trends and supplying the guns with MOE gear since most people switch a standard gun around as soon as they get home. You bought a true mil-spec rifle, the barrel, bolt and carrier are individually magnetic particle inspected. The rifle has been proof tested with 70,000 psi rounds. The gun passes through dozens of QA/QC inspections, I wouldn't give a second thought about quality. While I appreciate MagPul being an American company and fully support them, I don't buy anything but their mags. Their upgrades, while being good parts are not Mil-spec. If I buy an M4 with their stuff on it, I usually give it away and replace it with something Mil-spec. I can agree with you on the cosmetic blems, every Colt I have ever bought new has had a scratch, or some kind of wear on it somewhere. Colt treats civ rifles, just like they do Mil and LEO guns. The parts go in to bins to get built and shipped off. The military couldn't give a rats ass about scratches, nor does law enforcement, plain and simple the guns are meant for hard use. I prefer cosmetic blems to inferior steel, improperly staked carrier keys, standard weight buffers and semi auto carriers hands down. Sorry for the rambling my friend, but know this, you own one hell of a good rifle. You can depend on it. |
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I realize searching can be a PITA, especially without a Team account, but this thread hasn't even scrolled off the front page yet. What was Colt thinking "2013 Configuration" ??? |
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I'll do you a solid and take that piece of crap off your hands. Of coarse seeing as how you dont have the sling, 2 20rd mags, or the cleaning kit, the value of the purchase goes down quite a bit. Hows $700 sound to you. I know i know im a bit of a spend thrift but i see a guy less fortunate than me buy some piece of junk and get screwed out of the AWESOME extra stuff and i want to help!
Anyway, long read i know, shoot me an IM if you want to make arrangements 
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Sorry that your new Colt carbine is not what you expected, I've been a Colt owner for a long 42 years now, used to have 6 pre ban rifles and carbines, now I got 5 (6920 X2, 6721 X2, and a Match Target HBAR lower with USGI M16A2 Colt upper half), all of them had minor factory handling marks, I never got one that's perfect and that's the way it is when we all get a Colt AR.
I would highly suggest to all new AR buyers (or even long time owners) to buy your firearm from a distributor that have a satisfaction guarantee like Davidson's or other similar distributors, if you're not happy with your purchase they will exchange it at no cost mostly if the gun is in stock it would be sent to your dealer in three days or less. |
| Interesting. I handled two M4s bought in 2012 and they had NO Cosmetic Blemishes, period. Perfect finish, solid function. But I agree, I will happily accept a small blemish or scratch over a substandard but pretty rifle. As for changing the furniture, I 'm sure they felt is was doing the Customer a favor to outfit it as he was going to anyway. CC |
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I get what you're saying, but I think they are modernizing their package rather than downsizing. Although the cleaning kit is what the mil guys get (as I understand it), it isn't what most of use use to clean our ARs. I like the bore brush and chamber brush, but that's no thing. The 20 round mags don't make sense to me. Everybody uses/wants 30 rounders. I'd rather have one 30 rd. Pmag than two 20 rd. mags. I always thought the sling that came with a Colt was kinda dinky. Never used it. I don't think I'm alone in this, and Colt did a good job anticipating what most folks use and want.
I've noticed that the 2013 models no longer come with the A3 carry handle. Again, most folks will want to use optics and a BUIS is preferable for most shooters. Quoted:
I paid a premium for a LE6920MG-FDE that was labeled as 2013 configuration. I was disappointed to see Colt downsized the package and priced it as high as the older LE6920. In addition, there were scratches on lower receiver and some of the threads on Magpul's furniture were obviously cross-threaded during assembly, as indicated by the plastic debris seen on the other side of hole. What my friend got from the box back in November 2012: Rifle, Manual, two magazines, cleaning kit, sling, and lock. What I got at the similar price: rifle, manual, one magazine, and lock. I understand the pressure and economic benefit of cutting corners and cost reduction. As a person working in the manufacturing industry, I am fully aware of the possible profit from cost reduction on a mass produced item (If $20 can be saved on one rifle and 10,000 were sold in one year, that is $200,000 on the balance sheet). However, for a premium brand, cost reduction can be dangerous to its reputation. Does anyone remember what happened to the Big Three (Ford, Chrysler, and G.M.) when bean counters were the top brace instead of car guys? Colt is a great company with its reputation and technical expertise. However, sometimes details matter and I sure hope them do not end up like the Detroit Big Three back in 2008. |
| Called and talked to Colt customer service this morning about why they switched from the Rogers Super Stock back to the "m4" style. Lady told me they were having safety issues with that particular stock and switched mid year because of it. That is the first I had heard of that but there you go... |
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Apparently the problem with the Colt-Rogers stock was the bushing for the quick detach sling swivel was found to pull out and dump the rifle.
Starting a couple of months ago, Colt went back to the standard military M4 stock. I've always thought that many of the various brands of replacement collapsing stocks were WAY over complicated, and way too intricate with all sorts of holes and molded recesses and crevices that are totally unnecessary and serve no good purpose. I find the complicated "busy" designs unnecessary, and god help you if you ever get any mud on them. You'll be cleaning and brushing and washing forever. The old original CAR stock was simple, fool proof and easy to maintain. Simple is better. The current M4 is also excellent, but still has too many unnecessary holes and slots molded in that collect dirt. |
