I have a Colt AR15 A2 Sporter II( what is stamped on the side) but is is a slabside (no fence rail around release). Why is it an A2 then? The sights are A1 style also. I thought that the A2 receivers were reinforced and had the rail.

Is there a real danger of the lower breaking if it is not an reinforced type lower?

Confused Colt owner!

ASO544

The 6500 was introduced in 1985, the first reinforced lowers I encountered were in 1990.
The 6500 followed Colts normal pattern of using up old parts. The first ones that came
though my hands had no forward assist. Latter the forward assist was added with the early
teardrop style plunger, then the round styles. Even seen a few odd ones with a case defector.
With enough abuse you can break any lower, haven’t seen that many of any style.
Picture is of a late style.

I have a 6551 pre ban. It's an A2 upper even the flash hider. The lower is an A1 or slab side like yours. I bought an SP-1 upper in case I want it to look authentic, or so I told my wife.

And to add to the confusion...

I have a R6601 (Sporter Match HBAR) with the a1 slab-side receiver, all a2 furnature and upper receiver and an SP serial number.

I bought this rifle new in June '91, right after Colt reintroduced the AR as the Sporter Rifle.

Colt just used up old stock first.

Confusion is part of the joy of owning a Colt. Your rifle may not be like everyone elses (unlike other brands ).

Thanks guys,

My main confusion was why the A2 on the lower when the lower has no A2 updates. Th only A2 update on the whole gun is the suppresor.

ASO544

Sporter II (Cat# R-6500). When
this gun first appeared in 1985 it had many of the old Sporter 1 (SP1) features. New to this model were these M-16A2 features.
1. Flash hider with closed bottom
2. Barrel with 1in7" twist, heavy from front sight base forward, same as SP-1 under handguards
3. Front sight post squared
4. Round handguards
5. Longer, stronger buttstock
6. Delta ring; A2 style,angled
7. Finger-grooved pistol grip

Your rifle show have all these A2 features.

On the reintroduction of the Colt Sporter


"Beware the Ides of March"


March 15, 1989, a day that will live in infamy. President George Bush at the urging of his Drug Czar William Bennet, temporary bans the import of more than 40 semi-auto rifles. Colt Industries withdraws from public sale all versions of the AR-15, in support of the President.

Early in 1990 Colt Firearms Division is purchased from Colt Industries by the C.F. Holding Crop. The company name is changed to Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.(C.M.C.).
C.M.C. reintroduces a modified version of the AR-15. The rifles are no longer call by the AR-15 name, but are referred to as Sporter. The Sporter differs from the AR-15 in that it
has no bayonet lug.

The actual day the ban was announced was the 14th of March. If you check the Bush library site, nothing happened that day. So, if Bush can rewrite history so can I. The 15th is a much more appropriate day for betrayal.

Don Francis,

Since you seem to know your shit! Were the original uppers for these model
rifles large or small hole?

Thanks for all the info,

MM

They were large hole, this makes them the upper of choice to add forward assists to an SP-1.  Knowing Colt, I wouldn't say with certainly that a small hole version didn't exist. I’ve seen some pretty strange export models based on the 6500. Of course your upper and lower should match. If you find yourself with a large hole lower and a small hole upper, this isn’t factory.

What would one of these uppers be worth with and without the charging handle/bolt&carrier in almost new condition(~100 rounds)? I have one I was thinking of selling...

Quoted: What would one of these uppers be worth with and without the charging handle/bolt&carrier in almost new condition(~100 rounds)? I have one I was thinking of selling...

I'd say somewhere in the ballpark of $350.