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I've got a local guy offering me a near mint (8 rounds down the tube) Colt Target Match .223 20" HBAR A2 rifle in trade. I don't know the model number yet, however we're meeting up tomorrow for me to take a look at it.



One thing that threw me for a loop is that he stated the barrel says "CMP 5.56 1/7 HBAR", however the lower says .223???



Is that normal? What can I look at to tell me exactly what model it is?



Also, are these desirable?? I know it's a Colt, but is the 20" 1/7 HBAR a "match" grade barrel?



Any help is appreciated as always.



-Will

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Yes. They're nice rifles. I re-barreled mine with a Kreiger SS match barrel, and use it for CMP matches.

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There is a ban-state compliant model and a non-ban state model.  A few New England states, NY, and CA are still under Ban conditions, hence no FH or bayo lug.  There is also another model that has a removable carry handle like an M16A4, but that has a 1/9 twist barrel.  The 1/7 is more desireable for heavier grain ammo used at longer ranges.  

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I was hopping it was a R6600 after doing a bunch of googling. I'll still take a look at it, but it sounds like a no go.

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It's probably not a Colt model R6600 AR-15A2 H-BAR Sporter those were the original pre-ban HBAR model which I used to own when I bought it on it's first year production in 1986.

The R6600 HBAR have bayonet lugs and A2 flash suppressors, also with A2 (with elevation adjustment rear sights) fixed carry handle, A1 type lowers without the fence around the mag release button, and no lower receiver sear block, they were made around from 1986 to 1991.

There is another version of the R6600 which as made around the same time period which is the R6600DH AR-15A2 Delta H-BAR, same configuration as the R6600 except with a red triangle delta logo marking, optic with carry handle mount, and Delta cheek piece (1987-1990 production).

These models were replaced by the R6601 (standard) and R6601DH (Delta HBAR) models from '91 up to around '94, basically the same as the older models except without AR-15 markings, no bayonet lugs and with generally the addition of the lower receiver sear blocks.

The Match Target series replaced the previous models around 1994, that's around the time period of the assault weapons ban so they are law compliant without the bayonet lugs and flash suppressors, there might be some made before the ban with flash suppressors.

If you see any of these Match Target models with bayonet lug and flash suppressor (or any combinations) most likely the owner in a no ban state added those features after the ban ended in 2004.

For myself the only undesirable feature that I would avoid would be the lower receiver sear block, it usually interferes with aftermarket triggers.

I currently don't have an HBAR rifle but if I'm in the market for one, I would just get the current production MT6601 Match Target HBAR with the small standard hammer and trigger pins (made mid 2009 or later), and since I'm in a no ban state I'll just add the bayonet lug and A2 flash suppressor.

There are some rumors that Colt might discontinue these rifles/ carbines with fixed carry handles, if you like those type maybe get it before they're mostly gone.