Quoted: Brother, post a short update on the LE1020 thread to keep it going. |
Colt guys were pretty tight-lipped and in fairness were there to write orders with their distributors/dealers, so I pretty much did my own inspections, handled them all, and looked through all the material available. I did ask when they expected to deliver the 10 series (monolithic rifles - 6941, 1020, 1033) and he said "they were building them now and should ship soon"
The 1020 was incredible. While I didn't break it down, I did inspect the piston through the rail and it looks very rugged and well thought through. The front sight is a flip down model without locking mechanism. It stays up and is firmly in place, and when needed, is pulled back to its 'down' position. I am not a big fan of these PRI, KAC, type FSB sights, but I suppose they are more a matter of funtion than form.
The rear sight is the Matech which I hadn't given much look until then. I would call it utilitarian - simple, effective and no frills. No wonder Uncle Sam likes them. Any builds looking to duplicate a true mil-M4 should consider this BUIS.
The 1020 and 1033 alike feel great. The railed upper feels slimmer and more ergonomic than your typical railed upper. It is instantly noticeable when you handle them I admit the other monos I handled were as well - like the Vltor, and LMT. So maybe that was just my perception and others may not have been so taken by it.
All of the LE models I saw had the "6920" lower (Colt Law Enforcement Carbine) and not a 6921 or 6933 lower. But that could well have been a matter of expediency for them
I did not ask, but was surprised to see the Colt M5 being displayed and supported by new literature
This is pretty much the same as the one shown 2 years back. The rail system is very impressive
Here is the company line on the M5:
- New aluminum handguards maintains 100% zero
- Barrel heat sink and Airflow grooves extends barrel life (tested to date 25,000 rnds without failure)
- New front sight (similar to the 10 series)
- Piston Operating system
- 1/7 bbl for full ammo range - Mk262, SS109, M855, M193
I don't whether they actually are making this rifle or not, but based on the literature- you would believe they are.
(poor) photo of the M5 upper only on display
Not sure about you guys, but I look forward to the day the 1033/1020 are truly available. They were my SHOT Show #1 highlight. Including all the 'new guns' introduced (although the Hk 416 was awfully impressive, and was a close 2nd)
here is that "close 2nd and IMHO what prompted or necessitated the introduction of the 10 series:
Hopefully some of the other guys I saw there groping the Colts can weigh in and elaborate on their Colt intel.
HTH.