First of all, this is a great forum. Glad to have found it.
I lurked here for a day or two, and then went shopping. Found this pre Colt in really nice condition, and Bob's your uncle.
I had wanted a heavy barrel, but can add one any time, so no big deal.
?'s:
1 - What exactly is a Lightweight, other than a light barrel? Other differences? Is the lower any different than say a Match Colt, or a Bushie, etc?
2 - is it okay (legal) for me to use the 30rd mags that came with it?
3 - what is that "Colt box thing" parked inside my lower? What does it do, can I remove it, and if so, how?
4 - My dad gave me an M1 carbine many years ago. Sure, it has a quirk or two, but I am scary lethal with that rifle, just from lots of practice. I notice, to my surprise, that the AR recoil is noticeably heavier than the M1. This is with XM193 55gr ball ammo. I'm not saying the recoil is heavy, just more than the M1. How much of this is a function of barrel weight, etc?
5 - This thing looks stock, and my understanding is that I'm the 2nd owner, and that the first owner fired it 580 times total. Any idea what year it was made? Other than the normal fun stuff and customization, does the Sporter Lightweight have any known little issues or whatever that I should address first, or is it just another AR?
Thanks. It's farkin cool to be in the AR nation! I'm already thinking about getting another! ;-)
http://www.tympanocentesis.com/ShopSite/media/AR-1.jpghttp://www.tympanocentesis.com/ShopSite/media/AR-2.jpghttp://www.tympanocentesis.com/ShopSite/media/AR-3.jpghttp://www.tympanocentesis.com/ShopSite/media/AR-4.jpg