About three years ago, when I was still relatively new to AR's, I purchased, from a "friend" a "Pre-ban" (according to him) Colt 20" HBar marked "Sporter Match HBAR". This rifle came with an A2 bircage F.S., has the sear block, and no bayo lug. It was Brand New/Unfired (and the price was right-$1150), so I bought it from him and also got a letter, with stamp and all, confirming its pre-ban status. Here comes the kicker: EVERY website (Biggerhammer, etc.) states that the pre-ban Sporter Match HBARs last serial # was MH086020, MINE is #MH087XXX. I even called Colt and they assured me that there was no way this could be a Pre-ban. Now I don't know what to think because I got this gun from a friend and co-worker (who used to work for Colt, and also whom I feel would not try to knowingly screw me), and I have this letter from another guy from Colt who assured me that it IS pre-ban. Does anyone out there have any knowledge about this type of thing, or even any personal experience????? Thanks in advance for any info. If it is NOT a true pre-ban, I only have myself to blame for not doing more research prior to my buying the gun...live and learn I guess.

Cloak-

BTT

From the AR 15.com Serial number list:

Colt 800-962-COLT
CC001616 and Below - Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below - Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below - Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below - Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below - Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below - Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below - Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below - Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below - Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below - Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below - Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above - Post-Ban
BK000001and Above - Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above - Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above - Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production


I think it was an inside job.  Crown the muzzle or get a Compensator permanently attached, and just chalk it up to, "Don't do business with a friend."

A friend is a lot harder to replace than a hunk of aluminum & steel, and he may have been duped as well.  I would let him know what you discovered but also not [childishly, after 3 years] make a big deal about it.
It may have been an honest mistake.  He may have been given this gun & letter from another guy at Colt (or wherever) that passed it off as a preban.  Often someone will offer as FACT something they have HEARD or been TOLD.
Even 3 years ago, a Colt HBAR would have been close to that price, and you could easily sell it today at close to that price, so there is really no great financial loss. It's more your pride than money.
It's a Colt.  I would keep it.  Or sell it, add a few bucks, and hunt down a real Colt preban.

1.  Keep it and keep your mouth shut.  Breaking an assortment of fun federal laws while you're at it.

2.  Or, pull the upper off and sell it on the exchange board as a pre-ban HBAR upper.  Someone will buy it.  Buy a post-ban upper and put it on your lower.

3,  Or, sell it to some unsuspecting individual.  And wonder for the rest of your life if that guy one day got his ass in a sling as a result.

I think the second alternative is the way I would go.

You just got hung up in the nonsense of these stupid laws.  So have a lot of other people, live and learn.

The only "illegal" part you have on your gun is an uncrowned muzzle.  Instead of getting a post ban upper, just have the muzzle crowned or add a permanently attached muzzle brake.  It'll be cheaper than getting a whole new upper.

cloak, mistakes happen. chances are, your friend really believed that the rifle was pre-ban. BTW, that letter you have, if it is not signed by the official Colt historian, past or present, and date-verified, then it is just a piece of paper.

time for harsh reality: you are right now a felon. you are in violation of the 1994 assault weapon ban. you just admitted as much to the whole world by posting this information above. take all the above advice that applies, and delete this thread ASAP. i would have e-mailed this to you, but you have not made your address available. good luck!

Do you think the ATF is trolling AR15.com looking for violaters of the 94 ban?  

I have been told by LEO's in my area that the 94 ban is only prosecuted if you use the firearm in a crime.  For example, if you have a collapsable stock / FH and use it to rob a Kwik-E-Mart, now they can hit you with a federal firearms violation as well.  I don't know how accurate these guys are, though.  

Quoted: Do you think the ATF is trolling AR15.com looking for violaters of the 94 ban?   I have been told by LEO's in my area that the 94 ban is only prosecuted if you use the firearm in a crime.  For example, if you have a collapsable stock / FH and use it to rob a Kwik-E-Mart, now they can hit you with a federal firearms violation as well.  I don't know how accurate these guys are, though.

if you're willing to bet the next 10-20 years of your life on that, be my guest, i just don't want to see any of "our own" get dragged off to the klink because of a "maybe".

yesterday, we all learned that a cop will take you away at gunpoint and confiscate your weapon, just because of a nervous neighbor ~ a far cry from robbing the quicky mart, IMHO. his rifle will not be returned until the ATF deems it legal.