A local cop shop has about 10 Colt ARs from a Department of Corrections. They are all set up the same way - 20 inch heavy barrels, no flash hider, long round handguards, bayo lug, and collapsible stock. Seems like a strange way for a Department to want a gun configured.

I must not be the only one to think so, since they are just sitting there for $475 a whack.

M4s don’t do much for me, but I like the full size M16A2 look. I know replacing the stock is no biggie, but that no-flash-hider muzzle is a deal-breaker.

Is it hard or even possible to add a flash hider to one of the ban-era type barrels? Would you pay $475 for such a critter?

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

That's a very good price on those Colts. You could have an AR shop such as Rainier Arms thread the barrel and install an A2 flash hider, or just leave it as-is and install the fixed stock in order to build it up as H-BAR Match Target rifle. Assuming that these rifles are in reasonably good shape, they are worth more than $475 just in the parts alone.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Unusual that they'd be spec'd with a bayonet lug but no flash hider. The heavy barrels are great for match shooting but will make the rifle feel very unbalanced. For the price though you could change pretty much anything out on them and still come out ahead.

If the barrel is not threaded, I have seen advertised, flash hiders that I believe attach with some kind of set screw set up. Don't know how well that would work though. For the price, assuming good condition, it seems like a good buy. I would have a gun smith thread the muzzle for what, maybe $50.00? Take off fixed rear stocks can be found cheap with a little searching.

Larry

Barrels are cheap and easy to replace and the price is good for a Colt,I would buy for sure.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I would but it in a heartbeat.

For $475 you can always buy another upper of another barrel.

I would buy it for just the lower.

You can easily part out the upper if it is built with genuine Colt parts.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Good price for a Colt considering that they aren't used that much and mainly sit in the armory.

Do you remember the name/model # ? 20 inch barrel is kind weird and the only ones I've seen without the flash hider are target rifles. Maybe it just doesn't have one? sometimes departments will take off the strangest parts. My LGS has LE Colts without rear sights. Whatever department they came from they decided to remove the rear sights. Or is there no way to put one on? Is the carry handle removable or one piece with the upper?

You can still add a flash hider but the barrel would have to be threaded. So it's doable but probably need a gunsmith.

The only one I can find in 20 inch barrel is the AR15M4 but it has a fixed stock and a flash hider.


Does it look like this? If so it's a Match Target but you mentioned a bayo lug and these don't have it.

Weird


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Sent you a PM-Sounds like Colorado is agreeing with you amigo!!

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Forum consigliere

Could be the R6600 ban era transitional AR-15A2 HBAR

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At one point in time, I believe Canada configured their rifles with 20 inch barrels and collapsible stocks. However, they did have flash suppressors and bayo lugs.

I have a Match Target. Model number is 6551. A2 upper and fore grips, A2 stock, no bayo lug, no flash suppressor......and a plastic buff. Ugh.

Needless to say, it is now on a Form 1 awaiting the opportunity to start life anew.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

I wish I would have paid more attention.

I called the place and had them put one back til Monday. The guy said it was marked Colt Match Target and .223 caliber.

They looked like the one in your post, but with collapsible stocks. I may have imagined the bayonet lug.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I would absolutely be a buyer at that price! Stocks etc. that you don't like are easily changed.

Good move, but someday you will kick yourself for not buying two of them at that price when you had the chance. Be sure to use genuine Colt or FN stocks, receiver extensions and buffers if/when you swap them out. The genuine parts are more difficult to find, but they will help maintain the value of the guns and the vintage parts are easy to tell apart from the reproductions (color, texture and quality).

Do you mind if I inquire as to where these are or if the business is online?

I would possibly be interested in purchasing one.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Yes, these are a heck of a find. The as-is configuration strongly resembles the Canadian C7A2 rifle. Very cool!

Well, thanks to this merry band of enablers I made the trip and scraped the last remnants of the gun fund of just enough to bring it home. Here it is:



The serial number dates it to 1997, and the Colt website says it is an MT6551.



The collapsible stock is a Rock River replacement. If anyone wants to swap this for a full length fixed one, let me know.



It was either rack number 6 or 9. Probably 6.



I like the 20" barrel and the long round handguards. Since I think of everything in terms of movies, it reminds me of Three Kings.



The barrel is marked like this. No bayonet lug as I had originally thought.



The innards look normal.



Carrying handle is fixed, with these sights.



I didn't have an AR, but I had some magazines in my orphaned mags box. One is dated also to 1997.



Now I either need to get the muzzle threaded for a flash hider, use a bolt-on one, or just get used to its weird appearance.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

No bolt on. They don't work. Save yourself the hassle and either get it right or just accept it as it is

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You got a deal.....regardless of the AWB muzzle sans flash suppressor.....agree with Arik.....live with it or have the muzzle threaded and mount an appropriate flash suppressor.....the stock issue is easily fixed.....I bought a Colt A1 kit a few years back that had everything but the lower and paid more for the components than you paid for a complete functional rifle....it will serve you well.

Colt is still king of the hill in my book.

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I wonder where the price "floor" is on AR rifles?
I don't see them for sale used at gunshows around here anymore. They don't sell and nobody can get near what they have in them.
A new S&W AR is at $470 at the local gun store and Colts sit at $750.

The OP's deal sounds like a good one.

I'm hoping in a year you'll buy 10 Magpul mags and they'll throw in a Colt LE6920!

GF

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SWCA #2420

At that price, I'd buy two.

GS

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“Deus vult”

You're off to a good start with that magazine. Leave the barrel as-is and restore the stock with a period-correct original Colt stock, receiver extension, buffer and spring. You'll learn to love the look of the Match Target.

I would stock up on some magazines. You never know...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

If you not planning on doing a lot of nite shooting....

I wouldn't worry about the flash hider.


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Agreed - if you're just making it a range rifle and occasionally plinker, I'd just leave the barrel alone. Now if it's something you're going to shoot a lot, shoot matches with, make a frequently trained with defensive rifle, etc.....go have it properly threaded and put something on the end. I had fellow teammates on swat in California during the 90s ban years that had a few of those 16" Colts with nothing on the muzzle....holy **** muzzle flash and lord help your ears if you were anywhere around 50-90degrees off to the side, ear protection or not...the concussion blast was something else. Essentially, if it's only you, just enjoy it...if you're shooting around "friends", do them the favor and get the brake installed.


BTW - outstanding purchase for that price! I would've done the same, except maybe on two of them....or three.....or...