AR-15 HBAR Competition

TJm15.38 · Jul 8, 2023

This is a 1978-vintage AR-15 HBAR Competition in .223/5.56. Things that are different about this rifle are as follows.

1. Larger front receiver pivot pin that is essentially a bolt and nut. I think it would be difficult to put another upper on the lower receiver.

2. Sear block on the fire control group probably put in place to discourage/prevent conversion to full auto. Because of this, the rifle has a "half moon" non-standard bolt carrier group.

Although the receiver has "Colt .223" stamped on it, the barrel is marked "C MP 5.56 NATO HBAR 1/9" indicating that it will accept 5.56 ammo. I really don't know why Colt stamped the reciver .223 other than maybe to distinguish it from a military rifle. If any of the forum members have a rifle like this, I'd would like to see it. I thought this was a strange Colt when I bought it several years ago. I haven't seen one like it since. This rifle shoots very well, has a great trigger, but doesn't like the heavier bullets above 62 grain.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 8, 2023

I used to have a CAR-15A3 (Colt Accurized Rifle)...24" stainless steel heavy barrel but sold it some time ago. It was a super tack driver but I rarely fired it and it was quite profitable to sell during the last panic buy. Always go by the caliber marking on the barrel. What the receiver is marked is more or less immaterial.

Each gun has its favorites when it comes to bullet weight and loading. The 1:9" rate of twist is arguably the best all around for accuracy for the widest range of bullet weights. The heavier bullets usually prefer the 1:7" twist but even then the differences are probably marginal.

Ivan the Butcher · Jul 8, 2023

Twist Rate: I have a Savage Target rifle that is a 1:9 twist. This gun shoots 75 gr A-Max and 77 gr Berger Hybrid in 3" groups at 1000 yards. The key to bullet stabilization is the match twist and velocity so the bullet spins 36,000 RPM! (to get enough Varget in the case with a 75/77 bullet it is way over standard magazine length!) But you gotta love those high B.C.'s!

Ivan

I was looking at CMP Match H-Bar Bushmasters in the 1990's they had free floating handguards, and lead weights in the handguard and buttstock, and way better iron sights. ITB

alwslate · Jul 8, 2023

I had one many years ago shortly after they first came out. They were quite popular for awhile. I got tired of the weight and bulk and took it to a gun show and traded it for a 16" lightweight with the same bolt and nut rather a pin.

inspcalahan · Jul 9, 2023

I'd wager to say that's an early 90's gun, at least the lower. They were doing the goofy two piece large front takedown screw/pin in the 80's as well but the internal sear block and half circle bolt carrier are early 90's clinton crime bill modifications.

The upper, if original puts it mid 1990's due to the removable carry handle. I'd have to go find the book to get an exact year.

Great guns and I'm thinking that one will shoot the lights out for sure.

Valmet · Jul 9, 2023

Def an mid-90s blue label gun considering the sear block and removable CH.

TJm15.38 · Jul 9, 2023

inspcalahan said:
I'd wager to say that's an early 90's gun, at least the lower. They were doing the goofy two piece large front takedown screw/pin in the 80's as well but the internal sear block and half circle bolt carrier are early 90's clinton crime bill modifications.

The upper, if original puts it mid 1990's due to the removable carry handle. I'd have to go find the book to get an exact year.

Great guns and I'm thinking that one will shoot the lights out for sure.

Thanks for your response. Any information you have about year of manufacture would be appreciated. I believe the upper is original to this rifle.

Engine49guy · Jul 9, 2023

Your gun is mid to lste 90's era "Blue label"

Colt did a lot of bad stuff to their AR15 rifles in the Sporter series to placate the Clinton's, AWB .
Blue label trigger and hammer pins are larger so u can't use M16 parts or a drop in Timney type triggers,
the pivot pins were the same diamater as the M16A2 but they did not drill the fence on the right side to prevent use of a retained pivot pin, ( I have a very early blue label Match HBAR that was drilled for the pivot pin spring n plunger at the factory but came with a screw and nut cap, I upgraded to a retained pin and tossed the screw n nut in the buttstock).

Your pivot pin is different style than my Match Hbar, must be a Competition upgrade.

The sear block means you are stuck with that bolt, Colt milled off the bottom to further neuter them, if u try to use any other bolt IIRC it won't clear that sear block. (Those were to prevent installation of lightning links)

I remember that the blue label changes were not received well by the gun buying public,
When the AWB sunset Bushmaster of Windham Me introduced a near exact copy of the M16A2 that sold like hotcakes, (I still have mine and still love that gun, it is the gun Colt should have made).

Colt eventually stopped doing all those mods that nobody wanted which also saved them production costs
Orginal high condition blue label guns are desirable to collectors who want one to represent that part in Colt AR production history .
I believe there is a chart on AR15.com that approximates serial numbers to year of manufacture, my bet is your is mid to late 90's because of the compensator.

Engine49guy · Jul 9, 2023

I've been searching the net and found this thread, I never knew those flattop models existed ,

Here's a link, apparently they used a "C" suffix after the model number denotes the compensator according to this thread.

Identifying a Colt Match Target Hbar - AR15.COM

AR-15 HBAR Competition

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