Yesterday I was at a shop picking-up a Glock 29. As I looked through all the Black rifles on the wall, one stood out. It was an A2 style AR with a grayish/black finish. Seeing that the bayo lug was missing, I figured it was a Colt Sporter or Hbar, etc. I had it handed to me to confirm my suspicions. It was marked Colt Sporter Target with a $999 price tag hanging off it. To be honest, although I have countless AR's, I've never paid much mind to the late 80's-90's pre/post ban Colts. I handed it back to to the Salesman and left with my Glock 29.
After I got home, I tried to remember what it was I looked at. I got on the internet and started researching all these pre/post ban guns. I still couldn't remember what it was.
Back in the early 90's, I used to see these types of Colts at my local Outdoor shop. Always with price tags somewhere in the $700-$900's (really can't remember which). So around 1991 when I wanted a semi-auto rifle (and growing-up watching the A Team), it came to the Mini-14 at half the price. Interesting how Mini-14 are now $700+ and AR's can be had for $500.
After thinking about it overnight, I went back to the shop. Something about that grayish/black finish and the Colt logo called to me. Right above this Colt was a brand new Colt AR-15A4. With all the correct Colt parts (Full auto bolt carrier, regular takedown pins, no block in the receiver, bayo lug, etc.) They wanted $1099 for this rifle. But again, the classic Colt called to me. And I can buy a new Colt AR-15A4 any day of the week, as these are current production rifles.
After a little negotiation, I'm the proud owner of a like new Colt Sporter Target model 6551 for $999 OTD. No box or paperwork, but it did have a 20 round Colt marked mag & cleaning rod. A quick call to Colt & this was produced in July of 1994 just before the ban. I'm in a free State where a pre-ban rifle really doesn't mean anything, but it is a part of Colt rifle history. This was probably someones panic buy right before the ban (IIRC, Sept. of 94'). Looks like it maybe had a mag through it before being placed in a safe or closet for 25 years.
Sorry for the long boring story, here's some pics.
After I got home, I tried to remember what it was I looked at. I got on the internet and started researching all these pre/post ban guns. I still couldn't remember what it was.
Back in the early 90's, I used to see these types of Colts at my local Outdoor shop. Always with price tags somewhere in the $700-$900's (really can't remember which). So around 1991 when I wanted a semi-auto rifle (and growing-up watching the A Team), it came to the Mini-14 at half the price. Interesting how Mini-14 are now $700+ and AR's can be had for $500.
After thinking about it overnight, I went back to the shop. Something about that grayish/black finish and the Colt logo called to me. Right above this Colt was a brand new Colt AR-15A4. With all the correct Colt parts (Full auto bolt carrier, regular takedown pins, no block in the receiver, bayo lug, etc.) They wanted $1099 for this rifle. But again, the classic Colt called to me. And I can buy a new Colt AR-15A4 any day of the week, as these are current production rifles.
After a little negotiation, I'm the proud owner of a like new Colt Sporter Target model 6551 for $999 OTD. No box or paperwork, but it did have a 20 round Colt marked mag & cleaning rod. A quick call to Colt & this was produced in July of 1994 just before the ban. I'm in a free State where a pre-ban rifle really doesn't mean anything, but it is a part of Colt rifle history. This was probably someones panic buy right before the ban (IIRC, Sept. of 94'). Looks like it maybe had a mag through it before being placed in a safe or closet for 25 years.
Sorry for the long boring story, here's some pics.
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