Colt to produce a throwback M16A1

[Hair Trigger]

They are aimed at a specific demographic and many of those guys have disposable income these days. I expect them to sell quite well.

Having the auto selector on what is a semi-only rifle is similar to the M-14 fans who have the notched stock and faux selector on their M1A's. I like the look on both, but would rather it really did rock'n'roll if so equipped.

 

[Big Cholla]

Re: The Price! IMHO, Colt, Inc. is desperate. Everything they produce is being sold with Marketing hoping to 'hit a bases loaded home run'. IMHO, Not likely to happen. There are hundreds of thousands of Colt made AR-16s stored in warehouses around the world under the ownership of whomever we gave them. Under the new president, I wouldn't be surprised that entrepreneurs will lobby and get the new president's nod to import those A1s back to the USA to be converted to semi only and then sold on the open market. So, Colt, what are you going to do about that?

 

[-db-]

The great thing about putting your own A1 clone together is that you can install/attach better/modern parts that don't detract at all from the retro look, getting the best of both worlds. Think pencil barrel but with modern faster twist, better bolt and carrier, improved A2 flash hider and sight parts, etc. That's how I set mine up.

And then there's the price difference everyone else has pointed out, $750-1000 vs. $2500, which is pretty much a no-brainer.

 

[BB57]

So you're part of the reason I can't get Nodak to take my order!

They recently told me they aren't even processing orders from Canada right now because of the demand at home. I need a partial fence lower BAD.

Probably not...I jumped on board with the first production batch several years ago.

 

[Steve912]

There are hundreds of thousands of Colt made AR-16s stored in warehouses around the world under the ownership of whomever we gave them. Under the new president, I wouldn't be surprised that entrepreneurs will lobby and get the new president's nod to import those A1s

They've been doing that for years. I got a re-import A1 kit five years (or more?) ago. They were pretty common at the time, I think even Sportsman's Guide had some. The kits had the barrels, one or more parts of the select-fire control system, and lower receiver removed. All the other original Colt parts where there. Some kits were re-barreled, some not; some with FSB & gas tube, etc mounted, some not, depending on which re-importers you looked at.

 

[Toyman]

I bought one of the originals in 1975 LEO price $196 as I remember.
I also seem to remember that the forearm and stock had a greenish cast to them.

 

[Mexican Kerry]

Probably not...I jumped on board with the first production batch several years ago.

Fair enough, I wasn't holding it against you (just jealous).

 

[SLT223]

Those are a bit pricey for what they are, but pretty darn cool. If I could have one in CT, I would get one. I love the A1...much prefer it to A2 though I'm not using either in combat. I understand the upgrades of later generations. Being in CT I had to actually get a transferable M16A1 to get a Colt A1 because the Colt SP1's were banned. How's that for backwards?

 

[apollo99]

SLT223 how times have changed, Grannicks gun shop on Greenwich Avenue, in Greenwich Connecticut had the original Vietnam era M-16 for sale, at the time in 1979-1980 they were an outrageous price of $800, add the $200 tax stamp and you were into a jammin' jennie for about $1000. Same gun now is 15 to 20 times the price. Connecticut used to be a gun friendly state.

 

[Spartan 2]

I worked Colts Security back in the 70s. Back then we could buy them at employee costs, that went for Pythons as well. I did not purchase either, silly me but did buy a new Ruger Security Six Instead. Now being in CT. we cannot buy one of these or any other type of AR 15 thanks to the knee jerk ban by Malloy and his fellow liberals in 2013 and yes the ban is still in effect.

 

[bummer]

Most of the M-16's I was issued were either H&R or GM products. I had 1 colt with a 203 issued at Ft Polk for about 6 months than an early XM when I went to the Light Leaders Course at Ft Benning.

 

[mojave30cal]

Here's a retro Colt 653 I put together last year. The lower is
Nodakspud with colt lower parts. The carbine stock is from
Essential Arms and is a reproduction of the Colt vinyl acetate
stock for a third of the cost of an original. They make this
reproduction from aluminum, then anodize it, then powder
coat for the finish. Looks like the original. The upper is a Colt
603 upper with Colt BCG; and the barrel is an 80's Colt carbine
pencil barrel in a 1X7 twist rate. I replaced the A2 flash hider
with an A1 flash hider, and replaced the A2 front sight post
with a new Colt A1 front sight post. The handguards are the
6 hole ones like those used on this model in the day. The whole
contraption weighs just 6.5 lbs. empty, and 7 pounds with a
full Colt early 20 round magazine. I got the carry sling from a
guy on AR15.com. Oh yeah, the charging handle is also Colt.

 

[Steve912]

$189.50...

 

[Drm50]

I am a RVn Vet, I was issued a M-16 but never had the military
gun bug disease. I've always been more into classic hunting
rifles. Now in old age I was thinking about picking up a AR in
the M16 era model. Colt is making another marketing blunder
with the pricing of this gun. It isn't going to cost them anymore
to make than a $800 model. There are probably hundreds of old
VV like me that would spring $800 for one. There are also a lot
of VVs who aren't going to pay a outrageous price for one. The
sale of this gun is directed at vets, with all the competition in
AR market, Colt is missing the chance to sell a bunch of them.
If I remember right my 1st one was a H&R anyway. Colt has the
habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They let the
1911 market escape them the same way.

 

[cmansguns]

So............it is now 2017, making anything made prior to 1967 now eligible for BATF Curios & Relics listing. Right?

Think maybe I'll just hold out till CMP/local hardware stores start selling them in pickle barrels (like Garand's in 1962 for $79.95...hand select for $10.00 more, add a 1911A1 surplus for $12.95).

On the other hand I'll be holding for probably more years than I've got left.

 

[Drm50]

I don't think Government will ever sell weapons with full auto
capability on the civilian market. There is some hope that the
Beretta 9mm will be sold to public, instead of paying to have
them destroyed.

 

[sigp220.45]

I don't think Government will ever sell weapons with full auto
capability on the civilian market. There is some hope that the
Beretta 9mm will be sold to public, instead of paying to have
them destroyed.

I agree. The rule has always been "once a machinegun, always a machinegun".

I do hope the M9s will be surplussed to CMP, since the precedent has been set with the 1911.

 

[Arik]

Yes, once a machine gun always a machine gun. Doesn't matter if the parts can be swapped or the holes welded up or something machined off permanently. Only way it will not because machine gun is to be destroyed

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Steve912]

They could be sold with a torch/saw-cut lower receiver.

 

[Arik]

They could be sold with a torch/saw-cut lower receiver.

Yes but you'd need a new semi auto lower at which point you're just buying parts though

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