Colt Unmarked Barrels

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05-02-18, 20:46
T2C

Colt Unmarked Barrels

I have recently been facilitating training for an 11 officer police department in the midwest. This is the first time the agency has issued patrol carbines to it's officers. One of the patrol carbines is a Colt that has a screw in front receiver pin. The lower receiver is marked "Cal .223." The barrel is a HBAR contour that has no markings on it. The agency purchased the carbine more than ten years ago; we are trying to narrow down the year of purchase. We are trying to find the LEA purchase order, which I suspect will be from the late 1980's or early 1990's.

What years did Colt ship carbines with unmarked 16" heavy barrels directly to law enforcement agencies? This particular specimen has been in storage and the first rounds fired by the agency were last Wednesday.
05-02-18, 21:04
misfit47

Never heard of colt doing that. Probably a victim of a swap.
05-02-18, 21:09
T2C

Quote:

Originally Posted by misfit47

Never heard of colt doing that. Probably a victim of a swap.

The carbine was shipped directly from Colt according to a retired officer.
05-02-18, 21:13
misfit47

And they've been in "storage" for more than a decade correct?
05-02-18, 21:28
T2C

How long they have been stored has no bearing on the source of the carbine.

What years did Colt ship carbines with unmarked barrels?
05-02-18, 21:35
misfit47

It gives at least 10 years for someone to swap the upper. Email Colt.
05-02-18, 21:37
T2C

The box and owner's manual appear to be quite old. I believe the barrel to be original.

I will email Colt and try to determine the date of manufacture.

Unfortunately too much time has passed and the warranty on the carbine has long expired.

Do you work for Colt?
05-03-18, 00:01
MistWolf

T2C, you might be able find out when it was made by entering the serial number here-
https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup
05-03-18, 00:07
T2C

Quote:

Originally Posted by MistWolf

T2C, you might be able find out when it was made by entering the serial number here-
https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup

Thank you. This is the type of information I was hoping to get.
05-03-18, 05:15
sig1473

Quote:

Originally Posted by T2C

The carbine was shipped directly from Colt according to a retired officer.

If the barrel was umarked, there is a high chance that it isn't a Colt. I've never seen a Colt barrel unmarked and that includes a LEO M16 601 in use by my FIL's department. The retired officer could be mistaken.