Colt Expanse Barrel

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02-20-18, 00:10
BFS

Colt Expanse Barrel

Seeing a lot of these on the interwebz for cheap lately. I suspect Bold Ideas Texas has liquidated their inventory, and were seeing it trickle down to Gunbroker etc.

I thinking of picking up a bare barrel to finish up a parts bin build.

The profile is sensible, the price is right.

The ones im seeing are rollmarked "5.56 NATO 1/7 C P" or "5.56 NATO 1/7 C"

So what Im wondering is

1. Did Colt make the barrels in house for Expanse/Colt Competition? Or were the barrels sourced by Bold Ideas?

2. What does the "P" rollmark mean?

3. Can I expect a correct 5.56 chamber on an Expanse barrel?

4. Can I expect a .063 port on an Expanse barrel?

5. I am aware the Expanse was not chrome lined. But what grade steel was used?
02-20-18, 06:19
Eurodriver

What makes one build a “parts bin” gun? If you have to buy more parts, it surely can no longer be a parts bin build...

Do you not have a carbine already, or two? Surely they are of higher quality than whatever you’d be building. If not, why not build a high quality rifle?

If you don’t see where I’m going with this, why not use the parts bin for parts rather than build something sub-par for very little reason other than having the parts handy.
02-20-18, 10:10
BFS

Nah mang, I'm not looking for advice, just seeking information.

If the Expanse barrel was indeed made in house by Colt, then I would consider it a high quality part.
02-20-18, 10:38
sig1473

The Expanse barrels were 4150 steel just unlined.
https://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/CE2000.pdf
02-20-18, 11:28
scottryan

I wouldn't waste my time with one of these when real Colt 16" carbine barrels are available for cheap.
02-20-18, 23:09
BFS

Yes, I'm aware of current 6920 and Colt parts prices.

I really just want to know if CE2000 barrels are gassed and chambered properly.

Perhaps Grant can chime in, he knows more about these than anybody I think.
02-21-18, 16:00
Stickman

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottryan

I wouldn't waste my time with one of these when real Colt 16" carbine barrels are available for cheap.

I would normally agree, but I picked up some for $100 a piece, and they shoot well. Generic 55 grain was roughly 3" groups at 100 yards, but 77 SMK pulled 3/4" five round groups.

If I could get Colt barrels for anywhere near $100, I would be all over it.

ETA- I should point out that I think there are a few different barrels being claimed as CE barrels. I would guess that some are, and some are not.