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Thread: Colt Expanse Barrel

  1. #1
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    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?

  2. #2
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    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.

  3. #3
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    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.

  4. #4
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    The Expanse barrels were 4150 steel just unlined.
    https://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/CE2000.pdf

  5. #5
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    I wouldn't waste my time with one of these when real Colt 16" carbine barrels are available for cheap.
    "Not every thing on Earth requires an aftermarket upgrade." demigod/markm

  6. #6
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    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.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by scottryan View Post
    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.
    Stick


    Board policy mandates I state that I shoot for BCM. I have also done work for 200 or so manufacturers within the firearm community. I am prior service, a full time LEO, firearm instructor, armorer, TL, martial arts instructor, and all around good guy.

    I also shoot and write for various publications. Let me know if you know cool secrets or have toys worthy of an article...


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