6920 or LMT "the standard"

fourdegrees · #1 09-07-08, 22:58

Hello,

I've been lurking here for about 6 months and I just recently returned from the AOR. I figured that now would be a good time to spend some TDY money on my first AR. Since my position doesn't grant me the oppurtunity to work first hand with the M4 I'm relying on others experience to help me make my first purchase. I've narrowed it down the two choices listed in the title.

I know that the two compare favorably with each other on the "chart," so for me the main differences between the two are that the Colt comes with the standard carrying handle and collapsing stock and the LMT comes with the LMT BUIS and SOPMOD stock. It also seems that the prices have gotten closer, the price of the 6920 going down lately. I've seen the Colt for $1250 and the LMT for $1350. Having never had the oppurtunity to use either setup which one would you suggest for a first timer? The Colt with its more "standard" configuration or the LMT with its "upgraded" parts?

To be honest this gun will live an easy life. I know that I may not need this much gun, but I like to buy things once, so I look for quality where I can.

Thanks in advance for any help given.

No.6 · #2 09-07-08, 23:24

Welcome!
My guess is, you'll be like all of us in about 6 months. Suffering from BRD (Black Rifle Disease).
If you have the cash, buy the LMT, you'll appreciate the "upgrades". If cash is a bit tight, buy the Colt and some extra rounds/magazines. You'll be amazed how quickly the ammo will disappear once you begin shooting. Either way, you'll be purchasing a quality firearm that should retain it's value, be reliable, and be enjoyable to shoot.

Failure2Stop · #3 09-07-08, 23:45

Technically, the 6920 is "the standard" by which all other 16" CAR gas guns are measured, as it truly is an M4 upper with a barrel cut longer. However, both the LMT and Colt are very very good options, and you will be well served by either.

If I already had a lower and I had the option of either a 6920 or an LMT 16" upper, at no cost, I would choose the 6920. If I had to pay for it out of my own pocket, I would (and did) go with LMT. This is where LMT shines over Colt, given the price that Colt uppers demand in the market. If I was to buy a complete carbine and constrained to the same two, I would go with the 6920 despite the nonstandard FCG pins.

That being said, there are other very good options available. You have jumped into the AR game at a great time- several superb manufacturers (Noveske, Bravo Company, and Sabre, to name three) are delivering product, and there are well understood systems beyond the old standard of CAR and rifle length gas systems (mid-length and intermediate).

If you are going with a 16" gun I think that you may want to investigate the mid-length system, as it truly does shine as a general purpose carbine.

But that's just me.

.357sigger · #4 09-07-08, 23:48

Get the LMT....G and R Tactical has the LMT standard M4 listed for 1250.00 here:

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=HGSTD16

Give them a call, Grant is a good guy to deal with.

RogerinTPA · #5 09-08-08, 00:18

I'd get the Colt 6920, just because it is the standard for all M-4 AR's out there. I echo what F2S said, you will not be at a loss if you picked either one. It's all the damn upgrades and add on's that drive up the money invested in your weapon. It truly is like owning a boat in some respects. Once you get it in your hands, you can't resist the temptation to buy a red dot sight, a 4 power scope, BUIS, VFG, light, rails, mags, ammo, etc....then changing it in 6 months to a year because something else came out. It truly is addictive.

jhs1969 · #6 09-08-08, 01:02

I still see Colt prices on Gun Broker for around $1450 but I've seen ads from certain dealers for around $1299. The LMT lists for (the last time I looked) for around $1250. Now, all this being said, I got my LMT for $1056 delivered by ordering the complete upper and complete lower. In fact I ordered both at the same time from the same dealer and were delivered in two boxes rubberbanded together. You can save yourself some $ by looking around some. I got the SOPMOD stock and I really love it, I never thought I would ever want anything other than the standard M4 stock but after shooting a VLTOR I knew I wanted a better stock on my next carbine and I truly feel the SOPMOD is worth it, at least for me. You may just need to look at each item on the chart and decide for your self what you want. As much as I wanted a Colt I was not happy with the non-standard FCG pins but I've never heard of a Colt needing replacements in the FCG. After deciding what you want, try to handle/shoulder or shoot some M4's at a local dealer or range and get a feel for what stock, sight, grip, rails etc. you may want to add. I think someone else is about to be bitten by the bug

Welcome.

deercop · #7 09-08-08, 10:21

I just ordered this LMT from Kiesler. http://www.kiesler.com/police/produc...2486&pid=21853 $930 plus $12 shipping. Comes with detachable carrying handle, ambi safety, and standard stock. It is listed as individual LE only, but they also have a mil side of their website, that I haven't poked around on.

Here it is on their "defense" side of the website, same deal: http://www.kiesler.com/defense/produ...2486&pid=21853

Solid · #8 09-08-08, 11:21

I'd get the LMT, more accessories and normal trigger pin sizes.

kihnspiracy · #9 09-08-08, 13:18

Colt 6920. Comes as a complete rifle. Upper and lower finishes match. Higher resale value.

I rank LMT highly. I just don't like the fact that as a non-leo, I would have to order it as 2 seperate parts to get a complete rifle.

theJanitor · #10 09-08-08, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by kihnspiracy

Colt 6920. Comes as a complete rifle. Upper and lower finishes match. Higher resale value.

I rank LMT highly. I just don't like the fact that as a non-leo, I would have to order it as 2 seperate parts to get a complete rifle.

LMT sells CWS (complete weapon system). i bought a CWS from them. 16", two stage trigger, SOPMOD stock for less than a 6920.

OP, i would go with the LMT, IMHO. the quality is outstanding, and i don't judge weapons for their resale value. i judge them on their value as a weapon, and the LMT has great value to me.

spamsammich · #11 09-08-08, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kihnspiracy

Colt 6920. Comes as a complete rifle. Upper and lower finishes match. Higher resale value.

I rank LMT highly. I just don't like the fact that as a non-leo, I would have to order it as 2 seperate parts to get a complete rifle.

You don't like the fact that by ordering it in two separate parts, you can avoid paying federal excise tax on a complete rifle of 11%? Call me crazy but I'm ok with that, I can get a complete LMT for under 900 bucks minus BUIS through my FFL holder.

deercop · #12 09-08-08, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kihnspiracy

I just don't like the fact that as a non-leo, I would have to order it as 2 seperate parts to get a complete rifle.

I understand this is no longer the case.

kihnspiracy · #13 09-08-08, 15:08

Well, if you know of a dealer that sells complete LMT rifles to non-leo's please share that info. I would love to purchase an LMT rifle. All of the ones I have checked with do not sell complete rifles to non-leo's.

When I purchased my Colt, that option for LMT was unavailable. So the choice was a no brainer for me.

GONIF · #14 09-08-08, 15:09

if you bought the Colt and added the LMT sopmod stock ,that would be a nice set up . but best is relitive.

ARin · #15 09-08-08, 15:15

lmt m4 bbls are actually a much better barrel than the colts.....

reason being that they are NOT bound to the tdp....which is normally opposite. just so happens that the tdp is a little retarded when it comes to bbl specs. there are better ways to do it, and lmt does it better.

deercop · #16 09-08-08, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by kihnspiracy

Well, if you know of a dealer that sells complete LMT rifles to non-leo's please share that info. I would love to purchase an LMT rifle. All of the ones I have checked with do not sell complete rifles to non-leo's.

http://www.ar15sales.com/index.htm

PM sent with link to his thread on TOS, stating General Public sales.

I also believe G&R sells them: http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=HGSTD16

GONIF · #17 09-08-08, 16:02

I call BS on that .while they may be equal the LMT is not better in anyway shape or form.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARin

lmt m4 bbls are actually a much better barrel than the colts.....

reason being that they are NOT bound to the tdp....which is normally opposite. just so happens that the tdp is a little retarded when it comes to bbl specs. there are better ways to do it, and lmt does it better.

markm · #18 09-08-08, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by GONIF

I call BS on that .while they may be equal the LMT is not better in anyway shape or form.

I'd like some detail on that assertion too. LMT is just a 4150 1/7 chrome lined barrel. No taper pins, and no park under the FSB...

deercop · #19 09-08-08, 16:53

Could this be part of the reason for ARin's statement?

http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.ph...1&postcount=46

GONIF · #20 09-08-08, 17:21

you can bet your A$$ that if not parking under the FSB and useing straight pins were better Paule (BCM) would do it that way . these things may be no big deal to most of us but the hard core perfectionest's that realy know what they are doing are doing it for a reason . they could save time and money short cutting the prosecess. while I don't know if it makes any differance on a recreational AR or not the best insist on it . If I'm wrong it wouldn't be the first time ,but when I don't know for sure I look at what the people in the know are doing and defer to them and thier vast knolage on the subject and it apears to me that parking under the FSB and useing taper pins is the perfered method of the experts.