Perhaps not Vintage, But a Bit Unusual
Awhile back I was cruising the local shops looking a new wheel gun, Ruger GP100 and S&W 686 in 357/38 .
But at one small place I saw a Colt on the wall that caught my attention.
I looked it over and tried to do some research, it was interesting enough to immediately go back and buy it.
Funny how stuff like that happens, looking for something in particular and wind up with something completely different.
Colt AR15A2 (R6550) Government Model, 20" Rifle, .223 1/7 twist.
Serial number begins with GS007***
These were originally made for military contract Colt M16A2s.
From what I can gather, 2/3 or more of this model had a bayonet lug up until sometime in '90.
Supposedly sometime in '90 with several states instituting their own AWB's prior to the '94 Fed AWB Colt started neutering the bayonet lug.
I know from the SN# that this was one of the latter ones manufactured.
Quote:
Colt Green label R6550
"Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model"
Only a few hundred of this model variant were produced in a run marked "AR-15 A2 GOV'T MODEL".
These GS serials were originally not meant to be demilitarized or sold to the public.
There is not a true number of how many of these actually got out there to civilians.
These models are rare and recognized in all firearms reference guides.
This model variant is often referred to as the "transition model" because it was produced and released for public sale right at the time of the original gun ban.
Colt elected to release the inventory they had, but not before they ground off the bayonet lug.
There were very few of these model variants released before colt ceased production and release of the "Government Model" to the general public altogether and went to the "Sporter" version. These rifles are one of a kind run, they have all the M-16/A2 features less the bayonet lug.
These rifles have no sear blocks or other ban modifications and the barrels are the USGIM16A2 1:7 chrome lined MP tested threaded barrels, the rifle also has the A-2 flash hider.
GS (Government Model Service)
Colt Model 6550 AR-15A2 Government Model (1988-1990)
Colt Model 6550K AR-15A2 Government Model (no bayonet lug, incl. .22LR conv. kit)
Colt Model 6550CC AR-15A2 Government Model (“Factory Camouflage Finish”)
Production of these rifles ended in 1990 and thus the entire production run is pre-ban.
The highest serial number known to be in the wild is GS0092xx.
It is 99%, danged near immaculate, I wouldn't hesitate to say the only rounds fired through it were Colt's test rounds.
https://i.imgur.com/sjtMytKl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X0oC682l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ISy3Adil.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yjCjQEBl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cB3etThl.jpg
Perhaps not Vintage, But a Bit Unusual
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChileRelleno
Awhile back I was cruising the local shops looking a new wheel gun, Ruger GP100 and S&W 686 in 357/38 .
But at one small place I saw a Colt on the wall that caught my attention.
I looked it over and tried to do some research, it was interesting enough to immediately go back and buy it.
Funny how stuff like that happens, looking for something in particular and wind up with something completely different.
Colt AR15A2 (R6550) Government Model, 20" Rifle, .223 1/7 twist.
Serial number begins with GS007***
These were originally made for military contract Colt M16A2s.
From what I can gather, 2/3 or more of this model had a bayonet lug up until sometime in '90.
Supposedly sometime in '90 with several states instituting their own AWB's prior to the '94 Fed AWB Colt started neutering the bayonet lug.
I know from the SN# that this was one of the latter ones manufactured.
It is 99%, danged near immaculate, I wouldn't hesitate to say the only rounds fired through it were Colt's test rounds.
Beautiful rifle, congratulations on your acquisition. And definitely vintage, fixed carry handle, 30 years +
However I must say I am somewhat sceptical that those were made for military contract Colt M16A2s
M16 A2s (and even A1s) had a fenced lower, not a slab side and a small push pivot pin, not a large screw type pin, which was used on civilian rifles
Here is my mid 80ies M16 A2
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ad7871e9dd.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1b7a8bfb18.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...593b29812a.jpg
Also I was told that the US Gvt required the new reinforced A2 type forging lower whereas the civilian ones kept the A1 style forging for a while
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...40d89b0b09.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...098a465a42.jpg
My M16A2 also has the old forging lower, but it’s an export model, not a US property rifle, so that requirement for the reinforced lower didn’t apply (and it’s probably also the reason I could acquire it here in Switzerland, as I believe Uncle Sam started keeping a tighter check on their weapons).
