Mimics the XM177E2 configuration.
Like an A2X gets a 14.5" barrel to the 16" legal length, the 5.5" moderator/flash hider (longer than the stock 4.25" one on the CAR-15) gets you out to the 16" length.
It's as HackerF15E said
XM177 mimic and Olympic been doing from 80s. Mine is from 80's I've been offered over $1200 in ban years. I'm going to keep my unicorn one. :) it's been a odd bird of reliability.
As Markm said they are the POS of AR's compared with what is available now. Back in 80's they was what available..... Colt was not as pro citizen owned AR.
After the sunset of the AWB in 2004 a lot of guys sold their pre-bans for crazy prices to folks behind enemy lines in ban states and turned around and picked up a new production model. Most of the pre-ban stuff in free states has dried up because of the crazy money it can fetch.
I wasn't nearly as savy about weapon buying back then unfortunately. As I grew wiser I found out the train has left the station, at least in Florida.
You guys also remember, at one time Oly set up for you to send in the old "preban" "Stop Sign" cast lowers and they sent you a forged, same serial number lower back.
Bushmaster was a big name back then, remember it was called Bushmaster, Quality Parts Corporation. Comparison to others now, we all know the stories.
In my opinion, two things made the AR what it is today-The sunset of the "Assault Weapons" Ban and the War on Terror.
Not sure how many states allow Pre-Bans anymore. In NY its a no-go since the SAFE Act, it was never a go in NJ. Maybe CT?
Seems like an auction site is the best bet. Things are only worth what people are willing to pay, an auction is the best way to find that number.