Haven't looked at a Colt lately have you? No sear blocks, standard pins, m16 carriers. Where the **** have you been?
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All I want from Colt:
1. 6920, 6921 & 6933 with Colt Canada CHF barrels.
2. 6940 with Colt Canada CHF and the option for 11.5" and 14.5 barrels.
3. A 6940 upper that is an MRE-style 12" rail, if that's possible.
Alright, I'm going to have to apologize in advance for the scope of my ignorance, and appeal to the better nature of this board for help in rectifying it.
Here's what I thought I knew: there are two separate companies--Colt Manufacturing and Colt Defense who split from each other in 2002. Colt Manufacturing has been solely responsible for the weapons available to the general public since then, including all hand guns and MT models. Colt Defense on the other hand has catered exclusively to the military and US law enforcement agencies, producing only military and LE grade rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers. To the best of my knowledge (which is not saying much) none of Colt Defense's products have been marketed or available for public sale. It seemed to me that the implication of Colt's "Tactical Division" was that they were going to end this long standing convention and begin marketing and distributing military grade AR models.
From reading the responses on this thread, it would seem to me that 1) it is actually Colt Defense and not Colt Manufacturing that produces the MT models (though this one I'm particularly curious about seeing as they are marketed on the Colt Manufacturing website); 2) the LE models that Colt Defense has been producing are, in fact, available for public sale and/or use; 3) Colt Defense is still producing M-4s for the US Gov in large quantities despite the fact that their sole-source contract expired in June, 2009 and the military has publicly solicited bids for M-4 replacements.
Finally, my last appeal is more of a general one--it seems that the general consensus is that the Colt Tactical line has been a very botched attempt; seeing as I've been out of the country and am only now finding out about it, I would appreciate if someone could enlighten me as to 1) why it was so significant in the first place if Colt was already producing publicly available ARs (1a what is the (basic, non-technical) difference between the military, le and mt versions); 2) how has it been botched? just by announcing and not following up with it?; 3) does anyone actually have any hard information on whether or not they are still planning on launching it?
I know this is a lot to ask, but there seem to be some fairly knowledgeable people on this board. Also, this is a place for people who enjoy discussing this topic, so hopefully someone will favor me with an answer or five.
coltuser,
A few years back, i contacted a Colt rep that posted on a 1911 centric forum. From what I understand he no longer works there, but this is the gist of what he told me regarding the AR's, and I've posted it here before...
They are two separate companies.
Match targets are made by Colt Defense, fro Colt Manufacturing
With the exception of the obvious differences, IE no bayonet lug, 1x9 barrel on some, fixed stocks and no flash suppressors, they are the same guns.
Every bolt in every weapon is MPI tested
Production of MT must be scheduled to fit in between production of LE and military guns, therefore their intermittent availability.
Colt manufacturing continues to market only "ban style" guns, due to states that still have a ban in effect, and they do not wish to market two separate lines. I suppose would could surmise, they may not want to compete with Colt Defense, either.
That's about what I can remember from his e-mail.
Obviously, Colt Defense products, have been available, all along,as many of us have Colt Defense LE6920's, and other models of theirs.
It would appear that Colt Tactical, was an attempt by Colt Defense to simply offer some aftermarket upgrades to their guns, straight from the factory.
Personally, I think there are to many options and user preferences to make everyone happy. Build a solid gun, that allows for upgrades, at a fair price, simple enough.
Bob
Are the Colt Defense LE models (6920 /6940 etc.) only marketed to LE agencies but also made available to the public by some distibutors (just like the Remington 700 LTR series rifles) or is Colt also actively marketing / seeking to sell these LE rifles to the public? Just wondering since at one point it was nearly impossible to get a 6920 while they seem to pop up everywhere as of lately.
I do not think they are "actively" marketing towards non LE's, but they are available.
I think the unavailability of them, for awhile, had much to do with production capacity/schedules, and war time demand, then any real restrictions on sales.
Bob