In Praise of the Colt 6720 (and 6520)

[Doc Safari]

Pencil barrel goodness.

Although as somewhat of a purist I keep a bone stock LE6920 with carry handle in its factory configuration just for the history of it, my favorite variant is the Colt LE6720 AR15A4 Lightweight LE Carbine.

Unlike the one in the video, mine is basically an M4 with the pencil barrel. Same handguards, Same BUIS. Same Colt quality.



I appreciate the pencil-barrelled Colts for their different balance. Although the 6920 is certainly the industry standard and imminently shootable, I prefer the change in overall feel and agility of the 6720.

[Doc Safari]

I changed the handguards on mine to the thinner CAR-15 style handguards and improved the feel even more. With the addition of a carry handle sight when I'm in the mood it's about the lightest, handiest stock carbine I can imagine.


Mine is configured like the one in this video:

[Doc Safari]

Paired with my fixed carry handle 6520, I believe I have the best examples of what Colt can produce in a basic, lightweight shootin' iron.


Video of Colt 6520



Although I will probably always keep my LE6920 for its history, the pencil barrelled 6720 or 6520 will usually be my choice to go to the range on any given day.

If you own a 6720, or 6520, please post a pic.

Let's have an appreciation thread for pencil barrelled goodness!

[TexasAggie2005]

Wife's new 6720 on top, my M4A1ish on the bottom;

[Doc Safari]

Wife's new 6720 on top, my M4A1ish on the bottom;

I know that's a MagPul handguard and I've seen other 6720's with that handguard. Is that a factory variation or did you put that on there?

[Circle_10]

My 6520.

When I bought it as a used LE trade in, I basically intended that it would go into "retirement" as a collectible since I owned no other Colts. (it's also the first and only *complete* AR I've ever bought). But through a series of events it ended up pulling duty as a "throw in the Jeep" irons-only gun for several months until I had assembled and vetted a less "valuable" carbine that could take it's place.

I like the "pencil" profile barrel a lot. I have two fixed-stock carbines with 14.7" pencil barrels, as well as two A1 rifle clones.

[TexasAggie2005]

I know that's a MagPul handguard and I've seen other 6720's with that handguard. Is that a factory variation or did you put that on there?

I put all the Magpul on there. Upper came factory with the usual M4 double shield, but the wife didn't care for them at all.

[grizzlyblake]

I have a 6720 but I'm kind of over short hand guards and FSBs so going to get something else with a LW barrel and 13" free float HGs.

The 6920 Trooper was a neat gun and I briefly owned one but it was way front heavy compared to my 6720. I hate gov't profile barrels. If Colt would do the exact same gun with the 6720 barrel it would be killer.

[SeriousStudent]

Paired with my fixed carry handle 6520, I believe I have the best examples of what Colt can produce in a basic, lightweight shootin' iron.


Video of Colt 6520



Although I will probably always keep my LE6920 for its history, the pencil barrelled 6720 or 6520 will usually be my choice to go to the range on any given day.

If you own a 6720, or 6520, please post a pic.

Let's have an appreciation thread for pencil barrelled goodness!

We already have an AR picture thread with plenty of skinny barrels in it. Let's not start another pic thread.

[ryanm]

Just picked up a 6720 today. Mine is roll marked AR15A4 LightWeight Carbine. When did Colt change to the A4 vs A3? Is the only difference M4 feed ramps between A3 and A4?