Last fall I bought a Pennsylvania State Police surplus Colt 6520 with the "restricted" markings on the receiver. Of course it has a fixed carry handle. I shoot irons most of the time, only dragging out a red dot or other optic on occasion to "stay in practice."
I also have a brand new Colt 6720 that I've sighted in with both irons and an RDS. It has the removable carry handle and 1913 rail on the upper (for those that don't know just by the numbers).
I'm wanting to keep one as a "truck gun" and basic shooter while keeping the other one oiled up and in storage as a backup.
Here's my dilemma:
Is the restricted-marked lower receiver on the 6520 enough of a "plus" that I should keep that one in as good a condition as possible in case I decide to sell it later? Being that it has a fixed carry handle and the condition right now I would consider "good plus", I wonder if it will ever be worth more than I paid for it. Add to that the probability that I may have to switch to optics only in a few years due to eyesight like my dad did, and it seems to become even more important to "enjoy irons while I can". I might end up with a gun that's hard to adapt to my eyesight in a few years due to eye issues and that might make me decide to sell it. I have a red dot setup that attaches to the carry handle, and I could "get by" with that for occasional practice, but of course that's not optimal.
On the other hand, I hate to put unnecessary wear and tear on a brand new 6720 when I've got an obviously used gun to shoot and carry at the ranch for everyday. It seems logical to put away the one that's more adaptable to optics and keep it for that day when irons are no longer an option.
The bottom line seems to be: Will the 6520 ever be collectible enough that it behooves me to keep it in as nice a condition as I can? Or should I just shoot it and carry it now while I can still use iron sights? Should I just be prepared to sell it for what I can get if the day ever comes that I have to have optics and a fixed carry handle AR is about useless?
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