Tweet
The Colt M4 carbine came in today.
I like it!
So, without further adieu, a short review -
This is the 2013 config, according to the box. According to the box made in late Aug, 2013. The carbine differs from others that are older, and differs from others marked as 2013 config. I think they changed the config someplace along the line...
I've seen it advertised a few ways. They've made it with the military M4 stock, the MagPul MOE, and with the Colt-Rogers Super-Stoc (with no k on the end). Forends have been military and MagPul. In the past the carbines had carry handles with A2 sights. Sling swivels have varied all over the place, according to the furniture I guess.
Enough of that - mine came with the round M4 military forend, military M4 collapsable stock, standard non-detatchable military sling swivels (and a weird QD swivel that fits nothing), a MagPul 30 round Pmag, and a detatchable MBUS rear sight. I like the configuration. I can do without the carry handle... no big deal there. I like the general military grade no frills furniture. No frills, nothing to go wrong.
Before I get to the things I don't like.... a few things to share. The barrel and bolt are C/MP marked. Thats Colt Magnetic Particle inspected. Full military grade. The bolt carrier is chrome plated within its bore, the full length of its bore. The barrel and chamber are chrome plated as well. The buffer is marked H for heavy, which is what should be in a carbine. Front sight/gas block has military proof. Upper and lower recievers also carry the military mark.
The overall fit and finish are as good as the the other two AR's I own (or have owned).
Now the few slight complaints.
First, so very minor, and already fixed... but the trigger guard roll pin area and a little spot in the front of the mag well came "pre-worn" in the finish... sigh. First was from sloppy insertion of the pin, the mag well probably from crap packing... just a vapor bag in a cardboard box.
Second, the MBUS sight is not up to par with the rest of the carbine. I've got cheapie folding rear sights that I got from Amazon....that are miles ahead of the MBUS. Can't remember the brand I got, but they're all aluminum and actually work well, as opposed to the totally crap plastic wiggly movement MBUS sights. Not impressed at all. They'd work for CQB, but thats about all I can say. They're gonna get tossed quick!
And finally, the MagPul Pmag magazine....broke its left lip upon first loading. Total crap. The top is very flexible, to much so for my liking. I'll save the follower and spring for another magazine renovation.
The trigger isn't so bad. It has the normal AR hammer lift.... I guess thats normal. It was smooth as rubbing 60 grit sandpaper on my ... yah, that part. Owwww. However, with some cleaning, and with faux dry firing (receiver open, catch and reset the hammer with your thumb), it smoothed up ok with about 200 or so cycles.
The roll markings are
COLT M4 CARBINE cal 5.56Nato Colt Defense Hartford Conn USA
I'll see if I can snap some pictures of some degree of worthiness after work tomorrow.
I managed to hand cycle 50 rounds though it, and they fed and ejected smartly. The chamber has the dual M4 type feed ramps... probably helped that situation.
And thats all for now!
I like it!
So, without further adieu, a short review -
This is the 2013 config, according to the box. According to the box made in late Aug, 2013. The carbine differs from others that are older, and differs from others marked as 2013 config. I think they changed the config someplace along the line...
I've seen it advertised a few ways. They've made it with the military M4 stock, the MagPul MOE, and with the Colt-Rogers Super-Stoc (with no k on the end). Forends have been military and MagPul. In the past the carbines had carry handles with A2 sights. Sling swivels have varied all over the place, according to the furniture I guess.
Enough of that - mine came with the round M4 military forend, military M4 collapsable stock, standard non-detatchable military sling swivels (and a weird QD swivel that fits nothing), a MagPul 30 round Pmag, and a detatchable MBUS rear sight. I like the configuration. I can do without the carry handle... no big deal there. I like the general military grade no frills furniture. No frills, nothing to go wrong.
Before I get to the things I don't like.... a few things to share. The barrel and bolt are C/MP marked. Thats Colt Magnetic Particle inspected. Full military grade. The bolt carrier is chrome plated within its bore, the full length of its bore. The barrel and chamber are chrome plated as well. The buffer is marked H for heavy, which is what should be in a carbine. Front sight/gas block has military proof. Upper and lower recievers also carry the military mark.
The overall fit and finish are as good as the the other two AR's I own (or have owned).
Now the few slight complaints.
First, so very minor, and already fixed... but the trigger guard roll pin area and a little spot in the front of the mag well came "pre-worn" in the finish... sigh. First was from sloppy insertion of the pin, the mag well probably from crap packing... just a vapor bag in a cardboard box.
Second, the MBUS sight is not up to par with the rest of the carbine. I've got cheapie folding rear sights that I got from Amazon....that are miles ahead of the MBUS. Can't remember the brand I got, but they're all aluminum and actually work well, as opposed to the totally crap plastic wiggly movement MBUS sights. Not impressed at all. They'd work for CQB, but thats about all I can say. They're gonna get tossed quick!
And finally, the MagPul Pmag magazine....broke its left lip upon first loading. Total crap. The top is very flexible, to much so for my liking. I'll save the follower and spring for another magazine renovation.
The trigger isn't so bad. It has the normal AR hammer lift.... I guess thats normal. It was smooth as rubbing 60 grit sandpaper on my ... yah, that part. Owwww. However, with some cleaning, and with faux dry firing (receiver open, catch and reset the hammer with your thumb), it smoothed up ok with about 200 or so cycles.
The roll markings are
COLT M4 CARBINE cal 5.56Nato Colt Defense Hartford Conn USA
I'll see if I can snap some pictures of some degree of worthiness after work tomorrow.
I managed to hand cycle 50 rounds though it, and they fed and ejected smartly. The chamber has the dual M4 type feed ramps... probably helped that situation.
And thats all for now!
Comment