I just wanted to take a few minutes to share a recent purchase. I found a Colt LE6920SOCOM over at Bud's for $1219.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/ca...0/products_id/82398#

Initially, going by the photo they posted I wasn't overly interested. On their website, they show a photo of a 6920 with a 16" barrel and a Troy rail. Also, that's how it's listed in their product description. So, like I said not overly interested.

Then, I read the reviews. These things have a true 14.5" SOCOM heavy barrel with an extended & permanently attached flash hider. Instead of the Troy rail listed on the website, they have a KAC rail, KAC rail covers and vertical grip with the accessory roll. They have the side mounted front sling swivel and MaTec rear sight as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo server, but there is a post over on ARF:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2...-2017-Revision-.html

I was really pleased. I heard people talk about there being like 200 of these in this configuration. I don't know but it sure makes for a nice carbine for the Colt fan.

I'm NOT affiliated with Bud's or anything. Just wanted to share this info. if anyone might be interested.

Very cool, I bought one of the 2012 releases when they first came out and were talked about in American Rifleman. Mississippi Gal helped me out there.

My M4A1 came with a 16" SOCOM profile barrel + the KAC goodies. Not long after as I can put together they changed to Troy.

I guess FN's Collector success pushed Colt to finally make this step.

Belgian does your M4A1 have two flats milled out in the heaviest area of the barrel under the handguard? My 16" model did not include that. I bet yours does.

HK Ag

Yes, I peeked through the ventilation holes in the rail and I could see the flats milled in the barrel. Considering it and the FN version normally go for $1600, I thought it was a great value at $1219. So far, it's my favorite Colt AR.

quote:

Originally posted by Belgian Blue:
Yes, I peeked through the ventilation holes in the rail and I could see the flats milled in the barrel. Considering it and the FN version normally go for $1600, I thought it was a great value at $1219. So far, it's my favorite Colt AR.

That is the real deal then!!

Extremely cool!

HK Ag

The extended flash hider they used is pretty weird looking. Reading that thread it says it brings the barrel to 17.1 and has a 5/8x24 insert

If I hadn't already built my own clone of this (and have enough parts stashed to build another), I'd be jumping on one of these, but I have enough ARs as it is. Still, it's cool to see this version with what appears to be mostly USGI-spec parts.

Eagerly awaiting Vet's Day/Black Friday sales. Hoping to snag one of these.

Very Nice. I just purchased the Upper alone from G&R and it was $750 without the RAS and BUIS. So that's a deal.

Bought a 14.5 upper from BCM last year. It has the flats on the barrel. Somebody told me they get them from FN. Don't know if that is true or not.

quote:

Originally posted by blasto:
Bought a 14.5 upper from BCM last year. It has the flats on the barrel. Somebody told me they get them from FN. Don't know if that is true or not.

I've heard a lot of speculation over the years as to the source of BCM barrels. Unfortunately, I've never seen a real credible source confirm their origin. I would not be surprised if they used multiple vendors depending on the barrel configuration (CHF, Stainless Steel, Match, etc.)

It would surprise me if BCM used someone like Green Mountain. I equate them to somebody like Mossberg who has produced barrels, in quantity, to anybody willing to write them a check. I would think Bravo would insist on superior QC and and consistent product, often probably not supplied by a mass producer.

I have no inside knowledge, but being local to BCM, I know they are located about 10 miles from Criterion, which does a lot of OEM contract barrel work. I'd be surprised if they don't take advantage of that for at least some of their barrels, but that's just my ASSumption. There are certainly plenty of other options out there.

I have two BCM carbines with 14.5" SOCOM barrels on them. Also scratch-built a carbine that I used a new Colt SOCOM 14.5 incher on. I love the SOCOM profile. The balance is better than a standard M4 barrel, and they don't start to shift POI when they heat up.

quote:

Originally posted by squid8286:
I have two BCM carbines with 14.5" SOCOM barrels on them. Also scratch-built a carbine that I used a new Colt SOCOM 14.5 incher on. I love the SOCOM profile. The balance is better than a standard M4 barrel, and they don't start to shift POI when they heat up.

Squid,
If you have the time, could describe the POI shift, when do you see it after a couple magazines, during specific drills? I've heard exactly what you are saying from multiple sources, but I've never had the chance to test it myself. I just got my first SOCOM barrel and I probably will not be able to shot it until xmas.

Also, which shots better, the COLT or the BCM?
Thanks
CD

It took me a while and I am glad I did, last week I pulled the trigger on one out of Oklahoma from Tin Star Shooting Range On Gun Broker. Picked it up yesterday. In 2018 they started adding “Property of US Govt” to the lower roll mark. This scratched my M4A1 clone itch again and it would not go away till I bought one.

Only thing that could make it more authentic would be to add the Full mark on the selector and not grind down the selector stops. Both of these are on my FN Collector Series M4.

Really well made, no Colt mismatched finishes or factory dings.

Real happy!!

HK Ag

quote:

Originally posted by HK Ag:
It took me a while and I am glad I did, last week I pulled the trigger on one out of Oklahoma from Tin Star Shooting Range On Gun Broker. Picked it up yesterday. In 2018 they started adding “Property of US Govt” to the lower roll mark. This scratched my M4A1 clone itch again and it would not go away till I bought one.

Only thing that could make it more authentic would be to add the Full mark on the selector and not grind down the selector stops. Both of these are on my FN Collector Series M4.

Really well made, no Colt mismatched finishes or factory dings.

Real happy!!

HK Ag

That sounds great! I'm sure you will like it. How does it compare overall to your FN version? I like those as well.

HK Ag[/QUOTE]

That sounds great! I'm sure you will like it. How does it compare overall to your FN version? I like those as well.[/QUOTE]

Belgian, I have only had a few minutes to look at them together, but I was able to notice that the FN has zero play between the upper and lower, while the Colt has a little, still pretty tight for a Colt.


The Colt front sight is not marked “F” like the FN. I will be sourcing a UID label to add to it for a M4A1 like the FN comes with.

The FN has a medium weight barrel under the hand guard at 14.7” with a regular birdcage. On the Colt it is nice to see the 14.5” M4A1 barrel with M203 flats under the hand guards.

The FN comes with the full KAC RAS and multiple rail covers plus the broom stick handle.

I like the 3 position roll marks on the FN, but I love the “US Property” roll marking on the Colt.

Now maybe one of them would put all the rollmarks together in a future release. “Don’t need, Don’t need!!”

HK Ag

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HK Ag,

I'll take the "US Property" on the Colt over the wacky 3 position selector marks on the FN. I mean what the heck is "Safe Fire Auto"?