Colt Sporter Target

[69HEMI-R/T]

Found a place that has a Colt Sporter Target for sale that is in excellent condition. It has a 16" bbl with the short,rounded (M4-style) handguard, flash suppressor and removeable carry handle and regular fixed stock.
I am new to AR-15 type rifles, but this one fits me real nice and is in like-new condition. I haven't seen too many with the shorter barrel, mostly 20"er's in the Sporter Target.
Is this possibly all original as it sure looks like it is and about what year was it manufactured? SN is:ST0171xx.
Thanks in advance. By the way, price is $900.00 firm! good price?

[cphilip]

Yes.. thats an excellent price on a Colt. Look it over real good and make sure its ALL Colt. And someone has not changed the upper or the Bolt carrier and bolt. Should all be C-MP or C stamped... they buy it fast. Colts are the shizzle. Very pricey so $900 for a good used one is decent. It's what I paid for mine.

[GixxerSixxer]

I didn't think the Target models were built to mil-spec. I could be wrong though.

[69HEMI-R/T]

Thanks for the replies. I am too new to AR-15 rifles to know if they came configured this way. The flash hider is the one that has a solid bottom, no slots or holes, and the rifle looks like it came that way.
I will have to look at it again and check for stampings. The sling attaches to the barrel on a sideways attachment that is attached to the barrel beneath the front sight.
I thought the sporter/target models came with a 20" bbl. but this is a 16" model and appears to be original to the untrained eye(me)!
Where would I find the C or CM-P stampings on the lower and bolt carrier? Can I do this without disassembling the rifle? As you can see, I know nothing about these rifles, just want to get one that is right and learn more about them. Carl

[cphilip]

The C-MP will be on the barrel. And if you take the Bolt carrier out it should be stamped on the top ( I think... somewhere on the carrier). You could peruse around AR15 dot com and see if you can date it. And see what they came with. Because mine is a Match Target and 20" typical HBAR. So I can't really give you much on that particular variation. I just know that Colt is premium and worth a bit more, if nothing else but for the name. Some will argue its top of the line so worth more. Some will argue its just one of the top three or so. But everyone will put it in the top two or three. And all those end up in the same price range. take a look at a new ones price! No one will argue that the name alone brings more and means more in value though. They are fine rifles.

[DJ Niner]

69HEMI-R/T, I'm not sure if this AR was originally sold in the configuration you are reporting.

The serial number appears to place it as an older pre-ban gun (it's fairly close to one I owned years ago, actually), but I think the 16" barrel full-stock Colts of that era were known and stamped as "Sporter Lightweights" (as my current one is). In addition, if I have the pre-ban info correct, I don't believe Colt was offering flat-top upper, full-stocked carbines at that time (again, I could be wrong; I'm not a Colt historian or anything).

I lost many of my old bookmarked AR "info" pages several years ago; does anyone have a Colt pre-ban serial number listing, along with configuration description for each named model?

[69HEMI-R/T]

Thanks DJ Niner, I was wondering that same thing. I am going to go look at it again and try to determine for sure if it is a Colt upper with Colt internals. Someone may have switched the uppers out on this one. I will say the barrel has the correct, pre-ban solid-bottom flashhider and no bayonet lug that was used during that period.
I hope it is all Colt as I want it but would hate to find out it was another brand upper on a Colt lower.
The lower stamping, serial number,A2 fixed-buttstock, etc. look to be original Sporter Target. Will have to look again at the upper.

[69HEMI-R/T]

OK, called the shop and talked with their AR-15 guy there. He broke the gun down and said it is all marked with Colt markings, barrel, bolt, boltcarrier, etc.. He said it appears someone switched out the original upper for a complete M4 Colt upper. Actually think this makes the gun more desirable to me!
Should this have any effect on the price? Still wants $900.00 firm for a great condition Colt!

[cphilip]

I was also skeptical of the configuration which is why I was warning you to check. However I also don't recall clearly all my Colt history so... it was wise to investigate

It would be more desirable to many (non A1/A2 upper fans anway) as it now is configured and it does sound like its been "upgraded" so.... you should probably jump on that. the gun in configuration of that would be worth more than stock and stock it would be probably worth 900...

thats my oppinion anyway.

[Speed Racer]

Does the rifle have the M4 profile barrel with the notch for a grenade launcher? If so, then it does sound like a complete 6920 upper has been swapped on a Match Target lower. If the barrel is a HBAR without the notch, then someone went through the trouble of putting a Colt flash suppressor on the original Match Target barrel. To me, that's till a desireable option.

I'm with the other folks who have already responded - if it's all Colt and in good condition, $900 sounds like a good deal. Go get it!

[69HEMI-R/T]

Just got home from work! Arrggghhh!
Yes, the barrel has the M4 profile with the notch! The shop is holding it for me so I will take one more look in person tomorrow to verify what he told me. I will go ahead a put it in layaway if it is indeed a M4 upper and count myself lucky!
Got to believe it is with Colt markings on all the right components! The flash hider bears looking at again and I will check again for a bayonet lug!

[DJ Niner]

As a shooter, it should be a great weapon if it's all Colt.

Just be aware that resale value will suffer if it's not all original as sold/shipped, and that's one of the things that drives higher prices for used Colts. As long as you're cool with that, then I'd say go for it.

I'd pay what they're asking, and I agree that as a "shooter" it's a plus to have the flat-top upper.

[69HEMI-R/T]

I am getting it as a shooter. I am sure I will always be able to get back my money should I want to sell it. The original upper is gone forever now, so I will just enjoy it and shoot it!
Unless I get a bad case of BRD, this will probably be my only AR as I already have a few safe queens of various types of firearms and wanted one before they go thru the roof in prices.
I will post pics when I get it home.

[Algaroth]

Originally posted by 69HEMI-R/T Unless I get a bad case of BRD...[/B]

You will, trust me. :supergrin:

[DriBak]

Only if the Upper is Colt is this a good deal.

[69HEMI-R/T]

Well, the barrel is Colt as is the bolt carrier and bolt. It all looks like it was put together at the factory. Everything looks to be Colt.
Is there some other area on the upper I should look for Colt stampings?

[cphilip]

See if something in here might help you. Sure sounds like its looking real Colt though.

http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/

[DJ Niner]

THAT'S one of the bookmarks I'd misplaced.

Thanks for the link, cphilip.

[69HEMI-R/T]

Hey cphilip, thanks for the great link! I will not get to check it out until Monday, but I will now have the knowledge to identify it as a Colt upper or not! Got a feeling it will check out as a Colt.

Got to say I posed these same questions at first on AR15.COM also and my friends at GLOCKTALK have been far more informative and responsive! Never got any of the info you have given me over there! It is a good sight too, but this is where I will look for answers from now on, even about Black Rifles!

All the more reason to add to my half-dozen or so Glocks. This sight is great!

[Warhorse]

Yep, if it's all Colt, go for it. I've had my Sporter Light Weight Target for ~20 years, and have never had a malfunction attributable to the rifle.