Colt M16A1 Reissue and Combat Unit Carbine: the AR-15, yesterday and today
SHOT Show 2017 - Colt wants to be again "the" name in the field of AR-15 rifles and carbines, and reaffirms itself as such at the 2017 SHOT Show with the launch of the M16A1 Reissue collector's rifle and of the mid-length Combat Unit Carbine
As the years went by, the Colt company slowly but painfully lost both the monopoly and a global leadership position in the field of AR-15 based rifles and carbines for civilian shooters.
But still, as the popularity of America's quintessential "Black Rifle" knows no drop all over the world, Colt is struggling to reaffirm itself as a major name in a now very crowded market. And they made a point with two new AR-15 variants showcased at the 2017 SHOT Show.
Colt Combat Unit Carbine
Colt Combat Unit Carbine
The Colt Combat Unit semi-automatic carbine was developed with the help of legendary trainers Mike Pannone, Ken Hackathorn, and Daryl Holland.
Colt's first production-grade mid-length AR-15 carbine, the Colt Combat Unit Carbine features factory-issued MagPul furniture: an SL buttstock and pistol grip, and a MOE trigger guard.
The carbine is also the first to feature Colt’s new mid-length gas system, as well as a low profile gas block and the M-LOK capable Centurion CMR free floated forend.
The Colt LE6960-CCU Combat Unit Carbine is chambered for the 5,56x45mm / .223 Remington caliber, is issued from factory with a single MagPul P-MAG magazine, and is priced at $1,299 in the United States. As of today, the Colt Combat Unit carbine is an U.S. market exclusive, and is available solely from TALO Distributors.
Colt M16A1 Reissue rifle
Colt M16A1 Reissue rifle
Unlike the Colt Combat Unit Carbine, which is meant for intense civilian range use and law enforcement operations, the new M16A1 Reissue semi-automatic rifle is instead a very high-grade product, conceived specifically for the discerning collector.
The Colt M16A1 Reissue is built to match the specifications of the M16A1 assault rifle that was issued to U.S. troops starting in 1969 and superseded completely by the M16A2 in the late 1980s.
The features of the new Colt M16A1 Reissue semi-automatic rifle include an original-style triangular handguard with no accessory interface whatsoever, an integrated front sight on the gas block and a rear peep sight in the non-removable carrying handle. The full-length barrel is chrome-lined and features a 1:12 twist and a three-prong flash hider.
The receiver includes a tear-drop shaped forward assist button, but no shell deflector; the fixed buttstock and pistol grip are A1-style; the M16A1 Reissue semi-automatic rifle ships with a single 20-rounds, straight-body aluminum USGI magazine.
Other features include age-correct Colt logos, AR-15 designations and "Property of the U.S. Govt." markings; the M16A1 Reissue semi-automatic rifle is an U.S. only, limited production rifle priced at $2499 (quite high...).
The Colt M16A1 Reissue rifle is a collector item
The Colt M16A1 Reissue rifle receiver
