M4 questions - trapped in NY

Welcome to the forums.

Pencil barrel= The thin barrel that the vietnam-era M-16s had. Basically the same thickness as the little notched out area in the barrel of the AR you posted. The reason that notch is there is because the M203 grenade launcher was originally made to be attached to the older "pencil-barreled" M16s. Rather than make a new grenade launcher, they put the notch in the barrel to accomodate the old ones.

That's about all I know for sure. If I am correct in my assumption, the HBAR models had a heavier (thicker) barrel than the older style thinner barreled ones (IE: the A2 variants as we know them today).

Welcome to THR

I too am trapped behind enemy lines.

To the best of my knowledge, pre-ban rifles were made by Colt, Armalite, bushmaster, and various other companies, but to be considered pre-ban they had to be registered as such.

Colt made quite a few different models, but the HBAR was a heavy barrel "target" rifle that, if memory serves me correct, was over 9Lbs,maybe close to ten.

Your best bet would be to forgo the pre-ban lower as they are usually much more expensive than post ban lowers. What I did was to use an Ace Skeleton stock. While it is a full length stock, they are lighter and more comfortable than a collapseable carbine stock. Also, Troy Industries, Inc (along with other companies) make NY, NJ, etc compliant muzzle brakes that look like a flash hider. See here: http://www.troyind.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=38

Bushmaster makes an M4ish rifle with a welded-on muzzle break (not a flash hider), no bayonet lug, and a permanently pinned telescoping stock. Don't know if this satisfies NY law (and I would be very sure before I bought one), but it flies in CT.

Not ideal, but I like mine all the same.

Bushmaster makes an M4ish rifle with a welded-on muzzle break (not a flash hider), no bayonet lug, and a permanently pinned telescoping stock.

Click to expand...

Exactly XM-15A2... That's what I have. I had mine converted to flat top a year or so ago..

http://bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_PCWA3X_14M4IZ.asp

Where in NY are you located? I am also in NY. I opted to go with a Rock River Arms kit for my first as it fit the bill in terms of price. They will make you an AWB-compliant upper. No bayonet lug, and a permanently attached muzzle brake. You can have it shipped directly to your home.

As far as lowers, the rule of thumb is pre-ban lowers on pre-ban uppers and post-ban lowers on post-ban uppers. A combination of the two and you own an illegal firearm. You can have them shipped to your FFL or buy one from your shop if they carry them.

Collapsible stocks are illegal. If you plan on going to a range, a permanently fixed stock that looks like a collapsible stock will attract attention depending on the marshalls at the range. Many don't care, others can be a stickler.

Magazines, you are restricted to 10 round mags unless you have pre-ban 30 round mags. You can find them for about $12 on www.ar15.com

I suggest at least browsing the site and becoming familiar with the rifle.

Go here, you can check pics of various models:
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=2&subcatID=17

including the specific model you are after ("carbine"). Check gunsamerica and gunbroker too.

Any pre-bans BOUGHT in NY you will probably pay a premiuim for, but maybe you can try buying online? If that is what you want - why not! I ended up getting AR-180s instead, they were cheaper. (and new Bushmasters)

Anyway, MAKE SURE it is really made before Sept 1994 - check the serial number!! (I bought a Bushmaster sold as a pre-ban that had a post-ban receiver - NOT GOOD!)