Thanks for the advice everyone. I’m going to stick with the Colt as my go-to rifle. GunnyUSMC is right about it being hard not to get more. Chances are I’ll end up with a DD or similar at some point, but the Colt will likely always remain the AR I pick up to use most of the time. I don’t mind it getting dinged up and I know I can rely on it.
I think it’s interesting to note also that my S&W M&P had a seemingly nicer fit and finish than my Colt but it was nowhere near as reliable. I guess cosmetics aren’t everything.
Cosmetics are so low on the list of priorities for a working/duty grade AR that they might as well be an afterthought. Frankly a ruthless devotion to function has a beauty all its own, think prototype race car, fighter aircraft type aesthetics. All go, “show” is a result of functional necessity, and you either get it and appreciate it or you’re ignorant and your opinion doesn’t matter.
As others mentioned and I pointed out, take your Colt to class and shoot the gun. Shoot it a lot. Skill at fundamentals will count for a lot more than some latest greatest high speed low drag gear. I’d rather be squaded with a dude who is on his 3rd barrel and bolt on a stock Colt because he trains constantly than some dude with a fancy AR who shoots 2 boxes a year of ammo.
Once you’ve shot the gun a whole bunch you’re going to have a much much better idea of what you actually want. I know shooting the gun a lot has certainly changed my outlook on what I want in a 5.56 NATO carbine.
For example I used to think heavy barrels were a must have, until I ran one in a high round count class. Two days of drills with a near 9lb with optics, sling, and magazine rig changed my outlook drastically. Sprint around with that pig, and do up drills for two 8 hour days.... yeah not anymore. Recently acquired a Knight’s Armament SR-15 E3 Mod 2 M-Lok, starts at 6.5lbs, right at 7.5lbs with glass and sling. Much much handier, less front heavy so it’s not a wrist killer during reloads. Tested the other day and the KAC is still as controllable, and gets first round hits out to 550 yards just like the heavy Daniel Defense V11 Pro I used in class. The V11 Pro might stay, but more than likely will be shot very little going forward. If we see another panic the Daniel Defense and my Frankenstein AR might be sold at scalper prices to fund other things. I’d be happy with the KAC and my Colt M4A1 SOCOM II, the Colt SOCOM profile barrel is a freak and shoots sub MOA 10 shot groups with 69gr SMK’s.