Colt AR-15 Help

[galena]

I'm not an AR-15 guy. Had an M-16 issued a long time ago in a different world but my everyday carry was a S&W M-36. I have a chance to pick up an early Colt AR-15 cheap. However, the seller advises the barrel is shot out and he can no longer get it to group. I figure a new barrel will solve the problem? Here's my question: I have heard (don't ask me where) that Colt AR-15's require Colt parts, that after market stuff doesn't work. I haven't looked very hard but have not found a source for Colt barrels.

For you AR guys, will the Colt take other manufacturers barrel or must I stick with Colt? If Colt is all that will work, what are some sources for parts? (I've already tried Brownells) Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. Keep shootin'

 

[rcmodel]

Any standard AR-15 barrel will fit the Colt upper just fine.

If you replace the barrel, I would advise replacing the bolt too, as the old one is worn into the old barrel extension and may not get full mating in the locking lugs in a new barrel extension.

The early Colt barrel was 1/12 rifling twist and they will not handle the heavier bullet weights common today.
You might want to pick a 1/9 twist barrel for greater versatility with todays loads.

The only thing that won't fit on an older Colt lower receiver is a standard upper receiver made by everyone today.
And most of todays triggers & hammers.

The take-down pin hole spacing & trigger pin sizes was different on the SP-1 Colts so M-16 uppers and full-auto M-16 trigger parts would not interchange.

rc

 

[courtgreene]

I've never owned a colt, but from everything I have heard, you can replace the barrel on one. If you've already tried brownells there's: midwayusa, cheaperthandirt, Palmetto State Armory, Aim Surplus (they sell a lot of spikes stuff), Natchez, Ebay (If you get lucky), the classifieds here and on AR15.com, Bravo Company, and I just KNOW I'm leaving something out, but I promise more suggestions will follow from people who have been into AR's more than I have (I've only built one, that doesn't even qualify me as a novice compared to others here).

 

[68wj]

I haven't heard of the barrels being an issue. Maybe someone who has done a similar swap can chime in, but any AR barrel should work. Pick your barrel and have the headspace verified.

 

[lencac]

Get yourself a barrel a new bolt and a set of go/no-go gauges and you should be able to do and know what you need to do and know.

 

[galena]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'll be shopping for the parts as soon as I sign off here. Now, if I can just talk my source down another $50................ Keep shootin'

 

[kwelz]

I would check the barrel first to make sure it is really shot out. It is incredibly hard to shoot out a barrel. Most people will attribute their own bad shooting to equipment.

If it does indeed need a new barrel I would suggest looking at BCM or Daniel Defense. They are going to be the same or better quality than the original barrel. Don't try to skimp and buy a junk barrel like DPMS or OLY.

 

[lencac]

kwelz has a good point. Seeing if a bore is shot-out on an AR is very simple. You just got to know what it is you are looking for.
I shot out a barrel on a brand new Colt 20" 1/7 H-Bar. It took about 25,000 rds to do it and about 10 or 12 years ............... and that is no bull. Even then the 100 yrd groups with match grade handloads went from 1/2 MOA when new to 1 MOA when replaced. So your common run-of-the-mill shooter would still be quite happy with it.

 

[Zerodefect]

BCM has some great barrels that'll fit just fine in your Colt.

 

[Trebor]

Here's a plan:

Buy the rifle cheap because it has a "bad barrel."

Get the appropriate size (.223) one-piece Teflon coated Dewey cleaning rod. Buy some synthetic and steel bore brushes as well, and patches.

Buy some Hoppe's Copper Remover and regular Hoppe's #9.

Clean the barrel thoroughly with the copper remover and the synthetic and steel brushes. Keep cleaning until the patches no longer come out green. Follow up with regular Hoppes #9 and clean until the patches come out clean. Run another patch with the copper remover to recheck as often the lead/copper is in layers. (Don't use a brass brush or brass patch jag with copper remover as the solvent will dissolve the brass and give a "false positive" green patch reading).

After thorougly cleaning the barrel, including the copper removal, test fire the rifle.

The odds are good that it just needs a good cleaning and copper removal.