Colt Competition Rifle CRE-18

[PowderMonkey]

So my local dealer has one of these rifles in stock and I _almost_ purchased it last night until I noticed one thing...

http://coltcompetitionrifle.com/colt-expert-cre-18/

The front gas block doesn't have a rail attachment point on top of it. So how in the heck would I put iron sights on it? I'm sure it's meant primarily for optics, but even then the guys shooting Tac Optics usually have those 45 degree offset iron sights for close shots, in addition to their optic.

I don't want to have to change the forend or the gas block on a brand fairly expensive to me rifle. Plus in reality, I have only shot like three multigun matches at my local club, so I'm still content to shoot in Tac Irons. So I definately want to be able to start with normal, verical irons.

Well I just googled for clamp on front sight post, and wow most of what I saw looks pretty gaudy. I am not a huge AR freak so I don't know all the vendors maybe there is somthing I am overlooking.

What are your guys thoughts? How could I cost effectively get irons on this rifle?

 

[LCPor9mm]

Just a thought

Maybe you could purchase it with the Colt "Pro" CRP-18 handguard. Very nice rifle.

 

[kimberkid]

My thoughts are, you should find another rifle.
I say that because if your going spend that much on an AR, and it's a factory rifle, it should be the way you want it from the factory. Anything you do to modify the barrel / gas block to accept a front sight would most likely affect the accuracy and void any warranty ... Have you called the Colt Custom Shop to see about a different gas block?

 

[meanmrmustard]

Find an ORC with railed gas block. They're normally sans irons initially, giving you control over what irons to go with.

 

[Infidel4life11]

^+1, Also changing the gas block isn't hard or expensive.

 

[taliv]

wow, first i've heard of this. colt is really heading in the right direction! that's almost exactly my fav config... 18", rifle gas, wylde chamber, lo pro block, brake, quality receivers, magpul stock, thin round hand guard, etc.

the offset sites are cool and fun and competitive, but at the end of the day, i'd rather they not be on my rifle.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Oh wow... that is one good to go gun.

What was the street price you saw?

 

[PowderMonkey]

Still haven't purchased it, dealer still has one. Still thinking. Retail I guess is $1599 my shop has it for $1449.

I love Colt's and this is a cool one, so any ole ORC just won't do. : )

I don't buy run-of-the mill guns, I buy what is different or a little more upmarket than the bulk fodder that gets sold en masse.

Also I don't like the look of the Pro model, or the additional $500 price tag. The barrel cuts/fluting is way overdone, and the forend with all those vent cuts looks too busy.

Might have ADCO cut the the gas block off of a $89 YHM clamp-on sight/gas block, then reblue, and then I can attach right at the muzzle brake. Then when I go to Tac Optics class in multigun, I can just take it off.

Really don't want to permanently change any factory parts like the gas block when the rifle comes with a MOA guarantee, and then screw that up and have no recourse.

 

[gp911]

Wow! Colt is finally stepping up! I looked at similar-spec rifles from other manufacturers but ultimately I wanted more of a milspec, knockaround AR so I went with a 6920 but if I had wanted a serious competition AR I wouldn't have bought a Colt because they had nothing remotely like this even 6 months ago. I agree with the OP that the only addition this thing might need is a railed gas block. Glad to see Colt taking this market seriously.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Is the trigger any better than standard Colt rifles?

 

[ACP]

The specs state "nickel-teflon coated match trigger."

 

[JustinJ]

Changing the gas block is extremely easy unless there is some trick to removing that muzzle break.

 

[PowderMonkey]

I pulled the trigger several times, as well as one of our match RO's. We agreed it was a normal Colt milspec trigger. If it is coated it doesn't make much difference. The $2000 Pro model has a Gieselle (sp?) Super 3-Gun trigger kit in it. I may install that trigger in the Expert model if I buy it, the kit is about $240. Putting a trigger kit in my USPSA Production class XDm 5.25 .40 was the best thing I've even done to a firearm in regards to improvement.

 

[DesertFox]

The CRP-18 wasn't even on my radar until yesterday when I handled one. One sweet looking gun.