Colt LE6921 question

[ny32182]

I've had this gun new and unfired in the safe for years. It is a factory complete SBR.
It is marked "M4LE/COLTS LAW ENFORCEMENT" on the left and the "Restricted/Military/Gov/Export use only" mark on the right.

I was thinking of modifying it and shooting it. However, I just wanted to do a value check first and have seen some talk that the newer guns "aren't made like they used to be". I can't find any complete 6921's in stock anywhere and really not even any very similar comps on GB (current or completed items). Uppers appear available, but not complete rifles.

Are these in any sort of demand now? Shoot this one, or keep it stock/unfired and shoot something that is current production and available?

 

[dcloco]

This might help. One at 1550 with a bid and another at 1899 and not bids.

Colt LE6921 For Sale – Buy Colt LE6921 at GunBroker.com

 

[ny32182]

Thanks dcloco,
I did see those, however:

-The 1550$ one is showing on backorder, and has no real pictures so I'm assuming that is a current production rifle when it comes.
-The 1899$ one I thought was someone's aftermarket build, but just noticed it is a factory configuration. Learn something new every day. However they do list the serial number and it is a newer CR prefix.

Mine is an LE prefix serial number and I'm wondering if these are actually viewed any differently in the market.

 

[C-grunt]

To me the extra value that it has isnt worth not using it. It's worth more than an average Colt rifle but not THAT much more.

Lets say a new 6921 costs 1000 bucks and the one listed above with the Centurion rail and B5 stocks is priced correctly at 1900.... I dont see yours being priced higher than 1900 now-a-days. Not when 6920s are going for 900 bucks.

The LE vs CR thing is based on a very flawed video done by a guy that was fired from Colt. He points out that new rifles have different markings and that parts are outsourced. The video fails to mention that Colt has been outsourcing parts for a long time (even during the LE years) and Colt is notorious for changing markings on the fly. Could the CR rifles be of lesser quality than the older LE models? Possible. But there as been no actual evidence of it.

 

[ny32182]

Thanks C-grunt... so if I cut down the FSB to put a rail on this I'm not going to regret it?
I guess push comes to shove I could get a second barrel assembly to assure ability to return it to stock.

 

[C-grunt]

Thanks C-grunt... so if I cut down the FSB to put a rail on this I'm not going to regret it?
I guess push comes to shove I could get a second barrel assembly to assure ability to return it to stock.

That's a different question. I personally wouldn't, but I don't collect guns I don't shoot.

 

[ny32182]

I don't much either; this is a pretty rare exception. I also have an unfired 6920 and a couple pistols, but virtually all of them get sold or shot a least a little.
What really prompted this line of inquiry; I have an Arsenal SGL21-61; which I believe is about the closest thing to a current production factory Russian military AK that is/was available. I paid like $499 a few years ago, shot a couple hundred rounds through it, and it's been sitting in the back of the safe ever since as I don't really care that much for AKs but figure everyone should have one. They have started up some AK matches here recently and I had looked at shooting them, till I figured out the thing is now worth over 3k all day long and only ever going up... rather than bang it around and drop it in barrels, etc, I'd just buy a PSA or something and beat that one up, if I were going to take up AK shooting now.
Thanks again.

 

[MistWolf]

I've had this gun new and unfired in the safe for years. It is a factory complete SBR.
It is marked "M4LE/COLTS LAW ENFORCEMENT" on the left and the "Restricted/Military/Gov/Export use only" mark on the right.

I was thinking of modifying it and shooting it. However, I just wanted to do a value check first and have seen some talk that the newer guns "aren't made like they used to be". I can't find any complete 6921's in stock anywhere and really not even any very similar comps on GB (current or completed items). Uppers appear available, but not complete rifles.

Are these in any sort of demand now? Shoot this one, or keep it stock/unfired and shoot something that is current production and available?

The markings on your 6921 bring a premium in some circles, especially if you still have the box, papers and accessories.

One option would be to build a second upper the way configured the way you want and set aside the factory upper. Another is to shoot it the way it is. Or, just cut down the FSB. It's your rifle, feel free to do with it what you want.

One thing I can tell you, the 6921 is my favorite shorty AR to shoot. Gas port & all the springs are right. With an H2 buffer or A5 RE with A5H2 buffer, it's almost perfect unsuppressed.

Don't worry about new Colt ARs not being what they used to be. A former co-worker (he has since retired) bought a post CZ 6920 and I could find nothing wrong with it.

 

[C-grunt]

I don't much either; this is a pretty rare exception. I also have an unfired 6920 and a couple pistols, but virtually all of them get sold or shot a least a little.
What really prompted this line of inquiry; I have an Arsenal SGL21-61; which I believe is about the closest thing to a current production factory Russian military AK that is/was available. I paid like $499 a few years ago, shot a couple hundred rounds through it, and it's been sitting in the back of the safe ever since as I don't really care that much for AKs but figure everyone should have one. They have started up some AK matches here recently and I had looked at shooting them, till I figured out the thing is now worth over 3k all day long and only ever going up... rather than bang it around and drop it in barrels, etc, I'd just buy a PSA or something and beat that one up, if I were going to take up AK shooting now.
Thanks again.

The Arsenal price increase is due to importation issues driving the rifle prices up. Colt ARs arent going to have importation issues and if ARs get banned you're either going to REALLY want it in a configuration you shoot well with, or it's value is going to sky rocket just because it's an AR.

And just to clarify my answer above. I wouldnt worry about cutting the FSB, not saying I wouldnt cut it.

But if it's something you are hesitant with just buy/build another upper. Id have no qualms with cutting the FSB but having a real M4 upper is pretty cool.

 

[ny32182]

The markings on your 6921 bring a premium in some circles, especially if you still have the box, papers and accessories.

One option would be to build a second upper the way configured the way you want and set aside the factory upper. Another is to shoot it the way it is. Or, just cut down the FSB. It's your rifle, feel free to do with it what you want.

One thing I can tell you, the 6921 is my favorite shorty AR to shoot. Gas port & all the springs are right. With an H2 buffer or A5 RE with A5H2 buffer, it's almost perfect unsuppressed.

Don't worry about new Colt ARs not being what they used to be. A former co-worker (he has since retired) bought a post CZ 6920 and I could find nothing wrong with it.

I do have the box and should have everything else too.

I have other SBRs so I could easily just buy an upper and shoot it on this lower or a different one. I have/had 10.5 and 11.5, and a Sig 516 14.5 but have never really shot a DI 14.5.. interesting that you like that one with a carbine gas system. I would have guessed it would be relatively overgassed compared to all the newer midlength stuff.

I've never done upper assembly before but am getting the tools now... was originally thinking of getting a different low pro gas block, but I don't see what guarantees that one of the set screws isn't going to fall into one of the taper pin cuts on the barrel, and also since the taper pins are considered stronger I came to the conclusion that just cutting down the FSB would be ugly, but most functional.

 

[MistWolf]

I do have the box and should have everything else too.

I have other SBRs so I could easily just buy an upper and shoot it on this lower or a different one. I have/had 10.5 and 11.5, and a Sig 516 14.5 but have never really shot a DI 14.5.. interesting that you like that one with a carbine gas system. I would have guessed it would be relatively overgassed compared to all the newer midlength stuff.

The Colt 6921 isn't overgassed. They use the correct gas port which is .0625. I have to confess, I got the 6921 and 6933 mixed up in my head. I say that because I don't consider a 14.5 a shorty. I much prefer a 14.5 AR over a 16 and with an H2 buffer, the 6921 is s smooth shooter with soft recoil.

The 6921 doesn't shoot as soft as 20 inch rifle. Maybe the 6921 isn't as soft as a properly gassed middy, but it's close enough for me that I'm not in a hurry to get a middy. If I did get a middy, it'd be a 14.5.

I've never done upper assembly before but am getting the tools now... was originally thinking of getting a different low pro gas block, but I don't see what guarantees that one of the set screws isn't going to fall into one of the taper pin cuts on the barrel, and also since the taper pins are considered stronger I came to the conclusion that just cutting down the FSB would be ugly, but most functional.

Uppers aren't difficult for anyone with some mechanical ability. But take your time and think each step through.

I trimmed an FSB on an upper and it didn't come out ugly at all.



This photo shows the first trim. I left a nub to install a Mossie Tactical Midnight mount for a light. Later, I cut the nub and went a different route to mount the light.

 

[ny32182]

Looks good!
I guess I'll shoot it. First with the upper in 100% stock config just to make sure everything works out of the box, then will likely shave the FSB and install an MCMR.

 

[MistWolf]

Looks good!
I guess I'll shoot it. First with the upper in 100% stock config just to make sure everything works

Good idea. We can sit around here all day eSpitballing every idea under the sun, but it don't mean spit until you shoot the gun.

Shoot Before Modifying. Ammo Before Accessories

What's an MCMR?

 

[ny32182]

Its a BCM mlok rail.
Thanks

 

[OrangeCat]

A little bit late for this one but if you are going to pull off the barrel nut to get a free floating handguard for a practical purposes as far as I can see your going to wind up dealing with the trickiest parts of assembling an upper.

Unless you really don't want to wait for parts to slide back into stock or have a spare upper laying around. I'd take another look at barrels and components and stuff just to make sure there wasn't anything that fit my want list better.

I'm not seriously mechanically inclined but I managed to get one put together myself and it's nice to have one that I can say I assembled

Just my 2 cents

 

[ny32182]

All the components I'm planning to use are in the mail. I'm planning to stick with the stock barrel. It appears that an identical Colt barrel assembly is currently available. It would probably not be a bad idea to pick one up....

Based on my understanding, the gas block and muzzle device will have to come off anyway to get the old barrel nut off and the new one on, so while the gas block is off I'll cut it down since that should be easiest then with it off.
Putting it back on and getting it re-indexed correctly should be foolproof since it should only fit on the right way with the existing taper pin cuts in the barrel and FSB?
I got a Midwest Industries action rod (just noticed the Geissele is only a few buck more... hopefully the MI is good) and Wheeler upper receiver block... as I understand it the action rod should be better for the whole thing though and eliminates any torque from being applied to the relatively fragile aluminum upper.

 

[243winxb]

Colt is now CZ.

Shoot as is, no modifications.

 

[ny32182]

Update... got the barrel stripped pretty easily, and got the front sight post cut down and blued with Perma Blue. If you look at it you can tell it isn't a factory lo pro gas block, but no worries, it will be under the handguard anyway. I expect it will go back on with no issues.

I'm stuck at getting the barrel nut off... thing seems to be torqued on there HARD. Not sure why as my understanding is that it shouldn't really be that tight.

I have a Midwest action rod, and an upper receiver vice block. I've tried both and have effectively wrecked my cheap Midway armorer wrench in the process. I got a hair dryer on it for a couple minutes to warm it up... no dice.
I've got a Magpul wrench on the way that appears to have the teeth machined in, so hopefully the wrench is up for it but scared I'm going to break something in the upper... any thoughts welcome. Nothing brilliant has come up generally googling around. More heat?

 

[ny32182]

Got it off....
Lessons learned: The Midway "AR Stoner" wrench barrel nut teeth are a major POS, do not buy. They are not machined in, I think spaced imperfectly, and I bent a couple of them. The Magpul wrench is MUCH better. It came in today. I still needed a 2ft breaker bar.

Attempt 1) Secured with receiver vice block grabbing the top rail: I saw a lot of visual deflection in the receiver and stopped before the nut moved, afraid to break something. Based on this there is no way in hades I would even try this with a block that is just grabbing the takedown pin holes.

Attempt 2) Secured with Midwest action rod: Much less deflection visible. Nut broke loose putting a good bit of weight on the breaker bar.

It appears that the recommended lube is in there so maybe my expectations of how tight it should be are just wrong... I'll find out assembling the new handguard I guess.