Pre-ban M4...How Much $$$$

[Smoke]

Customer just left my office. He knows I'm a gun guy and is always talking guns. A couple of years ago he asked me if I'd be interested in a couple of Pre-Ban AR-15's. I had a post ban, so I passed, he had a fair price on them since they were new-in the box, unfired.

Now he just offered an Pre-Ban M4. 20 mags (most 20rnd, a few 30rnd)
A Colt .22 conversion for it. A Colt 4x scope (??). And a case for the works.

The gun has been shot but not alot. He estimates about 500 rnds through it. Says it is very good condition. The .22 conversion has never been used. Scope has never been out of the box.

THe price he stated sounds more than reasonable, but lets confirm it here.

Tell me what you think, then I'll tell you what he asked.

 

[fix]

$2500

mainly because of the supply of pre-ban mags. I'd consider paying $1600 for the rifle. Couldn't care less about the 22 upper or scope.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Depends on what make the part on the upper are. There were, as far as I know, no 'pre-ban' M4 types, with the double heat shield handguards and the barrel cutdown for the 203, available. What you can do (as I did) was take a pre-ban lower, add the tele-stock and a pre-ban M4 type upper, either with the Colt 16" barrel kit or the Bushy 14.5" barrel kit with a permanently attached A2 flash suppressor to make up the legal difference.

Follow me?

And who makes the lower?

 

[Smoke]

QBG

...ummmm, I was assuming they were all Colt parts. This guy is a die hard Colt junkie....could be wrong, I'll confirm details.

It does have the tele-stock. I'll check on the barrel too.

Smoke

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

They could easily be all Colt parts- Like I said I took a pre-ban Colt Sporter, removed the A2 stock and installed a 4-position telestock. Then I bought a Colt M4 conversion kit (back when they wern't WAY over priced); the kit came with a Colt's 16" M4 profile barrel on their flat-top receiver, a side sling adaptor, cleaning kit and an accu-wedge. I slapped in a new Colt bolt/carrier assembly and viola: a pre-ban M4 type.

I was just curious as to the history of the critter. Simply 'cause there were no 'pre-ban' M4s, someone, somewhere, had to make it a M4 style rifle.

I also have Bushmasters M4 kit on a pre-ban Bushy lower. Their kit came with their 14.5" M4 profile barrel with the A2 suppressor permanently attached, installed on their flat top-receiver.

 

[rock jock]

A reasonable price? Maybe $2,000. A good price? $1,600 or less. Anything less than $1,500 you'd better let me inspect it for a few years.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

or wait for the september 14th 2004 pony ride

i know theres a pony in here somewhere

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Anywhere between $1,500-$2,000 is a good deal...

I doubt that the prices on ARs is going to come down any after the AW ban dies. Companies will just start making them for civilians again and charge the current going price for prebans.

I also have Bushmasters M4 kit on a pre-ban Bushy lower.

Amazing how fast prices change. I bought a 14.5" Bushy upper for my M16 and ended up paying 3 times the price I had paid for my mint Colt AR-15 SP1.

 

[Kestrel]

Anyone that believes that the AW ban is going to go away is going to be sadly disappointed.

I agree, it's bad law and is wrong, but it's here to stay.

 

[natedog]

I think the price on AR-15's will remain static, except now companies that offer the "carbine" style rifles will be able to put real sliding stocks on them. As it stands now, all signs point that the AW ban will not be renewed.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

the ban sunsets September 14th, 2004
i really doubt anyone is gonna do anything with it
until after the November 2004 elections

i think see a pony in the window

 

[No4Mk1*]

A pre-ban M4 type rifle will be worth $2000 if the ban is renewed and $550 if the ban sunsets, so decide how much you want one and place your bet.

 

[doctorhumbert]

I just got preban Colt M4. spent $1700 total. You can find just the collapsable preban Lower for around $1000. I then bought new complete Colt M4 upper (14.5" with 1.5" vortex) for $700. This might be better route than buying complete rifle (though prebans are 'suppost' to be sold complete, however that is little dubious), because you get exactly what you want.

If you wanna go cheaper route, then you can buy olympic or PWA preban lower for around $800, then add cheaper non colt M4 upper for around $500-600.

For best deal check out for slightly used M4 parts at AR15.com

 

[444]

The big issue in deciding what it might be worth is to know exactly what it is. Who manufactured the various parts ? The upper isn't original if it is an M4 style upper.
I put one together like doctorhumbert. I bought a pre-ban lower, replaced the lower reciever parts just for the heck of it, put the new style collapsable stock on it, and added a M4 style upper.
One other thing, and nothing against the guy selling it, but before I spent any serious money on it, I would verify the fact that it was pre-ban with the company of manufacture.

 

[doctorhumbert]

Here is my Colt M4. I didn't like 16" M4 'style' barrel, so I got original mil spec Colt 14.5" barrel and slapped on 1.5" long vortex FH to make it standard lenghth. It originally started as Preban Govt carbine that I paid $1400 for, but I sold off pencil barrel A2 upper for $400, then replaced it with 'new' flat top upper for $700. Carry handle was available for extra $50, but I went with flip up back up sight so I can mount optics later on.

If seller is asking more than $1600 (I got 6 USGI mags), I'd pass and get exactly what you want by building up from preban bushy, PWA or Colt lower. If it is original preban Colt Carbine and you don't mind fixed handle or non spec M4 barrel, $1500-1600 would be a decent price. I do not believe there is such thing as 'original' preban Colt 'M4 style' carbine.

I woulnd't care for the outdated Colt X4 scope. As for .22, I would never use it on my expensive Colt upper because lead .22 bullets will clog up the gas system. Then again if it is all new, and if you got a killer deal (especially if you have 30 round mag for .22 kit), then you actually can sell them off and make profit.