A Sub-$700 Colt M4? The 5.56mm Colt Expanse. Full Review.

Guns America Blog ^ | 9/14/16 | Jon Hodoway

[Blood of Tyrants]

When it comes to ARs, it all goes back to Colt. Sure, Eugene Stoner at ArmaLite developed the 7.62mm AR-10 that would evolve to become the AR-15 in 5.56mm, but it was Colt who purchased the rights to the latter design and not only captured government contracts for it as the M16 family of firearms, but also brought it to the civilian market at first as the AR-15 SP1 and then as the “Sporter” family of AR-15 rifles.

Now, you should realize that while the AR is a well-accepted and extremely popular firearm today, it was extremely controversial in those early days. With a reputation for a perceived lack of reliability and power (compared against the more traditionally designed M14), the 5.56mm AR had heaps of criticism put upon it. And it was during this time that Colt was the only game in town for those who wanted a civilian-legal AR rifle, and it was not the huge market that it is today.

[MHGinTN]

My last build was a standard gas impingement AR in 16 inch H barrel. With the ammo available now, it is completely reliable if cleaned properly (and I'm talking Hoppe's 9 and pipe cleaners down the gas tube, too). I can build a basic for around five hundred now (parts costs have plummeted), but I prefer a good piston gun and I've built three of them.

Still, with 7N6 ammo, I would reach for the AK74 if combat is at hand.

[Chainmail]

Thanks - I was lucky to make it. I always tell everyone that my Guardian Angel is a really big, muscular guy who is really good at pulling me out of stuff.

What we need to do is get our military veterans who are returning from our latest wars into good engineering schools and then get them into key R&D positions to develop our next generation of weapons and equipment. The combination of technical skills and operational experience should go a long way towards resolving the mess that we have had before.

The other reform would be to get away from "least bidder" choices when our kid's lives are on the line. We need the best, not the "most cost effective".

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I have a left-handed RRA. Love it.

[Lurker]

That trigger is awesome isn’t it?

[GeorgiaDawg32]

Smooth as silk.

[Lurker]

And breaks like a glass rod. I love it.