Colt AR-15 Serial number, YEAR? Colt AR-15 A-2 Sporter Govt Carbine.223 Assault Rifle sn GC003716 Only info I can get is it was made prior to 1978, as sn. Original box, serial-numbered to this carbine, with all contents and manual. OPTION #2: Israel Defense Forces-style carbine (as pictured below). This option includes: - Colt AR-15 A2 Gov't Carbine. Your choice of one 20-round magazine or one 30-round magazine (both Colt).
Colt Commercial Variants
This table is a mirror of a work in progress by Andy Krywonizka at http://come.to/ar15/ - For the most recent version of the table please visit Andy's site. - Many thanks to Andy for allowing the reproduction of his work here. |
This table is intended to be used as a reference for the Colt-series of automatic rifles based on the AR-15 pattern. Currently the R6xxx and some of the military 3-digit series are covered, but not all of the information is complete. If you know something about the rifles listed or find an error, please e-mail me and I'll update the table. The colums I'm specifically seeking info on have violet-colored headers. |
Click here for definitions of the terms used in this table.
Model No. | Pull (in) | ||||||||||||||||||||
R6000 | AR-15 Sporter (SP1) | .223 | 20 | Standard | 1:12' | 7.5 | No | Yes | No | A1 | A1 | Straight | 3-prong | 13 | Straight | Smooth triangular | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1964 | 1985 | |
R6001 | AR-15 Sporter w/collapsible stock (SP1 Carbine) | .223 | 16 | Standard | 1:12' | 5.8 | No | Yes | No | A1 | A1 | Straight | Birdcage | --- | Straight | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1977 | 1985 | |
R6222 | AR-15 .22 LR Conversion Kit | .22 LR | --- | --- | --- | 1.2 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 1990 | --- | |
R6420 | AR-15 Carbine | .223 | 16 | Standard | 1:7' | 5.8 | Yes | Yes | No | A1 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1985 | 1987 | ||||
R6430 | Sporter Lightweight | 9x19mm | 16 | Standard | 1:10' | 7.1 | No | Yes | No | A1 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1992 | --- | Has special deflector | |||
R6450 | AR-15 9mm Carbine | 9x19mm | 16 | Standard | 1:10' | 6.3 | No | Yes | No | A1 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1985 | 1987 | ||||
R6500 | AR-15A2 | .223 | 20 | A2 | 1:7' | 7.8 | Yes | Yes | No | A1 | A1 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1984 | 1988 | Also made in 1989 only | ||
R6510 | AR-15A2 | .222 | 20 | A2 | 1:7' (?) | 7.8 | Yes | Yes | No | A1 | A1 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | Made for export to countries where .223 Rem was considered a military round | ||||
R6520 | AR-15A2 Gov't Model Carbine | .223 | 16 | Standard | 1:7' | 5.8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A1* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1988 | 1990 | |||
R6530 | Sporter Lightweight | .223 | 16 | Standard | 1:7' | 6.7 | Yes | No | Yes | A1* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1991 | --- | |||
R6550 | AR-15A2 Gov't Model | .223 | 20 | A2 | 1:7' | 7.5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1988 | 1990 | |||
R6551 | Sporter Target | .223 | 20 | A2 | 1:7' | 7.5 | Yes | No | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1991 | --- | |||
R6600 | AR-15A2 H-BAR | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 8.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1986 | 1991 | |||
R6600DH | AR-15A2 Delta H-BAR | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 10.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, Semiautomatic | --- | 1987 | 1990 | 3-9X scope, cheekpiece | ||
R6601 | Sporter Match HBAR | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 8.0 | Yes | No | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1991 | --- | |||
R6601DH | Sporter Match Delta HBAR | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 10.0 | Yes | No | Yes | A2* | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1991 | 1992 | 3-9X scope, cheekpiece | ||
R6700 | Sporter Competition HBAR | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:9' | 8.5 | Yes | No | Yes | A2 | A2 (detachable) | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1992 | --- | |||
R6700CH | Sporter Competition HBAR (select) | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:9' | 10.5 | Yes | No | Yes | A2 | A2 (detachable) | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1992 | --- | 3-9X scope, cheekpiece | ||
R6700DC | Sporter Conversion Kit | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:9' | 5.5 | Yes | No | Yes | --- | none | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1993 | --- | Flattop | ||
R6830 | Sporter Lightweight | 7.62x39mm | 16 | HBAR | 1:12' | 7.5 | Yes | No | Yes | A2 | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1993 | --- | |||
R6850DC | Sporter Conversion Kit | 7.62x39mm | 16 | HBAR | 1:12' | 4.2 | Yes | No | Yes | --- | none | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1993 | --- | Flattop | ||
R6851DC | Sporter Conversion Kit | 7.62x39mm | 20 | HBAR | 1:12' | 5.4 | Yes | No | Yes | --- | none | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1993 | --- | Flattop | ||
R6900DC | Sporter Conversion Kit | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:9' | 5.8 | Yes | No | Yes | --- | A2 | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | 1993 | --- | |||
633 | 9mm Submachine Gun | 9x19mm | 7 | Standard | 1:10' | 5.4 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | None | Tapered | Smooth cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-900 | Mechanical buffer, flip-down front sight | |||
633HB | 9mm Submachine Gun | 9x19mm | 7 | Standard | 1:10' | 5.4 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | None | Tapered | Smooth cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-900 | Hydraulic buffer, flip-down front sight | |||
634 | 9mm Submachine Gun | 9x19mm | 7 or 10.5 | Standard | 1:10' | 5.4 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | None | Tapered | Smooth cylindrical on 7' model, ribbed shorty on 10.5' model | Safe, semiautomatic | --- | Flip-down front sight on 7' model | |||
635 | 9mm Submachine Gun | 9x19mm | 7 or 10.5 | Standard | 1:10' | 5.4 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | None | Tapered | Smooth cylindrical on 7' model, ribbed shorty on 10.5' model | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-900 on 7' model, 800-1000 on 10.5' model | Flip-down front sight on 7' model | |||
639 | 9mm Submachine Gun | 9x19mm | 7 or 10.5 | Standard | 1:10' | 5.4 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | None | Tapered | Smooth cylindrical on 7' model, ribbed shorty on 10.5' model | Safe, semiautomatic, 3-shot burst | 700-900 on 7' model, 800-1000 on 10.5' model | Flip-down front sight on 7' model | |||
701 | M16A2 Rifle | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 7.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | 13 5/8' | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-950 | |||
705 | M16A2 Rifle | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 7.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | 13 5/8' | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, 3-shot burst | 700-950 | Standard U.S. Military service rifle | ||
715 | M16A2 Rifle | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 7.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | A2 | 13 5/8' | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-950 | |||
719 | M16A2 Rifle | .223 | 20 | HBAR | 1:7' | 7.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A1 | Grooved | A2 | 13 5/8' | Tapered | Ribbed cylindrical | Safe, semiautomatic, 3-shot burst | 700-950 | |||
720 | M16A2 (M4) Carbine | .223 | 14.5 | HBAR stepped | 1:7' | 5.7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A1 or A2 | Grooved | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic or 3-shot burst | 700-950 | ||||
727 | M16A2 Carbine | .223 | 14.5 | HBAR stepped | 1:7' | 5.7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-950 | ||||
733 | M16A2 Commando | .223 | 11.5 | HBAR | 1:7' | 5.4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic, full automatic | 700-1000 | ||||
735 | M16A2 Commando | .223 | 11.5 | HBAR | 1:7' | 5.4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | Tapered | Ribbed shorty | Safe, semiautomatic, 3-shot burst | 700-1000 | ||||
750 | M16A2 Light Machine Gun | .223 | 20 | MG HBAR | 1:7' | 12.8 | No | No | Yes | A2 | A2 | Grooved | A2 | 13 5/8' | Tapered | Square LMG | Safe, full automatic | 600-750 | Bipod, front grip, carry handle, fires from open bolt |
1 - Colt built several thousand 'bastardized'AR-15's using different lower receivers but the same model number. Dependingon the date of manufacture it may have an A1 or an A2 lower receiver.There doesn't seem to be a definitive list of which rifles have which receiver,or when Colt began using strictly A2 receivers for their AR-15's.
Colt M16 Rifle Models
Courtesy Janes Infantry Weapons 1997/98, and Small Armsof the World (1983) by Edward C. Ezell.Model Name | Description | Roll Marked (left) | Roll Marked (right) | |
601 | AR-15 | AR-15 rifle | Colt Armalite AR15 Patents Pending Cal. .223 Model 01 Serial 0000000 | |
602 | AR-15 | AR-15 rifle. Early US Government purchase - no forwardassist. | Colt AR-15 Property of US Gov't Cal. .223 Model 02 Serial 0000000 | |
603 | M16A1 | M16A1 rifle. Originally the XM16E1. Standard US Governmentmodel with forward assist. | Property of US Gov't M16A1 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
603K | M16A1 | M16A1 rifle. Produced for South Korea. | M16A1 K0000000 | Made in Korea Under License from Colt's, Hartford, CT. U.S.A. |
604 | M16 | M16 rifle. Produced for US Air Force without forwardassist. | Property of US Gov't M16 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
605A | M16 carbine. Carbine version of M16A1 rifle with forwardassist and fixed buttstock. | |||
605B | M16 carbine. Same as Model 605A but with additional three-roundburst limiter; no forward assist. | |||
606 | HBAR | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR) without forward assist.Also known as the Heavy Assault Rifle M1. | Mod 606 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
606A | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR) with forward assist. | |||
606B | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR) with forward assistand three-round burst limiter. | |||
607 | Submachine gun with sliding buttstock and 10' (254 mm)barrel. | |||
608 | CAR-15 survival rifle with 10' (254 mm) barrel and fixedtubular buttstock. About 10 produced. | |||
609 | SMG #1 XM177E1 Commando | XM177E1 submachine gun for US Army with 10' (254 mm)barrel and 3.5' (89 mm) long sound/flash suppressor. | Property of US Gov't Commando Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
610 | S.M.G. #2 XM177 | XM177E1 submachine gun for US Air Force with 10' (254mm) barrel. | Property of US Gov't SMG 5.56mm 0000000 | |
610B | XM177E1 submachine gun for US Air Force with additionof three-round burst limiter. | |||
611 | HBAR | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle. Export model of Model 606. | Mod 611 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
611P | HBAR | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle. Export model of Model 611for the Philippines. | Made by Elisco Tool for the Republic of The Phillipines M16A1 RP0000000 | Made in the Phillipines Under License from Colt's, Hartford, CT. U.S.A. |
613 | AR-15 | M16A1 rifle. Export version of Model 603. | Mod 613 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
613P | AR-15 | M16A1 rifle. Export version of Model 613 for the Philippines. | Made by Elisco Tool for the Republic of The Phillipines M16A1 RP0000000 | Made in the Phillipines Under License from Colt's, Hartford, CT. U.S.A. |
614 | AR-15 | M16 rifle. Export version of Model 604 without forwardassist. | Mod 614 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
614S | AR-15 | M16 rifle. Export version of Model 614 license producedby Chartered Industries of Singapore. | C I S Made in Singapore by Chartered Industries of SingaporeLimited Under License from Colt Industries Hartford, Conn, USA Patented | |
616 | HBAR | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle. Export version of Model 606. | Property of US Gov't Mod 616 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
619 | S.M.G. | Submachine gun. Export version of Model 609. | Mod 619 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
620 | S.M.G. | Submachine gun. Export version of Model 610. | Mod 620 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
621 | HBAR | Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle. Heavy barrel version of Model603. | Property of US Gov't Mod 621 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
629 | XM177E2 | XM177E2 submachine gun for US Army with 11.5' (292 mm)barrel and 4.5' (114 mm) long sound/flash suppressor. | Property of US Gov't XM177E2 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
630 | Submachine gun for US Air Force without forward assistand 11.5' barrel. | |||
633 | 9 mm submachine gun with 7' (178 mm) barrel and mechanicalbuffer. | |||
633HB | 9 mm submachine gun with 7' (178 mm) barrel and hydraulicbuffer. | |||
634 | 9 mm submachine gun with 10.5' (267 mm) barrel, withoutforward assist. | |||
635 | 9 mm submachine gun with 10.5' (267 mm) barrel, withoutforward assist. | |||
639 | S.M.G. | Submachine gun. Export version of Model 629. | Mod 639 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
640 | S.M.G. | Submachine gun. Export version of Model 629 without forwardassist. | Mod 640 Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
645 | M16A2 rifle. Standard US Government model with revised1 in 7' (1 in 177.8 mm) rifling, 20' (508 mm) barrel and new rear sight. | |||
645E | M16A2 rifle 'Enhanced'. Modified M16A2 with removablecarrying handle for optical sight mounting and flip-up front sight. | |||
649 | S.M.G. | Sumachine gun. For US Air Force, with 14' (356 mm) barreland 1 in 12' (1 in 305 mm) rifling. | Property of US Gov't GAU-5/A/A Cal 5.56mm 0000000 | |
651 | M16A1 carbine. Export model with 14.5' (368 mm) barreland full size stock. | |||
652 | M16A1 carbine. Export model with 14.5' (368 mm) barreland full size stock, but without forward assist. | |||
653 | M16A1 carbine. Export model with 14.5' (368 mm) barreland sliding stock. | |||
653P | M16A1 carbine. Export model with 14.5' (368 mm) barreland sliding stock, license produced in the Philippines. | Made by Elisco Tool for the Republic of the Phillipines M16A1 RP0000000 | MAde in the Phillipines Under License from Colt's, Hartford, CT. U.S.A. | |
654 | M16 carbine. Export model without forward assist. Fittedwith 14.5' (368 mm) barrel and sliding stock. | |||
655 | M16A1 sniper rifle. Experimental model with high profileupper receiver. | |||
656 | M16A1 sniper rifle. Experimental model with low profileupper receiver and Sionics suppressor. | |||
701 | M16A2 rifle. Export model with full automatic in placeof three-round burst limiter. | |||
702 | M16A2 rifle. Export model for United Arab Emirates withM16A1 rear sights and full automatic in place of three-round burst limiter. | |||
703 | M16A2 rifle. Export model for the United Arab Emirateswith M16A1 barrel profile and full automatic in place of three-round burstlimiter. | |||
705 | M16A2 rifle. Export model with full automatic in placeof three-round burst limiter. Also known as M16A2E3. | |||
707 | M16A2 rifle. Export model with three-shot burst limiterand M16A1 barrel profile. | |||
711 | M16A2 rifle. Export model with M16A1 rear sight and M16A1barrel profile. | |||
715 | M16A2 rifle. Canadian version of M16A2 rifle known asC7 with M16A1 rear sight and M16A2 barrel. License produced by Diemaco. | |||
719 | M16A2 rifle. Version of Model 715 produced by Colt withthree-round burst limiter. | |||
720 | M4 carbine. Originally known as M16A2 carbine, with 14.5'(370 mm) barrel. | |||
723 | M16A2 carbine. Produced for United Arab Emirates andUS Army Delta Force. With M16A1 rear sight, 14.5' (370 mm) barrel and fullautomatic fire capability. | |||
725 | M16A2 carbine. Canadian version of M16A2 carbine knownas C8 with M16A1 rear sight and M16A2 barrel. License produced by Diemaco. | |||
725A | M16A2 carbine. Export version of the M16A2 carbine producedby Colt for United Arab Emirates with M16A1 barrel profile. | |||
725B | M16A2 carbine. Export version of M16A2 carbine with M16A2barrel. | |||
727 | M16A2 carbine. Carbine with full automatic fire featureproduced for (among others) the US Navy. With 14.5' (370 mm) barrel. | |||
733 | M16A2 Commando. Short-barrelled model with full automaticfire, 11.5' (290 mm) barrel and M16A1 rear sight. | |||
733A | M16A2 Commando. Short-barrelled model with three-roundburst limiter in place of full automatic fire, 11.5' (290 mm) barrel andM16A1 rear sight. | |||
735 | M16A2 Commando. Similar to Model 733 but with three-roundburst limiter. | |||
737 | M16A2 Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR). With M16A1 rearsight. | |||
741 | M16A2 Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR). As Model 737but with M16A2 rear sight. | |||
750 | M16A2 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). With 20' (508 mm)barrel, bipod and front handguard assembly. Fully automatic. | |||
901 | M16A3 rifle. Similar to Model 701 but with flat top railunder carrying handle. Fully automatic. | |||
905 | M16A3 rifle. Similar to Model 705 but with flat top railunder carrying handle. Three-round burst limiter. | |||
925 | M16A3 rifle. Similar to Model 725 but with flat top railunder carrying handle. Three-round burst limiter. | |||
927 | M4A1 carbine. Originally known as M16A3 carbine. Similarto Model 727 but with flat top rail under carrying handle. Fully automatic.In production for Joint DoD Special Forces. | |||
941 | M16A3 Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR). Similar to Model741 but with flat top rail under carrying handle. Semi and fully automatic. | |||
942 | M16A3 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Similar to Model741 but with flat top rail under carrying handle. Fully automatic only. | |||
950 | M16A3 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Similar to Model741 but with flat top rail under carrying handle. Fully automatic only. |
Definitions
Barrel terms
HBAR: Heavy BARrel,Heavy Barrelled AR, Heavy Barrelled Automatic Rifle, Heavy Barrel AssaultRifle
.223: .223 Remington, 5.56 x 45 mm NATO cartridge
9x19mm: 9 mm Parabellum cartridge
.22 LR: .22 Long Riflerimfire cartridge
1:7': Riflingin the barrel twists clockwise, with any one groove making a complete revolutionevery seven (7)
inches (178 mm).
1:9': Riflingin the barrel twists clockwise, with any one groove making a complete revolutionevery nine (9)
inches (229 mm).
1:10': Riflingin the barrel twists clockwise, with any one groove making a complete revolutionevery ten (10)
inches (254 mm).
1:12': Riflingin the barrel twists clockwise, with any one groove making a complete revolutionevery twelve
(12) inches (305 mm).
Barrel contour/slip ring/handguard terms
Standard: Original thin barrelstyle. Did not stand up to prolonged firing very well giving reducedaccuracy.
A2: Later style of barrel that was tapered at the front sight to thicken theexposed barrel. Apparently to
strengthen the barrel to avoid bending when G.I.'s used it as a pry bar.
HBAR: Lateststyle of barrel that is the same thickness the enitre length through, ratherthan just the exposed
section. Stands up to heat well and gives better accuracy.
HBAR
stepped: New barrel for the M4 carbine designed specifically with a 'step' to accomodatethe M203 grenade
launcher.
Straight: Slip ringretainer between the handguard and the upper receiver that has a straightcylindrical shape.
Typically found only on early AR-15 and M-16 rifles with A1 upper receivers.
Tapered: Slip ring retainer between the handguard and the upper receiver that hasa slight conical shape. Used on
all new AR-15 and M-16 rifles.
Smooth
triangular: The original handguard usedon early AR-15 and M-16 rifles. Still commonly seen today, not usedon
newer rifles. The handguard is a smoothened triangle shape with vent holesat the top.
Ribbed
cylindrical:Newerhandguard used on all modern AR-15 and M-16 rifles. Cylindrical ratherthan triangular, it has
vertical ribs along the entire length of the handguard for better grip. Vent holes are along the top and
bottom.
Ribbed
shorty:Identicalto the Ribbed cylindrical handguard found on modern AR-15 and M-16 rifles,the shorty
handguard differs only by being shorter to accomodate shorter barrel lengths.
Smooth
cylindrical: Special handguard found only on the7' barrel of the 9mm Model 633. It has no ribs and is smooth
along its entire length.
Square
LMG:Bulky square handguard used on the M16A2 MachineGun to vent heat as efficiently and quickly as
possible. Has several holes in the top and bottom to accomodate specialattachments such as a vertical
foregrip and carrying handle.
Flash hider terms
3-prong: Vietnam-era flash suppressorwith three slits and an open front end. Soon changed to closed endafter
vegetation frequently got caught in the prongs.
Birdcage:Newerstyle of flash suppressor that has six openings with a closed front end. Changed to A2-style to
prevent dust kickup when firing.
A2-style:LatestColt flash suppressor that has five openings (two to either side, two diagonallyupwards, and one up) and
a closedfront end. The lack of holes in thebottom of the suppressor avoids kicking up dust when firing.
Vortex: A highly efficient flash suppressor that eliminates all muzzle flash evenfrom very short barrels. Typically
four-pronged and 1/2' longer than the 3-prong suppressor. Newer modelshave the prongs twisted
slightly counterclockwise.
Sight style terms
A1: Original style rear sight that was adjustable for windage only. Adjustmentsrequired the use of a tool or
bullet tip. Flip-type aperatures for short and long-range shootingare provided, the ranges depending on
the firearm.
A2:Newer style rear sight that is adjustable forwindage and elevation up to 800 meters, and requires no tools
for adjustment.
Receiver terms
A1: The original, non-reinforced, slab-sided lower receiver with the exposed magazine release button. Easily recognizable by the smooth right side. Usually accompanied by a straight pistol grip.
A2: Newerlower receiver with reinforcing around the magazine well and a 'fence'around the magazine release button.
Flattop: New style of receiver that lacks the carry handle. Allows for themounting of a wide variety of optical
sighting devices and accessories.
Grip terms
Straight: First production pistol grip. Was straight and had no notches or contours for the fingers or the hand.
Grooved: Later production pistol grip, nowstandard on all new AR-15 and M-16 rifles. Slightly thicker gripwith
a notch for the middle finger for a better grasp.
This page copyright (C) Andrew Krywonizka, 1998-1999. All rights reserved. This page may not be reproduced, mechanically or electronically or otherwise, without express written consent from the author. The Colt logo is a registered trademark of Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
Last Modified on September 24, 1999
aalbert@biggerhammer.net
PREBAN AR15 INFORMATION RESOURCES | PRE BAN AR 15
PRE BAN AR 15
PRE BAN AR 15 information is very valuable to shooters in states that maintain an ASSAULT WEAPON BAN. While I dont normally advocate borrowing content from other websites I feel this information is invaluable and needs to be protected, duplicated and shared for the greater good of the shooting community.
If anyone has more information and links please post them at the bottom and I will update the list. If you have a lower of from one of the lesser known brands and have managed to verify the date to the serial number please add your info to the comments and I will add it to the master list.
OLYMPIC ARMS
What does my serial number have to do with a PRE BAN AR 15?
Q: What does my serial number mean?
A: Nothing is more frustrating than to know little or nothing about the firearm you own or are about to buy. Use the information in this page to help determine when your Olympic Arms AR 15 was produced. Please read all of the details on this page because there are many questions answered in the following paragraphs.
As many of you already know, on the 7th of June, 2000, Olympic Arms experienced a devastating fire that destroyed our sales offices. In those offices were housed our current as well as archival records with regards to manufacture, acquisition and distribution of firearms. The books that we, as well as all federally licensed firearms dealers are required to keep are commonly known as “Bound Books”, or “A&D” (acquisition & distribution) books.
These books, over 25 years of Olympic Arms history and data, were completely destroyed in that fire. All A& D book records prior to the 7th of June, 2000 are GONE. Period. This is an unfortunate situation that severely limits our ability to provide product information for any and all AR-15 lower receivers and/or complete guns manufactured prior to that date. As a result all that we can provide is what you see below, a date “range” in which your serial number was manufactured.
We CANNOT provide you with the date the serial number was shipped, we CANNOT provide you with information determining whether a particular serial number was a factory assembled firearm, and most importantly, we CANNOT determine whether or not your particular serial number is a legal grandfathered pre-ban firearm.
Many people and organizations have been critical of Olympic Arms for not securing a copy of these records elsewhere, or keeping an electronic file of this data as an emergency back up. If you’d like to read why this decision was made, please read the article in the About Us section titled “Pre-fire Bound Books”. Remember that Olympic Arms fully complied, and still does, with ATF regulations regarding A&D books.
Below you will see a list of serial numbers. At Olympic, we group our serial numbered lowers into “ranges”. If you’ll notice, all the serial number ranges have a letter prefix but one. The initial receivers made by Olympic Arms simply contain a 4 digit serial number, no letter prefix. Each subsequent serial number range (either beginning with 0001, or 1001) will show a 1 or 2 letter prefix.
Additionally, you will see several lines for serial numbers that begin with the same letter(s) prefix. These prefix series are divided by a date range to their right. These date ranges are the beginning and ending dates of the physical paper ledgers in which those numbers were recorded. In other words, the ledger books were not large enough to contain all of the numbers (0001-9999), in one book. For that reason, there is a beginning date and end date for each ledger. That is what you see below.
Match your receiver up with the letter prefixes on the chart below. Each line is separated into 5 columns.
Column 1: The serial number itself (including prefix).
Column 2: The beginning serial number in that book.
Column 3: The beginning date for that book. If there is only one date listed after the serial numbers in column 2 and/or 2, all of those numbers were manufactured on that same day.
Column 4: End date for that book.
Column 5: Comments regarding that range of serial numbers. The comments as listed would apply to all of the serial numbers with the prefix listed to the left.
SN Range | 1st Date | End Date | Special Notes | |
0001 | 0004 | 03/14/79 | Prototypes | |
1000 | 8845 | 03/14/79 | 06/04/82 | Cut from aluminum bar stock. Most were made for other manufacturers such as Palmetto Armory. |
X1001 | X2987 | 07/02/1982 | 06/01/1983 | |
X2988 | X3484 | 06/02/1983 | 09/01/1983 | |
X2988 | X3484 | 06/02/1983 | 09/01/1983 | |
P0001A | P0588A | 12/17/1982 | 07/18/1988 | PAWS |
Z0001 | Z2002 | 09/08/1983 | 08/24/1984 | |
Z2003 | Z3955 | 05/29/1984 | 02/08/1985 | |
Z3956 | Z6007 | 02/14/1985 | 12/12/1985 | |
Z6008 | Z8018 | 12/17/1985 | 09/10/1986 | |
Z8019 | Z9985 | 09/15/1986 | 03/09/1988 | |
Z9986 | Z9999 | 03/09/1988 | ||
W1001 | W2957 | 03/09/1988 | 05/08/1989 | |
V0001 | V0716 | 12/02/1986 | 10/01/1987 | These receivers were manufactured for Bushmaster. While all of these are for BM, there were more. |
NAMV1 | NAMV100 | 03/20/1985 | 08/28/1986 | These were limited edition Vietnam War Commemoratives. |
USMC1 | USMC320 | 01/21/1986 | 04/05/1993 | Limited Edition US Marine Corp Commemoratives |
U1001 | U1597 | 08/18/1987 | 11/28/1989 | |
F1006 | F3000 | 04/27/1989 | 08/25/1989 | |
F3001 | F5052 | 08/25/1989 | 12/14/1989 | |
F5053 | F9109 | 12/14/1989 | 08/10/1990 | |
F9110 | F9999 | 08/10/1990 | 10/03/1990 | |
T1001 | T2119 | 10/03/1990 | 01/08/1991 | |
T2120 | T3758 | 01/08/1991 | 04/05/1991 | |
T3759 | T7480 | 04/05/1991 | 01/31/1992 | |
T7481 | T9532 | 01/31/1992 | 08/12/1992 | |
T9533 | T9999 | 08/13/1992 | 09/24/1992 | |
AA001 | 09/24/1992 | PROTOTYPE | ||
AA1001 | AA2297 | 09/24/1992 | 12/23/1992 | |
AA2298 | AA2425 | 12/23/1992 | 01/04/1992 | |
GG1000 | GG1009 | 02/01/1993 | 07/05/1993 | |
OA1001D | OA1039D | 10/07/1991 | 10/31/1991 | |
OAD1040 | OAD1067 | 03/16/1992 | 10/09/1992 | |
OAS1042 | OAS1138 | 03/18/1992 | 10/13/1992 | |
AC10000 | AC10058 | 02/08/1993 | ||
LL0001 | LL0267 | 01/05/1993 | 01/22/1993 | |
BL1000 | BL2784 | 02/01/1993 | 05/26/1993 | |
BL2785 | BL4814 | 05/26/1993 | 12/03/1993 | |
BL4815 | BL6861 | 12/03/1993 | 02/24/1994 | |
BL6862 | BL8799 | 02/25/1994 | 06/18/1994 | |
BL8800 | BL9533 | 06/20/1994 | 07/20/1994 | |
BS0001 | BS0699 | 08/27/1994 | 08/27/1994 | |
BS0700 | BS0825 | 08/27/1994 | 08/27/1994 | |
NF0001 | NF1999 | 01/03/1994 | 05/21/1994 | |
NF2000 | NF3999 | 05/21/1994 | 08/27/1994 | |
NF4000 | NF4055 | 08/27/1994 | ||
94NF1000 | 95NF2587 | 11/14/1994 | 01/24/1995 | |
UK0001 | UK0448 | 08/27/1994 | 08/27/1994 | |
E1001 | E2099 | 09/01/1991 | 04/24/1997 ? | |
E2100 | E2290 | 04/24/1997 | 03/08/1990 ? | |
CA0001 | CA0690 | 02/21/1994 | 08/09/1994 | |
TBOR1791 | TBOR1991 | 1991 | 1991 | These receivers are made from Beryllium copper. |
CIA0001 | CIA3402 | 10/28/1996 | 07/14/1997 | These receivers were made under contract with Century International Arms. These are NOT Olympic Arms firearms, are post ban and not supported by Olympic Arms. |
H1300 | H3299 | 08/27/1994 | ||
H3300 | H3354 | 08/17/1994 | 09/13/1994 | |
95H1112 | 95H3340 | 06/06/1995 | 07/07/1995 | |
V1000 | V1499 | 05/05/1994 | 05/11/1994 | |
V1500 | V2755 | 05/11/1994 | 08/05/1994 | |
V2757 | V3195 | 09/26/1997 | 11/25/1997 | |
SA961000 | SA961975 | 03/21/1996 | 09/18/1996 | |
SA1975 | SA3500 | 04/15/1997 | 01/02/1998 | |
SA3501 | SA5150 | 01/01/1998 | 06/18/1998 | |
SA5151 | SA6550 | 06/18/1998 | 09/28/1998 | |
SA6551 | SA8199 | 10/05/1998 | 05/10/1999 | |
SA8200 | SA9800 | 05/11/1999 | 10/07/1999 | |
SA9801 | SA9999 | 10/07/1999 | 10/18/1999 | |
AUS1000 | AUS1049 | 05/06/1998 | 02/01/1999 | |
JJ0001 | JJ1600 | 10/09/1999 | 02/18/2000 | |
JJ1601 | JJ2059 | 02/18/2000 | 03/22/2000 | |
JJ2060 | JJ4182 | 03/22/2000 | 10/03/2000 | |
JJ4183 | JJ5439 | 10/03/2000 | 02/07/2001 | |
JJ5440 | JJ6920 | 03/08/2001 | 12/04/2001 | |
JJ6921 | JJ8713 | 12/04/2001 | 08/06/2001 | |
JJ8714 | JJ9999 | 08/07/2001 | 01/29/2003 | |
KX0001 | KX1601 | 11/04/1998 | 05/10/1999 | |
KX1700 | KX2935 | 05/10/1999 | 08/20/1999 | |
KX2936 | KX4735 | 08/23/1999 | 01/20/2000 | |
KX4736 | KX5760 | 01/20/2000 | 03/31/2000 | |
KX5761 | KX7668 | 04/01/2000 | 07/20/2001 | |
KX7669 | KX9590 | 07/20/2001 | 04/03/2002 | |
SGW0001 | SGW1045 | 02/15/2000 | 04/10/2001 | All SGW receivers are CAST receivers, and sold stripped, or as “Plinker” Rifles only. |
SGW1046 | SGW2043 | 04/10/2001 | 02/14/2002 | |
SGW2044 | SGW3878 | 03/25/2002 | 04/05/2003 | |
SGW3879 | ? | CURRENT | ||
MX1001 | CURRENT | These receivers are match-grade quality Maxhard® treated Aluminum forged receivers. | ||
BT0001 | BT1853 | 05/24/2002 | 01/20/2003 | Series named after long time employee Bill Thrall. Thanks for your service Bill! |
BT1854 | BT3654 | 01/21/2003 | 07/11/2003 | |
BT3655 | BT5453 | 07/11/2003 | 12/01/2003 | |
BT5454 | BT7300 | 12/02/2003 | 05/02/2004 | |
BT7301 | ||||
M0001 | M0198 | 02/20/200203 | 04/01/2002 | Series Stopped because of CNC change. |
LP0001 | LP0577 | 05/02/2001 | 02/19/2004 | OA-98 Pistols only |
SM0001 | SM9999 | 01/30/2003 | 10/2005 | Series names after Oly CNC programmer Steve Melby. Thanks for your service Steve! |
TB0001 | TB9999 | 10/2005 | 4/2007 | Series named after long time employee Tim Butterfield. Thanks for your service Tim! |
KJ0001 | KJ9999 | 4/2007 | 6/2008 | |
JF0001 | JF9999 | 6/2008 | 9/2009 | Series named after long time employee John Fischer. Thanks for your service John! |
WZ0001 | WZ5686 | 2/2009 | Current | Series named after long time employee Walt Dziadyk. Thanks for your service Walt! |
CH0001 | CH6575 | 9/2009 | Current | Series named after long time employee Chris Holeman. Thanks for your service Chris! |
AR15.com
The folks over at AR15. com have compiled the list below
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon.
If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail (hkusp40@midmaine.com) and I will update and re-issue the list.
Note: All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX – ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY.
Advanced Armaments
No information – Apparently machined from bar stock aluminum, lowers are marked as M-15.
American Spirit Arms (Formerly “Sun Valley Traders”)
ALL lowers are Post Ban AR 15. Began introduction of lowers and rifles in mid/late 1998. Noted as having good fit & finish. Also, reported to be manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT).
Armalite | Eagle Arms
Slightly over S/N 30,000 was the Pre Ban AR 15 cut-off, call to verify.* (Some Eagle lowers below the 30,000 range were determined to be POST BAN AR 15 by BATFE – call to verify) Armalite sells Eagle lowers, but sells factory complete rifles with Armalite lowers.
Bohica
Made stainless steel lowers, rumored to have also made AR-15 pistols. Lower marked M16-SA. This is NOT verifiable info as it came from the Internet. Out of Business.
Bushmaster
Below L051000 – Assembled Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles and some pre-94 lowers.**
L051001-L063000 – Mixed Pre Ban Assembled Rifles and Pre-Sept 94 Lowers (Call to verify)
L063001 and Up – Post Ban
Century International Arms
Lower marked CIA. All are Post-Ban. Made with Olympic Arms Receivers under contract.
Colt Firearms
CC001616 and Below – Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below – Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below – Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below – Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below – Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below – Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below – Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below – Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below – Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below – Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below – Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine – very rare model)
MT00001 and Above – Post-Ban
BK000001and Above – Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above – Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above – Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above – Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production
Dalphon
All are POST ban. Cast 356-T6 Aluminum, hardcoat anodized per mil-spec A-8625
DPMS
Below 10300 – Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles.
Some or all lowers are cast. Black in color. Some lowers are Stainless Steel.
Eagle Arms
Now called ArmaLite. They will not give out a list, but will look up on an individual basis. Lower receiver serial numbers DO NOT begin with EA.
Essential Arms
All are Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles as they went out of business in 1993. (DPMS bought them prior to the Ban) Call DPMS Lower receiver serial numbers begin with EA. Some or all lowers are cast. Light gray coloring. It is rumored that Ruger investment casted the lowers for Essential Arms.
Frankford Arsenal
All are Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles. As rumor has it, Olympic Arms produced the lowers for Frankford Arsenal Call Olympic Arms and then Frankford assembled the weapon. A2 configuration lower. Frankford Arsenal went out of business in 1987. (Info from RudolphoS@aol.com)
Hesse Arms
All AR-15’s are post ban. Manufacturing began late 1997/early 1998.
J.L.M & Sons*
SC001 thru SC250 are Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles. All others are post ban.
Knights Armament Co. aka KAC
All AR-15’s are post ban, very few AR-10’s are pre-ban. No further info at this time.
Military Manufacturing (M2)
All were military/law enforcement only. Full auto lowers were standard, semi were optional. Lowers were machined form raw bar stock with improvements incorporated – 18deg magazine angle and square magazine release.
Nesard
See “Sendra” below.
Olympic Arms (Continued)
4-numbers only – very very old. Probably machined from bar stock.
1-letter and 4# – older receiver, but forgings. (Some are newer, POST ban castings – call to verify.)
2-letters & 4# – most receivers follow this pattern.
2#, 2 letters, 4# – the first two #’s are year of manufacture of the lower.
2 letters, 6# (separated 2 & 4 – e.g. SA 96 0000) – first 2 #’s are year of manufacture.
“ICR” marked lowers are an European customer’s overrun, has an unused additional hole – all ICR lowers are post ban.
Olympic Arms Manufacturer’s Notes:
- There were some odd variations and some custom serial numbers mixed in thru the years also. And, some receivers manufactured after the ban have the year stamp after the model name, not in the serial #. and if you don’t see a year stamp on the receiver, it is not necessarily pre-ban.
- Serial numbers that end in “D” were duplicates and one was changed using this letter.
- Recently some serial numbers have left with one or two letters followed by FIVE numbers. The last numbers are either 5’s or 0’s. 99.9% of these are post-ban.
- “Older” does not always mean pre-ban as per Corey Sattler.
- “BL” serial number series lowers are transitional with some pre and some post ban. If you have a “BL” you’ll have to call to verify for certain.
Professional Ordinance
All are post ban (including all of the pistols).
PWA
Colt Ar-15 A2 Gov't Carbine Serial Numbers
35222 and Below – Pre Ban AR 15 Rifles (Note:Some lowers are cast not forged. Out of business) Post-ban have a year prefix in the serial number. Rumored to have only sold lowers.
Rocky Mountain Arms
Producer of AR-15 type pistols.
Sendra
Post-ban receivers have a circle milled into the side of the magwell. They were originally bead-blasted to a non-glare finish. All others are pre-ban. (This is unverified info…) Also, they used to be NESARD. Rumored to have been owned by Dick Drasen (currently M&A Parts) and produced lowers only out of Barrington, Illinois. No complete guns were sold (again, unverified info).
Colt Ar-15 A2 Gov T Carbine Serial Numbers For Sale
Colt Carbine R6521
Colt Ar-15 A2 Gov T Carbine Serial Numbers Chart
Colt Carbine R6521 – Is a rare Colt of which only a few hundred were made for export purposes. They are not marked Sporter, AR-15 or SP1. These are the only Colt AR15 type weapons allowed to be transferred among Connecticut citizens