[Verteidiger]

I have a Colt LE6940 on hold at my LGS. $1397, about $1500 OTD.

I like the monolithic upper for optics usage and a free-floating barrel should help accuracy.

I like the folding front sight and MaTech calibrated rear iron sight.

I don't want to be able to swap handrails - used to short rails and like the repeatable zero if I remove optics.

All my semi-auto carbines are gas piston guns. This will be my first and only direct impingement carbine AR-15, although I do own an AR-10 DI rifle.

I know that higher end guns like KAC or Noveske may be great, but I want to stay at $1500 before optics and mods.

I have shouldered the 6940 and I like how it feels, especially the railed foreend.

I have been smitten, but I thought I would ask you AR-15 owners what you think.

I would appreciate any input you care to provide. Thanks!

- Vert

 

[Ripon]

Guess in Dixieland you might have this option for a while longer then those in occupied territories like CA. They sell for $1800 to $2k in our secondary market. I have a 1994 Colt AR that is truly one of my ATF rifles. I'd love a second but it's not I'm my budget

 

[Montana Rancher]

I don't worry too much about adding extra rifles to my preps, If you have 2 years of food storage, some decent night vision, water, sandbags, fuel, medical supplies, TP, soap, ammo, gun cleaning supplies, fire wood, wood stove, bleach, clothing, footwear, barter goods, silver and gold, chickens, communications, gardening tools, transportation, medication, electricity, and all the rest...

Then feel free to buy another weapon, it can't hurt. My basic feeling is IF I need to use the weapons I have I will either win or lose, if I lose then all of the above doesn't matter, if I win, then I have more guns and ammo to add to the pile.

 

[Ripon]

I agree. I kind of look at firearms now like bigger, uglier, meaner and multi tasking ounces of gold.

 

[Fuzzee]

When it comes down to it it's your firearm. I know with running piston AR's for a long time, there's nothing about a direct impingement AR I like anymore. The Colt's are a good quality AR, but that's really it in practicality. If you've got mostly piston carbines and like how it is to care and maintain them, than why not buy a piston AR instead? Rainier has quite a few Adams models in stock as I post this. There built off of Mega receivers, with melonited parts and barrels in 1 in 7 twist.

Adams Arms

Rainier Arms™ | Manufacturer

Here's my current mouse killer, though I consider myself an M14 man. It's good to have a mouse killer around though.

 

[PalmettoTree]

Vert'diger, sounds well thought out to me.

 

[csi-tech]

I buy guns mostly because I want them. Sounds like a good one.

 

[Old Man]

If your are please with it, that's all that matters. I own 2 colts are very happy with them. Also own a sig 516's. All are great rifles. The only bad thing is I lost all three out boating on the lake. They just got away from me. Don't figure.

 

[Smitty901]

You already own Gas piston AR's. It would not cost near that to change out to a free float front grip. many you can install without removing the barrel.
The 6940 is a fine weapon but no Ar is a sniper rifle they have a different job .
Comes down to do you want that Colt.

 

[Montana Rancher]

The 6940 is a fine weapon but no Ar is a sniper rifle they have a different job.

I think the AR is a great choice for a sniper rifle, my bushmaster varminter is sub MOA shooter plus you get
1. Low recoil so not only can you follow up your shot but see where it hit.
2. High capacity magazine
3. Very reliable
4. Easily sound supressed with less pressure problems than other types
5. Light weight
6. Rail system allows easy mounting for night vision, IR illuminators, etc
7. Did I mention accurate?

 

[PalmettoTree]

You already own Gas piston AR's. It would not cost near that to change out to a free float front grip. many you can install without removing the barrel.
The 6940 is a fine weapon but no Ar is a sniper rifle they have a different job .
Comes down to do you want that Colt.

Agree an AR is not the ideal sniper rifle.

I like my Ruger HM77LR 308 better for a sniper rifle. If I were a younger buck I'd go for an even higher caliber.

 

[Smitty901]

Also if you already have AR's then just buy an upper you like and swap out. The gas pistion or DI has no effect on the lower. You can swap them back and forth all day long.

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

Everyone has there own ideal of what a sniper rifle is even to the point of liberals claiming any rifle with a telescopic scope is a sniper rifle. My thinking is that it should be a minimum of 308 calibre, sub MOA, and be able to repeatably achieve the same results.
Most sniper rifles are not good battlefield guns. I found the LMT WMS is a good compromise and it was selected for the British marksmen.

 

[PalmettoTree]

Weapons are personal. Fit the gun to you. My maneuver days are gone. My AK is for closer night protection and what ever makes the dog bark. I would much heather take on an enemy at sniper distance. Which is why hunting deer and other game is good practice.

Consider all advice then buy what parts of that advice fits you.

 

[Scotty12]

I'm not really sure about the benefit of a monolithic upper. My RRA has a detachable handle that makes it a flattop, and a tactical rail.

 

[Verteidiger]

Thank you very much for all your replies. It helped me make my decision.

I bought the Colt LE6940 as my first (and probably only) M4 carbine.

I wanted to have a quality lower I could add other uppers to in the future if I keep going.

I am very impressed by the high quality of the Colt M4. The only issues I have with it is the top rail was scratched on the edges of the rail - the anodizing was scratched when Colt put the carbine in the fixture to ensure interchangeability of its parts, which is apparently part of their manufacturing process. And the trigger is really gritty and has a lot of take up before it engages. Now I know why people buy drop-in triggers to replace the stock triggers...easily the worst trigger on any factory gun I own. And the Colt pistol grip had some casting imperfection near the upper edge. But these were merely cosmetic issues, and a service grade trigger - it still works just fine.

But it is a gun designed for combat, not for displaying as a trophy or for winning Palma matches.

The monolithic upper is very rigid - no flex or wiggling - so when I switch optics from red dots to scopes the repeatable zero will be enhanced.

The best part about this gun is it was ready to go fight or shoot right out if the box. And it is really well machined and built.

These are supposed to be very accurate. I will update with a range report ASAP.

I already swapped out the grip with a very nice Hogue overmolded grip, and I added a GripPod vertical grip and bipod combination unit, along with a Surefire 6P aluminum weaponlight in a Viking Tactics flashlight mount.

I put an Eotech on it with an Eotech 3x flip-to-side magnifier. It clears the factory MaTech calibrated rear sight easily.

The Colt came with two quick detach swivel sling mounts, which mount in the QD holes in the front rail and buttstock.

I like the buttstock - it is adjustable and has a nice clampdown lever to eliminate wobble or wonkiness in the stock - nice.

Colt also included three ERGO ladder rail covers, so you get about $65.00 worth of accessories in the box.

I got to cut the seals on the box, so it was never on display.

I need to break it down and clean it and soak it in CLP before I shoot it.

Overall, I really like the carbine. I see why Colt has the reputation it has for quality.

The warranty is for a lifetime, but interestingly enough, the warranty for cosmetic issues and replacement grips is only good for one year. I guess Colt knows the rails and grip cosmetic issues may bother some collectors. I plan to shoot this gun, so I don't care - once you mount optics the scratches aren't visible, and I like Hogue's grips better than the A2 grips anyway, especially when it is wet or raining.

I am very happy with the purchase so far.

I'll post pictures with the range report.

Thanks again for your input, prepper buds!

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

Verteidieger
I think you did the right thing, researched and got the gun you wanted, but also put good optics on it and not some cheep sight because someone recommends it. Also find a round you like and stock up on it instead of having wolf for plinking and lake city for your go to ammo. In the long run you will be better off practicing and having your sights set op for one round that you use. Unless you hunt you may have to adjust some to a different round occasionally.

 

[Montana Rancher]

I have an Eotech on my M4 upper, just makes sense as it isn't supposed to be a long range shooter but a close quarters semi.

I expect you will get 2MOA from the barrel, it just isn't designed to be better than that although proper barrel break in and hand loading may help the groups.

I have always considered the M4 to be a close quarter weapon so I don't worry much about pin point accuracy, I want proper functioning.

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

I stick to 3 scope makers now. Trijicon, Eotech, and Nightforce. I like the Eotech that uses AA batteries instead of the cr123 lithium. You can get AA lithium batterie now for your Eotech that have all the advantage of the cr123, low weight, 20 year storage life, and work in sub zero temp.

 

[Leon]

Me, this is just my honest two cents. I think that my sks will drop a man just as fast as a 3000$ rifle. I picked it up for 275 it looks like the day it was made. I am quite good with it and my mossberg 500. Nobody in their right mind and most of those who aren't would dare stand in front of me and menace me and mine because they would be quite dead. If we're talking guns alone here, yeah that's a badass rifle. If we're talking prepping, I'd go WTF are you thinking when you could have a nice reliable accurate rifle for less, the ammo to go with it and maybe dress it up for a 5th of that? Soviet baby, Soviet. 7.62x39 IS the most ubiquitous ammo on the planet right now. It also will punch right through a car and hit the guy on the other side of it whereas a little AR is gonna have a bad time with even windows. Me? I got all I need in a second hand SKS or AK or CZ58 and don't have to wonder about it. They shoot through brush, tree limbs, brick walls, body armor and all. WW2 was not won by M-16's it was won by SKS and BAR. It worked for them, it works for me. I know this troop of positively disgusting sheeple around me will not be able to hang at all with even one of my guns. If these rich liberal dopes DO have a gun, which I think is preposterous to begin with in this neighborhood, it will be a little 22 handgun or a little .38 and I know for a fact the sheeple around me couldn't and wouldn't fight me to save their own children. After several run ins with my timid neighbors getting out of line I have ascertained that they will not come back into this stretch of property because each time anyone has, it resulted in a very scary situation for them. Then again, this neighborhood will very likely be flushed out clean by my group the first day of SHTF if it ever does come. With the ability to slam rounds through their walls, it will be a big shock and awe advantage.