M16 Development And The Cold Weather Controversy

One of the lesser-known controversies with the M16 development program began in May 1962 when an article in American Rifleman magazine stated that the M16 was not accurate in cold weather.

While reading the book “The M16 Controversies” I came across this information:

“Formal tests in a “cold chamber” at Eglin Air Force Base early in 1963 finally verified the existence of “a severe stability problem” as temperatures approached minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Eugene Stoner’s original design of the AR-15 had a 1 turn in 14 inches rifling. The result of this finding lead to the recommendation to change the rifling to 1 turn in 12 inches in order to make the bullet spin more and improve bullet stability at low temperatures.

The thing that is absurd about the tests and criticism of bullet performance at minus 65 degrees is that a soldier cannot even function at minus 65 degrees. It is stated (www.hikersdaily.com) that the lowest temperature at which a human can survive is around minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, the human body loses heat faster than it can produce it.

You can read the original article in the May 1962 issue of American Rifleman magazine which created this cold weather controversy at this link:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-first-colt-ar-15-rifle/

Colt SCW Stocks Now Available

From Arms Unlimited promotional post…

“For the first time ever, a true side folding stock for your AR15 engineered by Colt! The Colt SCW (Sub Compact Weapon) side folding stock is a complete conversion kit that utilizes a Colt designed sub-compact receiver extension, buffer and bolt carrier group that is capable of firing reliably in semi-auto and full-auto, even when folded. This stock system is ideal for operating in and around vehicles, or when extreme concealment is a necessity. The Colt SCW complete conversion kit was engineered and developed by Colt to military standards and is the only side folding system for AR15 type weapons platforms that has passed military testing standards. Compatible with all mil-spec AR15/M4 direct impingment weapon systems.”

Exclusively distributed by ArmsUnlimited.com

For dealer or government inquiries contact sales@armsunlimited.com

Rare Colt European Carbines Available

Arms Unlimited has a small number of European specification carbines available for purchase.

https://armsunlimited.com/colt-carbine-223-semi-auto-rifle-european-model/

This model is unique in that it has a serial numbered lower receiver, upper receiver and (I believe) bolt carrier group. It is actually .223 because the customer country can’t own 5.56mm. Comes with 1x 10-round magazine.

Selector Block- DoD Solution To Keep Soldiers From Using Automatic Fire

The following discussion involves a part that isn’t Colt. However, it is a unique and not commonly known piece of M16/M4 history.

When I began my Army career in 1988, I was a traditional weekend soldier in the National Guard. The hot topic at the time was DSCA…Defense Support to Civilian Authorities.

DSCA was a domestic plan for the National Guard to provide soldiers to Law Enforcement for both natural disaster/non-kinetic environments and potential kinetic environments such as riots.

In a DSCA scenario, Governors and law enforcement officials were concerned with the potential for troops to panic in a violent encounter and rotate their selectors to ‘Auto’ and firing on civilians.

A concept to mitigate the risk of unintended casualties from automatic rifle fire was this selector block that prevented the selector from rotating from ‘Semi’ to ‘Auto’.

In this video, I give you a look at the part, talk about its installation and give you a look at it installed.

The firearm used in the video is the Colt CRM16A1.

Colt Releases The LE6920-R Trooper Again

For those of you who missed the LE6920-R Trooper during the first two releases, you now will have another chance to get one.

Customer demand has Colt releasing the Colt LE6920-R Trooper again. I had this product flyer on file from the previous releases and thought I would post it here for those of you who are not familiar with the model.

Some of you may ask why it doesn’t come with back-up iron sights. The absence of sights on this model is due to the fact that most people like to replace sights and this keeps the cost of the firearm lower.

Colt CR6762 7.62x39mm Carbine Now Available

The CR6762 is now available on Gun Broker. Which means they will be at your retailers very soon. The two listings on Gun Broker tonight have exceptionally high prices. Colts MSRP is $1199.

So, don’t pay the $1500 to $1600 prices on GB. Find a retailer that is close to MSRP.

Additionally, ignore the ‘rare’ label. There will be plenty of these available. There is nothing rare about them.