Site Update Saturday Feb 7, 2026

Flag Poles In Front Of The Colt Factory

So here we are already into the 2nd month of 2026. This site has sat pretty dormant for most of 2025 (maybe all of 2025). Being sick thenlast two days has me slowed down enough to make a post. My largest challenge has been that I work on a computer most days 8 to 12 hours. It is almost impossible to consider spending more time on the computer after working all day to make site content.

An additional mental block that I had was… I previously had an “all or nothing” attitude. This meant that if I couldn’t post an entire new page/article of content, I didn’t want to post anything. That thought process has changed this month. I decided that posting a couple of sentences, one photograph or a paragraph on a page and building toward a new completed section is better than doing nothing. Talking to a friend of mine lately (you know who you are) helped me realize this.

Another thing that has helped motivate me to post more is the ability to now use a phone app for the website and not have to use a laptop/desktop. This will make it much easier to create content ‘on the fly’.

I attended Shot Show this year as part of my day job. Unfortunately I was exceptionally busy and I didn’t hardly do any photography. I did learn some lessons to better manage time if I go back next year. Colts footprint was much larger than years past. I will share some quick photos in a future post. Below is a photo I took of their space one morning.

Colts Display At The 2026 Shot Show

Colt published their 2026 price list right after Shot Show. There are some interesting products added and some not really surprising discontinued products. I will share some thoughts on this in a post next week. If you see my posts on AR15.com in the Colt ‘Industry’ section (username Minuteman1636) you may have seen a few of my recent comments there.

So, those of you who have sat on the sidelines patiently, I appreciate you hanging on with hope.

Talk to you again soon!

Assorted Colt Camouflage Patterns

The Colt firearms in these photos belong to a friend of mine and fellow collector. You get a look at various finishes/camouflage patterns used by Colt over the years. 

Here is his description…

“The top rifle is a new acquisition and is a hunting camo made by ‘Vista’. Serial states it was a Colt VP gun and was a prototype/engineering gun.

Have a very similar gun but in the IC program digital camo, CSASS Colt prototype in burnt bronze anodizing, USMC shooting team IC prototype camo finish, 1 off preban X prefix 6940 style made for a ban state VP, 1 off 2014 shot show display XM177 style hydro dip camo and limited run 6920 wild fire hydro dip.”

Website Update! Good News!!

After my last post announcing the pending closure of the website due to schedule issues and uncertainty of the website long-term, the outcry was enormous! I received so many messages asking me to continue my efforts and figure out a way to preserve the website content. It was very surprising and very touching.

So, I will keep the website up and I will start to add more content again. Behind the scenes, there is some vague discussion taking place about the long-term fate of the website and a potential transition to a new owner in future years to ensure it’s accessibility after I’m out of the picture. At 54 years of age and nobody close to me to pass it on to, this was a big concern of mine. It would have been wasted effort to continue building the site with no future ownership transition plan.

Thank you to all of you who sent messages of support and encouragement. Your time and effort spent to send those messages meant a lot to me and played a significant part in me changing my mind.

So, stay tuned for some more content and news soon.

Site Closing Down

After some internal debate, I have decided that http://www.thecoltar15resource.com will no longer exist after the end of 2025.

My work life has me working 10 to 14 hours most days. I no longer have time to research and write like I used to. What personal time I do get, I do not want to be sitting at a computer more.

I will continue to post every once in awhile on my Instagram page. I will post here again 30 to 90 days before I pull the plug with more information.

A Tale Of Two Colt CR6920-EC Carbines…Same But Different

Two identical boxes, two identical labels…yet two different carbines. In the next couple of days, I will post a video discussing the two different CR6920-EC carbines that have been available from Colt this year.

Colt “M4 Commando” Marked Lower Receiver 2024 Production

I made a short video giving you a look at the 2024 production Colt “M4 Commando” lower receiver that is available through Arms Unlimited.

Colt “M4 Commando” lower receiver 2024 production

Let me know if you have any questions.

Colt Collectors Association Convention San Marcos, TX

My friend Alex and I will be displaying at the annual Colt Collectors Association show in San Marcos, TX. October 3 – 6, 2024. If you want to take a walk through the history of Samuel Colt and the history of Colt’s Manufacturing Company, this is the event to visit. Collectors from all over the world travel to one place to present one of a kind displays of both rare, antique, and modern Colt firearm designs and collectibles.

Come see us if you are in the area. Alex and I focus on historical displays of various Colt AR rifle/carbine designs. You could see anything from an early XM16E1 prototype, Vietnam XM177E2 limited editions, Advanced Combat Rifle program (ACR) prototypes up to recently retired designs such as the LE901 rifle in .308 WIN.

We haven’t decided what our display will focus on this year, but our visitors always enjoy stopping by and seeing what Colt history we present.

Page Added: Colt CR6920-EC European Carbine 14.5″ Pin/Weld with New Colt Rail System

I added a page to the website today for the recently released Colt CR6920-EC European Carbine with 14.5″ pin/weld barrel. This release also features a new proprietary Colt rail system. This rail system is not a rebranded rail from Midwest Industries, Troy, etc.

There are about 32 photos posted on the page currently. You can see the page here: https://thecoltar15resource.com/colt-cr6920-ec-14-5-pin-weld/

I will be adding more photos showing more details in the near future.

Why You Can’t Use Barrier Bag or Accessory Bag Dates As ‘Production’ Dates

I’m in the process of taking photographs of my CR6920-EC (14.5″ barrel pin/weld version) European Carbine.

This carbine is a perfect example as to why you cannot use the barrier bag or the accessory bag date to date the production of firearm.

The barrier bag is dated January 2024.

Barrier Bag Date

The accessory bag date is April 2019.

Accessory Bag Date

Scanning of my production QR code has a date of March 20, 2024 as shown below.

So, as this demonstrates, the dates on bags are simply dates applicable only to those bags. The dates have no correspondence to the firearm manufacturing date.