The Colt Military Classic Series, or ‘reissue’ series as it is more commonly referred to on the internet, began in 2016 with the release of the M16A1. A second firearm in the series has been released which is the XM177E2. This series of firearms licensed by Colt and manufactured under contract by U.S. Ordnance is marketed directly at the serious Colt AR-15 collector who is looking for detailed, new manufacture, military replica Colt firearms to add to their collections.

The current word on the street is that in addition to the M16A1 and XM177E2, there will be five additional releases in the series. The M16A1 and XM177E2 are active catalog items on Colts website at https://www.colt.com/series/AR15_Military_Classics

An interesting piece of information that we have learned about all of the rifles that have been produced, and will be produced, is that the serial numbers are the same as original production rifles but have had a ‘V’ added to the end of the serial number. This V acknowledges the Vietnam War and period during which these weapons were tried and tested on the battlefields of Southeast Asia. Additionally, the addition of the V at the end of the serial numbers differentiates the new production rifles from the original serial numbers used.

It has been shared with me the Colt AR-15 Military Classics line will continue. One of the future releases will be the Colt Model 02 (also known as the 602). More information will be posted as it is learned.