Some of my readers may recall that just a few weeks ago, I finished the upgrades and modifications to my first AR-15 I built last year – my S&W M&P 15. I didn’t take me long after getting my first to want a second. 🙂
For my second, I wanted something special. Anyone who knows AR-15’s knows the name Colt. The AR-15 platform was originally designed by ArmaLite for the US Military, and ArmaLite sold that design to Colt, and in 1963 the M16 (the full-auto version of the AR-15) was deployed for jungle warefare operations in South Vienam. That same year Colt marketed the Colt AR-15 as a semi-automatic version of the M16 rifle for the civilian market. Since the Vietnam War, the M16 rifle family has been the primary service rifle of the U.S. armed forces, and heavily marketed to the state, federal and local law enforcement branches. The name “AR-15” is a Colt registered trademark, which refers only to the semi-automatic rifle.
The Colt AR-15 I purchased is the Colt LE6940P. The Colt LE6920 is essentially the semi-auto version of the current US Military M-4 rifle. The Colt LE6940 adds a monolithic rail, and flip up front and rear sights in place of the front sight post and carry handle found on the Colt LE6920/M-4. Only recently has Colt begun producing a piston carbine version of the LE6940…the LE6940P. I wasn’t even aware that Colt made a piston AR-15 (as opposed to a direct impingement driven AR-15). The primary benefit of a piston driven AR-15 is a higher level of reliability by running a cleaner and cooler AR-15.
You don’t get a fancy carrying case when you buy a Colt…just a cardboard box:
I ordered the rifle with a Geissele G2S trigger, and a Noveske QD end plate. When it arrived, I added an Aimpoint PRO
The day after I got it, I took it to my local range and zeroed the optic. I took a few photos while I was there:
I was moving fast because I was loosing daylight quickly, but here’s a few shots I took from 50 yards during the zeroing process:
Look for a full review in the weeks ahead! 🙂
John B. Holbrook, II is a freelance writer, photographer, and author of ThruMyLens.org, as well as LuxuryTyme.com and TheSeamasterReferencePage.com.
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Is that the factory magazine? I’ve never seen a Colt mag like that. I am so envious of your 6940P. Very nice setup, sir.
Nope – that’s a polymer 20 round magazine. Love the 6940P!
How’s the recoil compared to other AR’s?
Honestly I can’t tell that much difference. An AR has pretty light recoil to begin with…I need to shoot it side by side with my other GI AR and see.