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Firearms Tutorial: Colt AR-15 lowers - What changed before and after the CZ acquisition

Texas Gun Vault

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In this video, I examine how Colt's manufacturing and quality control may have changed over the years by comparing an older Colt lower receiver to a newer production example made after CZ acquired the company. Before the acquisition, many enthusiasts questioned whether Colt's quality control and the amount of in-house manufacturing still reflected the company's historic reputation. I wanted to take a closer look at the evidence and see if those concerns were justified.

In this discussion, I compare the machining, markings, fit and finish, manufacturing details, and overall quality of both lowers to identify any noticeable differences. Have Colt's manufacturing practices evolved under CZ ownership? Is the quality better, worse, or simply different? I share my observations and opinions based on a side-by-side comparison and discuss what I believe has changed over time.

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In this video there are absolutely NO gun sales, NO links to gun sale, and NO information about gun sales. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

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20 Comments

@jwehring88 3 years ago

In regards to the triggers and safety selector, the "S" marking notates they were made by Schmid Tool. It is my understanding, on some of the parts in the newer production firearms, the Colt markings notate they were made specifically for Colt, to their specs since more parts are now being subcontracted after losing the military contract to FN.

@chaoticcaninejb 3 years ago

I wouldnt gp simply by markings. I know several big name manufacturers that have subcontractors, but the part's have to be made identical with markings. People would be suprised who makes what in this industry

@zed332l 1 year ago

The "CR" Designation on the serial number Denotes Colt Rifle..

@AlienHead1 2 months ago (edited)

The lower receivers are made inhouse by Colt but the trigger stamped with S are made by Schmid.

@bergunx 1 year ago

Great video! All my Colts are from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and early/mid 2010s… All with the traditional roll markings. Being that I live in Washington State, I don’t have to worry about buy any new Colt ARs since they were ban since 2023. I’m just glad I have what I have now.

@AlienHead1 2 months ago

The CR on the newer Colt AR's stand for Colt rifles coming from many Colt factory management & employees.

@IndyPlinker 1 year ago

Excellent video, thanks.

@Scottbayer 1 month ago

The notch on the colt hammer is to prevent out of battery fire

@andrewsteele7663 3 years ago

Good morning, Jason, I really do like the more "traditional' style of the AR platform. Cheers

@andrewpinheiro7202 3 years ago

Colts been using cr prefix for a long time on le carbines

@davidmilisock5200 1 year ago

I have an HBAR A2 and like it. It's too bad what has happened to Colt.

@david-laurie-life8950 1 month ago

Now as I watch this video I wonder are the hammer pins and trigger pins still oversized 😮

@david-laurie-life8950 1 month ago

My Colt 20” is from 1991😮. Has the big pivot screw two piece 😮. Withe clipped hammer auto sear block😮 and half moon cut away BCG😢

@Mach1Guy-o1z 1 year ago

CR designation means (Colt Rifle) it’s still the same as the older LE models. Just don’t have that nice roller stamp 😢

@bigchomnk2934 2 years ago

I have an older S&W mp15 from the 2010 timeframe and it seems to be of a higher quality to the newer sport 2s

@marthadean4980 6 months ago

My colt a2 was a jama matic , fine for 100 rounds , but if you didn't clean it after 100 rounds jam jam jam , no matter the ammo . My old original bushmaster was the best ar ever , would run with any and all ammo for as long as you wanted to shoot , hundreds , probably thousands of rounds without having to worry about jamming from not cleaning .

@nal0s0ljah 1 year ago

I have a colt ar-15a4 lightweight le carbine lower but it has a car seriel prefix. I haven't seen anything online with that prefix but theres a bunch of pics with the car seriel prefix

@thnksno 1 year ago

14:14 I have a Sig M400, and it's milled the same as my AR15A4, just like yours.

@marklosentes7988 2 years ago

drop-in trigger(hipperfire PDI) is compatible for CR6920?

@wsmith810 3 months ago

I recently acquired an unfired Colt SP A2 with the hinge pin being a two piece screw. Does anyone know what year they stopped using the screw in favor of the pin?