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Posted: 9/14/2006 7:44:09 AM EDT
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I picked up a PWA Commando yesterday at a local shop and can't find any information on it at all. I used the search feature and got a couple of hits but nothing substantial. Does anyone know much about this receiver? How can I find out a build date (pre vs post bad) etc? The finish on it leaves much to be desired however the rifle functions very well. |
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PWA has gone out of business and is now Lewis Machine and Tool. The PWA Commando receivers are very good quality and I have several as SBRs. Generally accepted that #35,222 and below are "pre-ban" and anything above is post-ban. The earlier ones were milled from A1 forgings and are desirable to the "retro crowd" for no other reason than they do not have the A2 reinforcements. Hope this helps, uxb |
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Never had a problem with PWA receivers and have heard good things about them. The rifle I had in the ban days had a funky shiny finish on the PWA receiver (don’t have a better pic)  The PWA lower I have now is probably going to wind up being an SBR too at some point, that commando marking is just too cool. The finish on it is a nice even flat park like affair.    |
I just bought a new LMT upper to match one of my pre-ban PWA lowers, and I think the match is perfect! (see top rifle in pic below). Right now, it's only got factory Colt M4 handguards, a Brownell's MAD-clone BUIS, a PRI charging handle, and a surplus A1 pistol grip. The buttstock is a freebie I rec'd from Bushmaster years ago.  The lower rifle is my 6721. |
That's exactly what mine looks like including the markings save for the fact that I have a 4 digit serial number as opposed to the 2 digit number you have. Thanks for the info guys. |
Ahh....I'm sitting here looking at the rifle right now and finding that the "finish" is actually some sort of rubberized coating, which of course explains the dimples and marks in it. A small section near the trigger pin has peeled away and it looks like bare aluminum beneath it. I can't find any casting marks on the upper at all. It's the lighter shade of grey that Colt liked to use with an unmarked 11.5in barrel and a permanent 4.5 in flash hider on it. Interesting piece and 2moa accurate at 100 yards using chinasports 55gr. I know that the twist rate has to be 1-12 as I tried some M855 and was getting keyholes at 10 yards with it. |
This is definitely not anodizing, or at least not any type of anodizing I've ever seen. It's a SN 97XX and it's definitely "peeling" at the one location. It doesn't look like paint however as the PWA logo, Milan IL, Commando and SN are all clearly visible and stamped into the metal of the receiver itself. I have someone that wants to swap me an assembled RRA lower for it and if time permits before I leave the AO I'll probably go that route since I'm not concerned about the retro aspect of the rifle. Thanks again for all of the info. |
ch139, Does/did the first lower have raised lettering, or is that just the strange lighting/photo manipulation of the picture giving that impression? |
No raised lettering, just my shitty photography |
JJKing, Welcome to our addiction The label color is a Colt thing, Thats a good question as to the years of manufacture for the PWA's, Anybody know this one? |
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Welcome to the forum. May 1986: no more NEW machineguns for public consumption (transferable machine guns). Machine guns built prior to the 1986 ban can still be transfered to individuals where allowed by states. A Registered Drop In Auto Sear (RDIAS) is itself considered a machine gun; no more new ones after 1986. You can add a RDIAS to just about any AR (or have the AR modified to accept the RDIAS), but first you have to have the RDIAS. They’re almost as expensive as a registered receiver machinegun (AR type), take the same paperwork and $200 to get the tax stamp. |
So then would I be safe in assuming that the 4 digit SN coupled with the lack of stamped date indicates a "pre-ban" model? Unimportant to me here in PA but potentially useful information as I live next to the PRNJ and NY. I'm leaning towards swapping this receiver but at the same time if I can deal with someone from NJ or NY and help them get a legal AR at the same time I may go that route. |
| I'm no expert, but I would tend to agree with your way of thinking. I don't think PWA made very many post ban lowers without the date of mfg stamp. I would think that a 4 didgit ser# should put yours well before the ban started. Just my opinion! Good Luck, ALLONS11 |
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12,XXX and is as good of a receiver as any I have ever owned. If I hadnt got it from who I bought it from, I would have shipped it down the road though, it is a certified pre ban useable behind the lines, and I cant convert it to a pistol at my whim.  So it sits......... |
| I have 2 A2 styed lowers and one A1 styled lower. The finish on the A1 is some sort of wrinkicle paint and I barely read the serial number. The finish on the other 2 has somewhat of a shine to it. I'll most likely sell the A1 to somebody who wants to a retro build. |
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