Colt M4 Commando Lowers Back In Stock (Page 4 of 6)
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Originally Posted By ColtM4A3: Now I have to decide what Colt Upper to get with my Commando lower- do I go old school and get the traditional upper, or do I go with the new M5 Commando upper? Looking for thoughts from you guys.. I have several older colt uppers, might be kind of cool to go with the M5. I had a couple OEM2 uppers in the back of the safe. Sent the barrels to ADCO to chop to 11.5. Scored a couple Aero Atlas S-one 10.3” rails for $105 ea from optics planet. Would have gone M5 but I had the parts short the rails… Should have them together before the end of the year for my Commandos. |
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Has anyone who ordered their Commando lower as a factory SBR had any issues with their CIII FFL freaking out? I had my SBR version sent to my FFL (with his permission) and we planned to do the tax stamp and forms via Silencer Shop kiosk. At first he couldn’t understand what made this an SBR so I explained it was a deal with AU and Colt and a means to have an unmollested SBR since it came from factory as SBR. I also sent him the advertisement. Attached File In his defense, he has just been through a three week AFT audit and is understandably cautious. So he calls his ATF representative and tells me, that the ATF says absolutely do not transfer until they investigate. Now I’m the Ahole who’s purchase initiated a NFA investigation.  He also tells me the paperwork from AU does not match the lower. Description says SBR with 11.5 inch barrel. I have little doubt that AU knows what they are doing and this is just a local issue. If yours successfuly transferred great, I don’t want to know who or where. I’m just trying to reason if my FFL of 20+ years is now ‘rule shy’ or if the local ATF is giving him bad advice? His advice was ‘sit on it’ and call the NFA. If you want one now would be the time to order as an ‘other’ IMO. I will follow up as things progress. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
| I got a call from my dealer a couple of hours ago to let me know that two lower halves and complete SBR had arrived. The guy I spoke with just wanted to confirm that the upper halves were not supposed to be there. He didn't seem to be bothered at all. I asked him what barrel length the Form 3 indicated, but he said that there wasn't a barrel length shown. I think he may be mistaken though. Did you see the Form 3? If so, did it indicate a barrel length and OAL? The guy I spoke with doesn't do their NFA transfers. The lady that knows how to process the NFA paperwork will know what to do. |
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Originally Posted By Bret: I got a call from my dealer a couple of hours ago to let me know that two lower halves and complete SBR had arrived. The guy I spoke with just wanted to confirm that the upper halves were not supposed to be there. He didn't seem to be bothered at all. I asked him what barrel length the Form 3 indicated, but he said that there wasn't a barrel length shown. I think he may be mistaken though. Did you see the Form 3? If so, did it indicate a barrel length and OAL? The guy I spoke with doesn't do their NFA transfers. The lady that knows how to process the NFA paperwork will know what to do. No sir. I haven’t seen any paperwork and can only rely on what the local FFL said. I’ve known him 20+ and he does most of the LE sales in the area known a a reasonable common sense FFL. He’s more apologetic of the situation than concerned. He did speak with ‘someone’ at AU and apparently they confused him more. He ‘said’ the transfer paperwork listed a Colt Defense M4 SBR w/11.5” barrel. Damn, I feel like a real heel. Potentially messsing up a legitimate flow of legitimate parts. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: Has anyone who ordered their Commando lower as a factory SBR had any issues with their CIII FFL freaking out? I had my SBR version sent to my FFL (with his permission) and we planned to do the tax stamp and forms via Silencer Shop kiosk. At first he couldn't understand what made this an SBR so I explained it was a deal with AU and Colt and a means to have an unmollested SBR since it came from factory as SBR. I also sent him the advertisement. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/467962/IMG_1217_png-3410185.JPG In his defense, he has just been through a three week AFT audit and is understandably cautious. So he calls his ATF representative and tells me, that the ATF says absolutely do not transfer until they investigate. Now I'm the Ahole who's purchase initiated a NFA investigation. He also tells me the paperwork from AU does not match the lower. Description says SBR with 11.5 inch barrel. I have little doubt that AU knows what they are doing and this is just a local issue. If yours successfuly transferred great, I don't want to know who or where. I'm just trying to reason if my FFL of 20+ years is now 'rule shy' or if the local ATF is giving him bad advice? His advice was 'sit on it' and call the NFA. If you want one now would be the time to order as an 'other' IMO. I will follow up as things progress. Let me find my thread. I bought a Form 4 lower from AU and had this question/issue. ETA: I can't find it. My FFL had a conversation with his ATF POC (not sure of the correct terminology) and went back and forth. It was eventually transferred to me, listing it as if it with an 11.5" barrel. @DogtownTom |
Tom Sawyer.
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
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Originally Posted By tortilla-flats: Let me find my thread. I bought a Form 4 lower from Au and had this question. I’m pretty sure it was addressed in this thread. That’s why I felt comfortable jumping on such an opportunity. (but now when I go look backward some of AU posts are deleted). Must be those damn |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Bret: Then I don't understand why he's confused. Does he think that the lower half literally has to have an 11.5" barreled upper half with it? Originally Posted By Bret: Originally Posted By Muricha: He ‘said’ the transfer paperwork listed a Colt Defense M4 SBR w/11.5” barrel. Then I don't understand why he's confused. Does he think that the lower half literally has to have an 11.5" barreled upper half with it? I can only guess and do t want to make things any worse by guessing. I also didn’t mention this site or information from here like “well the guys on ARF got theirs”. I can’t halt the process and neither can he (I asked) so it’s all up to .gov now. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Here's my thread from a couple of years ago when I thought I was buying a Commando marked lower from AU as an SBR on a Form 4. (it was a plain Carbine lower) https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/-ARCHIVED-THREAD-What-s-The-Story-Here-/51-536597/?page=1 |
Tom Sawyer.
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
"If The Rules brought us to this, what use are they?"
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Originally Posted By tortilla-flats: Here's my thread from a couple of years ago when I thought I was buying a Commando marked lower from AU as an SBR on a Form 4. (it was a plain Carbine lower) https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/-ARCHIVED-THREAD-What-s-The-Story-Here-/51-536597/?page=1 Very much appreciated. I’m aware I’m shadow shunned from this particular forum but also know there is no better place to ask. No guilt by association for the flatbread! |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Bret: There's way too much logic in that thread. The ATF isn't logical or consistent. Just do the paperwork and don't overthink it. Like the buyer has a choice? Hey, Mr FFL just do it and don’t overthink it okay. No wonder our FFLs are so grouchy. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: Like the buyer has a choice? Hey, Mr FFL just do it and don’t overthink it okay. No wonder our FFLs are so grouchy. I get it and certainly understand the FFL being careful. That said, the ATF has made rules that are not based in law which includes pretty much all of this NFA paperwork. If they tell you what to do in writing, don't argue the point just because it's contradictory and illogical. Just do it before they somehow figure out that the easy route for them is to just say no. My business (not firearm related) deals with several of the alphabet gangs. We've encountered this sort of thing with most all of them. |
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Hopefully this will be resolved soon. I have 2 SBR’s inbound after the holiday shopping rush. The person I talked to at AU when I ordered these was very helpful and knowledgeable. I’m planning to use them for 11.5” builds anyway would it just be easier to bring my uppers in with me to do the paperwork? |
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Originally Posted By CQB762: Hopefully this will be resolved soon. I have 2 SBR’s inbound after the holiday shopping rush. The person I talked to at AU when I ordered these was very helpful and knowledgeable. I’m planning to use them for 11.5” builds anyway would it just be easier to bring my uppers in with me to do the paperwork? That’s exactly what i intend to do with mine when it’s cleared. Your idea would require common sense for that and once that .gov train gets moving it’s hard all bets are on the table. I hope, this is just a local ATF issue and that it has zero impact on anyone else. Unfortunately I’ve heard from another member they are having a similar issue. Being ignorant of the intricacies of NFA, I am still confident that AU is good to go. I haven’t bothered AU and don’t plan to. This isn’t their problem, (based upon ATF email correspondence from the archived thread). If it wasn’t near Xmas, I would buy another in a non NFA config in a heartbeat. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
I was able to take a look at the LE6933 with Commando marked lower and the Commando marked lower half that arrived at my dealer. They're pretty much as expected. Both receivers are dry as a bone and no accessories were included. Interestingly, A2 the flash hider on the SBR is out of alignment. I wonder if it left the factory like that or if AU had a hand in assembling the upper half. Either way, I can fix it but it's a definite swing and miss from a quality standpoint. Does anyone know if Colt ever put B5 Systems buttstocks on Commandos or if it's just something AU decided to put on there? It's a nice stock, but I'll use it for something else if it's not "correct". |
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Here some info and pics from reliable source on the M16A2 Commando. https://weaponsystems.net/system/248-Colt+M4+Commando Attached File I’m beginning to think the 2 position aluminum stock would be a good fit dependent on the upper. Or a polymer copy Lots of info on this video.  H&R Commando 609 XM177E1 Vietnam Carbine 1966 |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
. IMO, this is a GREAT deal with ambi safety and a proper rounded hammer (these are two things I always upgrade on the lowers). This will be my lower that stays 100% factory (minus adding a stock).
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My SBR optioned lower is still locked up at my FFL under ‘ATF Orders’ pending a NFA violation investigation. I’ve know this guy for many years and he owns several large brick and mortar locations. I’m not personal friends and don’t have a feel for how accurate that statement is or if he used some of his ‘own words’. I can say he is a common sense type fella with a good reputation. He tells me nothing will transfer until the ATF clears it. This has all occurred during the holidays and with recent events, If there is an investigation I’m sure it will be low priority. I wasn’t aware of the form 3 FFL process. Can anyone school me on how a form 3 can clear and be denied transfer after? My FFL says it’s because the form 3 was for a complete SBR and does not match what was shipped. (this was my understanding of his words) I do see several others having issues. Some have kindly messaged me and one of the recent review comments on the AU site wrote a blistering review about AU taking his money and promises to ship that never occurred. That review was quickly taken down. I believe it would be a sign of good faith if AU would now enter the conversation. @DanielAU Many thanks to those who have reached out. I will pass along any info I get as it progresses. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: My SBR optioned lower is still locked up at my FFL under ‘ATF Orders’ pending a NFA violation investigation. I’ve know this guy for many years and he owns several large brick and mortar locations. I’m not personal friends and don’t have a feel for how accurate that statement is or if he used some of his ‘own words’. I can say he is a common sense type fella with a good reputation. He tells me nothing will transfer until the ATF clears it. This has all occurred during the holidays and with recent events, If there is an investigation I’m sure it will be low priority. I wasn’t aware of the form 3 FFL process. Can anyone school me on how a form 3 can clear and be denied transfer after? My FFL says it’s because the form 3 was for a complete SBR and does not match what was shipped. (this was my understanding of his words) I do see several others having issues. Some have kindly messaged me and one of the recent review comments on the AU site wrote a blistering review about AU taking his money and promises to ship that never occurred. That review was quickly taken down. I believe it would be a sign of good faith if AU would now enter the conversation. @DanielAU Many thanks to those who have reached out. I will pass along any info I get as it progresses. Daniel isn't on here anymore I think. IF I understand correctly, admins suspended his account because they considered him having conversations as advertising and he wasn't paying for a business account here. |
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Originally Posted By Minuteman1636: Daniel isn't on here anymore I think. IF I understand correctly, admins suspended his account because they considered him having conversations as advertising and he wasn't paying for a business account here. Thanks for that info. I did think it strange when all of his posts were deleted recently but now that makes more sense. There’s always parts of the story we don’t get but he seemed like a resource to me. AU not having a business account on the worlds largest gun forum is probably a wonderful ‘fly on the wall’ story as well. AU raised their price so any lower purchased recently, the value has already gone up. Maybe I will own one some day. 
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-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: AU raised their price so any lower purchased recently, the value has already gone up. Maybe I will own one some day. Their website indicates that there are 953 in stock. If that's remotely accurate, I'd bet on there being another "sale". |
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Originally Posted By Bret: Their website indicates that there are 953 in stock. If that's remotely accurate, I'd bet on there being another "sale". Originally Posted By Bret: Originally Posted By Muricha: AU raised their price so any lower purchased recently, the value has already gone up. Maybe I will own one some day. Their website indicates that there are 953 in stock. If that's remotely accurate, I'd bet on there being another "sale". I would guess that depends on how the investigation works out. Not personally knowing all the players involved but being familiar with the ATFs history I wouldn’t place an order until I saw some recent successes of ‘shipping’ and ‘transferring’. Maybe we will see beastman’s ship Monday after all the holidays are over. edit- beastman has confirmed shipment. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: I would guess that depends on how the investigation works out. Not personally knowing all the players involved but being familiar with the ATFs history I wouldn’t place an order until I saw some recent successes of ‘shipping’ and ‘transferring’. Maybe we will see beastman’s ship Monday after all the holidays are over. So you are saying AU is under ATF investigation? |
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Originally Posted By Minuteman1636: So you are saying AU is under ATF investigation? I am saying my FFL told me they were. It’s 2025. People interpret things differently. I have no proof and statements on the internet can cause folks grief and cost jobs. I have a brain a disease. I don’t trust anything unless it’s witnessed then recorded and notarized as my interpretation isn’t always 100%. The breadcrumb trail does look like a process breakdown. More FFLs than mine are having the same issue. I have no idea what percent of transfers that represents. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: More FFLs than mine are having the same issue. I'd say that they're making an issue, not having an issue. Perhaps you could pose the following scenario to your FFL. If you buy a rifle from your FFL and then come back later and sell him the bare receiver, does he record it as a rifle or a receiver in his book? According to what I've read and assuming the ATF hasn't changed their minds, the answer is rifle. This is no different. Ultimately, I think the ATF has two choices. They can say that these are SBR's or they're not SBR's because the upper halves were not included. If they are SBR's, then $200 has to be paid for the stamp. If not, then they're not NFA items and the ATF doesn't get $200. Based on this alone, I'm betting they'll say they're SBR's. Also, if these are not SBR's, then using the same logic, a full auto lower half isn't a machinegun. |
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I’ve been tracking other’s experiences fairly closely and to date everyone who purchased, has shipped. That’s just the sample of replies here and a few IM’s. Once they ship it’s really out of their hands. |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
| I placed an order for a SCW SBR on 12/11/24 and it shipped on 01/07/25. The three previous orders that I placed shipped within a few days. I suspect that they were delayed shipping the SCW SBR because they didn't have the upper half for it. They updated the pictures on their website the same day that it shipped. AU could easily manage expectations by indicating on their website if products are in stock or not, but they don't. |
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anyone else that has got one dissapointed in the laser engraving? It's super thin and so hard to see compared to ever other Colt lower I have, including a laser engraved AR15A4 and others. I think this COMMANDO lower is a waste. Besides that and dealing with the scumbags at Arms Unlimited, kind of unsatisfied. |
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Originally Posted By ColtM4A3: anyone else that has got one dissapointed in the laser engraving? It's super thin and so hard to see compared to ever other Colt lower I have, including a laser engraved AR15A4 and others. I think this COMMANDO lower is a waste. Besides that and dealing with the scumbags at Arms Unlimited, kind of unsatisfied. Pics? |
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Originally Posted By SSeric02: Pics? I tried everything to get the markings to show better, soaking them in oil, etc., it's absolute garbage. For reference, look at the dots in the square on the lower vs the Colt Pony and lettering. For something that is supposed to be sold based on the roll stamp alone, this feels cheap and inadequate... just like you'd expect from Arms Unlimited.   |
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Originally Posted By ColtM4A3: I tried everything to get the markings to show better, soaking them in oil, etc., it's absolute garbage. For reference, look at the dots in the square on the lower vs the Colt Pony and lettering. For something that is supposed to be sold based on the roll stamp alone, this feels cheap and inadequate... just like you'd expect from Arms Unlimited. https://iili.io/2rw1mJa.md.jpg https://iili.io/2rwG7CN.md.jpg Would you like to sell it? |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By JCunningham: The lower The Colt AR-15 Resource on utube got looked better but ya not to good. This is the lower in my video that you are referencing. Attached File It came from the same batch that everybody else's did. My engraving probably stands out better due to the cleaning/oiling of the lower that I did and the bright lighting at my work bench. Just my .02 cents. |
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Originally Posted By grondike: I'd gladly pay more for a properly roll-marked lower than what's currently coming out of Colt. ETA: like this, for example. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqe5f2XCEAEbQ2-.jpg I'm not discounting the romance that exists with Colt fans and rollmarks, but roll marks are not coming back. The only hope of adding more roll marks to a collection is to buy an existing lower on the secondary market. |
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I've had this issue before. I've bought just an SBR lower three times without an upper and never had a problem. I called a new dealer and was told that it was illegal to transfer just the lower and they (she) would not do it. I explained that I had done it many times before and never had a problem. That's when she became enraged and told me that her shop had done more NFA business than anyone in Utah. I thanked her and told her that I would find another dealer and was told she wouldn't ever sell me anything ever again anyway. So I found another a dealer and sent him the AU link for the Commando and asked him if he would have any heartburn doing the transfer. He told me it wouldn't be a problem. The Form 3 and shipping from NV to UT took about a week. After we submitted the EForm 4 on a Thursday I received a text from my dealer on Saturday that I was approved. He seemed a little confused and asked "What" made it an SBR since it didn't have an upper but didn't make an issue out of it. The Form 3 states that it had a 11.5 barrel so I'm putting that together now. |
USAF SF retired
OIF 2007-2008
NRA Life Member
OIF 2007-2008
NRA Life Member