Posted: 7/20/2004 5:38:28 PM EDT
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I've been in the market for a rifle, and this is the best AR option I have. Several thoughts: 1 - Why on earth did Colt stop making these? From what I can tell, those who have them, love them more so than the 6601 due to the better balance/weight and the guarantee of a chrome lined chamber and bore. 2 - Were these small hole rifles or large hole ones? I am not a fan of the large hole pivot-pins. 3 - Even if discontinued, why are they so scarce? I'd expect to see more of them, in post and preban condition. I'm seeing maybe 100X the number of 6601s... 4 - Did these come with a sear block? If so, no biggie - I'll just have it machined out. If not, wonderful. What's the general opinion on these rifles ( those who have shot, handled or owned one of these )? |
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I scoured the area where I live and found a new one, MT6551. It was made in June, 2000, and it does not have the chrome bore. The barrel is 1/7. The pivot pin was not in place, used the screw instead, but the hole for the pivot spring and detent was in place, so was easily converted. There was a time in the mid 90's when HBAR was the chic thing. So perhaps that is why 6601's abound. It is also cheaper not to have to machine the barrel much. The one I got has the plastic recoil buffer insert and plastic buttstock compartment lid. You are right. It seems to be a desirable model. Years ago I bought the similar model, Sporter Target preban, the one minus the bayonet lug, and sold off the unfired upper to get a Colt HBAR upper kit. Now I have to live with that mistake. The only model I find more attractive is the 16 inch lw barrel carbine or the Sporter lightweight or MT6530. Only because I'm getting older. The implanted sear block is not present, but the lower has been machined to leave material in place. These are small hole pivot pins. |
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Colt discontinued the MT6551 in 2001 for reasons unknown. I have a MT6551 and love it. The balance is perfect and much easier to lug around in the woods deer hunting, it was made in April of 2000. It's drilled for the detent pin and doesn't have the a sear block but uses the casting as a default sear block. The fire control pin size is the usual large Colt .170. The barrel is the M16A2 type profile and has a chrome chamber but not the barrel the twist is 1/7. The barrel will heat up faster than the HBAR but accuarcy is excellent. I have not seen that many MT6551's and thought when the ban sunsets I would have it threaded for a flash suppressor. |