Posted: 3/20/2013 5:46:20 PM EDT
I bought a Colt upper from SAW earlier this year that had numbers inside the CH notch. At first I thought it might be a cage code or part no. Anyone ever see this or know what it is 
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I don't think it's a cage code either because these numbers vary on the uppers that actually have them. I have no idea what they are, though. I've only seen them on Colts and only on a few of them. Maybe they are QC codes to identify the machine or machiner that actually made them? (Kinda like RRA uses different 2-letter serial number prefixes on their lowers to identify where the lower was machined.)
But if that's the case, it wouldn't make sense that all their uppers don't have these codes. So I dunno. |
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Last I spoke to Colt about these numbers, they said they were not CAGE codes. Nor does a cursory search of the numbers appear to match with any active CAGEs for Colt or otherwise.
They also do not seem to match part number or NSN, either. Army Contracting Command - Warren (ACC-WRN) is conducting a Market Survey to identify potential sources for the manufacture of the M4/M4A1 Carbine Upper Receiver, NSN: 1005-01-382-6795, Part Number 12972670. The M4/M4A1 Carbine Upper Receiver is manufactured from forged aluminum alloy. Application of protective coating is required in accordance with 7.5 of MIL-STD-171.
I was told that someone would look in to it and get back to me, but that was months ago, and long before many recent events that have been far more pressing to far more people, and I never received an answer. May look in to it again at some point in time, but I suspect the answer will be something completely mundane and underwhelming. Maybe part of a contract number or something. ~Augee |
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Maybe part of a contract number or something. ~Augee this or a batch number. It is interesting to see how Colt and Colt Canada are using more common parts at times and carrying over changes in design. The small add on of the steel comes to mind on the charging handle latch notch. I seem to recall seeing it on a few US guns but particularly on the RCMP C8IUR rifles. Mark |
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Maybe part of a contract number or something. ~Augee this or a batch number. It is interesting to see how Colt and Colt Canada are using more common parts at times and carrying over changes in design. The small add on of the steel comes to mind on the charging handle latch notch. I seem to recall seeing it on a few US guns but particularly on the RCMP C8IUR rifles. Mark Hey Mark, do you have a picture of the steel insert that is now being used? I wasn't aware if this...good idea though. |
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There have been a couple different numbers documented.
IIRC, most of them have also been on "CK" or "conversion kit" uppers, purchased separately, not on complete rifles, which are also rumored to be contract overruns, perhaps LE departments converting older models to flattop receivers over the years. It may be a contract item identifier intended to be sold as an individual item rather than with a serialized lower receiver and therefore marked, but that is purely speculation. ~Augee |
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I bought a Colt upper from SAW earlier this year that had numbers inside the CH notch. At first I thought it might be a cage code or part no. Anyone ever see this or know what it is
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/LUNCHBOX0621/51212621-FAD4-4854-93EA-349F602B15CC-301-0000003C729CA9E5_zps015319c1.jpg http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/LUNCHBOX0621/77127330-7099-4E9D-A926-96448FD7D0CA-301-0000003C7844B67D_zps9084fe24.jpg The last two Colt uppers I bought from Brownells had the exact same numbers inside the charging handle notch. Both had the raised "C" and purchased from a reputable supplier, so I never gave it another thought. Now I am just curious what the numbers are for. |
| The first time the *I* ever saw these was starting around 2008-2009, and I'm almost positive they were on complete rifles at the time. Then I figured they were just an anomaly until I saw this thread, and apparently they are still being produced/used to some degree. It's possible the OP's upper is just a take-off from a new complete rifle...many of the parts SAW sells are take-off parts from complete guns. |
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The first time the *I* ever saw these was starting around 2008-2009, and I'm almost positive they were on complete rifles at the time. Then I figured they were just an anomaly until I saw this thread, and apparently they are still being produced/used to some degree. It's possible the OP's upper is just a take-off from a new complete rifle...many of the parts SAW sells are take-off parts from complete guns. I would disagree with this part of your post. |
I've got one also it's a 0921HB- M4A1-Socom 14.5 upper. Came in blue Mil Bag upper only Matech rear sight, M4 hand guards & A2 F/H there was a white sticker on the Mil bag it came in but someone pull it off couldn't read any numbers off it I found that interesting.
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| My 6920 manufactered 01/2013 serial#1884xx does not have it but friends 6920 does, dont know date of manufacture but his serial number is alot lower than mine, Im guessing 2009-2010 he bought it used and has had it 3 years now, his upper forge marks are identical to mine. |
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It sounds like these numbers might be some sort of unique serial number/identifier that's put on Colt uppers that are typically reserved for uppers that don't come on complete rifles. Come to think of it, I've never seen 2 numbers the same. However, knowing Colt, I think it's also entirely possible that these "numbered" uppers could have made their way onto complete rifles, especially if Colt ever ran short of non-numbered uppers at one point or another.
PS: Can someone that has one of these uppers call Colt to see if they can trace the number on their upper to see if it corresponds to a manufacturing date or source or something like that? |