Just bought a Colt AR15A4 Rifle

[Johnny]

It has all the features I love:

- Colt brand
- 20" barrel
- Removable carry handle
- Fixed stock

I was bullshitting with a buddy the other day. We got to talking guns. It just so happens, his "safe queen" is my "dream rifle". I visited his place, checked it out and we we made a deal. I pick it up tomorrow. I couldn't be happier.

[Full Otto]

Well it's tomorrow
I'm guessing you're still just as happy

[Johnny]

Well it's tomorrow
I'm guessing you're still just as happy

Yep. Deal went forward without a hitch. I'm very happy to finally have this AR. Looking forward to taking it out and getting it zeroed.

[4thIDvet]

You be careful with that rig their troop take yer dang eye out it will. 😁
Good for you that will be one fine weapon.. 👍

[Johnny]

You be careful with that rig their troop take yer dang eye out it will. 😁
Good for you that will be one fine weapon.. 👍

Frankly, the Colt model AR15A4 is the AR I've always wanted. I currently own a Ruger AR556 and have no complaints: zero jams, light, accurate, and easy to shoot. It's also very similar to what I carried in Iraq. However.... I always missed the longer barreled, fixed stock version with the carry handle. It's what I carried early in my Army career and the one that has the most nostalgia for me personally.

The removable carry handle is nice because I'm not getting any younger and there will be a time when I can no longer accurately use iron sights. The mounting rail will give me the option of using optics well into my elder years.

In other news.... My wife, who has never had any interest in ARs got to fire my Ruger the other day and absolutely loved it. She's small, so the collapsible stock and short barrel was right up her alley. Long story, but the local sheriff dept's AR was malfunctioning at the range and I offered them mine. It performed flawlessly. Wife saw it and was impressed. As part of the deal, my wife wants the Ruger! Of course, as part of the deal, she successfully negotiated for a lifetime cleaning and maintenance contract!

What are the chances in my small, rural Michigan town that one guy who's always wanted a Colt AR15A4 meets up with a guy who has one collecting dust?

[4thIDvet]

The National Guard was in town based at our local market and I stopped in to B.S. with the troops. This was years ago after one of our hurricanes. Nice kid let me handle his govt. issue A4? is it? Had the fun switch and I was trying to get him to trade for one of my AKs. He was good with the trade but he kept mentioning some place called Leavenworth?? 😁
Many moons ago 19 yrs. young carrying the old original M16 it was like a feather in weight compared to his. Then young and in shape now old and out of shape they probably weigh close but damn it felt heavy.
I bought the crew Air Force and Army a dozen cases of Bud to bring back to the Nat. Guard H.Q. where they were stationed temporarily. Good bunch they were brought back some memories hanging with them for a bit.

ADD: Good trade yah did good for you..

[Johnny]

The National Guard was in town based at our local market and I stopped in to B.S. with the troops. This was years ago after one of our hurricanes. Nice kid let me handle his govt. issue A4? is it? Had the fun switch and I was trying to get him to trade for one of my AKs. He was good with the trade but he kept mentioning some place called Leavenworth?? 😁
Many moons ago 19 yrs. young carrying the old original M16 it was like a feather in weight compared to his. Then young and in shape now old and out of shape they probably weigh close but damn it felt heavy.
I bought the crew Air Force and Army a dozen cases of Bud to bring back to the Nat. Guard H.Q. where they were stationed temporarily. Good bunch they were brought back some memories hanging with them for a bit.

ADD: Good trade yah did good for you..

I've never been IN the National Guard, but had the opportunity to work with many Michigan guardsmen and use their bases. Like you, my experiences were always positive. All my assignments were either active or reserve. No complaints. The only reason I retired is they MADE me retire based on age... and I wasn't even that old.

As for the A4 you handled, I think it was the same one I was issued in Iraq. If memory serves correctly, it was a Colt with a 14.5" barrel. It was a great rifle. I never had to fire a shot "in anger". The extra weight you might have felt in the modern A4 may have been the result of various "add-ons". When I was in, the Army was pretty liberal in letting you customize your primary weapon any way you wanted, especially when you were in a combat theater. I preferred mine stripped down to just iron sights but some guys added all sorts of "cool guy" stuff on them. To each his own.

Your experience with young soldiers is typical. Even throughout the terrible Biden and Obama years, the warrior spirit is kept alive and well at battalion level and below. Most of the bad people find their way up to the higher echelons and more cushy assignments.

Although I really like the carbine AR15 rifles, I have special place in my heart for the standard sized M16 with the heavy 20" barrel. It just feels right in the hands, like no other rifle.