Yes, thanks for the detailed answer.  I’m still on the fence.  For the sake of direct comparison, did you try the gauge in any other recent Colt uppers?

Well it time to order a spare Colt 556 upper before these things flood the market…

ETA
Still weird to see a true 223 chamber when all other mfg offer a 556 chamber.. was talking with a custom AR builder and he has no problem chambering his barrel blanks in 556

Just for the sake of science did you try it in a 5.56 chambered rifle? I’m just curious as I have never used a chamber gauge.

I still have not even opened my rifle to look at it.

I would be curious too what happens when dropped into a supposedly true 5.56 chamber.

I have owned one of these M Gun 5.56 chamber gauges for several years, and have used it in a lot of rifles. Minuteman has explained and used it correctly, based on his results, its .223 I would have no doubt.

I had two of these in my cart but for once I resisted because it just didn't feel right.  As others have stated these are mostly collectors, but is there a real collector market for any AR short of a vintage / retro Colt?  I think most bought these as cheap yet unique shooters, and now they're stuck with a 223.  That sucks.

Maybe in 20 years they’ll be worth something… like the 222 series…

I keep checking on how many are in stock, and it looks like they have sold only a few of them. I am still tempted to get one as a safe queen to keep my Mexican 6920 company and let it "age" for a few years.

I highly doubt Colt is using 223 chamber barrels on these guns. That makes no sense from a supply chain standpoint and Europe doesn’t require a 223 chamber. I believe these would be standard button rifled chrome lined 6920 barrels with extra engravings.

Gauging on previous page indicates otherwise.

I was under the same impression but the gauge report a couple of post above seems to disagree.

To be fair didn’t the old Colt Accurized series have 223 chamber? Or were they Wylde?
Weird chambering should not be an issue after all for a company with decent QC.
I’m a bit upset because Colt is giving up to stupid EU requirements and surplus 556 ammo is being sold without issue simply by milling off thr 556 off thr case

Just opened up what was suppose to be a complete LE6920CK upper...what I actually received was one of these serial numbered .223 CR23 uppers.

Really have no use for a .223 only upper. I guess it's time to learn to change a barrel, which was on my list

But then I started to think...my 1965 and I think my 1977 SP1 are 223rem...

And then there is the HK MR223 and MR556, others I am sure.

Are the euro specs for .223 different then US?

Where did you get this from?

Botach, sale, then 10% off a few weeks ago...so I think $530

Was not advertised as such but hey its Botach. I just wanted a plain ole 6920 upper but noooo I get something kinda rare or at least odd...lol

(in all fairness to botach
I have been very happy with them, got a minty hk416 upper some years ago, but know the rep)

I had ready seen this thread in on the euro carbines..so I knew what I was when i got it.

I did find this info when looking at euro spec. 223

"
NOTE: The C.I.P. standards for the C.I.P. civilian .223 Remington chamber are much closer to the military 5.56×45mm NATO chamber. "

CIP does not differentiate between 5.56 and .223.    They are the same chamber.  

This confusion is nothing new with euro guns but new to this platform.
You will find this info true.
Thanks

Yup

Yup

Correct CIP is higher.

IF you’re really that worried about the .223 chamber………

Michiguns

Redundant, disregard.

Not sure how that could affect a chrome lined barrel

.  That’s covered in the description of the tool towards the end.

The stock level dropped from 231 to 81 in the last few days. I wonder why suddenly all the interest. I did notice CDNN has some at a $1299 and Atlantic has them for $899.

Thanks

Is it possible the numbers at AU dropped significantly in a short period time, because they sold off some of their slower moving product to other dealers?? Just a thought.

They have 78 in stock now.  Hmm...that's 3 in three days.  Hmm....231 to 81 in a few days, that's a nice round 150.  Where did they go that quick?

I broke down and ordered one. I didn't really need it, but it is a little different and I decided I can get over the .223 issue. I don't really plan on shooting it and if I do I have .223 in my stash plus its readily available.

I believe some other dealers may have pickled some up to flip at a later time. The sudden decrease of 150 is not what I would call normal sales.

Im surprised it took you this long my friend, Congratulations!

I think I have a Colt addiction issue and I need to seek help.

Typically asking for help from a fellow addict is useless.

I picked my European Colt up today and it looked good, no noticeable blems and everything fit tight. All the markings are the same as others have reported. I am not real crazy about the new Colt "look". The shiny handguards and pistol grip just don't look right along with the dark black finish, I prefer the older look.

Yep, I picked up another tattooed lady yesterday too.  This one has no blem's or scratches like first one.  This one is going to the range and the second one is going in the safe.  I love the serial numbers all over the place, no question witch parts it came with from Colt, unlike my roll marked 6920 Gov't M4A1 with the no "C" bolt carrier.

Yeah That’s the only pros I guess

Finally got around to ordering one of these Euro Colts and a M5 from AU, both should be at FFL Thursday, hopefully they have it ready by Saturday to pick up.

Can't wait to do a deep dive on it.

Been off the Colt kick the past 3 months, been going to flight school then bought me a used Cessna lol.

Another money pit! I took lessons in a Decatholon and was going to buy into it with a few others but changed my mind after finding out all the costs involved.

Between the plane and flight school I'm in about $115,000!  About the same as 4 Colt transferable machine guns lol!

I call the plane BOB, Bucket of Bolts. Cosmetically its not that great inside. The passenger door won't even open from the outside lol and the interior is really bad, needs a lot of cosmetic work, but it sure is fun to fly! 1996 model with latest Garmin Aviation package, with fuel injection so no carb heat.

Plane looks pretty good! I was lucky, my boss many years ago was a CFI and he owned the Decathalon. The tail dragger Decathalon was not nearly as nice as the Cessana, but it had a fuel and oil system rated for inverted flight which he made use of. We would be at work, and he would ask me to if I wanted to go get some hours in on his dime. No way I could say no to that.

I look forward to seeing what you think about the Euro Colt and the M5. I am surprised the Euro Colts lasted this long. I guess the .223 vs 5.56 may have killed it for the persons wanting it as a shooter. I am happy to just have it stuffed in safe with the other odd ball Colts.

Stay safe, general aviation can be a dangerous hobby.

Tracking # shows Thursday delivery to FFL so maybe FFL get it processed to be picked up by Saturday. Starting to get excited now they both have shipped.

I would be interested in seeing what results you get with your chamber gauge when get the Euro Colt.

Very first thing I will do. Tracking # now shows Friday, tomorrow to FFL, maybe I get Colts by Saturday or Monday. Will update. My guess is .223.

Am i the only one that’s still confused as to what chamber dimensions these actually have?  I’ve got the headspace gauges but not the rifle. Not doubting that chamber gauge mentioned but surely that’s not going to be as accurate as a set of Forster gauges right?

Really digging the markings these come with as well as the price point but I’m not convinced either way as to what the heck the chambers really are. Colt CS or “factory” verifying 223 spec is not reliable. Guessing because other euro imports are actually 556 is not reliable. A gauge that requires a subjective test / operation is not reliable.

I’ll try to reach out to AU and see what they have to say. But even then it’s going to depend entirely on chance as to who I get, how much they care, and how much they actually “know.”  Still not reliable in my opinion.

This is what I send to AU. Maybe a bit long winded but I will post their response if any when I get it.

“Greetings. I have a question about one of your Colt rifles SKU CR6920-EC.

1. Simply put, what are the actual chamber dimensions on these rifles?  Are they SAAMI .223?  Are they CIP .223?  I understand they may be stamped or marked or marketed as one or the other, and that is specifically what I am NOT asking. I am asking what the actual measured dimensions / specifications are. Not what Colt says they are, not what export regulations state they must be, and not what the rifles are marked as being.

2.  Is there any way at all someone there would be willing to use appropriate and accurate gauges and correct methodologies to establish the true chambering of these rifles?  I would be willing to purchase the rifle these measurements are taken from in the event the rifle is found safe to fire 5.56 ammunition.

3.  Would you allow me to share these questions and your findings on a public forum for the limited and express purposes of informing the broader firearms community on what is essentially a safety issue?  Purchasers of these rifles (from you and other retailers) may not realize that they could be jeopardizing their personal safety and their property investment by firing or attempting to fire incorrect ammunition in these rifles if they are determined to have SAAMI specification.223 Remington chambers. The vast majority of people are purchasing inexpensive foreign made M193 clone cartridges close to 5.56 chamber pressure and dimensions. This is a valid safety issue.

4.  Thank you for your time, consideration, and help with this matter. I and many others are chomping at the bit to purchase these as collectibles as well as shooters. But again for safety as well as shootability reasons, this critical question must be addressed fully and accurately so that the community as a whole can be informed about their rifles and so that future owners can easily find this information to ensure these guns remain in serviceable condition for as long as possible.

Headspace gauges will not tell you the chamber dimensions. And yes that M Guns chamber gauge is what is used not Forster headspace gauges.

Both guns have been delivered this morning to FFL, now who only knows how long it takes them to process and call me. ugggh, the wait begins.

I guess I am lucky, I can pick my items up within about 30 min of their arrival. I hate waiting.

I’ve always been skeptical about the 223 thing..
The EU market is small and not worth the hassle to deal with weird chambering close to a mil/Leo assembly line..
I’m in EU and know for a fact that caliber bans are in some cases just on paper… let me explain.. the Italian law clearly says that civilian can not own guns in military calibers that are actually issued to the army… but here we are with both 308 and 223 guns that can shoot the military counterpart….
My FAL is a real surplus StG converted to SA… same for my Galil comes directly from IDF armory… the NOS model 614 is another example… the importer just marked the barrel 308 and 223 respectively and call it a day.
They’re still the same deadly weapons as before. Besides the fun switch of course

Same goes for the ammo: military ammo can not be sold to civilian… so the importer just mill off the head stamp off surplus ammo and presto 5.56 surplus M193 is being sold in 223 labeled packages.



IMHO chances that the chamber is actually 556 are very high.. being marked 223 won’t generate safety issue and more important will allow the importer not to add the extra 223 marking during the import process.. saving both money and time

Not going to be today. All the FFLs around me suck doing transfers, some taking 2-3 days.

If I was an FFL, here would be my policy. As soon as you see the tracking # showed delivered, Come on Down, if its not ready when you get here, we will be processing it while you wait, but instead her is what one FFLs policy is:

The Preparedness Depot: (lots of poor attitude in this policy IMHO)

TPD FFL Transfer Request

**Due to Staffing & amount of requests, it may take up to 72 hours to check in your firearm - please wait for your email**

This form is for a FFL Transfer. $25.00 per FFL Serialized Item and $100 per NFA Item. Want free transfers? Join our membership in store and get free yearly transfers.

                                                       Please read the requirements below carefully.  


1.  You as a customer MUST FILL out this transfer form completely and use the dealers email they want the FFL going to, because this form auto sends our FFL to them and we do not monitor it.

Why do you use this form? - This form lets us know what firearm is coming and who to contact when the firearm arrives. Dealers you buy from online do not always add info to the shipment, nor do they always include their FFL or IDs to check it in. We have 24hours to get it on the books before we are liable and have to mail it back. Filling out this form in its entirety, is up to you as a customer - not the sender. This is non negotiable and those that refuse to complete this form will be added to a ban list and will no longer be able to transfer firearms here. We simply cannot spend all day chasing down personal sellers/shippers/dealers/etc, who do not include the required legal paperwork to check in a firearm as a FFL.

2.  Pick up policy is to WAIT for our email. When we have received the firearm and it is ready for transfer, we will email you.

3. DO NOT SHOW UP to pick up your firearm prior to being notified it is ready for pickup.   We will only EMAIL you when it is ready. Repeat infractions will result in a $25.00 charge being assessed for failure to follow this.

4.  DO NOT SHOW UP to pick up your firearm with only a shipping notice that it has been delivered. We do not allow truck chasing. We have to check in your firearm before it can be picked up.

5. Do not show up at 6:30pm or 30mins prior to closing and expect to pick up your firearm. Our guns and yours are locked up at 6:30pm or 30 minutes till close. Zero exceptions.

                                 **Reasons why you will be charged an additional $25+ for transfers**

- All Transfers not picked up within 7 days of our email to you will result in a $25 per week storage fee due before pickup.

- Calling to Expedite a transfer before we have emailed you will result in a additional $25 fee.

- Repeatedly calling to check on your transfer status will result in a additional $25 fee.

- NOT completing this form for us ahead of time and having firearms shipped to us, just because we are on file is a $25.00 Fee per gun.

- Showing up at 6:30pm or 30 minutes till close asking for your transfer will result in $75 being added for disregarding our rules and our staffs feelings after working a 10 hour shift and trying to go home to see family on time.

That is exactly how the three FFL's I use around here work.

Having been in the business, I just can't understand the poor customer service I hear of.  We put at a minimum 200-300 guns up every night in 5 to 10 minutes with 2 or 3 people.  We took customers right up to just before we closed.  We got transfers logged the day we received them, and depending on when they were delivered offered pickup by the next day.  That's not to brag, but to say that's what customers expected.  I guess you could make a living selling cheap with no service or selling reasonable with the sort of servuce you would like to receive.

As for the chamber on these rifles, I sure hope it is 223, because if it truly is 5.56 or even Euro 223, I don't know that I can resist.

I picked up the Euro Colt this morning. It is NOT 5.56. But instead .223. I cant say if its .223 Sami or .223 CIP, but it is .223.

I will post a detailed in depth video of chamber measurements later tonight and post the link here.

It is .223 CIP.

Barrell is marked 223 REM.

Head spacing was real tight.

Closed on 1.4636, did not close on 1.4656.

I have a 11 piece set of .223/5.56 head space gauges.