Colt "Expanse"

Earthquake · Jun 3, 2016

I saw in the new Guns and Ammo Magazine that Colt has released a new more affordable M4 called the "Expanse" its supposed to sell for around $700, to make it cheaper they do not include a forward assist assy or a ejection port cover.
Now I appreciate Colt trying to bring the price down but how does leaving off two of the cheapest parts constitute lower price, I have read their reasoning is these are two parts most shooters don't use, I don't know about most of you but I close the dust cover all the time to keep crud out, I live in the desert, DUST is a way of life! as for the forward assist I like having it.

http://www.gundigest.com/tactical-gear/ar-15-review-colt-expanse-m4

Casey

CHARLIED308 · Jun 3, 2016

My concern is not what they left off the rifle. My concern is the quality of the metal used in the barrel and BCG to build their price point rifle.

straycat · Jun 3, 2016

Good point charlied.
There has to be something they cut corners on.

Dougboffl · Jun 3, 2016

Marketing...

...Colt had to remove something (anything) to justify lowering their prices which they did to match the remainder of the AR-type market. If they just dropped the price we would all be screaming, "You've been gouging us for all these years!?!?" And they need to have something missing so some of us will still be the higher end & higher price "full featured" model.

howardhuges · Jun 3, 2016

Stake your life on a cheap rifle....not me brother.

Dekker · Jun 3, 2016

Makes sense to me, considering almost nobody leaves a AR type rifle stock. Usually the first to go is the furniture (stock and forearm) then trigger, barrel, etc. depending on what direction individual wants to go, heavy barrel long-ranger or lightweight CQB type rig.
I am guessing Colt has decided to get in the game along with the other manufacturers by putting out a budget/customizable rifle.

Snyper762 · Jun 3, 2016

There's a big thread on m4 carbine. Better off get a colt 6920 oem from g and r tactical.

Earthquake · Jun 4, 2016

I think Colt still uses UAW workers to make there firearms so that would explain why their guns are more expensive then others, maybe they are building the Expanse in some other facility with non-union workers.

Casey

RichRoy · Jun 4, 2016

Colt did this back in the mid-late 1970's. Cut down on finishing there guns. A rougher finish on the metal parts and cheaper rougher wood grips. All in trying to bring costs down. Not what people wanted then and I believe not what people want now.

YardDogOne · Jun 5, 2016

TheColt Expanse barrel is NOT chrome lined

charlie98 · Jun 6, 2016

I'm going to guess they are outsourcing parts for this (i.e. not using the quality parts they put into the service rifles, etc.)

I find leaving off the dust cover and DX'ing the FA an odd mix... one begats the other. Chances are, people buying this rifle will make them safe or range queens... not that $700 is cheap, by any means... there are still way more options at that price point than a stripped down Colt.

ElToro · Jun 6, 2016

CDNN and others fire sale 6920's on occasion around 800 ish. Just wait for a sale. Or buy the part separately. AN M4 lower this month and a 6920 upper next month. All in for almost the same money.

Spfdrum · Jun 6, 2016

What are you looking to do with it and whats your price range total?
It don't pay to by an $800 AR and add $600 worth of tacticool garbage on it.
Don't save money by the elimination of the forward assist or dust cover. If you don't care for them, buy a slick-side upper and build. But like you, I like my forward assist and dust cover!
That leads to building, if you feel comfortable building, you will get the best rifle for a given price range. YouTube is littered with how to videos and with a little patience, scrounging the big players for sales will save lots, Brownell's, Palmetto, Midwest Industries...tons of them.
Heck, you can buy a DPMS Oracle for less than that, install a better trigger and charging handle an have a really decent AR.
With that being said, I have yet to hear really anything bad about Colt's quality. The guys I know that have them are happy with the quality. Good luck and let us know what you do.

Brutus369 · Jun 23, 2016

Happy with mine.

The Expanse is in fact a 6920 lower. The barrel is 4150 CMV, 1/7 twist. I installed a custom dust cover and fwd assist for a staggering $30 ooooh. Mine came with the bayo lug and sling swivels. All of the internals are mil spec. The only real difference between the Expanse and a true 6920 is the non chrome lined barrel. Which I'm sure I will replace long before it wears out. It shoots like a dream. Virtually no different than the ones I qualified to stand watch with in the Navy.
The construction and finish are also virtually identical to the M4a1(sans select fire of course). Aside from the standard cheapo stock, there are no wiggles or creaks to be found whatsoever. My only real gripe is the CENSOREDGI grip(which also comes standard on all 6920's). Oh no! another $20-$30. The $ I saved bought me a sling, a case, a red dot, scope and 200 rds to break her in with.
Now I'm not one of these nutbags who fantazises that one day they might have to go toe to toe with aliens, zombies or light blue helmets. But would I entrust my life behind this rifle if I had to? Absolutely. Without a doubt.

village16 · Jun 23, 2016

CHARLIED308 said:
My concern is not what they left off the rifle. My concern is the quality of the metal used in the barrel and BCG to build their price point rifle.

That is my concern too about the build quality. Are they trying to keep up with the DPMS Oracle or the S&W M&P-15 Sporter? I do hope they still use their own BCGs in the builds.

Snyper762 · Jun 23, 2016

Mine did not have a colt marked upper or bcg. Believe they were from the bold ideas place.

Colt6920 · Jul 26, 2016

YardDogOne said:
TheColt Expanse barrel is NOT chrome lined

Good info. I assumed it was a stripped down 6920. I dont care about the missing Forward Assist (I've never pressed mine) and dust cover, but it would be good to know what the differences are between the expanse and 6920 other than no chrome barrel.

BrentB · Aug 30, 2016

My colt 6920 is great but

My 6920 is great but I actully like my A1 clone better, I bult it from a parts kit with a colt barrel and clone A1 receiver.

Quentin2 · Aug 31, 2016

Earlier this year I had a need for a quick, cheap AR and looked at the Sport II, Ruger AR-556 and Colt Expanse. I jumped all over the Expanse because it had a real M4 marked LE6920 lower receiver with Colt internals except for a target hammer. The trigger is very good and the light hammer always ignites primers. I put my BCM midlength upper on it and the Expanse upper on the Valkyrie lower the BCM had been on. The Expanse upper definitely has some corners cut but it's on par with the Ruger and Sport. I did add a forward assist and dust cover for $20.

Anyway if today's Expanse still has the semiauto Colt M4 lower it's a nice extra worth considering. Colt does have the Expanse assembled at Bold Ideas, TX like their Competition models (in fact the nice target hammer/trigger are Competition parts). Labor is cheaper in TX than the union labor in CT which helps keep cost down.

I got a two-fer by buying the Colt Expanse, a Colt/BCM or Bravo Colt Midlength (basically the midlength LE6920 that is rumored to be in the pipeline) and an entry level AR on par with the Sport or Ruger. Heck, yeah I'll take the Expanse!

POLACK · Sep 17, 2016

brutus,break it in,clean the bore of the barrel good and have it melonited.you will never wear it out.

Colt "Expanse"

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