Caveat Emptor: identifying pre-ban AR's

[Rider]

This is probably something that has come up before, but I haven't seen it in searches: I saw a post-ban gun (Colt Match Target Lightweight, ser# CSL004xxx) advertised as a pre-ban gun, and configured as pre-ban. The seller said it was a pre-ban gun, identified it, etc. I did some research, and all I found online was a few people whose surmise was that these guns were all post-ban. The pre-ban would say Sporter Match Lightweight.

Anyway, I called Colt, and they confirmed that the gun was built in 1997. So, my understanding is that this gun would be legal if configured with a post-ban upper, but as it was built, with a pre-ban upper, I can't buy it and he can't sell it to me(in MA). Ironically, of course, he had another identical looking gun, except for the stamp on the side, that is confirmed pre-ban.

The moral of the story is that it's even harder than you think to identify pre-ban guns, you should definitely look up the serial number online or call Colt(no instant gratification) who will confirm the year of manufacture free over the phone prior to buying it.

Is this a common problem? I am not willing to risk getting busted over something like this, but it seems to me if it is, then there are likely lots of folks with illegal guns that have no idea what they have. I only caught this because I am both paranoid and skeptical.

Thoughts or comments welcome. Forgive me if this is a noob issue.

 

[Dench]

Colt Serial Number List and FAQ


Serial Number Prefix Model Name Sample Model

BD AR15A3 Tactical Carbine 6721
CC Colt Carbine R6520
CH Competition HBAR 6700
GC Government Carbine 6520
GS Governmodel Model Service 6550
MH Match HBAR 6601
ML Match Lightweight R6530
MT Match Target
SP Sporter SP1 or SP2
ST Sporter Target 6551
TA 9mm 6450 6430

TA: There are only around 10,000 TA model guns and less than 8000 without sear block.


Year Serial Number Range

1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
CC001616 and Below
CH019500 and Below
GC018500 and Below
LH011326 and Below
MH086020 and Below
NL004800 and Below
SL027246 and Below
SP360200 and Below
ST038100 and Below
TA10100 and Below
BD000134 and Below (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above POST BAN
BK000001and Above (CAR-A3) POST BAN
CST000001 and Above (Began Late 1997 Production) POST BAN
CMH000001 and Above POST BAN
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production POST BAN

Serial Number Information Courtesy Geremy Chubbuck

There are tons of people with post ban features in ban states. Colt is really easy to call and get a date from, so is Ruger. If theres ever a doubt about when the gun was made, just make a call and find out. Its super easy. I called when I bought my colt lower, it was made in 1992 if I remember correctly.

 

[Rider]

Thanks. I had seen this list. The issue is with guns whose serial number prefix isn't in there, i.e. CSL, which is post-ban.

I ended up with a clean, original Sporter Match HBAR. Weighs a ton, but very clean, all original, and obviously a pre-ban gun(serial number within range, and confirmed by Colt.) The only reason I liked the Match was the flat top with Piccatinny rails.

My question would be, do the police not bust people with illegal guns? It isn't that I think they should, the whole law is ridiculous, but the guy I was talking to seemed to think I was over-reacting and wasn't concerned about getting into trouble at all.

 

[55_grain]

+1 on caveat emptor.

There are a *lot* of "pre-ban" guns listed in places like GB that are simply post-ban guns that someone stuck a new stock and suppressor on when the ban expired in free states.

55_grain

 

[drgrant]

My question would be, do the police not bust people with illegal guns? It isn't that I think they should, the whole law is ridiculous, but the guy I was talking to seemed to think I was over-reacting and wasn't concerned about getting into trouble at all.

The reality is unless he got arrested for something and his gun was placed under significant scrutiny, nobody would ever know. That's pretty much the on the ground reality. I've lost track of the amount of guns floating around in MA which aren't AWB compliant. That doesn't mean that breaking the law is a good idea, though. The deal is that 99% of the time LE has bigger things to worry about thatn whether some guy has a bayonet lug on his rifle or not. Guns only come under scrutiny when you're in serious trouble already.... problem is they can potentially make whatever trouble you are in that much worse. (fun example- psycho "ex-wife" files a meritless DV RO against you, cops come and steal all your guns- now they're under scrutiny... ) etc.

-Mike