Erich

I love a good pony, have several. If someone hasn't seen one of the newer ones, be aware they are not quite the same standard from 2017-18 and before. If your expectation is that it's like an older one you may have, I'd suggest inspecting the unit thoroughly first. Their changes to reduce expenses in this particular line are starting to really show on the latest models. Ultimately comes down to your reason for looking at a Colt AR vs anyone else's. Some general observations from hands on. Outside the well known move to laser engraving vs rollmarking, the new 6920's no longer carry the M4 designation, rather simply "Carbine". Some of Colt cage code markings are gone, not just the "C" that went away some time ago. I was surprised when looking at one to find they grind down extension lugs / feed ramps when testing shows feeding problems from slightly off extensions. It was heavy grinding, not just lightly dressing sharp edges (technically acceptable). Previously they tended to rebarrel or replace extensions from what they told me when I called. Also, the new bolts dont have the full machining of relief cuts intended to ease unlocking like the olders ones. Probably get batches from a new lower cost subcontractor.

I have to echo Ken based on Vortex 1-6 and 1-8's I've had. I was an early adopter when they came out with the 1-8 but the lens quality in my first unit was noticeably worse. Vortex was great and swapped it out. The replacement was about on par to 6 power, but clarity suffered a bit after that. I rarely ran it passed 6. And the eyebox is a hair less forgiving. I never lived with the PA version, but borrowed one for a weekend after finding the newer Vortex was not an improvement over the 1-6. 1-6 Vortex nod on the glass, but the ACSS was a faster pickup for more precise placement at longer distance to me. Toss up. YMMV I have really been liking PA's newer prism scopes @ 3x even if the use case is'nt intended to be the same. PA is also very good about taking care of issues. I had an older 5x prism with blem reticle and they swapped it out no problem. I may have another new / unboxed Vortex 1-8 if you decide to go that way. I wish I had Chuck's money.

Do yourself a favor and get a set of prescription glasses to correct your astigmatism if your fur looks to have any starburting or flare vs being a crisp dot. It doesn't take much of an astigmatism to really throw your opinion off. I was about to give up on them before TN DMV said I needed an RX. Minor astigmatism I didn't know I had with specs took my RDS's from 8 moa burst smears to 2 MOA pinpoint dots. Good luck!

You certainly underestimate yourself Based on seeing what comes out of staffed personnel on interpretation, I really wonder sometimes where their bar sits. Truer words....I challenge anyone to find them.

Doh, dont type that out loud. We shouldn't give them ideas, they should have to work for it a little. I'd hate to see the ATF's future project whiteboard.

While I am not fond of the practice, it is the wave of the future and in the last 3 to 5 years, the trend has proven itself to be work from a business perspective. This is somewhat generational, in its seems the norm for younger users who dont blink an eye at seemingly nominal fees. As their voice is the majority (it seems), it works. Its really rampant in the software industry, especially where there were freeware utilities that were a standard. The trend is also changing one time up front fees or term specific charges to subscription as revenue overtime is greater. I recall the study Microsoft conducted with the expected time someone uses an office suite version (up to seven years) as the driver for their 365 BS. They make more in less time and they keep you paying or cut you off making you dead in the water. I've seen that referred to as a great proof of concept for others to make that move. Enjoy freebies while you can, but days are numbered I'm afraid.

Gunbroker may drive you nuts at times, but its a great barometer of supply and buyer demand. Glock, unless they are hard to find versions, have come down considerably in the last 4 to 6 weeks. Glock USA has pumped a large number of 9mm models out there based on dealers listing multiple units in BIN auctions near almost normal prices. I'd posit that speculators who have seen the market adjust on GB are hitting the other sites hoping locals may not shop GB, since basic research would preclude someone from overpaying with available supply. ^^^ Especially if we see something of a political miracle come to realization next week. Fingers crossed. Irrespective of the political outcome, it appears the media is pumping up fear around reinfection rates. If we want to solve the current issues, we need to ban the media and social media to some extent. Both are primary drivers and misinformation, as in Davids point on braces, are influencing behavior as only those in the know still based decisions on better judgement.

Worse for me, knowing better about hording but convincing myself an inconvenience outweighs the likelihood of the worse case scenario actually occurring. In 2018 I was sitting on an embarrassing amount of ammo I had stockpiled in CA over 5 years after the 2012 event (thought I was in my permanent home). When it came to move here, 3+ tons of ammo count not go with our homegoods, had to be a separate hazmat carrier. YRC moved it out here for $1500 (the inconvenience). June 2018 we get here but did not buy a house but rented waiting to find a permanent situation. Did not want to have to worry about moving tons of ammo again in the next year or two, selling of 2/3 rds of it over the next few months thru mid 2019. 2020 rolls around, still renting the same house. That inconvenience of moving it is outweighed by 2020 events bringing the worst case scenario. De-hording under rationale betting against the perfect storm in a tight window is a crazy lesson, The worst part was telling my wife what it would go for today compared to when I sold it off after she asked because people she works with were talking about ammo shortages and prices. Maybe I do have short bus history I just dont remember, or want to

Of course not, but I see what I did there which it seem that way. The 'why' of calling which I removed to keep it shorter was a key set-up to avoid the notion I rode the short bus to school. Recognizing the politics as the last statement wasn't gonna save my butt. Fair enough. I'll edit it. The takeaway of this is how its effecting companies ability to field calls and them just saying hey, we give up on that, its killing us. And a notice for those that use that avenue. While it makes sense for them, savy folks who know that their vendors notify them of inbound shipments will call first to see what the date is on items showing backorder to know if they can wait or have to source elsewhere at high prices if they think they really need it. I've found Brownells dates relatively accurate (unlike Midway), that avenue being gone sucks.

I called Brownell's today to check if they had an estimated back in-stock date for a couple items BEFORE ORDERING THEM (after verification with manufacturer the item was on its way and Brownells was updated with expected date). I've called them in the past for the same, and generally their CS is always as helpful as they can be with that info. Today before I had completely finished the sentence, the nice young lady politely said they are unable to give any updates on any backordered products. After saying I didn't understand, I have always received that info in the past. It appears their call volume queues have gone up several fold (it was 40+ callers last week) and stocking questions are killing them. They Firearms Buydemic has had their management change policy, ordering staff to bypass stock related calls. I got the sense it harder for the poor CS folks to deny your request than anything else. I completely understand B's decision. One of my favorite places to buy from. What I gleen from this is that the buying frenzy has gotten even worse though it was already bad. Typical of election cycle behavior perhaps, but damn. Takeaway: If you knew to check before ordering items showing backorder status at Brownell's....that is no more. At least for now.

You have to appreciate the irony of their name

You should have seen it before they tried to straighten it

Triggers are no doubt highly subjective. I think I better understand the social media comment with the choice on the AL shoe flatty. That combo with the forward sear likely locks you in to a much narrower window. I like the poly curved AE shoe myself, I dont go for flash versions unless there are no options, like their FN shoe. Not only is the M&P poly inconspicuous, but allows you to use an Apex 1.0 sear which opens up the options a bit more. Maybe not everyone enjoys dipping fries in a milkshake, its sounds wrong but tastes good.

They did some nice work for sure. You have to love what M&P's deliver at such a modest pricepoint. I'm getting the impression RDS's are required for you Not sure what your full set of concerns are on the Apex trigger, but they are pretty much as tunable as the 1.0 with the right bits in the 2.0. Definitely not mostly cosmetic. Personally I cant stand hinged trigger safeties, which was a driver for me, but both my 2.0's now have 2.5lb triggers after some messing with the options (just to illustrate the range). While you would not want that for your purpose, you can run a wide range up to 5lbs. If you weren't aware, the friction stop for the slide lock can easily be pulled (fully reversible) if you like the 1.0's ability to drop the slide on slamming a new mag home saving the rack time and repositioning.

I applaud you folks that have the patience to reload. Maybe one day I'll learn to appreciate it barring a significant political driver.

Thanks for lookin out! I feel like I've already got a couple up there, but I know who to go to after my next bonehead maneuver

Ah, making them for agencies. Thanks gents, that's the kind of thought I was looking for. Seems it's a little chicken or the egg. While it would be good to have a contracted agency first to ensure no questions on your intent under the license,you need the license before you could make a sample to solicit to get that contract. Makes sense and would explain why they are not more prevalent. My initial thought was to sell samples via GB, personal use itch would be satisfied around testing. As any sold, more could made which would lead to more testing. I didn't see it as a volume requirement or showing it was a primary income stream. Think I may hit up a dealer I got my silencer thru, he put SBRs together for an agency here and may have some insights.

those 3 words about sum up the highs and lows. Thru a good of 2017 after semi- retirement to sell a house and prep a move out here, I was at 4,000 rounds per month. After moving here in 2018, with my wife gone to take care of the furry kid, about 2,000 found per month. She went back to work, and by 2019 it was maybe 2,000 rounds per year, mostly in GA when dealt with estate issues. Later in 2019, like a tool, I sold off about 20,000 - 25,000 rounds of what I thought to be excess ammo in case we had to move with buying a house here. If I had only waited a year..... In 2020. I've only been shooting 3 times. The last 2 of those this month. One to sight in a new AK, only 60 rounds. Then last week to teach my 58 year old brother how to shoot (first time!). Only 26 rounds for me they day. Around 500 total rounds this year. Life definitely happens

Huh, I didn't know you could have a sear without a registered receiver. Thought they were constructive possession and why alot of surplus kits leave it out.

Oh there is no way i would buy that, it's what got me thinking about getting an SOT and wondering what others don't get them to be able to legally do conversions. That's really what I was asking, the link was due giggles. So what about getting a SOT am I not seeing?

Let's say you are off the mind that an MP5 or M16 would be fun, but 20k to 40k is just a little much. One could get their FFL7 with SOT 2, and then get all those at the sample prices, or turn your run of the mill AR into one. The cost to get these licenses is relatively cheap, so there must be something I'm missing, else many would get them. I appreciate the government colonoscopy is a big detractor, along with being ok with your friendly neighborhood ATF agent being able to drop in at any time. Let's say your not completely opposed to the scrutiny, any other large cost issues? Such as having to get a business license with a storefront? This got me thinking: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879864410 Its either an ATF sting or there are guys that are converting their $79 receivers for fun or occasional sample sale.

For those that may not follow the CA stuff, the CA AG filed for an en banc review toward the end of August, keeping the CA crowd at bay and allowing a bit more window before the obvious political future catalyst. Lucky. Still some good options out there. Funny thing is this thread reminds me how fickle some folks are. The same prognostication and springboard event was posted 2 day prior, but at that time it's suggestion to buy soon had quite a different reception. Specifically that suggesting buying mags or doing so ahead of the run creates the problem, and anyone here should already have all those that they need. Big swing in just 2 days! Or the meds kicked in

You arent required to get anything from your FFL, he will record it in his book and save you on shipping if you are concerned about compliance with stated shipping requirements. If this is a rifle, I found better to ship yourself as you can use USPS in that case. You will want to have that FFL send you a license copy and validate on ATF's EZcheck here https://fflezcheck.atf.gov/fflezcheck/

Reminds me I need to buy a wet suit and start doing some diving around the various docks around the bay. Would you guys please start boating with more ammo to go with the guns, I'm running low on 9mm.

I am fully onboard with that. I would be more of the mind that this tale grew as it was passed on. It was easy enough to test anyway. FWIW, I ran a zip in Knoxville and my old zip in CA (waaaaay overpriced area) just out of curiosity. All within $300 of this area, with all taking around 2k deductions. The thing that pops to me is the offers are under trade value. That suggests they don't really want them over a traditional dealer. The retail price is higher at 35k vs the 32k retail was last year. Stands to reason one would do better on a trade these days. But the rumors of being handed a bag of cash and a new car....have em tell me where, I'm ready to go for a drive! Heck, as long as its not Hawaii, it'd totally be worth it. My new car smells is almost gone. Its sad.