The Colt M5 Gas Piston Carbine (LE1020)

[Gene2]

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this? Does anyone know if it is a possible contender for the army? It would sure be more reliable than the Current M4's Direct Impingement Gas System, but Colt has to bring the New Carbines' weight down.

[Ezekiel25:17]

If I shot one I would tell you but i haven't.

[D.E. Watters]

The US Army does not currently have a active solicitation for a M16/M4 replacement. The TACOM's solicitation for an interim 5.56mm carbine was cancelled back in June 2006, as was the OICW Increment 1 before that in October 2005.

[Mountain Man]

PM SMGLee or maybe he'll see this post. He's talked to them about it and been up close and personel with one at the SHOT SHOW. From his post:

I attended the Shot this year and I have to thank a lot of great folks for putting up with me and my questions and my request for photo...

I also like to thank Rich and SWAT magazine for hosting a great party.

Shout out to a few great guys I finally get to meet in person.. It is always great to put a face to the name...

I had a great time and I hope to attend the show in Orlando next year.

Here we go on the first of three-part report...



At the Colt booth, the new gas piston M4 was on display. I had a long conversion with Ken Elmore on this new system and it seem to be a very viable alternative to what HK or LW is doing... Colt is looking to release this system by the late 2006. I think after the rush to be the first on the block, the price will stabilize and it could be a very good product for anyone looking for a monolithic platform gas piston AR.




Ken Elmore posing with the new horse....


close up of the gas block/flip up front sight.


Close up of the bolt carrier group... the key is no longer screw in via the hex screw ala the standard carrier, the screws you see are merely a cover for what is a pressure fit pin underneath to keep the key from shearing off the carrier body.

Front loading gas piston much in tune with the SG551 or the FAL types.
a small push pin release the piston system.
a spring was also part of the kit but it was not in the photo.


The lower handguard is retained by a locking lever.

This concludes the Colt portion of the pictorial.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...ad.php?t=72500

Good info from him as usual

[Mountain Man]

Just noticed that they designated it "LE". Might say something about their plans right there.

[Fightin' Q]

From the looks, they seem to be Colt's SCAR candidate, but with a better rear sight.