Ban-Era Colt AR-15A2 Government Carbine .223 Rem. 16” Semi-Auto Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,200.00
LSB#: LSB260517LE023
Make: Colt
Model: AR-15 A2 Government Carbine
Serial Number: LGC 005187
Year of Manufacture: 1997 / Modern
Caliber: .223 Remington / 5.56 NATO
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Direct Impingement Rifle Fed by Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The right side of the lower is marked, “RESTRICTED MILITARY / GOVERNMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT/EXPORT USE ONLY”. The left side is marked with the Rampant Colt logo and, “AR-15 A2 / GOV’T CARBINE / CAL. 223 / SER. LGC 005187” followed by the Hartford address and “SAFE FIRE”. The upper is marked, “C MB”. The barrel is marked, “C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7 / 1997”. The front sight base is marked “A2”. The stock has the rack mark, “338”.
Barrel Length: 16”. 17.5” with A2 Birdcage flash hider.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable A2 post with a tritium insert. The rear sight is a fully adjustable 2-position A2 peep set into the fixed receiver carry handle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This rifle comes with a three piece furniture set with a slim clamshell handguard, checkered A2 pistol grip, and collapsable carbine buttstock. There is a picatinny rail mounted to the bayonet lug. There are moderate scratches and wear marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate at full extension. Overall the furniture rates Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized, Anodized Hard Coat
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The chrome bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some light stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. There are several scratches and drag lines throughout along with leading edge wear. The action has light wear from use. The screw heads are sharp and pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. This rifle sports 0.170 trigger and hammer pins.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Colt’s AR-15A2 Government Carbine represents one of the defining law-enforcement configurations of the 1990s, combining a fixed A2 carry-handle upper with a 16″ 1:7 twist barrel, collapsible carbine stock, slim handguards, bayonet lug, and A2 flash hider. This 1997 example was produced during the Federal Assault Weapons Ban era and carries the distinctive restricted military, government, law-enforcement, and export rollmark associated with Colt carbines intended for official use during that period. The dated barrel, fixed A2 sighting system, large 0.170″ fire-control pins, and LGC-prefix serial number all fit the character of a period Government Carbine. This rifle is also a police trade-in, and the rack number on the stock provides an additional visible link to its prior law-enforcement service. This rifle remains in Good overall condition and retains approximately 94% of its original Parkerized and hardcoat-anodized finish. The exterior shows several scratches, drag lines, leading-edge wear, and light operational wear consistent with regular carried use. The screw heads remain sharp, the pins are unmarred, and the markings are clear. The chrome-lined bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, though light stubborn fouling remains throughout, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The slim clamshell handguards, A2 pistol grip, and collapsible carbine stock show moderate scratches and wear marks but remain free of chips or cracks and rate in Good condition. The tritium front sight remains installed, and the rifle also carries a Picatinny rail mounted to the bayonet lug. Mechanically, the action functions correctly.
For collectors of Colt AR-15 variants, ban-era law-enforcement carbines have distinct historical appeal because they preserve a configuration and set of markings closely tied to the 1994-2004 Federal Assault Weapons Ban period. The restricted rollmark, fixed A2 upper, dated Colt barrel, collapsible stock, and police trade-in provenance give this rifle considerably more character than a later commercial carbine. Its visible service wear is consistent with its former law-enforcement role and helps document the rifle as an actual working carbine rather than a purely civilian collector piece. With its strong bore, original finish, correct period features, and identifiable police-service history, this is an appealing example of a genuine 1990s Colt Government Carbine. -R.E.