Clint Smith’s Pre-Ban Colt 9mm Carbine R6450 AR-15 PCC 16″ Semi-Auto Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,801.77
LSB#: LSB260703CS015
Make: Colt
Model: AR-15 9mm Carbine
Serial Number: TA09758
Year of Manufacture: Pre 1994 / Modern
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Semi-Auto, Blowback, fed by detachable magazines
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “COLT / AR-15 / 9MM CARBINE / CAL. 9MM-NATO / SER. TA09758”, “COLT’S MFG. CO. INC / HARTFORD, CONN. / -U.S.A.-”, “SAFE/FIRE”. The top of the barrel is marked “C MP CHROME BORE 9MM-NATO”. The right side of the upper in the carry handle recess is marked “C H”.
Barrel Length: 16”, 17.25” with A1 birdcage flash hider.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post iron sight and the rear has an L-type flip peep sight. Standard A1 style sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The buttstock is a 2-position collapsible Magpul MOE SL tan stock with QD cups, two sling slots, and rubber buttpad. The pistol grip is an A2 style grip. The handguard is a carbine length Daniel Defense EZ CAR 7.0 picatinny quad rail. This is an older receiver with 3 holes on each side of the magwell. The LOP measures 14.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the fully extended buttpad and 10.8” when collapsed. There is mild handling wear. The stocks rate in Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 12x 32rd 9mm magazines. 5x 20rd 9mm magazines. Total of 17 magazines. 10 of the magazines are Colt marked.
Type of Finish: Anodized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows mild handling and operational wear. There are scattered scuffs on the barrel. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with strong slots and the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very 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.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a total of 17 magazines, its attached multicam sling, and a Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch signed letter of ownership.
Our Assessment: Colt developed its 9mm AR system during the 1980s as a pistol-caliber counterpart to the company’s established 5.56mm rifles and carbines. The design preserved the familiar AR manual of arms while substituting a closed-bolt, straight-blowback operating system, dedicated one-piece 9mm bolt, heavier buffer, and pinned magazine-well adapter. The commercial 16-inch AR-15 9mm Carbine offered civilian and law-enforcement shooters the handling qualities of Colt’s carbine platform with the economy and controllability of the 9x19mm cartridge.
This example belonged to Clint Smith, the Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, former law-enforcement firearms trainer, and founder of Thunder Ranch, giving the carbine unusually relevant provenance. It retains approximately 85% of its original metal finish with a 9/10 bore and has been configured as a practical working rifle with a Magpul MOE SL stock and Daniel Defense EZ CAR 7.0 quad rail. The included 17-magazine package, comprising twelve 32-round and five 20-round magazines adds considerable utility. Though the updated furniture moves it away from factory-original configuration, the combination of pre-ban Colt manufacture, a substantial magazine package, and Clint Smith provenance makes this a compelling acquisition.