Colt CM901
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Sniper Rifle · Limited Production · 2011
Also known as: Colt Modular Carbine, CMC, LE901-16S, Colt LE901
Overview
The Colt CM901 is a modular multi-caliber semi-automatic rifle designed to convert between 7.62x51mm NATO and 5.56x45mm NATO configurations without tools. The system uses a common 7.62mm lower receiver that accepts both a dedicated 7.62mm upper receiver and a standard 5.56mm M4-pattern upper through an adapter, allowing units to field a single weapon system that can serve as both a DMR and a standard carbine. The 7.62mm configuration features a 16-inch chrome-lined barrel with direct impingement gas system and a monolithic flat-top upper receiver with continuous Picatinny rail. Developed as a competitor in the US military's Individual Carbine program, the CM901 offered the military an upgrade path that maintained compatibility with existing M4 upper receivers and training while adding 7.62mm capability. The civilian variant is marketed as the LE901-16S.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4264 g (150.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4800 g (169.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 953 mm (37.52") |
| Folded Length | 870 mm (34.25") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 768 m/s (2520 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3343 J (2466 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 700 m (766 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
- 5.56x45mm NATO · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Modular Caliber Conversion, Tool Free Barrel Change, Monolithic Upper Rail, Free Floating Barrel, Picatinny Rail, Collapsible Stock, Ambidextrous Controls
Variants
- Colt LE901-16S — Civilian
- Colt CM901 5.56mm Upper — Caliber Conversion
Service history
Operators
- United States Military (evaluation)
Production
Production years: 2011-present
Limited production for military evaluation and civilian market. The military program cancellation significantly reduced planned production volumes.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
The CM901 was Colt's entry into the modular rifle market to compete with the FN SCAR and Remington ACR. Its unique selling proposition was backward compatibility with existing M4/M16 5.56mm upper receivers, which would have simplified military logistics. The rifle can achieve sub-2 MOA accuracy with standard M80 ball ammunition and sub-1 MOA with M118LR match ammunition. The select-fire military variant has a cyclic rate of 700-950 rpm. Despite positive reviews, the CM901 saw limited military adoption as the Individual Carbine program was ultimately cancelled in 2013 due to budget constraints. The LE901-16S civilian model is semi-automatic only.
Background
The CM901 represented Colt's ambitious attempt to retain its dominance in US military small arms by offering a modular system that could replace both the M4 carbine and the M14 EBR in a single platform. When a soldier needed to reach out past 500 meters, they could swap to the 7.62mm upper; for close-quarters work, they could snap on a standard M4 upper. The concept was sound, but budget cuts killed the program before it could prove itself in the field.