Colt Sporter (AR-15A2)
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1989
Also known as: Colt AR-15A2 Sporter, Sporter Target, Colt Model 6500
Overview
The Colt Sporter was the civilian semi-automatic AR-15 sold after the 1989 federal restrictions on imported and 'assault-style' rifles, when Colt rebranded and reworked its AR-15A2 line to drop the 'AR-15' name and politically charged military features. Built on the A2 pattern, it added the fully adjustable A2 rear sight, brass deflector and forward assist while removing the bayonet lug, and its lower receiver and fire-control internals were redesigned to resist illegal conversion to full-auto. Most carried the heavier 1:7 twist barrel suited to modern heavier bullets.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1000 mm (39.37") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Sight Radius | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 988 m/s (3241 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1738 J (1282 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- .223 Remington · primary — also known as .223 Rem, .223
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Carry Handle, A2 Adjustable Rear Sight, Brass Deflector, Forward Assist, No Bayonet Lug, Ribbed Round Handguards
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Civilian market · adopted 1989 · as Colt Sporter
Production
Production years: 1989-1994
Sold until the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban prompted further renaming to the Colt Match Target line
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Eugene Stoner
Discontinued: 1994
Notes
Marketed in the R6500/R6550 Sporter and Sporter Target family. The Sporter name and the receiver redesign were Colt's response to mounting political pressure; the rifles were functionally semi-auto-only sporting versions of the M16A2. Twist rates varied (1:7 common on later guns).
Background
Colt scrubbed the famous 'AR-15' name off the receiver and called it simply the 'Sporter' to distance its civilian rifle from the political firestorm around military-looking guns, redesigning the internals so the pins would no longer accept M16 full-auto parts.