Colt’s Manufacturing Company (Colt) announced several new additions to its Competition Pistol line of 1911-style handguns. One is a blued finish pistol chambered in .38 Super while three additional models are in stainless steel.
With major manufacturers like Ruger and Smith & Wesson driving the price of entry-level AR rifles down, Colt responded in 2016 with a new rifle called the Expanse M4. The new rifle is a (very) basic AR-15 that comes in with a suggested retail price of $699.
The new rifle is a direct impingement gun with the basic M4-style features. It has a collapsing buttstock, pistol grip and A2-type front sight assembly. A polymer two-piece handguard is standard.
As is typical for AR-15 rifles, this gun is chambered in 5.56 NATO. It can safely fire both 5.56 and .223 Rem ammunition.
The 16.1″ barrel has a 1:7″ twist that should allow it to stabilize most of the bullet weights commercially loaded for the calibers.
Colt uses a flattop upper and does not ship with a rear sight. However, the Picatinny rail makes adding one a quick process. Many people will opt to add a red dot like the Trijicon MRO instead of, or in addition to, a rear sight.
A single 30-round aluminum magazine ships with the Expanse M4.
Colt states on its web site that these rifles do not ship with a forward assist or dust cover. That’s unfortunate as these items are pretty standard with even budget AR rifles. (Thanks to reader TechnoTriticale for pointing this out.)
Colt Expanse Specifications
Here are the specs for the Colt Expanse:
Model #
CE1000
Caliber
5.56 NATO/.223 Rem
Magazine Capacity
30
# of Included Magazines
1
Barrel Length
16.1″
Overall Length
32.0″-35.5″
Action
semi-automatic, direct impingement
Stock
6-position, adjustable length
MSRP
$699
In the wake of the Sandy Hook buying frenzy, there was a glut of AR rifles on the market. In economic terms, supply exceeded demand and prices dropped.
While there have been a number of smaller manufacturers that have targeted the budget-priced AR market, additional pressure was applied by the introduction of lower-priced models from more prominent gun makers adjusting to consumer expectations of less expensive rifles.
Colt Expanse M4
PSA FDE AR-15
Ruger AR-556
S&W Sport II
Caliber
5.56 NATO
5.56 NATO
5.56 NATO
5.56 NATO
Magazine
30 round aluminum
30 round Magpul PMAG
30 round Magpul PMAG
30 round Magpul PMAG
# of Included Magazines
1
1
1
1
Barrel Length
16.1″
16.0″
16.1″
16.0″
Twist Rate
1:7″
1:7″
1:8″
1:9″
Chrome Plating
no
no
bolt carrier, gas key
firing pin
Finish
unknown
hardcoat anodized FDE
Milspec Type III
Armornite
Handguard
2-piece
2-piece Magpul MOE M-Lok
easy removing 2-piece
2-piece
Pistol Grip
A2-style
Magpul MOE
Ruger grip
A2-style
Front Sight
A2-style
A2-style
milled A2 Style with QD-socket
A2-style
Rear Sight
none
folding Magpul MBUS
folding Ruger
folding Magpul MBUS
Price
$699
$749
$799
$739
On a price-to-features comparison, the PSA AR-15 makes the most sense for a budget rifle. You can see my PSA AR-15 review here.
Smith & Wesson seemed to be doing well with it’s budget friendly M&P15 Sport rifles that were selling for less than $700 in many shops. Then Ruger introduced the AR-556 – another entry level rifle that came very well equipped with an MSRP of $749. Both of these rifles allowed a novice AR shooter to buy a rifle from a readily recognizable name.
With the Expanse M4, it seems Colt is trying to capitalize on its name to reach new shooters buying their first AR rifle and more experienced hands who prefer the Colt name as a basic platform to build a more custom gun.
When Colt’s Manufacturing Company signed a deal in 2011 with Osceola County, FL to open a “regional headquarters and product manufacturing center,” it was reported the company would employ more than 60 people at that site. But, more than halfway through 2013, the facility still stands empty.
According to news reports, Colt’s Manufacturing has yet to take possession of the facility and it appears that none of those promised jobs have materialized. With an end-of-the-year deadline looming in the contract between Colt and Osceola County, it is being reported that Colt’s lender, not the company, is working out an agreement to get things back on track.
What is going on? Will Colt ultimately abandon the deal?
We all know that the 1911 platform is a fine weapon, and we also know that they can be picky about the kinds of ammunition they will run. That is one of the many reasons why more than a few firearms instructors suggest guns other than a 1911 for self-defense purposes.
For years, I have seen gunsmiths offering a variety of packages to improve the reliability of the venerable 1911. But, I did not realize that Colt offered one of those same packages at the factory. The Colt Enhanced Reliability Package is a deal offered through the company’s custom shop and can be purchased prior to the acquisition of the firearm to get it tuned before delivery. Also, current Colt owners can ship their existing 1911 back to the shop for improving reliability.
If the media is to be believed, gun companies are all making money hand over fist: Black Friday gun sales set all time records and the re-election of President Obama has sparked impulse buying. However, there are a few companies that are experiencing some difficulties right now.
A fire in mid-November shut down the Dan Wesson Firearms plant, halting all production of their guns. The good news is only one employee was injured, and he or she did not need hospitalization. The bad news is the company does not expect to re-open for business in 2012.
Superstorm Sandy wiped out the Henry Repeating Arms manufacturing facility in Bayonne, NJ in late October. An estimated three feet of seawater flooded the facility, damaging at least 100 of the company’s manufacturing machines. Additionally, parts of the facility’s roof was destroyed and some inventory was soaked with sea- and rainwater.