Get the LE6920SOCOM. It is a true workhorse and Colt's SOCOM barrel is one of the best out there. The 30 round groupings they shoot are unbelievable! I have a LE6920SOCOM and a LE6920 that I swapped a SOCOM barrel onto. Both of them are boringly reliable and stupid accurate. I prefer the 14.5" over the 16" length as well.

The Colt rollmarks do matter as far as added value. When I got my LE6920SOCOM in 2017, people were paying >$900 for stripped Colt lowers marked M4A1 CARBINE . The US Property ones are even more sought after, so if they stop production on them, you will have a nice little conversation piece. You also wouldn't be the only person shooting the hell out of them!

For what it's worth, you can get brand new LE6920SOCOMs for $1,300 from some online dealers.

BCM makes GREAT guns, but I would go for the Colt 100% of the time in this situation.

Pictures for reference:

20190525_103343 by Colt_Chad, on Flickr

20180907_170319 by Colt_Chad, on Flickr

 

Of the two you mentioned, the Colt. But 100% of that is because it’s a factory gun vs the BCM being a parts gun. What your friend actually assembled vs bought complete may change that answer.

Colts are functionally great and do tend to be quite accurate, but I think BCM offers you more for your money than any other AR out there (again, this is based off of complete guns or at least complete uppers). Reliability from a BCM will not be any less than a Colt. Accuracy and most likely collectability may edge towards the Colt, but depending on the model, BCMs offer a more pleasant shooting experience IMO. Can you give any other details on the BCM? A picture and details on what he assembled will go a long way because unlike Colt, BCM has quite a bit of variety.


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I will 2nd the Colt Socom, I have a 2013 Model Colt Socom 14.5 inch with P&W Surefire Warcomp that I had added on it. I run it with my Surefire Socom suppressor and let me tell you that puppy will eat everything you throw in it without a hiccup and I've ran some pretty crappy Russian steel ammo through it. Was it the best finished AR I've ever bought when I got it? no but would I trust that gun with my life? without a single doubt! It for for sure worth the price.

 

Here's some additional information about the Colt barrel. It's eye-opening for any Colt doubters.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/-...aluations-of-14-5-AR-15-Barrels-From-Colt-Noveske-and-more--/118-687913/?page=1

 

Here's some additional information about the Colt barrel. It's eye-opening for any Colt doubters.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/-...aluations-of-14-5-AR-15-Barrels-From-Colt-Noveske-and-more--/118-687913/?page=1

Yes some tubes shoot better than others however, there are examples like the one above that show excellent accuracy from a Colt tube. I have 5 Colt AR's a SOCOM using the Knight's parts, a 6940(there is a good reason they are more expensive), 3 LE901's two 308's and a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Have not fired the SOCOM because it is a real one and the 6.5 I have not gotten around to shooting yet the others all shoot very well for semi autos all sub MOA at 300 which is good enough for my semi auto accuracy requirements.

Also, Colt does not make AR barrel's (not cost effective), in fact they sold all of their barrel making equipment they had left in the recent past.

 

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm generally pretty underwhelmed by Colt's offerings compared to other stuff thats out there. They build guns that are functionally fine but I believe that if someone is buying a Colt, the primary reason they are buying it is for the roll mark.

The different Colt roll marks don't change the way the gun was manufactured and in general they will use the same parts. You are basically paying a cool tax for the markings and if those markings float your boat, thats cool. I say drop the extra cash and make yourself happy.

Its kind of hard for me to recommend the BCM over the Colt, since it sounds like the BCM is a parts build, and not a factory gun? AR's aren't hard to build and I'm not trying to say your friend can't put the parts together, but its just a factor that I don't know anything about. I think BCM and Colt are pretty close to equal when it comes to build quality and robustness of factory rifles (I also wouldn't be surprised if the BCM ended up having slightly higher tolerances in some aspects).

At the end of the day I think that whatever gun you choose will perform more or less the same. Just go with the roll mark that makes you happier.

FYIW, this is coming from someone who has been issued Colt rifles for over a decade and personally ownes zero Colt rifles.

 

Another food for you thought, even though your friend isn't offering one but for a couple hundred more you could get a LMT CQB. I love my Colt and my other ARs but my next one without a doubt will be a LMT.

 

Having only owned Colt out of the two, I would vote Colt. The LE6920 is essentially the gold standard of your base model AR's.
BCM makes quality components, and their rifles seem to be equally well made, so I don't think you can really go wrong here...
Not that you asked, but I would go Daniel Defense in that price range.
Good luck!

 

One thing about the Colt is that I've been doing some research and have noticed some sites have them at $2,199, then marked down to $1,849 and now around $1,300 - 1,400. Granted most of these sites are sold out but does that mean the "collectors" piece didn't take off like Colt thought it would or maybe we're just not in an era where there is an AR frenzy until the election gets closer?

 

I've built a couple AR's. It's not difficult to do, since everything is mostly plug and play.

However, I would be hesitant to buy someone else's DIY AR build. It's difficult to tell from visual inspection if the barrel and gas block are seated properly and that everything is torqued down to appropriate specs. If he dimpled the barrel (for the gas block), did he drill to an appropriate depth?

People also have a tendency to install trigger springs in backwards. If you know what you're looking for, you can catch this by inspecting the lower.

 

The flip is that provided they didn't do profoundly stupid things, usually those that involve drills, Dremel tools, or copious amounts of red Loctite, very little on even the most ham-handedly assembled AR cannot be fixed fairly easy. If the parts are all truly BCM, then you have quality parts that in the worst case might just need to be disassembled and reassembled correctly.

Colts are Colts. Maybe they hold more of their purchase value than other ARs, but maybe they won't. I've got a pile of Colt OEM 1s that have been sitting in one of my safes for a couple of years now, and even though they are brand new and unused, you can still find them cheaper than what I paid for them. You can still buy a regular 6920 just about anywhere, and absent another panic period, I don't see the used values appreciating quickly any time soon. It's a fine gun for what it is. I like a BCM gun built by BCM better, and I'd take an AR-shaped pile of BCM parts over a factory assembled basic 6920 any day, provided there were no signs of irrevocable stupidity in their assembly.

This is a somewhat dated picture, but there's a 6920 in this pile somewhere, along with two Noveskes, an LMT, a Knights, and at least four BCMs, which I think are not necessarily the greatest AR of all times, but certainly one of the best values for the money.

 

I've got two BCM uppers on guns. One is my home defense/SHTF gun the other is a DMR build that sits in the safe because I went down the 6.5 Grendel rabbit hole. I have admittedly drank the BCM koolaid. My vote between the two is to buy the Colt.
That said, my real vote is to shoot any guns you can, make your own assessments, and build it yourself. Ar's aren't 1911's. More like an erector set for grownups. They're assembled not built. It takes an hour or so to put one together. Maybe a bit more for a full "build" lapping the upper, bedding the barrel and such. Less than that to assemble the lower and slap on an upper. The vast majority of time, and enjoyment IMO, is spent doing the research about what parts you want. If you're even slightly mechanically inclined, but pressed for time shoot me a PM with your intended use and budget. I'll happily do some research for you and send you a parts list. I can get a bit out of hand when looking at gun stuff for myself. Barrels and triggers can get ya! I'm more reserved when spending someone else's money, but it's still fun.

 

Well, I have to admit, I did what all of us addicts are best at doing...couldn’t decide so I beat him up on price since he’s my buddy and got both for 2500 plus he gave me about 300 additional between handles, mounts etc.

Once I digest this unexpected purchase I am definitely going to take you up on that offer and I really appreciate you throwing that out there....just one more reason why I love this forum so much.

 

If you build (cough* assemble) it, bug holes will come.

Will have to pull target pics off the laptop, puppy literally ate my phone.

 

I'm a firm believer in BCM especially Paul Bafonis' philosophy on the 2A and how he shows that belief and commitment but in this case I'd get that colt. I've only carried colt rifles in the military, in the civilian world I own BCM, and love them.
Depending on your friends knowledge of how to properly assemble an AR it could be a great rifle but I'd still get the pony here.

 

The Colt SOCOM barrels are my "run hard" choice, being HC'd and a heavier profile.

 

Best of both worlds. Is the upper receiver BCM too?

 

It is, yes.

A bit of a *******, but it runs.

 

Colt. I have the SOCOM, and it is a great rifle. All of my issued Colts great rifles.

As far as BCM goes, I read too many range reports where the owners were underwhelmed with BCM accuracy.

I am not into ARs anymore since I have found AKs to be far more capable than anticipated to shoot as well as cheaper, but the LE6920HBPW may be on the list to get.

 

Hi Chad, May I ask what brand sling you have on your Colt ?

 

It's a Blue Force Gear Vickers sling

 

Is the Colt a small pin or large pin?

I'd probably get the Colt if it were me. That said, not everyone wants a large (trigger) pin Colt regardless of markings.

FWIW lowers - providing all holes / magwell mic correctly (and aside from any factory ambi features) are lowers. There is no secret sauce in there.

I'd encourage you look at other things to make your decision - how do the feedramps look / are we sure what BCG is in each / is the anodizing snatched badly anywhere / what profile is the BCM / differences in furniture.

Aside from that - no way would I pay $1400 for a parts gun with basic (even good) parts. A new BCM stripped upper with BCG is $560 (add HG of your choice) or their's for $740. Add a poverty pony / Anderson / DPMS whatever (in spec) lower and your lower parts group & a stock for less - new.

 

Out of curiosity, are you considering your buddy's rifles because it's a deal(money-wise) or were you looking to acquire/build a gov't issued clone-type rifle?