| httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbt1tPh3CaI |
This is a video on the basic assembly/dissasembly of the Colt 901 Modular Carbine |
  The Colt LE901-16S, known simply as the 901, at first look appears to be just a new .308 version of the standard Colt AR-15. But after hearing that it was multi-caliber capable since back at SHOT of 2011, we finally got to see how it actually does that and actually get the gun running. Called a Modular Carbine, the Colt 901 is truly a new invention.
 Colt sent us #126 and though we’d love to keep it, it will be traveling to the next reviewer soon I’m sure.
 The Colt 901 swaps calibers with this aluminum part that weighs 3 ounces and comes with its own captured pin. You fit it into the standard lug on your standard AR upper (we used a Colt 6940 upper) and your .308 carbine just became a 5.56, 6.8 or whatever carbine.
 The only other change is the recoil spring and the recoil buffer thingy.
 The aluminum adapter slips down into the .308 magazine well and closes up in the gun with the normal crosspin on the 901. It basically moves the lug over on a standard upper to fit the pin on the 901 lower.
 Removing the recoil buffer thingy and spring is easy. You just push down this pin and they pop out. Then you just push the new one in and click. The gun is ready to rock.
 If you get confused the .308 is marked, and the spring spacing is much tighter on the .223.
 The ergonomics and usability of the Colt 901 lower are nearly identical to what you are used to on a standard AR. With the .308 upper the gun weighs just over 9 pounds empty and balances right at the front of the mag well. The 901 lower itself is only 9.5 ounces heavier than the Colt 6940 lower.
 A standard 30 round .223/5.56 mag looks a little off sitting in the .308 magwell, but it works perfectly and is tight and secure in the adapter part.
 This is a top view of two standard AR mags in both the 901 lower with the conversion part and the Colt 6940 lower. They present exactly the same.
 We tested both uppers with Hornady Superformance in .308 for the 901 and .223 for the 6940 upper. The optic was the same Leapers Swat scope, which held zero on the individual uppers perfectly, and actually shot to point of aim when you swapped them back and forth. Apparently the tolerances at Colt are pretty tight these days.
 This approximately 1.5″ group at 100 yards was fairly repeatable with the optic in the .308. The trigger was a scratchy on this lower and probably not the trigger they will ship with.
 The 6940 upper with the adapter shot 2″ or under, note quite as good as we tested it on the 6940 lower, but the scratchy trigger probably had something to do with it.
 The barrel and bolt carrier on the 901, like the other Colt Carbines, are marked Colt magnetic particle inspected.
 The rear sight on our test rifle was marked Colt Defense.
 The quad rail on the Colt 901 has two holes in it for these proprietary sling studs that go on with like an aircraft fitting. This gives you a viable option for single or two point mounting. These come as part of the goody pack you get with all the new Colts. It has two mags, a cleaning kit, rail covers, the sling swivels, and the manual.
 This left hand magazine release is great if you actually want to retain the empty magazine rather than drop it on the ground. You can release and pull very easily at the same time, and keep your finger ready at the trigger.
 It has been really an honor to be one of the first to get a 901 to test and test it we did. This gun at over 500 rounds of .308 and .223 and didn’t misfeed or fail to fire one of them, over a couple dozen changes back and forth between calibers. The 901 is today a battle ready weapon.
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https://www.coltsmfg.com/901Never underestimate a legend, and that legend is Colt. At first glance you would think that the Colt 901 is just a .308 Win./7.62 NATO version of a standard AR-15, much like any other .308 AR out there, but it is a lot more than that. The Colt LE901-16S is a “Modular Carbine,” which means it can be adapted to any AR-15 platform upper. This isn’t a new concept, because there are of course a whole bunch of different caliber uppers for ARs. The difference is in all the other ones, they have adapted a standard size AR magazine to boutique calibers and cartridge designs. The Colt 901 is different. It can be adapted from .308/7.62, using standard P-Mags, to .223/5.56, using standard AR mags, and back again, in literally seconds. The design uses one proprietary part, and you have to swap out the recoil system. It is that simple, and it works fantastic.
We have read in many places that the Colt 901 is actually for sale, but we have yet not seen it in the market. Our gun is numbered #126 and did not arrive in consumer packaging. The MSRP, which on the Colt 2012 official retail price list includes tax, is $2,129. This, we assume, will come with the .308 upper, the Colt “goody pack” (which is shipping with all Colt Carbines), that includes 2 mags, a basic cleaning kit, sling, sling studs, rail covers and the manual, and you would think they will include the conversion part, which is the key to the whole system (see the pictures). It may also come with the recoil buffer plug and spring for .223/5.56, we don’t know. Since we already had a Colt 6940 on hand to use as the .223/5.56 upper, we were sent the 901 with its goody pack and the conversion part and the recoil spring and buffer separately.
The key to the whole Colt 901 system is insanely simple. Side by side, the Colt .308/7.62 upper on the 901 and the .223/5.56 upper from the 6940 aren’t that different. Visibly, there is just a small variance in the placement of the forward attachment lug, and of course the size of the magazine well. Someone at Colt most likely was testing the physical dynamics of a .308/7.62 prototype on a CADCAM program and said “hey wait a minute why can’t we just do this.” Then they did just that. And what they did was to design a very simple part that adapts both the lug and the magazine size from one size upper to the other. The part itself is made from aluminum, and weighs exactly 3 ounces, including the captured steel push pin. It is simply an adapter, and its genius is in its simplicity.
Colt AR-15 uppers are standard mil-spec, like any other uppers, so their proprietary 901 lower fits any existing .223/5.56 sized AR upper, using the conversion part. There is of course no such thing as a mil-spec lower in .308/7.62, but from an ergonomic standpoint, the Colt 901 is about as close as you get to what you are used to in a standard AR. Our test rifle weighs 145.4 ounces with the empty plastic P-Mag in it, which is only just a hair over 9 pounds, even with a quad-rail monolithic upper and the fancy Magpul stock. The 901 lower with the Colt 6940 upper and the conversion part and empty steel 30 round mag weighed 121.4 ounces, or just over 7.5 pounds, and only 9.5 ounces more than the same 6940 upper on its own lower with its own slightly less beefy Magpul stock. The 901 is decidedly not front heavy for a .308 and balances on your finger almost exactly at the front of the magazine well with a full 20 round magazine of .308 (approx. 18oz. extra).
The forward assist on the Colt 901 is exactly where you are used to it, unlike some of the other .308 rifles on the market. And besides the mag release button in its normal location, there is a really nifty release lever on the left side of the receiver for one handed mag changes when you want to pocket the magazine instead of dropping it on the floor. The opens sights are Colt manufacture. They both flip down and the front is barrel mounted. The rear is a Colt Defense marked rail mounted. The quad rail has two sling mount points, and in the goody bag are two sling attachments that fit the rail holes with ball bearing mounts. The barrel and bolt on these and all the Colt carbines are magnetic particle inspected and stamped as such. The .308 barrel on the Colt 901 is marked 1 in 12 twist.
This system was obviously made for military and police use, and I predict that it is going to be a big hit among police armorers as soon as it reaches the market. The old .223 vs. .308 argument has been raging since the M-16/AR-15 made its way into battle, beating out the M14, and continues to this day. The .223 as a round is light and you can carry a lot of it. The AR-15 rifle itself is light, around 7 pounds, and in concert they are a formidable battle implement. But since our wars have left the jungle and entered the desert, the .223 has taken a beating for its long range capabilities, as well as barrier penetration, and it is thought that the .308/7.62 NATO in the ideal round to bridge the gap. Different types of missions need different approaches to your rifle and ammo. Sometimes carrying a lot of an adequate round is preferable to less rounds of a more substantial caliber, and vice versa.
This is a huge development that Colt, a major military and police contractor, has nothing short of invented a solution for assault teams and even infantry in the field to the old .223 vs. .308 controversy and it will be interesting to see if it takes hold. I am sure that all branches of the military and just about every police department in the land is going to be looking hard at the 901 as a the next choice of battle rifle. It is an armorers dream come true to have a rifle that can fill nearly every combat role with a nearly identical parts list between rifles, and the AR platform has been proving itself as the basis for such a system for several decades now.
As a consumer rifle, I guess the question has to be, “why do I need it?” The answer is as old as the advent of different firearm calibers for different tasks. The .223/5.56 is at the end of its limit for deer, hogs, and other medium to large North American game. It also is notorious for not being able to keep chugging hard after hitting even a small tree branch. Whatever a .223 hits first is not going to be very happy, but after that, it doesn’t have much left. For smaller game however, and as just a general utility round, the .223 has a lot of fans and has become as popular as a cartridge can be in the US. On the home defense and armchair tactical side, between the light guns and extremely low recoil of the AR-15/.223 combination, nothing has even come close to it in sales over the last five to ten years. Still, though, almost everyone who owns a .223 wishes they had a .308 at their disposal. The Colt 901 isn’t that much more expensive than a high end consumer AR. It is an extremely handy rifle, and it is going to hold its value far more than any off the shelf AR from any other brand, simply because it is a Colt.
Our test rifle is apparently only the 126th made and didn’t even come in a Colt box, so it definitely isn’t a ready for prime time consumer gun. The big thing we wanted to test was of course the caliber swap back and forth, and it worked flawlessly in dozens of cycles back and forth. We hope to have a video up with this soon that shows just how easily the 901 comes apart and goes back together in another caliber. If this gun didn’t have to go back to Colt (grrr) we would do some follow up with other uppers from other manufacturers, and we’d like to try a 6.8SPC upper in as well. For now though, the accuracy testing we did put the Colt 901 through was well within acceptable parameters for a .308 battle rifle. It did seem to throw a flyer here and there, but generally 1.5″ groups at 100 yards were easily repeatable with careful shooting using high powered optics. Our gun had a pretty scratchy trigger, probably not the trigger they will ship with judging by the 6920 and 6940 rifles we already tested. With a better trigger the rifle probably would have shot even better.
The overall idea for Colt 901 is simple and brilliant, and well executed. With all the guns out there, and a lot of guns we really love out there, it is hard to say this, but HALT, if you are about to buy especially a high end AR platform rifle. As you may have read on the comments from readers on the last Colt article who were already Colt owners, now that America’s most notorious firearms company is back in the consumer market, word is getting around that the Colt rifles work great, and that they are accurate and extremely durable. This Colt 901 has some new parts for sure. It isn’t the same bolt carrier and both the .308 upper and lower are new territory for Colt. But it took them a long time to bring this gun to market and they are most likely tooled up to produce government level orders for the 901. It doesn’t smell experimental to anyone who has gotten to know our #126. The Colt 901 is most likely here to stay, and if you can get your hands on one, the 901 is probably making history right under our noses. Never underestimate a legend, and that legend is Colt Firearms.
Does this rifle have a carbine, mid length or rifle length DI Gas system? From the pictures I am assuming it is a mid length DI Gas system which I feel would be perfect for a 16″ 1 in 12 twist rifle. Just like the SCAR17 without the piston. OH WELL, We can’t have everything we want for under $1,500.00 for the entry level Colt M.A.R.C.901S optics ready carbine. But I think this will be my entry into the 7.62 x51 market. I was planning on buying the new DPMS G2, in .308, which is about a pound lighter. But I really like this Colt…
for over 2k Id prefer 2 separate platforms zero’d for each config while I see he use in lawenforcement of military personally I love having 2 different rigs set up for CQB and long range , just my 2 cents
Just bought a new 901 16S from “Not Just Guns in Mason, MI. Put a tripod on it, bought some hot 7.62×51 rounds. Now for the range!!
Just purchased a 901 a few weeks ago from “Not Just Guns” in Mason , MI. Now, range time. Put tripod on it and got some hot 7.62×51 rounds!
I have a Sig AR 615 any trouble now getting the 308 upper with the goodie’s
Well I get to pick up mine tomorrow and will head straight to the range. This gun should look nice next to my colt H-Bar comp. Have an M-14 or M1A what ever you want to call it but Always wanted a 308 on an AR platform.
Why is the 308 7.62×51 rated higher than the 7.62x54R . if this is so, is there an adapter available for using the 308 in a Mosin Nagant rifle.
Don’t watch this video boys and girls.
First, remove the loaded magazine. Second, open the bolt and make sure there is no round in the chamber.
After that, feel free to break the firearm down…
Thanks, but I will stay with my LMT MWSE going on 3 years now, where are the LE901’s at.. Why on earth would someone with a 308 AR want to step down to the 5.56? Plus the LMT is shipping, and parts, different barrels and in different calibers no less, are available. The LMT won the British MoD competition to be the new Marksman rifle. They tested, and deployed them in less than 6 months to Afghanistan. I think that is enough testing in the mud for me to prove that it is the better choice between it and another rifle that the main feature is being able to swap out to a mouse round.
I think the LE901 was made for the Colt biggots in the crowd that will buy it just because the prancing pony on it.
Ive been re-searching the LE901 against the LMT, its a hard decision I wish they would stop talking about the 223 swap Idea and concentrate on how good or not the 308 platform is. The swap idea is fine but if the only part of this firearm is the ability to do that, That does not make it a 2400.00 AR. Im more interested in its quality, dependability. And over all accuracy and dependability. Availability of parts, I hear nothing of different barrel lengths, Hoe good is a 1-12 twist for a 180 grn hunting round. Why is this carbine length gas system instead of mid length. The swap idea is good but down the list of actual quality of fire arm. That’s what I want to know, where is the sand, mud, water test on this rifle. That’s a pretty expensive adapter otherwise.
I am wondering if this will allow for the use of 300 BLK due to the fact you would need a 308 upper and a 5.56 lower their mag well adapter or should I say the lack of their the mag well adapter, it appears 300 BLK will probably not work due to needing the 308 upper with a 556 mag well… Am I correct in my assumption that this will not work..?
To the administrator… just a heads up, there are female gun store owners that might view that as an insult…been in business since 1990.
Oversensitive much?
Never underestimate a legend? I never under estimated that Colt lost that big lucrative M4 contract they had. And now after ignoring the civilian market for 20 years they would like to suck their way back into prominence. I will buy one because it looks like a good idea, not because of some name that meant something before they whored themselves to the Clinton administration.
Juvenile quips won’t diminish the deficiencies of your video. Look at my original post. Objective observations, criticisms and compliments. I guess the criticisms were too much for you to handle objectively without juvenile name calling or slurring. You should be complimented that no one made caustic remarks about your obesity or childish wardrobe. Reflect seriously on the image you project with these traits and actions; gunsmithing on loaded weapons, sweeping (wiping) your surroundings with weapons, never once flipping on the weapon’s safety, banging parts together. That’s the objective, non-personal stuff. Here’s the less kind, personal stuff; obesity, zombie tee shirt, un-kept ZZ Top wannabe beard. Hurts doesn’t it? It should because civilized societies ostracize these traits and actions. Sorry for the hurtful comments, but my comments are pitty-pat compared to the savaging you took on YouTube, or have you looked. That’s a tough crowd. Thanks for posting the video and pardon my zinging back at your sensitivities. You are the administrator of this blog and can delete this e-mail if your insecurity or self esteem cannot stand a rational discussion. We all have our foibles and deficiencies. One of mine is firearms enthusiasts who reinforce stereotypical images of Neanderthal Luddites, and those with no concern for public safety. Gun control people are motivated by this stuff and recruit others to their cause. Believe it, and note that I did not call you a Neanderthal or a Luddite, but those less prone to give you the benefit of the doubt pre-judge you into those categories, and few articulate gun people will defend you or un-safe, clumsy behavior.
Nothing dangerous? Is it dangerous to push out disassembly pins while there’s a loaded mag in the receiver? Is there a loaded round in the chamber? It is OK to sweep the surroundings, range or not, loaded or not? Try that stuff responsible firearms enthusiasts and those with perception and concern for safety will just walk away, and maybe complain first. Everyone has plenty in their lives to be passionate about, not the least of which is safety. If you’re not, and you’re lucky, you’ll never understand why you should be, but you’ll have more respectful friends if you do behave responsibly. Nice Colt, dings and all.
Are you sure you should be playing with guns on all those meds? Also, are you sure you aren’t actually female?
Rarely have seen rougher or more careless gun handling, on the range or in the shop. These are tough weapons, but Colt must have wondered where all the dings came from until they watched this video. Range officers must cringe watching the guy “gunsmith” on the 901 without clearing magazine and chamber and occasionally sweeping the range. His first upper removal is from a lower with a loaded magazine clearly visible. He managed to bang every component he handled into another component or rest. Great weapon that can withstand ham fisted handling, but this video is still hard to watch.
It isn’t at a range. And while the loaded mag looks odd, there is nothing dangerous about it. Can’t you find something positive in your life to be passionate about? Or are you going to just look for problems with others?
Guess what……. the adapter kit (magwell adapter, buffer, buffer spring) is now available as a $300 part on the Colt Mfg website.
Now if Colt would just produce some rifles to use the adapter kit with, it would be perfect. My special order rifle placed and paid in January 2012 still has not been received. In checking the status of the order every 3 or 4 weeks, they have no promise or information either from Colt or from the distributor on when it may be available.
The dealer has 11 units on special order; evidently others felt the way that I do, using one of the largest dealers in the Southeast may help get Colt/distributor priority. Well, we know that is a joke now. Since my order was January 2013, I am number 3 out of the 11. Would imagine that number 1 and 2 are also pissed about the delivery.
Anyway, the adapter is now available for those that may of actually received the rifle. Wanted to pass this along to the forum.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted what we have been through over the last year. Colt is treading water still. We had to return our test gun that originally they said we could buy. It’s just the way it is. Thanks for the heads up.
The link to the kit is:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/Default.aspx?TabId=62&ProdID=374&CatID=52
Poorest excuse for a firearm manufacturer with which I have ever tried to deal. Totally unresponsive regarding the status of the magazine adapter/conversion block. It’s fairly obvious Colt has no interest in accommodating customers who were foolish enough to believe their marketing. What’s even more frustrating is Colt fans chastising paying customers for being dupes and purchasing the weapon, and expecting the part to be made available in a timely manner. My first and last Colt, period.
I’m sure the adapter will come out at some point. Nobody expected what happened this year and everyone has paid the price for it.
I bought the rifle and a le-6940 .223 upper in the fall, and have yet to obtain the conversion block from Colt. They keep saying… next month. check website. nothing.
thank you for article
I have owned this carbine for over 2 months now and it ROCKS!! The only thing is that the adapter for the 5.56 upper is still not available. I have a tricked out AR6721 HBAR upper to use on this and I am still waiting for the adapter. I call Colt weekly and they keep saying it should be on the website shortly. Well shortly has been over 2 months. They can’t even give me a price on the damn thing! I have always bought Colt’s but this is poor customer service. I will keep you informed.
Approx prices Colt 901 Modular (.308 & .223) carbines? NEw Gun Review – LE901-16S?
Purchased the LE901 on Oct., 2012. Have been patiently waiting for the adapter to be made available. Impossible to get speak directly to anyone at Colt. Would love the opportunity to purchase the adapter. Colt is now posting on the LE901 website that the firearm is now shipping with the adapter. What do the people who were early adopter’s have to do to complete the firearm package? C’mon, Colt, get with the 21st century….
Will email them.
WHAT IS THE PRICE AND WHERE CAN I BUY ONE IN PENNA.
8 months i’ve owned a 901. I can’t get Colt Defense to email me back. Other than pictures i’ve never seen an adapter or know of anyone who has one. If i can’t get a email back after 8 months i’m guessing i’m not getting an adapter.
Jeff, nothing yet and i wouldn’t be surprised. Colt Defense is sort of a division of Colt and i’m guessing they are in financial trouble. If you check the website for Colt no mention of this adapter anywhere.An email to Colt gets forwarded to Colt Defense and you never hear back from them. I tried many times. I checked Colt Defense’s financial standing and it looks bleak. Good luck
Auto fill, auto spell, whatever has changed MAGWELL to maxwell in the above. Software has a mind of its own.
Earlier there was a rumor that the modular conversion maxwell adapter would start shipping with 901s in March. Is this confirmed, has anyone seen or received the maxwell adapter?
The VP is as much an idiot as his son. Just shows mental retardation runs in the family. His son is like the Gov of Deleware or a Mayor of some city. But my point is the son took away the Shefiffs and Deputies authority to arrest criminals. Basicly the only the the Shefiffs dept can do there is work the jails and serve papers. How retarded is that?? Also the VP’s wife has secret service so WTF is that MORON spouting off how were supposed to protect ourselves. Im getting a shotgun alright but it isnt gonna be some damn double barrel. And it will go nicely with my collection of ARs. Right now my prefered inside defense weapon is my M-1 carbine backed up wiith my 45. Less penetration through the walls with my M-1 carbine vs my .223 and 7.62×39 ARs. But im getting the home defense shotgun ( with a pistol grip, red dot sight, vertical forgrip for the pump,, collapsable stock) EVERYTHING to make Commisar feinstein and the idiot crusading washington lemmings would have a shit fit about!!#
Heyyyyyyy the VP TOLD ME TO !! ( GET A SHOT GUN!!!) LOL
Hey Jeff! Do it cause you can! The V.P’s a little late for me cause i have several 12 gauge shotguns from my legal Stake out (registered Short Barreled shotgun $5 tax stamp and a 10″ Sawed off shotgun $200 tax stamp). Someone tell me how a 12 gauge shotgun is easier for a woman to shoot over an AR-15? Maybe his wife is MACHO???
Thanks for the info on the adapter. Not sure how i’m suppose to get mine in March since Colt Defense Doesn’t do Warranty or Registration cards anymore and wouldn’t know if i owned one or not. Not going to bank on this happening, if it does the Gun Gods are smiling on this Colt fan! 😉
We are hoping that they do an official announcement through us with actual instructions.
Had to post this! The Vice Presidents idea on how to protect your home from intruder’s. Get a double barrel shotgun. Get two shells , open the door and fire two rounds in the air!! OMG!!! open the door? Shoot 2 rounds into the air??? Really? Open the door DOH!. Shoot in the air DOH! Ever hear of Megan’s law or discharging a firearm inside city limits, reckless endangerment-etc.? This is your Vice President and that’s his advise. Sorry had to post this. And they want to regulate firearms and saftey…..
Any word on adapter from Colt???
LE 901-16s is made by Colt Defense. My 901 i picked up in Aug 2012 for $2200.00 plus tx. So far Colt Defense isn’t shipping the adapter and it seems may never other than those shown by media. Contacting Colt Firearms will get you a message emailed to Colt Defense and you’ll never get a response from them.I believe Colt Defense is locked in a patent battle and they aren’t talking. I noticed Colt Defense seems to be in a financial situation also and loss of government contracts didn’t help. Seriously buy one if you can find it, you may never get another chance. It is a sweet rifle. With the firearms frenzy going on you won’t see anything on the rack-if you do OMG! you’ll need to morgage the house. Good Luck all!
If you read our SHOT article you will find that we were told that the part will be available soon, hopefully by March. Everyone who has a 901 will be able to get one, probably at no cost.
Is it possible to use the modular part and interchange it with my Colt H-bar? It is an older .223.
Er, no. Think about it.
Administrator does it come Automatic or Tri-burst? Third request/inquiry?
It’s semi-auto.
Does it come in automatic or tri-burst for either 5.56 or 7.62 ?
If the $2195 is the price, then it is worth it for both the .308 and the 223. Especially at todays prices.
Just ordered a 901 thru my local Colt dealer for $2500, so much for MSRP (with sales tax $2700)
Concerned about the availability of the magazine adapter. Does anyone know the Colt part number for this item.
I had a question concerning take down pins… are they standard size for the industry (so all uppers would work) or a different “Colt” size?
Mil spec
Why do you need this gun ? Just more thing to break in the field! More ammo to carry and buy and build. The 308 is a far better round in a AR then the 5.56 . So for me I have just sniper rifles one in an AR-15 , and the others are bolt guns. If I want a off hand gun I just need a upper for my Ar-15 and it will all fit into one bag and I will have 3 guns.
In it’s military mode for 5.56 or 7.62 does it come in tri-burst or automatic fire? Great weapon, now let our guys in Theatre (War Zone) knock the pants off the bad guys for sure!!! See who’s standing now after one shot one kill in 7.62. Also bring back the 45 instead of 9mm back to our troops. COLT?
Agreed
The marines have brought back the 1911 in 45.
Two guys in met who work at different gun stores in different states both carried M-14 in theater. one in nam, the other in the sand box, separated by nearly 40 years. Both told me they would rather carry the M-14 into the hot zone than any other gun on the store shelves. older guy recommended the best value and overall function in the M1a scout with a walnut stock because the Springfield polymer ones loose accuracy when gun get hot. Scout comes with national match front sight.He says add the Smith USCG muzzle break and just run it. Younger gun store guy likes the McMillian USMC Designated Markman stock with cheek rise for optics.
All that to say the ergos of the AR platform would win me over from my M1a scout to the AR-10 or 901 or any .308 AR, IF we could get it with the Ruger SR556 piston upper. Then I would not need 5.56 at all, except for the women and children at home. Until then its M1a for me.
will it work with anything besides colt? likeDPMS, OR WHATever that is?
Very nice rifle. It made me cring every time you banged the gun into something. And when you bounced the sight off your gun rest, I just stopped watching.
Now I may be a dumb old hillbilly, but I hope I NEVER meet that dumb ass at a range. He disassembled the rifle without removing the magazine, checking the safety or the chamber. What a MORON!!!!
give it a 20″ sniper quality barrel and it would probably be the one gun i would have, plus the unobtainable mag adapter
Just get the 6.5 Grendel as its superior to any ar15 round and nearly as good as the 308 and can reach out and touch somebody. One lower and one upper.
Now that is a great idea!
I sure would like to know where one could purchase this fine weapon? Drop me a line, Please…..!
they are around you just have to find them
Uhhh… No they’re not many distributors have been back ordered for over a year. Are you sure this thing isn’t being made by Kel-Tec?
ive been reading about the colt LE 901 and true nothing is ever 100% great so im still going to get one how ever my only question is can i put a 6.8 spc upper on it instead of the 5.56? and of course i will need the mag block lol
Yea, you could, if you can get that block. They took ours back.
I REALLY WANTED ONE….until I saw all the problems you guys are having with Colt(WTFork?) and the L901.
DPMS answers the phone everytime I call and the LR-308 works really well with PMags.
I think I’ll stick with what I’ve already got.
Thank You for Sharing your Troubles and I hope you guys get some Relief.
How much is the L901?
2195.00
bought this rifle after reading the review, it would probably be a good weapon except the gun does not ship with the magazine adapter! i was told by colt that they did’nt know when or if!!! it would be available. last time i buy a colt firearm. serial#505 on my rifle
They took ours back.
like to know who you talked to. i get no response from colt. already chalked it up as 2200 dollar lemon! i also got the impression from this blog & nra mag that adapter came with rifle. guess colt needs 2 check dictionary for modular
Well it is still a monolithic .308 colt rifle with a low serial number. We all just assumed that it was going to come with that part.
Cool but useless to me. I don’t know how these make it to market, it will go nowhere for all the reasons mentioned above, boutique plaything for sports, city kids, newbie’s with more money than sense. Colt should have focused on a quality AR10 in 358, 308, 7mm08, 260, 243 at a competitive price (lower price, lighter weight than the others with same or better quality)
Ya know.. I just bought another Bushy carbine new for 650 and I got a new Armalite AR-10 in April for 850..1500 bucks total…..and I don’t have to switch out anything…Bought the Bushy for momma to shoot coyotes..the AR-10 for everything else. I might be jaded but it just seems to me that they keep inventing the unnecessary just to generate sales.. Not saying it isn’t a good idea…but for what purpose?? All this “tactical” stuff is killing us..Once I played real tactical in SE Asia..I can’t see the reason for it back home….yet!. Guess I am saying I’m not a wanna be..I am a has been!! But I do like the rifles. The AR-10 IS a bit heavy but it is a shooter… Not as good as my Bushmaster Varminter but it is a serious caliber
I got one and it is awesome! Highly recomend.
It is a sweet rifle and if your in the market for a .308 I wouldn’t hesitate. Because of it’s modular design and the fact i have many AR-15 rifles I want the adapter. I would have bought it even if it wasn’t able to convert, but i want to complete this rifle for my collection with it’s factory parts as advertised. Certainly being able to attach my 5.56 uppers truely has it’s advantages.
I have a Colt LE901-16S .308 on hold to purchase it, and i am wondering if you think it is worth purchasing. I do not think i will purchase the adapter, but might just to have. I would rather have it as a 308.
It is a great rifle itself.
I am a dealer, have not seen the 901 from any of my warehouses. I would bet that street price on the rifle will be a LOT less. The concept is so simple that it should have been figured out a long time a go. For the future gun buysers the choice is a lot simpler. just buy one gun and extra uppers and shoot what ever they want. I love the idea.
You won’t see many around for a bit. And not for a lot less. Out the door was $2200.00. Seems the Government likes this rifle as do law enforcement. I got lucky in August and haven’t seen another yet. Idea is great ,now if i could only get the adapter! I’m beginning to think Colt violated someones patent and that is why they aren’t talking about it?
So it’s Sept. 28,2012 Still no news about the adapter from Colt. Colt isn’t shipping the adapter w/rifles, mine surely didn’t have it and like i said Colt isn’t even responding to the many complaints that they get on customers trying to purchase this part needed to make it modular. Someone with enough money hopefully will file a lawsuit over false advertising if Colt doesn’t get their stuff together!
Damned if that isn’t the jankiest solution to a problem that doesn’t exist!
@Glider, sucks big, whole idea is the mag adapter for 556 coming with it so can actually make it modular. I hope tey take care of it as just ordered one for a customer..
@ others unsure on point of modular .308, Point is many different calibers are available on the AR-15 5.56/.223 platform.. with the glaring exception of the .308. This, if Colt remembers to ship the mag adapter would make this a welcome addition, especially for those of us who would like this. Also, it taking the sr25 mags is good as the magpuls aren’t all that much..
I think the option of a longer barrel would also be nice, 16″ is fine, but a 18 or even better a 20would make a nice addition for those who want a little more range.
Update Le 901-16s. 9-13-2012. I would never have thought Colt would ignore my many emails about their Modular? rifle. I purchased the 901 and the conversion part isn’t available, AND no one is responding to my inquiries. Can’t imagine the Vice President of Sales wouldn’t answer an email forwarded from Customer Service???? Dept. goes unanswered?
This conversion part isn’t available,Colt doesn’t respond as to how i can get the conversion part for my Le 901 so its just a Colt .308!………. Modular it’s not! Just a nice .308
Colt may think i’ll let this slide by, sorry, not going to happen and i’ll continue to post results of my dealing w/Colt on this. To bad
Update LE 901-16s, Bought Burris AR 536 5X fixed power red dot scope. Gonna keep it but not for me on .308 will work on 5.56 eye relief to close and not fast enough and huge led dot wont be what i need for longer ranges-ok for 5.56 tho. Decided to go with E O Tech 512 Holographic .065 holographic and E O Tech G33 3X Slap mount. Holographic dot remains .65 at any range or power.
Government contract over-rules G33 purchase so order it and you will probably wait a long while to get it. Also note pmag lr 20 magazines are now hard to find and pmag is selling to volume dealers only!
No info on adapter for 5.56 as yet. Have close to 4k on gun parts and orders so far and looking for best bipod and light. More updates as i deal with it. Gonna be great build.
Oh, I’ve had my 901 since 8-11-12 I may need anger management class after this </:(
Back to the LE 901 -16s Many attempts to get information on the adapter which fits on the AR-15 uppers has gone with a reply. 8-31-12 and several Emails and phone calls got me nothing. Guess the execs’s at Colt all died and got thrown into the empty brass container just waiting to be re-loaded?
Great article! Where can I purchase this? I have asked our local tactical firearms and searched online, but cannot find a dealer. I am also hearing that you cannot purchase the conversion yet. Any help is appreciated.
Follow up to why .308 and 5.56 . Ask a lot of vets since Vietnam. They carried 2guns This just makes it less weight and simple w/o 2nd lower. Yes it’s $2200. most 308’s are. If the price bothers you, you probably can’t keep it fed so buy a .22rf . By the way my .22rf conv. kit for my 5.56 means i have three calibers i can shoot.
Lucky me I got a 901 8-11-12. It does not come with 5.56 conversion part or buffer parts. I called Colt and well the Customer Rep. was clueless about the part or when/how i can get some. Colt can’t answer my question on their Modular gun? Good Luck all-Nice gun tho.
I’m not familiar with conversions. Do you have to change the barrel when switching to a higher or lower caliber?
REALLY ??
I have a former Navy SEAL on staff, who has a saying that makes a lot of since!! He said TWO makes ONE and ONE makes NONE !!! In other words dont keep all your eggs in one basket !! Crap happens ! Things break !
ExtremeDefenseUSA
I kind of agree with Steven. I mean, you know the mission, you know your assignment, pick the tool and go with it. It’s not like a full size upper is something you’d just stuff into your assault back and head on down the trail with – I don’t think? I guess if you were going on a two week hunting trip into God only knows where Alaska, I suppose I could see that. My “hunting trips” aren’t anywhere near that protracted, . . . but OK.
That said, if guys really want them, make ’em. I’m personally EXTREMELY glad to see Colt making an effort to get back “into the game.” Yes there are a few other companies out there producing what I might consider acceptable 5.56 M-4’s (I’m not naming names because I don’t want to pull the pin), but personally, if I’m going to war with an M-4, it’s going to have a pony on it. And you’ll notice, I’m still around to talk about it?
I don’t see a 901 in my arsenal,simply because I can do everything that I do with what I’ve got, BUT, that said, I forever support guys being able to get whatever they feel fits their needs or enhances their abilities. And as I said, welcome back Colt!
If I understand correctly what you have stated above is that all I have to do in order change from a .308 to a .223 is change ammunition. Is this correct? The one point that I would appreciate understanding, is the lower caliber .223 going to wobble in the larger caliber .308 barrel. I believe this would affect the .223 accuracy in the larger barrel and possible internal barrel scars. I wish to thank you for your time and effort regarding this matter. Please contact me at your convenience; [email protected] Cell (408) 313-2992
J.R. Thornhill
you need to Re-read the article.
+1 with Jwidsvs, and really really read for content…
Double Ditto on DJ and JW…
But Mr. Thornhill’s issue goes beyond reading comprehension. Methinks (and i perish the thought) that J.R. is F**king with us. Nobody can be that stupid with weapons. Any runny nose basic trainee knows you only fit one dedicated round to one caliber chamber and barrel. Just like wearing boots. Even if you weren’t in the military the first thing your uncle Stanley cautioned you about when he gave your your first 20 guage is ‘don’t be a moron and try to fire a 28 guage shell in the chamber…
The other thing is that if Mr. Thornhill is sincere and really doesnt’ understand that what he is saying can’t be possible in any physical format, and it is so far off the cognitive dissonance charts to even allude to something like that…then he needs to forget about guns, especially ‘real’ firepower, until he starts all over and learns the realities and some mechanics about them. Otherwise he’s dangerous to himself and others.
Does it come with two uppers?
Could this lower be fitted to the Rock Island .458 SOCOM?
Apparently so. It should fit any upper that fits a standard lower.
I had seen in one of my many gun mags this modular design as Colt has done. Not sure it wasn’t Colt in the article, but it is a good idea. I like the 6.8 as well, but in fact I carried the M-14 from boot to discharge 66-69, and I got real familiar with it.
The “Goodies Package” would have to have quite an incentive and a high end trigger to push the “Legend” into the $2,000.00 range for me. That kind of money is creeping into LWRCI gas gun range. That decision would depend on the down range possibilities, like the upper options.
Good job Colt
If possible would you be able to find out if they plan on selling separate uppers for the LE901? I know it comes with the .308 but since they are promoting it as changeable to the .556, it would be nice to know how to obtain the correct .556 to go with it. Thanks for any assistance.
The rear sight isn’t Colt manufactured… Looks like a Colt-marked Troy folding battle sight, and the stock appears to be made by Vltor, not Magpul. Otherwise, nice write up on a very interesting weapon system.
also, you guys need like a nightforce or something on that rifle, it deserves a nicer optic. it makes me sad seeing nice rifles without nice optics
just so i have it clear, what we’re looking at with the colt 901 is a modular lower? you just change uppers? I was under the impression you could change the bolt, barrel, buffer, and etc. other companies make modular lowers, but hey, it is a neat idea, i’d like one
While I do think it is a neat concept it is a boutique concept and will probably be a short lived one. Most serious shooters who use 5.56 and .308 probably all ready have both rifles. Further, I thought I was the last one to get a scratchy trigger from Colt when I brought my Accurized A-3 H-Bar Elite, but I guess there are more out there. As far as “welcome back Colt” I will consider them back in the game when they start producing revolvers again. The only reason Smith and Wesson makes the best revolvers in the world is because they have no real competition since Colt dropped out of the race.
Yes on the revolvers. Speaking of needing competition to drive prices down and I miss that sweet slickness those old Colts had.
I perfer the 7.62 Nato to all the other 6.5’s,6.8’s etc. You have ready access to ammo and it’s a proven winner! Welcome back Colt, with your latest winner !
I’m impressed that Colt has finally gotten back into “THE GAME”,with such a wonderful invention. I would perfer the 7.62 Nato to the other 6.5’s,6.8’s, etc. No need to invent a replacement for a “PROOVEN WINNER”! Not to mention cheap brass etc. and readily available ammo anywhere you go !!!!!!!!!!!
SO how long is the barrel? Thanks–you guys do a great job!!
It is a 16″ carbine barrel.
Well, maybe, but it would have been a lighter, shorter FN/FAL platform in .308, but for the inside ‘politics’.
While I admit this is a neat idea. But why would a person pay over $2,000 for a .308 AR just so they can also use their own 556 upper on it. What is wrong with having a complete .308 rifle AND a complete 5.56 rifle. Then you can switch back and forth and not have to fit any adapters or change out the spring and buffer each time. Just saying.
You have both the finances and space for complete rifles. What if you want to use a .22LR AR as well, and a 6.8, and a… and a… ?
I have three AR-15’s with 5 uppers – .223, .22 LR, 6.5 Grendel, and .450 Bushmaster. I can swat a fly or knock a bear on his keister. One could ask the question: “Why would I need an AR-25?” One answers: “Why not?”, “Because I want one!”, and “Because it is .308, silly…” I guess the point is I can use all those, and do so fairly frequently. I still want a .308 platform, just ’cause. With the .450 I certainly have plenty of POWER, and with the 6.5 I pretty much have the ballistics of the the .308. All of that being said, Gadgets are nice and this is certainly a gadget. However, I can get a .308 for about $1,000, and my .223 I paid $650 for is more accurate than 1.5″ (my other .223 can do a sub half-minute, but cost over a grand). I would rather have the two weapons to perform so many jobs accurately than one to do them with mediocrity. The fact that the two are cheaper than the one only seals the deal!
My suspision is that if you are need a “battle weapon” the price won’t matter as much as the quality and reliability. I think you get more from a weapon that is tried, true, and accurate, than you do the newest gadget on the block with mediochre accuracy. When these become available, I will certainly take a look at them (and maybe they will have their trigger issues ironed out), but I suspect that on the way to saving the $2000+ I will likely spend $1000 to $1200 on a heavy barreled AR-25 and call it quits. Just my opinion on how I would likely spend my money…
Of course, if you want a great “battle weapon”, why are we discussing an AR platform? My first choice would be the Springfield M1A in 7.62. A much hardier rifle with better “out-of-the-box” reliability and performance. I suspect most current soldiers/Marines, if given the option, would prefer the hard hitting, longer range M14. Just ask most of the SOC boys. Just saying. Now don’t get me wrong, while I started with the M14 back in “71” in the Corps, I have used and appreciated the M16A1 and M16A2 over the years. However, the fact is, if our Government could have afforded it, and were committed to manufacturing sufficient numbers of M14’s, that rifle would still be our military’s service rifle, and for good reason.
I most strongly concur. The M14 was a superior rifle to the M16 in many ways, biggest being reliability. While I appreciate you’re acknowledgement of you appreciation of the M161 and M16A2, I never had it. Any advantage it offered was outweighed by it’s many disadvantages (ever have a double- feed during a fire fight, or break the Mattel stock across the enemy’s chin during hand-to-hand engagement?, or have a member of you fire-team get frisky, and switch from semi to auto, only to run out of ammo?)
You needed to make a quick trip to Camp Horno, and get the training to make the M40 your weapon, it ended all arguments (I’m dating myself).
I guess there is always a need to adjust the weapon to the environment, but nothing beats a Ma Duece (M2)!
Semper Fi
I’m reserving final judgement when I see the street price on this. My gut level opinion is putting all your eggs in one basket has never been a smart choice. The cost of the lower and magazines is likely going to be far less expensive than the cost of Colt’s solution. Today… where I live AR-15 mags sell between $6 and $10 depending on condition and manufacturer. Colt mags bring slightly more. A complete tactical lower for the AR-15 platform is right at $400
Having to swap buffer & spring is no bother, and the little magazine adapter is no biggie unless you loose it. The remaining issue is interchangability of uppers. If Colt uppers made especially for this platform are all that will work then you loose the price advantage that competition gives you. Remember the SONY BETAMAX… A better tape system, however without competition to drive prices down it succumed to VHS which wasn’t quite as good, but could be had much cheaper. AR-10 platform stuff is still at a premium, and likely will be for a while. So if you buy one of these and shoot .223 you’re going to suffer the weight, have reduced recoil, and an expensive rifle.
I’d guess that you can own both platforms (two separate rifles) for slightly more than one of the new Colt offerings. Then you have complete interchangability within each platform for standard military parts. What more could you want…
One reporters opinion… Sorry Colt
Can an individual buy the LE, or do we have to wait for the civilian “SE” model to own this new Colt .308 ???
As far as we know the LE model will be out for everyone. There is no LE restriction on the gun, but who knows if they will make a select fire. Hmmmmm.
Love the “Buffer Thingy” term. lol. Great review…thanks.
Not in MY town.
Socialist retard! U must want gun bans too u fag.
Judging my name name I think he was joking. A play on Mayor Bloomberg’s name
Does this ship w/ a .223 upper or .308 or both??
Just the .308 upper.
I would like to know about the bolt. 308-7.62×51 and 223-5.56X45 are two very different case sizes. So could you put a DPMS 223 on a Colt 901 lower? Are the buffer springs mil spec. I use the Tubbs flat wire spring in my ARs would they work in the Colt 901? Could one get a stripped Colt 901 lower and the adapter and would a mil spec parts kit be all you would need to assemble the lower?
Yes, you could and they are all milspec. We don’t know if they will sell just lowers down the road.
Does it then follow that this basic platform will also tolerate the interchange to the .50 caliber “Beowulf” system produced by Alexander Arms, or is .308 it’s maximum capability. When they give you an inch, you want a mile….
(Just a thought).
Larry, the Beowulf 50 cal operates on a standard .223/ 5.56 lower, although I have an additional spring/recoil buffer tube in place of the “Buffer Thingey” (LOL). So this rifle will adapt directly. Incidentally, the .50 cal ammo is hard to get, usually a 90 day wait. The 400 gr shoots very well. The 325 is recoil harsh, but has incredible knock down power.
Cool.
Where’s the piston???
Piston? Not in a direct gas operating system.
exactly! can I run a Ruger SR556E upper on this lower? I would assume so.
Marry those two technologies together in both 5.56 and .308 and you’ll have my money.
I can understand not getting supper technical. “Buffer Thingy” LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get some of those rifles to Alaska!! They would be perfect for a whole range of animals,from our little black tail deer to moose.
John; Your Darn Right !! I’ll be the First one in line to buy this one!
California wants to know……..Bullet Button?
If you’re a firearms owner and a productive citizen come to Texas and be productive here. I left MA for much the same reason (idiotic gun control laws, about which, it must be noted, Romney did NOTHING). States like that don’t deserve to collect the taxes from that element of the citizenry from whom they take money in order to give to those elements they pander to with their gun laws. It’s like tithing 1% of your income to Handgun Control International or the Brady Campaign For Violence Against Paper Targets.
Where exactly is a ‘good place’ those of us of like minded social ‘disposoitions’ to relocate to in Tx, in your opinion? The other guy here said he’s in a nice remote place in ‘Central Texas’–which, lol, is probably bigger than all points of the compass in my state! I was in Houston for a couple days, once. And i put that city on my shit list right under Chicago and New York.
I’m actually already in one of the ‘best’ states for all pragmatic purpose of this type, But it simply is getting too crowded, lately, for that reason.
I hear ‘hearsay’ that water is, always was, or is about to be a primary concern in Texas??
Hey, Paul, that would be a good topic for the ‘prepper’ column? Best places for gun owners and preppers to ‘relocate to’? I know there’s already a book/guide on it out there for awhile, but it really doesn’t reflect the bigger picture.
Read Joel Skousen’s book “Strategic Relocation.” Good video on youtube with Alex Jones as well.
I implore the first dealer to get one for resale to email me.
Got one in left hand? I’ll be standind in line tomorrow!
LOL,,,,I remember my first encounter with the M1 carbine in boot camp and keeping my collar turned up as the casings popped in just the right spot. I also remember before left handed bolt actions reaching across to pull the bolt back. I also used a right handers glove playing baseball, tucking the glove under my arm after catching the ball, switching the ball and throwing in one fantastic move. I was one hell of a shortstop. let’s face it, the Winchester lever action accomodated everyone.
yes the model 94 was functionally ambidextrous but as a lefty I kept getting shell casing to crack me in the forehead.
had to always wear a cap after one nicked me with the open case end and drew blood. made m grandfather laugh though…good times.
Came in the Army during the M16 days and had to pull down one sleeve at OSUT in Benning to keep hot brass from burning the inside crook of my elbow, so thankful for the M16E2 by the time I returned to Benning for IOBC 6 years later, however left eye dominace meant i was worthless with an m-60, my AG had to help me qualify by watching the tracers and telling me how to walk the round in.
That’s odd. My cross dominance made me rather good with the M60. Add a bit of standoff so you don’t eat the leftovers (one of my worst experiences with the M16A1 was when one tossed an empty up into my helmet where it spun around the liner and landed on my ear . . . where it slowly cooled and I couldn’t do a thing bout it at the moment), maybe some weapon rigging that isn’t standard, and you don’t even NEED tracers if the thing is sighted in. In fact I don’t like using tracers on any non-tank mount as it just draws more fire.
Practice how you’re gonna fight. If you don’t want to use tracers on the ground and make a high priority target of yourself you gotta get that LMG kept hidden by using short bursts where they matter and moving between several firing points where you can pre-stash ammo if you had time to take extra off your track (I was in armored cavalry).
“Buffer Thingy” ?
I love the “buffer thingy”! F*cking hilarious! I served 15 years in the Army Infantry with a combat tour in Iraq and I’ll be damned if I know the official name of the “buffer thingy”! It’s just a buffer or buffer assembly if I can recall, but I believe I prefer the now official term of “buffer thingy”!
Guy, the “buffer thingy” that was referred to in the illustration is actually called a detent button.
Oops. My bad. They did call the buffer assembly a “buffer thingy”. After re-reading the caption under the picture, the “pin” they are pushing down with a live round is the detent button. This should have be photographed properly, being depressed using the firing pin, as per my Army training.
As far back as the M-14 and the M-16, the standard rifles for the infantry were designed to be field stripped using only a round from that particular rifle. I will admit it’s been several years since me time in the Corp, but I am unaware of any rifle that you need to use the firing pin to disassemble the weapon. I’m not saying there’s not one out there, but I doubt if there is. Military philosophy was/is, “Keep it simple, stupid”. Additionally, if there is a way to damage a firing pin by using it in a manner it is not designed for, someone WILL find it.
15 years in the infantry, and you don’t know the name of the various parts of your rifle? Now that is, and I quote, “F*ucking hilarious”. Every marine coming out of boot camp, whether he/she is a sniper or a cook or a truck driver has a complete knowledge of the nomenclature of his/her weapon. Impressive weapon, Colt 901