Numbered Colt Military Models
Colt has been the most visible producer of weapons of the AR-15 pattern, and the military designation M16 is heavily associated with the company. Colt has an intricate internal nomenclature system for its models, with a variety of suffixes and prefixes. Colt’s systems have generally followed the times and though its model numbers originally came without prefixes, with the need to separate weapons made for civilian consumption from those made for military and law enforcement use, military models became prefixed with the code “RO.” For the purposes of this table, the RO nomenclature is obviated as this terminology did not exist in all cases, but it can be understood to be present. Military/LE models are also easily identified by their three digit code in contrast to the four digit codes for civilian weapons.
| Colt model no. | Name | Stock | Fire control | Rear sight | Forward assist | Case deflector | Barrel length | Barrel profile | Barrel twist | Hand guards | Bayonet Lug | Muzzle device |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601 | AR-15 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:14 (early) or 1:12 (late) | Triangular | Yes | Type 1 Duckbill/Type 2 Duckbill |
| 602 | AR-15 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 603 | XM16E1 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 603 | M16A1 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 604 | M16 (No XM16 designation) | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 605 | CAR-15 Carbine | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 15 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | No | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 605A | CAR-15 Carbine | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 15 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | No | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 605B | CAR-15 Carbine | A1 | S-F-1-3 | A1 | No | No | 15 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | No | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 606 | CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 606A | CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 606B | CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1 | A1 | S-F-1-3 | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | Type 2 Duckbill |
| 607 | CAR-15 SMG | 1st Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Triangular | No | Type 1 and 2 Duckbill and 3.5" Moderator |
| 607A | CAR-15 SMG | 1st Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Triangular | No | Type 1 and 2 Duckbill and 3.5" Moderator |
| 607B | CAR-15 SMG | 1st Generation | S-F-1-3 | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Triangular | No | Type 1 and 2 Duckbill and 3.5" Moderator |
| 608 | CAR-15 Survival Rifle | Tubular | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Round | No | Conical or 3.5" Moderator |
| 609 | XM177E1 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 3.5" or 4.5" Moderator |
| 610 | XM177 or GAU-5/A | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 3.5" or 4.5" Moderator |
| 610B | CAR-15 SMG | 2nd Generation | S-F-1-3 | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 3.5" or 4.5" Moderator |
| 611 | M16 HBAR | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 611P | M16 HBAR (License produced by Elisco Tools) | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 613 | M16 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 613P | M16 (License produced by Elisco Tools) | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 614 | M16 | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 614S | M16S1 (License produced by Chartered Arms Singapore) | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 615 | M16 HBAR | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 616 | M16 HBAR | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Round | Yes | A1 |
| 619 | XM177E1 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 3.5" or 4.5" Moderator |
| 620 | CAR-15 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 10 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 3.5" or 4.5" Moderator |
| 621 | M16A1 HBAR | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 629 | XM177E2 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 11.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 4.5" Moderator |
| 630 | GAU-5A/A | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 11.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 4.5" Moderator |
| 633 | Colt SMG | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | Yes | 7 in. | A1 | 1:10 | Short Round | No | None |
| 634 | Colt SMG | 2nd Generation | Conflict between S-1 and S-1-F | A1 | No | Yes | 10 in. | A1 | 1:10 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 635 | Colt SMG | 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | Yes | 10 in. | A1 | 1:10 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 635S | Colt SMG | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | Yes | 10 in. | A1 w/ integral silencer | 1:10 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 639 | XM177E2 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 11.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 4.5" Moderator or A1 |
| 639 | Colt SMG | 2nd | S-1-3 | A1 | No | Yes | 10 in. | A1 w/ integral silencer | 1:10 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 640 | XM177E2 | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 11.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 4.5" Moderator or A1 |
| 645 | M16A1E1/M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 645E | M16A2E1 | Flattop (w/ flip down front sight) | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 646 | M16A2E3/M16A3 | A2 | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 649 | GAU-5A/A | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 11.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | No | 4.5" Moderator |
| 650 | M16A1 carbine | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 651 | M16A1 carbine | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 652 | M16A1 carbine | A1 | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 653 | M16A1 carbine | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 653P | M16A1 carbine (License produced by Elisco Tools) | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 654 | M16A1 carbine | 2nd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | No | No | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:12 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 655 | M16A1 Special High Profile | A1 | S-1-F | A1 (used with special raised carry handle scope mount) | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 656 | M16A1 Special Low Profile | A1 | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | No | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:12 | Triangular | Yes | A1 |
| 701 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 702 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 703 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 705 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 707 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 711 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | No and Yes | 20 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 713 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 715 | M16A2 (License produced by Diemaco/Colt Canada as the C7) | A2 | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 719 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 720 | XM4 Carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 723 | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 725 | M16A2 carbine (License produced by Diemaco/Colt Canada as the C8) | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 725A | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 725B | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 726 | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | A1 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A1 |
| 727 | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 728 | M16A2 carbine | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 733 | M16A2 Commando/M4 Commando | 3rd or 4th Generation | S-1-F | A1 or A2 | Yes | Yes or No | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 733A | M16A2 Commando/M4 Commando | 3rd or 4th Generation | S-1-3 | A1 or A2 | Yes | Yes or No | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 734 | M16A2 Commando | 3rd Generation | S-1-F | A1 or A2 | Yes | Yes or No | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 734A | M16A2 Commando | 3rd Generation | S-1-3 | A1 or A2 | Yes | Yes or No | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 735 | M16A2 Commando/M4 Commando | 3rd or 4th Generation | S-1-3 | A1 or A2 | Yes | Yes or No | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 737 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 738 | M4 Commando Enhanced | 4th Generation | S-1-3-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 11.5 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A1 or A2 |
| 741 | M16A2 | A2 | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 742 | M16A2 (Standard w/ bipod) | A2 | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 745 | M16A2 (Standard w/ bipod) | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 746 | M16A2 (Standard w/ bipod) | A2 | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 750 | LMG (Colt/Diemaco project) | A2 | S-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Square LMG | Yes | A2 |
| 777 | M4 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-3 | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 778 | M4 Carbine Enhanced | 4th Generation | S-1-3-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 779 | M4 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-F | A2 | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 901 | M16A3 | A2 | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 905 | M16A4 | A2 | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 920 | M4 Carbine | 3rd and 4th Generation | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 921 | M4E1/A1 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 921HB | M4A1 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 HBAR | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 925 | M4E2 Carbine | 3rd or 4th Generation | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 927 | M4 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 933 | M4 Commando | 4th Generation | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 935 | M4 Commando | 4th Generation | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 11.5 in. | A1 or A2 | 1:7 | Short Ribbed | No | A2 |
| 938 | M4 Commando Enhanced | 4th Generation | S-1-3-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 11.5 in. | A2 | 1:7 | M4 | No | A2 |
| 977 | M4 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 941 | M16A3 | A2 | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 942 | M16A3 (Standard w/ bipod) | A2 | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 945 | M16A2E4/M16A4 | A2 | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | A2 | 1:7 | Ribbed | Yes | A2 |
| 950 | LMG (Colt/Diemaco project) | A2 | S-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 20 in. | HBAR | 1:7 | Square LMG | Yes | A2 |
| "977" | M4 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-3 | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 978 | M4 Carbine Enhanced | 4th Generation | S-1-3-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| 979 | M4A1 Carbine | 4th Generation | S-1-F | Flattop | Yes | Yes | 14.5 in. | M4 | 1:7 | M4 | Yes | A2 |
| Colt model no. | Name | Stock | Fire control | Rear sight | Forward assist | Case deflector | Barrel length | Barrel profile | Barrel twist | Hand guards | Bayonet Lug | Muzzle device |
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