Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we are traversing from our normal column items to focus on investing in Colt 6920 variants.

The Elusive Colt 6920 “M4”

There is one tangible investment that I haven’t seen discussed much elsewhere on Zee Interwebz: Colt 6920 variants. These didn’t formally hit the civilian until around 2013 which was long after there were dozens of competing brands crowding the market, the Colt-made M4geries really stand out. Not only are they made to full military specifications, but they also have the panache of the Colt name. The later-production ones have their lower receivers prominently rollmarked “M4 Carbine”, and those seem to have the best collector appeal.

Used (police trade-in) semi-auto Model 6920 carbines sell for $500 to $700. And new ones seem to start at  around $750. But there are some 6920 variants that were sold in very small numbers that now are selling on the secondary market for $1,400 to $2,500. As time goes on. I expect many of those Colt M4s to creep up closer to $3,000. That is, if they are still “new inbox” (NIB) or “like new in box” (LNIB).

A few of these are are still in production and hence quite reasonably priced. But most of the many variants  are now “discontinued” and therefore their prices are rising. Here are some descriptions, with links:

• Colt M4A1 SOCOM. The Colt web site describes this variant: “The barrel is a true SOCOM 14.5 heavy barrel with the iconic M203 flats under the Knights Armament Rail System. Extended flash hider has been pinned and welded to achieve a non-NFA length of 16.1″. Includes the side sling swivel at the gas block and an ambidextrous safety selector.”
• The MagPul FDE Sporter. Here is a 2015 review, over at TFB: New Colt LE6920MPS Rifles.
• 6920 were also made in small numbers, in Stealth Gray.
• Recently, there were also some “contract over-run” semi-auto 6920s with Mexican Police rollmarks released on the U.S. civilian market. It might be a good gamble to grab one of those.
• For a while Colt also cataloged 6920s in assorted camouflage colors. Of these, the Carbon Fiber finish had a quite high MSRP, and now fetches $2,000+. Since most these variants only had a few hundred of each produced, then they are worth buying IF you can find them with their original box that has that all-important label, with the correct variant model number and serial number, to match.

I recently ran across a 6920 with all olive green MagPul furniture, and even a matching green rear sight. That is how it came from the Colt factory. I plan to just tuck that one in the back of my gun vault. I’m confident that one of my grandsons will appreciate receiving it, on his 18th birthday.

One Caveat

Keep in mind that if there is sufficient consumer demand, Colt might release additional batches of some of these 6920 variants. While this is unlikely, if it were to happen, then you might have a Colt 6920 in some camo pattern for which you paid $1,800 or $1,900 that is suddenly worth only $1,100. So… caveat emptor.

Oh, and I should mention that Colt also recently made a M16A1 Retro Reissue. I expect those to be particularly valuable, in a few years.

Provisos:

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News Tips:

Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send that in. News from local news outlets that is missed by the news wire services is especially appreciated. And it need not be just about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!