After the 723 Colt developed the 727, this model is even more confusing for collectors/builders than the 723! Most references, photos etc of 727's seem to show a carbine w/A2 upper & 14.5" M4 profile barrel w/m203 cuts but I've seen photos & references of carbines w/late A1 type uppers & thin profile 14.5" barrels id'd as 727's also!, to further complicate things the 727 has been id'd in a couple references as the model Colt developed for the Govt. of Abu Dhabi which in turn led to the XM4 series for the US & eventually the M4! It appears that for a collector/builder the features that "make" a 727 are pretty much left open to personal preference just like the 723! This 727 replica is built using an NDS A1 lower, Colt A2 upper, 1/7 14.5" M4 profile barrel w/M203 cut w/extended A2 FH permanently pinned for legal 16" length & a standard non F marked FSB. These carbines (727's) are also period correct for a "Black Hawk Down" build as far as I've been able to ascertain.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 27 of 27 Total. 59912 Visits.
727 right, retracted 727 shown w/stock retracted (closed). This replica uses an NDS A1 lower, Colt FCG, bolt/carrier, Colt A2 upper, Colt 1/7 14.5" M4 profile barrel w/extended A2 FH permanently pinned, standard non F marked FSB, original Colt 6 hole HG's, Colt "fiberlite" stock, 2 position tube assembly, early castle nut & standard carbine buffer.
727 stock extended
727 Stock Colt mil-spec "fiberlight" stock retracted, you can slo see the "standard" A2 style small round FA button.
727 action right NDS a1 type lower receiver, Colt A2 upper w/standard rifle rear sight & A2 grip, all Colt FCG w/"tick" mark selector (replica markings haven't been added at this point).
727 port door open
727 forend The 727's used the original early style Colt "slim" 6 hole HG's.
727 FSB marking The 727 used the standard rifle rear sight & non F marked FSB.
727 muzzle This replica has the extended A2 FH w/peel washer permanently fixed for 16" legal length. Barrel work was done by heatNbeat.
727 pinned extended A2 FH A closeup of the extended A2 FH & peel washer permanently pinned on the barrel.
727 left side muzzle The use of a 14.5" barrel & extended FH maintains proper fit of the bayonet to the carbine.
727 left FSB 727 carbines used a standard rifle type FSB (non F marked) as opposed to the later flat top M4's.
727 left forend
727 left action 727's can be found w/A1 or A2 lowers, all would be marked "Colt M16A2" as far as I've been able to ascertain at this point. Replica markings haven't been added at this point to complete this replica.
727 rear sight The 727 (& earlier 723 carbines fitted w/the A2 upper) used the standard rifle rear sight w/the wheel marked 8/3 as opposed to the M4 flat top carbines which had the rear sight marked 6/3 & used the taller F marked FSB.
727 stock left side retracted.
727 left, stock extended
727 left stock retracted
727 parts All original Colt parts w/exception of the NDS A1 lower.
727 buffer tube Stock removed showing the 2 position tube mounted to the lower.
727 buffer tube View of the 2 position tube showing the 2 holes in the relief cut on bottom of stock. This 2 position was used on all the carbine models up till the introduction of the 4 position tube on the M4 w/the exception of the 607 which utilized a completely different retracting system than all the later carbines ( see the album on the 607 for more details).
727 Colt A2 upper The A2 upper used on the carbines was a standard rifle type, some used a shallow "ramp" cut others didn't.
727 left side upper
727 bolt marking This replica uses an original Colt carrier group, C marked, w/ Colt MPC marked bolt.
727 Colt bolt/carrier group
727 top carrier group Top view of bolt/carrier group showing staking pattern on carrier key.
Comparison of 727 vs M4 forends Top: 727 using "slim" 6 hole HG's Bottom: M4 using M4 "heavy" 7 hole HG's.
727/M4 stocks Top: 727 w/"fiberlight" stock & 2 position tube Bottom: M4 w/later stock & 4 position tube. The "fiberlight" stock is the 4th type carbine retractable stock & was used on the 723 thru early M4's, the 2 position tube was used on the 609 (XM177) thru 727, the M4 used the 4 position tube. The stock on the M4 replica in the pic is the 5th type retractable stock & superceded the fiberlight in M4 production.
