Colt Light Rifle...

[j_mcdade]

Hi all,

New Member here, first post.  I have purchased a new rifle for incliment weather hunting.  It is a Colt Light Rifle.  I have only read a couple of articles about this particular firearm and both were very complimentary of Mr. Forbs design, as produced by Colt.  As I do not believe everything I read, especially the articles in "Gun Rags", I have been searching the internet for everything that I can find on the Colt Light Rifle, unfortunately, there is very little information to be found.  I am aware that only about 6,000 of these rifles were built by Colt before production ceased.  I am also aware that there was a recall, I believe in 2001 of a number of these rifles due to a problem with the firing pin protruding from the bolt face and resting on the primer of a chambered round, unless the bolt was energetically lifted as it was cycled. 

I do not know if this rifle was subject to recall.  It is a .30-06, in N.I.B. condition, with a Redfield 3x9x40 "Fivestar" in Redfield rings & Bases.  I purchased it for $500, and am just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.  If the firearm has any problems I'm sure I can iron them out. 

Does anyone here own a Colt Light Rifle, or have any pertenant information with regard to these  rifles?  I would really appreciate any information you all might be able to share.  Thanks in advance.

Good Shooting,

Jim

     

[Buford]

I have one in .270 and have found it to be very portable, dependable, accurate - 'love it.

[j_mcdade]

Buford,

Thanks for the reply.  How is the fit and finish?  What is the stock like?  Did you have to send yours back to Colt for warranty work?  Sorry for the questions, I just bought a rifle sight-unseen!

Good Shooting,

Jim
   

[Buford]

Dang, Jim - I am going from faulted memory and I am sure someone out there can recall things better than I.  There was a relationship between  Ultralight Arms and Colt, they made the rifles for Colt.  The relationship went south for one reason or the other.  I have never had a reason to return the rifle.....it has been consistant and as dependable as an anvil.  I don't see where you could go wrong with it, either as a shooter or as an investment. I think there is a Colt forum out there somwhere.  Again, going from a faulted memory......

[j_mcdade]

Thanks Buford,

I am aware of the relationship between Melvin Forbs of U.L.A. and Colt, as well as Melvin Forbs new company "New Ultra Light Arms".  By the way, I like your description of the rifle being as dependable as an "anvil", makes me feel a little better about purchasing one.  I will also follow up on your idea of Colt Forums.  Hopefully I can find more information on one of those forums as well as here.  Again, thanks.

Good Shooting,

Jim   
 

[j_mcdade]

Tried to search "Colt Forums", only 7 threads relating to the Colt Light Rifle.  Not much to go on, I will just have to wait until I have mine in my hands to do a thorough evaluation, and write up what I find!

Good Shooting,

Jim

[roper]

Hi all,

New Member here, first post.  I have purchased a new rifle for incliment weather hunting.  It is a Colt Light Rifle.  I have only read a couple of articles about this particular firearm and both were very complimentary of Mr. Forbs design, as produced by Colt.  As I do not believe everything I read, especially the articles in "Gun Rags", I have been searching the internet for everything that I can find on the Colt Light Rifle, unfortunately, there is very little information to be found.  I am aware that only about 6,000 of these rifles were built by Colt before production ceased.  I am also aware that there was a recall, I believe in 2001 of a number of these rifles due to a problem with the firing pin protruding from the bolt face and resting on the primer of a chambered round, unless the bolt was energetically lifted as it was cycled. 

I do not know if this rifle was subject to recall.  It is a .30-06, in N.I.B. condition, with a Redfield 3x9x40 "Fivestar" in Redfield rings & Bases.  I purchased it for $500, and am just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.  If the firearm has any problems I'm sure I can iron them out. 

Does anyone here own a Colt Light Rifle, or have any pertenant information with regard to these  rifles?  I would really appreciate any information you all might be able to share.  Thanks in advance.

Good Shooting,

Jim

     

The problem with the colt Light rifle was the trigger on some of the first run rifles but was fixed on later models.  I think you can call Forbes (304)292-0600 and they made have which serial # rifles were effected.  When Forbes sold out to colt he was getting around $2500. for a rifle then Colt comes out for less than 1K so you have to realize you are not getting a Forbes rifle.  Stock,barrel and trigger were changed I'm not sure who furnished the action as the Coilt rifle was only made in 4 calibers and I think Forbes had 3 or 4 different size action at that time. 

[j_mcdade]

Roper,

I had not heard about a trigger problem, only one involving the firing pin.  The rifle produced by Colt is clearly not a Forbes rifle, no problem with that, as long as it is a decent, functional rifle.  I believe you are correct as to there being only 4 calibers that were in production; .270 Win., 7mm Rem Mag., .30-06 Spr., and .300 Win Mag.  I appreciate the number for Forbes.  Once I recieve the rifle I will check the Serial No. with him, or the folks at Colt/Saco Defense and see what information I can get.  Thanks for the information.

Good Shooting,

Jim

[Slamfire]

In an article in the latest Rifle Magazine, the story of the Colt went like this. By the time the lawyers got done with the deal the two execs who started it were gone, and nobody there knew what a light rifle should be like. Melvin was using a space age aluminum to make the receiver as the lock up was the only place that needed to be strong. He copied the Remington 700 basics, but with a smaller diameter behind the receiver ring. Colt made the receiver out of steel, to save money, and the rifle is ill handling, not balanced right. When Colt gave it up as a bust, Melvin bought it back, hence the NEW Ultra Light Arms name. That's their story and I ain't stickin' to it. You owners can correct any mistakes you see here.

[crow_feather]

I have a Colt Light Rifle and have found it accurate, easy to carry, and light.  I put some of that foam fill stuff in my hollow buttstock which deadens the thunk when struck.  I have found the trigger the best hunting trigger I have shot.  People became scared of the rifle and wouldn't buy it.  Those that have bought it find that they have a pretty decent rifle even though it is basic and not the best made.

[j_mcdade]

Slamfire,

It was just a coincidence, but I purchased that latest issue of "Rifle" Magazine the day after I ordered the rifle.  Lots of good articles in that issue, including the article about the New Ultra Light Arms Co.  Thanks. 

crow_feather,

Good to hear from another shooter who has one of these rifles and likes it a lot.  Buford has one and stated it was as dependable as am "anvil"!  Awufully glad to hear the shining reviews.  Thanks.

Good Shooting,

Jim

[mpippen]

I was Google Searching the web about the Colt Light Rifle and saw your questions in this forum. I wanted to reply so I am now a new member here too.

I bought two Colt Light Rifles back in 2002 in .270 calibers. I gave one to my Dad. Mine turned out to be a lemon. Some times it would not fire. Maybe 3 out of 10 shots would be a misfire. One of the scope screw holes drilled in top of the receiver was so far off center I had to buy one of those Leupold scope bases that had left/right adjustment to correct that problem.

Any how, my Dad gave me his .270 for a cow elk hunt and I sent the lemon .270 back to Colt. It was repaired and has never missed a lick sense. I don’t know what they did to correct the problem. My Dad killed a black beer in Alaska with it this past summer. My cousin was his guide. My Dad gave the rifle to my cousin after he killed the beer. My cousin had his wife send the rifle back to Texas, where they reside in the winter, via USPS. She delegated the task to their son who forgot to insure the rifle. So now some body that works for the USPS has a very nice clean .270 Colt Light Rifle. If that person is reading this, please provide an address so my cousin can ship you the scope and rings that go with that rifle.

So one was a lemon and one was fine. Even the lemon turned out to be a cherry.

I still have mine (the one Dad gave me back) and consider it my #1 hunting rifle.

Mike

[j_mcdade]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.  Glad to hear that you are happy with your rifle.  I am hoping my rifle was built on a Tuesday Morning, when everyone at the factory was fresh.   I would hate to have to deal with off center mounting screw holes, that would suck.  I think I could deal with the failure to fire problem on my own.  What year did you send your rifle back to Colt, was that the same year you purchased it, 2002?  I wonder if they will still support this rifle even though it is no longer produced?  Sorry some P.O.S. ripped off your cousins rifle, I'm sure he will get his in the end.  Karma usually comes around!

Good Shooting,

Jim

[mpippen]

I sent it back the same year, I think. I know it was shortly after I bought it. I purchased it for a elk hunt around Oct 2002. That's why I ended up with my Dads rifle. He took the repaired rifle.

The postal worker who stole the lemon .270 did not get the scope or Leupold base. He won't be able to get it sighted in with out the base. 

Mike

[j_mcdade]

I appreciate all of your responses, I enjoyed reading them as well.  I should have my Colt Light Rifle in a couple of days and should be able to post with some first-hand knowledge.  Hopefully the gun will be O.K. right out of the box.  I will let you know as soon as I receive the rifle and put a few rounds down range. 

Good Shooting,

Jim

 

[j_mcdade]

It has been over a month since my last post re the Colt Light Rifle on November 5.  I finally picked up the rifle today!  It seems to be well made, fit and finish are better then expected.  It is a dull phosphate blue which has uniform coverage and color.  The bolt is a petite piece of material based on the twin lug design, the barrel is qute slender as well.  The action is clearly a scaled down copy of the Remington 700.  The barreled action fits the stock well and there is even space around the barrel where it is inletted.  The trigger is excellent out of the box. it is around 3 pounds and quite crisp.  The rings and bases are a one piece affair, machined from aluminum, and were included with the rifle from Colt.  A Redfield "Five Star" scope was included with the rifle.  It is not bad at all for a cheaper scope, it will probably be replaced by a Leupold Vari-X III at some point in the future.  I will get it out to the range in a few days and wring it out.  I am curious as to what kind of accuracy this rifle is capable of...

Good Shooting,

Jim

[crow_feather]

I think you will be suprised as to the accuracy with these rifles.  Remember to tell everyone how crappy the rifle is so the prices won't skyrocket and we can get more of them at a decent price.

C F

[.44splx2]

The Colt Light Rifles, I'm Looking for one in .308, were available in many short
and long actions. According to my buyers guide ('99) S-action:
.243, .7x57, .7mm-08, .308.
L-action: .25-06, .270, .280, 7mm Rem. Mag., .30-06, 300 Win. Mag.
Glad to hear these are decent rifles as I seem to gravitate towards
all things "Colt".

[j_mcdade]

Merry Christmas all...


crow_feather,

Right, Crappy!  This rifle does seem to be a well kept secret, why I will never know...

.44splx2,

I did not realize that the Colt Light Rifle was made in all of the calibers you listed.  All I have seen or read about were the calibers I listed; .270 Win, .20-06 Spr, and .300 Win Mag.  I would love one of these in .25-06!

Good Shooting,

Jim