Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model R6550CC Z-Cote 5.56 NATO Pre-Ban, 20 inch HBAR, Limited Production (~250), 1988 Shipment
This Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model (R6550CC) stands out for its factory Z-Cote woodland/tiger-stripe camouflage finish, the correct factory-applied "Z" on the magazine well, and documented pre-ban provenance. A Colt Archive Letter confirms shipment on June 30, 1988 to RSR Wholesale Guns Inc. in Rochester, NY. It is believed Colt produced approximately 250 of these Z-Cote rifles, making this a scarce, collectible Government Model with verified factory finish and features.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The Z-Cote camouflage shows a few minor scratches, but the paint remains in great shape overall. Light handling wear is present, with a few surface scratches on the metal. The finish retains strong coverage with minimal loss.
What’s Included
- Colt Archive Letter (for this rifle)
- Two 20-round USGI-pattern straight-body aluminum magazines
This factory Z-Cote Government Model is a limited-production variant of the AR-15A2 platform, believed to total approximately 250 rifles. The front of the magazine well bears the correct "Z" identifier verifying the Z-Cote program finish. This example is further supported by a Colt Archive Letter confirming its June 30, 1988 shipment to RSR Wholesale Guns Inc.
It features a 20-inch chrome-lined HBAR barrel marked "C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7," with an A2 birdcage flash hider and a bayonet lug. The barrel uses a rifle-length gas system and a 1:7 twist suited for the A2-era configuration.
The rifle pairs an A2 upper—integral carry handle, case deflector, forward assist, and ejection-port cover—with a slabside lower receiver (no magazine-release fence). The furniture is the correct A2 composition-nylon set in Z-Cote camouflage: 2-piece ribbed handguards, A2 checkered pistol grip, and a fixed A2 stock with a trap butt plate. Length of pull measures 13.5 inches.
Controls and features follow the Government Model pattern with a manual safety selector and AR-15 direct-impingement, rotating-bolt operation. The iron sights are A2 pattern, with a protected front sight post and an adjustable rear aperture in the carry handle. The rifle is a GS-prefix Government Model variant associated with Colt’s factory Z-Cote program.
This pre-1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban rifle ships with two 20-round magazines, aligning with the documented 1988 shipment date. The Archive Letter also notes a group shipment of ten like rifles and specifies the camouflage-finished composition-nylon furniture, adding clear provenance to this limited-production Z-Cote example. It is believed Colt only produced approximately 250 of these AR-15A2 Government Model (R6550CC) rifles in 1988 fully finished in Z-Cote woodland tiger stripe camouflage.