Colt AR-15 A2 Government Carbine R6520 Pre-Ban 5.56 NATO, 16" Barrel, GC-Prefix, 1:7 Twist
This Colt AR-15 A2 Government Carbine (R6520) is a GC-prefix, pre-ban carbine from the late 1980s with hallmark A2 features and a lightweight 16" pencil barrel. It retains the correct A2 upper with case deflector and forward assist, and the barrel bears Colt's "C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7" marking. Updated furniture includes a later-pattern 6-position collapsible stock and aftermarket FAB Defense M33 ventilated carbine handguards, and a carry-handle rail adapter is installed. The lower is rollmarked ".223" while the barrel is stamped "5.56 NATO," a period-correct detail.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The firearm is in great shape with scratches and blemishes present. The bore is clean and shiny. The front pivot pin was replaced with an option that is not retained to the lower, and it is easily removable with very little resistance.
What’s Included
- Colt AR-15 A2 Government Carbine R6520 rifle
- 4x 30-round USGI-pattern aluminum magazines
- 1x 20-round USGI-pattern aluminum magazine
- Carry-handle accessory rail adapter (installed)
- Hogue finger-grooved pistol grip (not installed)
The R6520 Government Carbine pairs an A2 upper receiver with a lightweight 16" pencil-profile barrel, delivering the classic carbine handling associated with this late-1980s configuration. The upper features the A2 case deflector and forward assist, and the barrel is capped with an A2 flash suppressor and fitted with an A-frame front sight base.
Barrel markings read "C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7," indicating Colt’s magnetic particle testing and a 1:7 twist. The carbine retains pre-ban features including a bayonet lug and threaded muzzle, with a round handguard cap supporting the carbine-length handguards. The lower is rollmarked ".223" while the barrel is stamped "5.56 NATO."
This example has updated furniture: a later-pattern 6-position collapsible polymer stock and aftermarket FAB Defense M33 ventilated carbine handguards. It wears A2 fixed carry handle iron sights with an adjustable rear, and a carry-handle accessory rail adapter is installed should you wish to mount an accessory to the handle.
Built on a hard-anodized aluminum alloy receiver set and operating via a semi-automatic, direct-impingement system, this AR-15 platform carbine offers a 30+1 capacity. Its GC-prefix serial range identifies it as a true pre-ban Government Carbine produced in the late 1980s.