Much noise has been made over the past few years about the integration of a multi-caliber AR style platform to the US armed forces. The FN SCAR (in 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO) and the Bushmaster ACR (in 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC) have both been tossed around as multi-caliber replacements for the M4/M16 currently in use. Now Colt has introduced their solution with the CM901 Colt Modular Carbine and DefenseReview.com was lucky enough to get an exclusive look at this new rifle.
“Modular” and “multi-caliber” are actually understatements, since the CM901 is, hands, down, the most versatile battle rifle/assault rifle we’ve ever seen in both respects. The heart of this versatility lies in the combination of the patent-pending AR (AR-10/AR-15)-format “universal” multi-caliber lower receiver and conversion system and Colt Defense’s various AR operating systems and uppers, which allows the end-user to configure the gun in so many mission-specific ways, it’s almost mind-boggling. The CM901 provides a truly sumptuous feast of versatility with regard to configuration options.
1) The Colt CM901 Modular Carbine is a select-fire AR (AR-10/AR-15)-platform weapon, so it will immediately look, feel, handle, and shoot in a way that’s immediately familiar to all military end-users, including general infantry personnel. It also benefits from the AR platform’s now legendary ergonomics/usernomics.
2) The CM901 multi-caliber battle carbine can be configured in any/every caliber between 7.62×51mm NATO (7.62mm NATO)/.308 Win. and 5.56×45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO)/.223 Rem., including 6.8 SPC (6.8×43mm SPC) and 6.5 Grendel, depending on what U.S. military end-users require. To switch from 7.62mm to 5.56mm, just push out the two receiver pins, take the 7.62×51mm upper module off, slap the 5.56mm upper module on, push the two receiver pins back in, and you’re good to go.
3) The CM901 universal lower receiver will accept any/all legacy MILSPEC 5.56mm NATO AR rifle/carbine/SBR upper receivers already in the U.S. military inventory, including the, Colt M4/M4A1 Carbine 14.5″ AR carbine , M4 Commando 11.5″ AR SBR, MK18/CQBR (Close Quarters Battle Receiver) 10.3″ AR SBR, and M16A3/A4 20″ DGI rifle uppers. The CM901 lower will also accept the Colt LE6940 16″ monolithic upper and Colt LE6920 16″ M4/M4A1 Carbine-type uppers. Thus, 5.56mm barrel length is determined by whatever AR upper you want to use.
And later:
5) The CM901 sports fully ambidextrous controls a.k.a. “full ambi controls”, including ambidextrous safety/selector switch, bolt catch hold-open/release lever, and magazine release button.
6) The CM901 when configured for .308 Win utilizes the MagPul 20LR 7.62 magazine. The weapon will also accept the SR25/M100 7.62mm magazine. The weapon when configured for 5.56mm will accept all “MILSPEC” 5.56mm magazines.
These are just a few excerpts. For the full text and all the details about the Colt CM901, head on over to the Defense Review article located here.
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