Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine | 5.56 NATO | Law Enforcement Trade-In

BTL Supply is pleased to offer these Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO. These are genuine law enforcement trade-ins -- duty issued and carried by working officers. Manufactured by Colt Defense in Hartford, Connecticut, these carbines represent one of the most sought-after AR-15 platforms ever produced and are an increasingly rare find in today's market.

Item Details

Manufacturer: Colt Defense, LLC -- Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Model: AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine
Serial Prefix: LBD (Colt Defense LE/Government Contract)
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Barrel: 16" -- Marked CMP 5.56 NATO 1/9 H BAR
Action: Semi-Automatic
Sights: A2-style front sight post
Stock: Standard M4 collapsible stock
Handguards: Standard plastic carbine handguards
Additional Features: Bayonet lug; flat-top upper receiver
Origin: Made in the USA

Background

Colt's history with the AR-15 platform stretches back to the early 1960s, when the company acquired Eugene Stoner's rifle design and began producing it for the U.S. military as the M16. For decades, Colt remained the primary supplier of M16 and M4-pattern rifles to the Armed Forces -- and that same manufacturing heritage carried directly into their law enforcement product line. The AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine is Colt Defense's purpose-built LE variant of the M4 platform, produced at their legendary Hartford, Connecticut facility under military-specification standards.

The "A3" designation refers to the flat-top upper receiver, which replaced the fixed carry handle found on earlier A1 and A2 configurations. This modernized upper accepts optics, red dots, and accessory rails, making the A3 a significantly more versatile carbine than its predecessors. The 16-inch barrel is chambered in 5.56 NATO with a 1-in-9 twist rate optimized for the full range of standard 55-77 grain loads, and the CMP barrel marking reflects Colt's military-specification production standards carried through to the LE market.

The LBD serial prefix identifies these as Colt Defense law enforcement and government contract rifles -- built to the same standards as military issue M4s and issued to sworn officers for duty carry. These are not range guns or safe queens. They were carried on patrol, transported in squad cars, and used in the field. As genuine Hartford-made Colt Defense carbines with documented LE provenance, they represent a piece of American firearms history that is becoming increasingly difficult to source in quantity.

Condition

Overall Condition: Fair
Bore Condition: Good -- rifling present and functional
Specific Notes: These are duty-issued law enforcement trade-ins. Condition varies from rifle to rifle and will show wear consistent with regular service carry and use -- handling marks, finish wear, and general service patina are to be expected. A thorough cleaning and inspection is strongly recommended prior to use. Stock photos used.

Hand-Pick Request

Would you like to select a specific rifle from our inventory? We are happy to accommodate hand-pick requests. Send us a message through our Contact Us page and we will do our best to set aside a specific gun for you.

What's Included

• Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine (rifle only)
• No magazine included