OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR: Colt® Advanced Law Enforcement Carbines LE6940™ LE6944™ LE6943™ LE6945CQB™ & LE6946CQB™ COPYRIGHT© 2010 COLT DEFENSE LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED “Information contained in this publication is free of "ITAR" restricted data" Read the instructions, warnings and cautions in this manual CAREFULLY BEFORE using this firearm.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU NOTICE Colt shall not be responsible for injury, death, or damage to property resulting from either intentional or accidental discharge of this firearm, or from its function when used for purposes or subjected to treatment for which it was not designed.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU About WARNINGS and CAUTIONS Throughout this Operator’s Manual, you will find WARNINGS and CAUTIONS in bold print. All WARNINGS and CAUTIONS must be read carefully and followed completely. WARNINGS discuss issues that could result in damage to your firearm, or serious injury or death to you or a bystander. CAUTIONS discuss issues that could result in damage or malfunction of your firearm or cause injury.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU WARNING: KEEP CLEAR AND KEEP OTHERS CLEAR OF THE EJECTION PORT. Spent cartridges are ejected with enough force to cause injury, and the ejection port must be unobstructed by your hand to insure safe ejection. Never place fingers in ejection port; they could be burned by hot metal or injured by the bolt moving forward. WARNING: NEVER DRY FIRE YOUR FIREARM WHEN THE RECEIVERS ARE OPEN as the level of safety could be reduced.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE NO.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ILLUSTRATION OF FIREARM COLT ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT CARBINES LEFT SIDE VIEW (LE6940™) LEFT SIDE VIEW (LE6944™) LEFT SIDE VIEW (LE6943™) LEFT SIDE VIEW (LE6945CQB™ & LE6946CQB™) -6-
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU DESCRIPTION: This operator’s manual describes the Colt Advanced Law Enforcement Carbines and includes information on their features. The Colt Advanced Law Enforcement Carbines are lightweight, gas operated, magazine fed, 5.56 x 45mm caliber carbines. They are based on the M16/M4 series of rifles and incorporate the same safety features as those firearms.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU CHARACTERISTICS OF FIREARM (Cont.) LE6940 Specifications: Length: 35.5 inches extended 32.0 inches retracted Barrel Length: 16.1 inches (rifling 1 in 7 twist) Weight: 6.85 lbs (unloaded) LE6944 Specifications: Length: 34.0 inches extended 30.5 inches retracted Barrel Length: 14.5 inches (rifling 1 in 7 twist) Weight: 6.60 lbs (unloaded) LE6943 Specifications: Length: 31.0 inches extended 27.5 inches retracted Barrel Length: 11.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU CHARACTERISTICS OF FIREARM (Cont.) AMMUNITION: 5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge & .223 Rem. The Colt Advanced Law Enforcement Carbines are chambered with a longer throat to accommodate the 5.56x45mm NATO military M193, M855, SS109, and MK262 ammunitions. As a result, these Carbines also can safely use .223 Remington sporting cartridges having a lower chamber pressure. WARNING: NEVER USE AMMUNITION NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR USE IN YOUR FIREARM.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIRING CHARACTERISTICS: Cyclic Rate of Fire: 700-900 rounds per minute (this is the theoretical number of cartridges which could be fired automatically in one minute). Maximum Effective Rate Of Fire: Semi-Automatic 45-65 Rounds Per Minute Fully-Automatic 150-200 Rounds Per Minute Sustained Rate Of Fire 12-15 Rounds Per Minute (Sustained Rate Of Fire- The actual rate of fire that the firearm can fire for an indefinite length of time without serious overheating of the barrel.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATING FEATURES: NAME OF COMPONENT AND DESCRIPTION OF ITS FUNCTION (numbers in parentheses correspond with diagrams on pages 13 & 14): Charging Handle (1): Retracts bolt carrier. Sights (2,4): Used to align firearm with target. Rear sight (2) is fully adjustable. The front sight is adjusted only on zeroing. Both sights may be folded down when not in use. The front sight (4) is Colt’s proprietary folding design containing an adjustable front sight post.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATING FEATURES (Cont.) Forward Assist Assembly (9): Provides a means of pushing bolt carrier forward if the bolt fails to close and lock. Note: When you need to use the forward assist, it is usually time to clean your firearm or a sign of a defective cartridge. Always check the ammunition for damage before using the forward assist. WARNING: FORCING DAMAGED AMMUNITION INTO THE CHAMBER COULD DAMAGE YOUR FIREARM AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATING FEATURES (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATING FEATURES (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MAINTENANCE: Maintenance instructions tell the operator how to field strip, clean, lubricate, assemble and do a functional check on the firearm. Like any other precision mechanism, your firearm will perform better, last longer, and remain safer when it is properly maintained. Follow the instruction in this section to keep your firearm in good condition. A table at the end of this section deals with malfunctions and troubleshooting. Tools Required: Cleaning kit.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIELD STRIPPING (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIELD STRIPPING (Cont.) 19 18 20 21 33 26 17 16 14 7. BOLT AND BOLT CARRIER A. Push out firing pin retaining pin (17). B. Drop firing pin (16), out of the bolt carrier. C. Rotate bolt (21) until cam pin (18) is clear of bolt carrier key (26). Rotate cam pin (18) ¼ turn and remove cam pin. D. Pull bolt (21) from bolt carrier (14). E. Hold the extractor (20) down to control the spring tension, carefully push out extractor pin (19) and remove extractor (20).
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIELD STRIPPING (Cont.) 9. 10. 11. With hammer (22) in cocked position, push buffer assembly (23) rearward to control the spring tension. Press buffer retainer (25) down. Slowly ease buffer forward until clear of retainer. Continue to hold buffer against spring tension, press hammer (22) down just enough to clear buffer and remove buffer assembly (23) and action spring (24) from the receiver extension tube (31). Removal of Lower Rail (Optional- not necessary for routine cleaning) A.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIELD STRIPPING (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIELD STRIPPING (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU CLEANING MATERIALS: Cleaning should be performed according to instructions in this manual, using Break-Free® CLP or equivalent cleaner. Use the cleaning kit that has been provided or cleaning equipment designed to clean M4 or M16 firearms. The cleaning kit should contain, a good quality gun oil, cleaning rods, bore patches, small brush, a bore brush, and a chamber brush at a minimum.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU CLEANING PROCEDURE (Cont.) 1. Use brush to clean the bolt (21). Also clean the following parts: Rear and face of bolt lugs (21a & 21b) Locking lugs (21c) Face of extractor (20) Firing Pin (16) Note: Do not attempt to remove heat discoloration from bolt carrier. 2. Install patch on patch holder and wet with bore cleaner. Clean bolt carrier (14) inside and out. 3. Use clean cloth to wipe bolt (21) and bolt carrier (14) clean and dry. 4.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU CLEANING PROCEDURE (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU LUBRICATION: Lubrication should be performed according to instructions in this manual, using Break-Free® CLP or equivalent lubricant. 1. Run a lightly oiled patch through the bore. Be sure the chamber (15) remains dry. 2. Wipe one drop of oil on each bolt carrier (14) track. 3. Lightly lubricate inside the upper receiver (29), outer surfaces of the barrel (70) and front sight (4). 4. One drop of lubricant on front sight detent. 5.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU LUBRICATION (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY: BOLT CARRIER WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIRE THE CARBINE WITHOUT THE CAM PIN INSTALLED IN THE BOLT GROUP. DOING SO COULD RUPTURE THE CARTRIDGE INSIDE THE CHAMBER, RELEASING HIGH PRESSURED GAS TOWARDS THE SHOOTER, CAUSING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. 1. To assemble bolt (21), first look at the underside of the extractor (20) and ensure rubber insert (20a) and extractor spring (20b) are in place. They should NOT have been removed from the extractor. 2.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.) 10. Place charging handle (1) in upper receiver (29). Push charging handle forward until three inches from full forward position. 11. Pull the bolt (21) out into the unlocked position (extended). Place the carrier assembly (3) with the carrier key (26) in slot of charging handle (1). Push forward on bolt carrier assembly (3) and charging handle (1) until the bolt fully closes and locks (carrier should be flush with the back of the upper receiver).
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.) LOWER RECEIVER 12. Insert buffer assembly (23) into action spring (24) until the spring snaps onto the collar of the buffer and slide them into lower receiver (32) and receiver extension tube (31). Push buffer inward until buffer retainer (25) snaps up to hold buffer assembly (23) in place. 13. Pull buttstock lever (30) down and slide buttstock assembly (12) onto receiver extension tube (31). UPPER & LOWER RECEIVERS 14.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.) REVERSIBLE SELECTOR LEVER- “SEMI-AUTO” Models Only The selector lever is reversible, for either left or right hand use. As shipped from the factory, the selector lever is installed on the left side of the carbine (when viewed from the rear). The following procedure describes how to disassemble and reinstall the selector lever to the right side of the carbine. WARNING: ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE DISASSEMBLING.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU ASSEMBLY (Cont.) REVERSIBLE SELECTOR LEVER (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FUNCTIONAL CHECKS WARNING: ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE PERFORMING FUNCTIONAL CHECKS AND ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. The functional checks should always be done after cleaning and assembling the firearm.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FUNCTIONAL CHECKS (Cont.) Checking Selector (AUTO) 10. Rotate selector lever (11) to “AUTO”. 11. Pull and hold trigger (36). You should hear a loud click as hammer (22) falls. 12. Pull charging handle (1) to rear and release it while keeping trigger (36) pulled. 13. Release trigger (36), no click should be heard. 14. Pull trigger (36), no click should be heard. 15. Pull and release charging handle (1) while keeping trigger (36) pulled. 16.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FUNCTIONAL CHECKS (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FUNCTIONAL CHECKS (Cont.) Checking Magazine Catch and Bolt Catch 17. Install an empty magazine and check that it is locked in place by the magazine catch (8). 18. With empty magazine installed, rotate fire control selector (11) to “FIRE” or “SEMI”. 19. Pull charging handle (1) fully back and then push it forward into locked position. Bolt carrier assembly (3) should be held to the rear by the bolt catch (10). 20. KEEP FINGERS CLEAR OF EJECTION PORT.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING MALFUNCTION PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION Failure to fire. 1. Selector lever on SAFE. Rotate selector to “SEMI”, or “AUTO” Replace. 2. Damaged firing pin. Failure to unlock (bolt seizes – will not rotate from locked position). “FIRE”, 3. Improper assembly of firing pin in bolt carrier group. Remove firing pin and install correctly. Inspect retaining pin for damage. 4.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING (Cont.) Failure to extract. Failure to eject. 1. Dirty or corroded Ammunition. Remove ammunition from magazine and clean both. 2. Carbon and dirt build-up in chamber. Clean chamber. 3. Carbon and dirt build-up in extractor recess or extractor lip. Disassemble and clean. 4. Defective extractor, extractor spring or pin. Replace. 5. Rubber insert not assembled in extractor spring. Replace. 6. Due to badly pitted chamber.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING (Cont.) Failure to remain cocked. Failure to feed. 1. Worn, broken, or missing parts in fire control mechanism. Take or send the firearm to Colt for Service. 2. Hammer pin incorrectly installed. Remove and install correctly. 1. Magazine not seated properly. Magazine catch may not be properly adjusted. Take or send the firearm to Colt for adjustment. 2. Dirty or corroded ammunition. Remove ammunition from magazine and clean both. 3.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING (Cont.) Double feed. 1. Defective magazine. Replace magazine. Failure to chamber. 1. Dirty or corroded ammunition. Remove ammunition from magazine and clean both. 2. Restricted movement of bolt carrier group. Disassemble and thoroughly clean and lubricate the firearm. Remove charging handle from upper receiver, point receiver upward, and install bolt carrier group in receiver.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING (Cont.) Failure to lock. Short recoil. 1. Dirt, corrosion and carbon buildup on bolt or barrel locking lugs. Clean. 2. Jammed extractor. Clean and lubricate. 3. Dirt on bolt face. Clean. 4. Jammed ejector. Take or send the firearm to Colt for service. 5. Restricted buffer movement. Remove and clean and lubricate buffer, action spring and inside receiver extension. 6. Damaged ammunition. Replace. 7. Weak or broken action spring. Replace.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MALFUNCTION AND TROUBLESHOOTING (Cont.) Bolt fails to lock to rear after 1. Dirty or corroded bolt catch. last shot fired. Clean and lubricate. If further disassembly is necessary. Take or send the firearm to Colt for service. 2. Faulty magazine. Replace. Fires with selector set on “SAFE”. 1. Worn, broken or missing parts in fire control mechanism. Take or send the firearm to Colt for service. With selector on “FIRE”, fires when trigger is released. 1.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MAGAZINE Standard M4/M16 Aluminum Magazines The Colt Advanced Law Enforcement Carbines are fully compatible with standard issue M4/M16 magazines. 1. Pry upward on the rear of the magazine floorplate (39) and slide the floorplate off the rear of the magazine body (7). WARNING: Spring is under pressure and failure to exercise caution could result in serious injury. 2. Remove magazine spring (40) and follower (41).
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU MAGAZINE (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION FOLDING SIGHTS 68 69 2 69 4 66 66 67 Backup Iron Sight (BUIS) Adjustable for windage and elevation Front Sight- Adjustable for elevation only 1. Rear sight (2) is adjustable for windage (66) and elevation (67). The sight is calibrated to make effective use of M855 ball ammunition. 2. The windage knob (66) is adjustable such that each click moves point of impact horizontally on the target.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FOLDING SIGHTS (Cont.) 6. Aim at the center of the target. Adjust your shot group with the front sight post (68) and rear sight windage knob (66) to hit the white dot in the center of the target. Turn the windage knob counterclockwise in order to move the shot group to the left. Turn clockwise to move the group to the right. When your group is centered, your firearm is zeroed for 300 meters. 7.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) LOADING 1. Place cartridge (61) in magazine (7) and press down. 2. Repeat step 1 until magazine is loaded with required number of cartridges. CAUTION: DO NOT LOAD MORE CARTRIDGES THAN DESIGNATED INTO THE MAGAZINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE MAGAZINE FEED LIPS AND CAUSE THE FIREARM TO MALFUNCTION. 3. Pull charging handle (1) to rear. Push in lower portion of bolt catch (10). Push charging handle forward to latched position.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) AIMING AND FIRING WARNING: KEEP FIREARM POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND LOAD A CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER. DO NOT TOUCH TRIGGER AND KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM EJECTION PORT WHILE LOADING (See steps 1, 2, 3, but if cartridge is already in chamber, skip to step 4). IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. 1. Pull charging handle (1) to rear.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) AIMING AND FIRING 9. Release trigger (36) and rotate fire control selector lever (11) to “SAFE”. WARNING: IF YOR FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, HOLD IT, KEEP IT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND REFER TO THE MISFIRE SECTION ON PAGE 54. IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) UNLOADING WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP MUZZLE POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION. IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. WARNING: ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARM IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE AND PRIOR TO CLEANING AND STORAGE TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU UNLOADING (Cont.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) STOPPAGE and IMMEDIATE ACTIONS WARNING: ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. WARNING: NEVER USE YOUR FIREARM IF IT FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND NEVER FORCE A JAMMED ACTION, AS A ROUND MAY EXPLODE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, POSSIBLE DEATH, OR SEVERE DAMAGE TO YOUR FIREARM.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU OPERATION (Cont.) DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WARNING: A COOK-OFF CAN OCCUR ANY TIME AFTER CHAMBERING A CARTRIDGE IN A VERY HOT BARREL, SO ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU DANGEROUS SITUATIONS (Cont.) Cook-Off (Cont.) Immediate Action – To prevent damage or injury from a cook-off when barrel becomes very hot complete the following actions immediately. 1. Remove magazine (7). 2. Pull charging handle (1) fully rearward. If chamber (15) is empty, lock action open by pressing in bottom of bolt catch (10). If cartridge remains in chamber, skip step 3. 3. Allow barrel to cool for 15 minutes. 4.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU DANGEROUS SITUATIONS (Cont.) Bore Obstructions WARNING: SNOW, MUD, SAND OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE BARREL BORE BEFORE FIRING. If you attempt to fire with an obstruction in the barrel, it may BULGE or BURST THE BARREL AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. 1. To remove water from the barrel (70), hold the carbine muzzle down, pull the charging handle (1) to the rear about one half (.500) inch, (1.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU STORAGE CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE STORING AND STORE AMMUNITION SEPARATELY Store your firearm and ammunition securely locked in separate locations out of reach and sight of children and untrained persons, to minimize the risk that the firearm will be used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: Various Federal and State laws and local ordinances may govern the proper storage of firearms, so take the advice of a Dealer in you state on how to store your firearm.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU SERVICING AND REPAIR Should your firearm require adjustment or repair, make sure it is NOT LOADED and send it to CDLLC, attention Product Service, 2 Talcott Rd., West Hartford, CT 06110. It is recommended that you contact Product Service at 1-800-962COLT before shipping any firearm.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU NOTES - 59 -
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU If your instruction manual becomes lost or destroyed, obtain a replacement by writing to Colt Defense LLC, P.O. Box 118, Hartford, Connecticut 06141-0118, USA or call 1-800-241-2485. When requesting a manual, include the information which is on the left side of your firearm together with its serial number or quote the part number as shown on the back of this manual. COLT, COLT (stylized “C”), and the RAMPANT COLT (design) are the exclusive property of New Colt Holding Corp.
SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU FIVE BASIC SAFETY RULES: 1. ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. 2. KEEP FIRE CONTROL SELECTOR ON “SAFE” UNTIL READY TO FIRE. 3. UNLOAD WHEN NOT IN USE. 4. ALWAYS ENSURE A GUN IS NOT LOADED BEFORE CLEANING, DISMANTLING OR STORING. 5. PRACTICE HANDLING AN EMPTY GUN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO FIRE. WARNING: IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, GET HELP FROM SOMEONE QUALIFIED IN THE SAFE HANDLING OF FIREARMS. IF NECESSARY, CONTACT COLT DEFENSE LLC AT: Customer Service P. O.