The AWB started in Sep. 13, 1994 up to Sep. 12, 2004 so we shall call Colt AR that were made during that time are post ban, all that are made before the start of the ban up to 1964 are pre ban, I posted a link below of serial number reference of most Colt models pre ban and post ban (but not all - the list is not complete).
When the ban sunsetted on Sep. 13, 2004 we could just call those AR no ban.
There are some pre ban Colt models AR that are not desirable in my own opinion like the ones with protruding sear blocks on the lower receivers, they started doing that around 1990 up to about 1994, also most of those have the half moon bolt carrier where the lower rear of the carriers was all machined off.
Also less desirable are the large size 0.170" diameter hammer and trigger pins which started about 1989-1990 up to the mid 2009, before those since the start of the SP1 in 1964 and after mid 2009 the hammer and trigger pins are the small mil-spec size of 0.154", to me the small fire control group pins are more desirable because some aftermarket match triggers cost less than with the large pin sizes, also all other non Colt brands uses the standard small pins.
Most Match Target series AR are post ban that started on 1994 after the ban law was adopted, early ones had the lower receiver sear blocks but early in the ban era they changed it with an un-machined web above and in front of the selector of the lower receiver, until current production there is still the un-machined web which is mandated by the BATFE regulations.
After the ban expired in 2004 all the restricted law enforcement models with law enforcement restriction markings on the right side lower receivers mag well, flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, carbine collapsible buttstocks, and high capacity magazines and drum magazines were all legal to buy and own.
Any particular Colt model you're interested in, standard government profile barrel rifles, HBAR rifles, lightweight carbines, M4 carbines, or HBAR carbines?
Here's a link of Colt pre ban and post ban serial numbers.
Colt AR-15 Serial Number List
When the ban sunsetted on Sep. 13, 2004 we could just call those AR no ban.
There are some pre ban Colt models AR that are not desirable in my own opinion like the ones with protruding sear blocks on the lower receivers, they started doing that around 1990 up to about 1994, also most of those have the half moon bolt carrier where the lower rear of the carriers was all machined off.
Also less desirable are the large size 0.170" diameter hammer and trigger pins which started about 1989-1990 up to the mid 2009, before those since the start of the SP1 in 1964 and after mid 2009 the hammer and trigger pins are the small mil-spec size of 0.154", to me the small fire control group pins are more desirable because some aftermarket match triggers cost less than with the large pin sizes, also all other non Colt brands uses the standard small pins.
Most Match Target series AR are post ban that started on 1994 after the ban law was adopted, early ones had the lower receiver sear blocks but early in the ban era they changed it with an un-machined web above and in front of the selector of the lower receiver, until current production there is still the un-machined web which is mandated by the BATFE regulations.
After the ban expired in 2004 all the restricted law enforcement models with law enforcement restriction markings on the right side lower receivers mag well, flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, carbine collapsible buttstocks, and high capacity magazines and drum magazines were all legal to buy and own.
Any particular Colt model you're interested in, standard government profile barrel rifles, HBAR rifles, lightweight carbines, M4 carbines, or HBAR carbines?
Here's a link of Colt pre ban and post ban serial numbers.
Colt AR-15 Serial Number List
