RonJon

I have found it easy to replace the stock slide stop spring and pin using the following method: It is necessary to have the two halves of the slide enclosure apart (the part with the 5 screws & nuts). With the barrel removed, the slide stop spring and pin will have come out on their own (be careful not to let them fly away!). I use a good tweezer to place them into their hole on the half of the slide enclosure that has the slide stop installed with the solid plunger part facing toward where the barrel breech will be. Then (and here is the trick) carefully push the spring and plunger into the hole with the EDGE of a very small flat screwdriver (I like to use a clear plastic bag to catch the parts if they do slip!). Keep it flat near the bottom as you slide the barrel breech down over it leaving it there in its proper place then pull out the screwdriver when the barrel breech has it captured as you push the barrel breech all the way down. (Use the flat surface of your workbench to keep it aligned - it's not hard to do). This will keep the slide stop spring and pin in place as long as you do not move the barrel and its breech end again until you get the enclosure re-assembled with all of the other parts (ejector, & bolt). Hold the enclosure halves together with your hand while you replace the screws & nuts, all the while keeping the parts within (barrel, bolt, ejector, etc) contained. Once you get the screws and nuts back in and snugged up joining the two halves of the enclosure you are done! I know it's a lot of words (I do that do make sure I don't leave out any detail), but it's really pretty easy to do it this way successfully! Ron

TM, Thanks for the pointer to the trigger group dis-assembly - that takes care of half of what I asked you for! :thumb: I am looking forward to the slide (or 'bolt') dis-assembly/assembly presentation! I don't know if you are familiar with the Ruger Forum, but they have an expert fellow named IOWEGIAN there that is very famous for making instruction presentations like yours for Ruger guns (I have them downloaded for all the Ruger firearms that I own - and they are excellent). It looks like you are well on the way to earning that position on THIS forum! BTW, Have you or any other members of this forum seen this? http://www.semiautorifles.com/forums/f11/colt-m4-22lr-rifle-serious-breakage-update-w-pictures-1420.html I hope that is VERY rare on these rifles! It does give me something to worry about tho'! >:( Ron

Hey Techmike! Now that you have made a GREAT START with the PPT presentation on how to detail disassemble the upper, would you please consider making a couple more? One for disassembling the bolt (or slide) for cleaning and re-assembling it? And another for disassembling the Trigger (fire control) group for cleaning and re-assembling it? I know about the 'warranty void' issue (How would they know unless it was improperly re-assembled?) - But hang that policy - - I like to know my guns thoroughly, and be sure they are clean with no manufacturing garbage left inside! Ron

Well, to boil it down for you to the bottom line: I got the gun for "about" $335 after all the perks are figured in! (and a gun sock and double warranty to boot!) Ron :)

I just bought my Colt .22 LR M4 Ops rifle yesterday from Gander Mountain. I got a GREAT deal on it (in my opinion) - It was listed @ $699.99 at Gander Mt'n, but Cabela's in nearby Owatonna was running a sale on them for $499.99 and if you spent $500 or more they would 'activate' a card they sent me for a $150 cash card for my next visit there. But, being a good & regular customer at Gander, I went there first and told them I'd rather buy it from them if they would price match (I thought they might only go for the match, but never dreamed they'd give me the $150 cash card too). :) Well, the Cabela's one would have expired on JAN 2, 2011, but Gander gave me a NON-Expiring $150 Gander gift card; matched the $499.99 price, accepted a $10.00 'Gander Bucks' card I'd been saving and since I used my Gander Master Card, I'll get another $10.00 'Gander Bucks' card as well as $20.00 worth of points on my credit card purchase to use at Gander when my bill comes! Plus I get an extra year of warranty and a rifle sock to boot! My out the door price came to $506 (not figuring in the $150.00 gift card, points, 'Gander Bucks' card, and other goodies even!) I left there as a "happy camper" :) and was glad that I gave them the chance to sell to me first. I look forward to finding out a lot more about my new Colt M4 Ops on this forum and I thank the administrators for accepting my registration today! Ron :thumb: