Colt’s LE901 – A Bigger Hammer

What does one do if they want to add more weight, velocity, power or speed to something already existing?  Some would answer, “Build it bigger?”  In a way that is what Colt Defense did when they began building their LE901 carbine in .308 Winchester.  Colt built a bigger hammer when they launched their new platform to get into the .308 market.  For almost a decade Colt sat idly by watching other manufacturers jettison their iteration of an AR10 weapon into the hands of sportsmen, Law Enforcement and Military users.  But just this past summer the launch of their bigger hammer hit the market and now the company identified with the rampant pony now has a larger caliber black rifle to offer supporters.

Based off of a direct gas impingement (DGI) system, Colt is sending a 16” barreled carbine out of the factory doors that weighs in at just under ten pounds that has a completely modular one-piece upper receiver.  Along the lines of their AR15/M16 family the upper and lower receivers are made from 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum, the button rifled barrels are made from the same steel as their 5.56 little brothers and the bolt carrier, while it bears resemblance to the AR15/M16 family of weapons, is quite a bit stouter.  Ambidextrous controls are amuck here with safety/selector, bolt and magazine releases being accessible to the right or left handed shooter.

How does it shoot and handle?  The first three days I spent with the 901 saw almost 1,000 rounds of Black Hills ammunition sent down the tube.  In all, the carbine was easy to shoot with little felt recoil, multiple-targets were easily engaged without coming far off of your line of sight, and accuracy was rather impressive.  Scoring hits at 900 and 1,000 yards with a Leupold Mark 8 CQBSS told me that this set up has the ability to compete for some real estate as a weapon assigned to a team or unit.  One more plus to the 901 is that it uses Magpul twenty round magazines, nothing proprietary here that will eat at your wallet.

I need to get this out to a carbine course, as it has only been through a long range class.  Shooting it on the indoor range has impressed me to the point that I think I’m willing to subject my shoulder (and wallet) to a few thousand rounds over multi-day class where 5.56 guns are the norm.

This entry was posted in AR15/M4, Long Guns by Jason Davis. Bookmark the permalink.

About Jason Davis

Jason Davis is currently employed as a Sergeant with a municipal agency in Southern California. In addition to his daily duties Jason is the coordinator for the Force Training Unit and he is assigned as a sniper on his department’s SWAT Team. Having held many different positions within the department; police officer, School Resource Officer, Detective and Field Training Officer, Jason brings a wide array of knowledge to this site. In his off time he works for Colt Defense as an Armorer Instructor where he has taught throughout the United States and overseas.

4 thoughts on “Colt’s LE901 – A Bigger Hammer

  1. Good write up by Jason. THe 901 is a Full size Battle Carbine. It was not designed to be a DM/Counter sniper weapon. However like Jason states hits out to 1000 meters are being reported by a unit that is fielding this bang stick.

    Some folks are putting the Geisele SSA trigger in the lower. Just realize you have to use your existing trigger and hammer pins from the 901. The lower receiver is slightly wider.

    While at the factory having some work done on my 901 we found that the Magpul grip will not fit as the rear is also wide with the drain port over the pistol grip.

    Dr. Drake will have to work on that.

    I have the conversion block and it is an interesting mix. Full house lower with the 5.56 6945 upper is a nice combo.

    If you can get one, well worth the wait.

  2. Ive been studying this rifle, not interested in 223 conversion near as much as 308. Cant find one to physically hold so have to go off reports like your. Im hearing now it does not take standard mag pull mag but one made especially for the 901. Is this true. Also have been hearing reports of FTF, FTE did you try a brand new rifle or one that has been sent to several guys for report.

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