Colt HBAR 1990's Sear Block Problem Solved!

The rifle is still semi-automatic and nothing illegal was performed. The sear blocks were installed by Colt back in the 1990's. There was no law at the time or present time that required them. Colt was the only manufacturer that did this crap! I think it's worth repeating! Colt was the only manufacturer doing this! I now have a nice trigger!

[@NoName-dn8nv]

Everytime a searblock gets removed, an angel gets its wings

[@peteregger7928]

Ha! Ha! Thanks for that one!

[@tomstone6247]

You crack me up Pete , Rock , Paper , Scissors , gotta love it .

[@peteregger7928]

It's hard to convey my style of humor from the keyboard. A lot of viewers miss the innuendo and sarcasm but I'm rarely serious. In one of my videos I mentioned that I watch "The View" and had my DVR set to record all episodes so I wasn't worried about missing one! A viewer came back with "I can't believe you watch that garbage! Unsubscribed!" He was serious Lol! His subscription was set to public so I could see that he had left! Lol!

[@tomstone6247]

@@peteregger7928 , people these days have no idea what humor is , as I'm watching your videos , I'm building myself a 16" pencil barrel upper , old school , a2 post , triangle hand guards and all . fixing to install hand guards and BCG now .

[@peteregger7928]

@@tomstone6247 Waiting for Palmetto State Armory and Harrington and Richardson to start offering a complete retro line-up. I saw a Shot Show video where they have the forging dies for the A2 upper. Most of their A1 stuff is always out of stock! I've always liked the triangle hand guards. That's what I saw growing up!

[@tomstone6247]

@@peteregger7928 H&R has it on the Palmetto sight , 14.7" pencil barrel complete , no upper , no hand guards , OUT OF STOCK , i clicked on the notify me button , I'm impatiently waiting for return to stock .

[@jaymesmustaine684]

I got the joke but I too am a sarcastic person 😁 younger generation has zero humor skills

[@garyK.45ACP]

Interesting. I have a sear block Colt's Sporter Match HBAR that I bought in the early 90s. I haven't changed anything on it and it was fine for Service Rifle competition for many, many years. (age and arthritis took me out of that game, not the rifle) I never messed with the sear block and the rifle is original. I did, however, add other ARs to my collection. I am currently working on an M16A2 clone build to be what the Colt always wanted to be. It will even have a bayonet lug! Your videos have been very helpful. Colt's really messed up their rifles, IMO. They tried to appease "The Man" and all they did was mess up their product and open doors for competitors. 🤷‍♂

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks! I just replaced the trigger on my large pin, sear block Sporter HBAR using a Geiselle large pin that required no modifications and it worked just fine with the sear block. Nothing really wrong with the Sporter other than the usual MilSpec trigger pull. Prior to removing the sear block in this video for the Match Target I was told by Geiselle after two separate phone calls that the sear block would have to be removed. This was incorrect, bad information given by two different Geiselle employees. The original trigger on the Match Target in this video was toast! I don't know why it had worn out so quickly and got so bad as the rifle has a low round count. Thinking metallurgy or a heat treat problem? Had I known at the time I would have just replaced the trigger. Silver lining is now that the sear block is out I can run whatever type of BCG I would like!

[@ar-15techtipsinunder5minut8]

Most enjoyable video I have watched on u tube in a good while!

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks! Once I committed to getting the sear block out it really wasn't bad at all!

[@HaventHeard307]

Ha, whilst viewing this video I was wondering how Mr. Tech Tips would have approached this issue. Good job.

[@ar-15techtipsinunder5minut8]

@@HaventHeard307 I would have left it as it was from the Colt factory, but thats just me.

[@peteregger7928]

@@HaventHeard307 Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a piece of chalk and cut with a chain saw! Lol! The face of the original trigger had a nice wear spot with a raised edge near where it engaged with the sear on the hammer. I smoothed it out but wasn't all that happy with it. Reason I needed a new trigger. The original trigger is also a unique design and works with the sear block. Standard Mil-spec triggers will not work with a sear block. Those triggers are no longer available so I felt like I didn't have much choice. Thanks for watching!

[@brantmcfarland517]

Much better. Good job man. Thanks for sharing

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks Brant! Was trying a few things out in the garage and a #10 machine screw button head is a loose fit in the blind pin hole and won't sit flush but it does clear the safety lever. If I can't come up with an idea for a flush fit this is probably what I'll end up doing. I think a black oxide or blued screw won't even be noticed by most people unless I pointed it out.

[@balinwire1656]

I was reading in certain states that don’t allow ARS. This particular AR version is legal due to the fact that it’s impossible to change it. It may have more value as original to go through those states that don’t allow a regular AR.

[@peteregger7928]

Never heard that before? Bushmaster, Armalite, Olympic, Hesse, to name a few were all selling AR's in California back in the early 90's without any type sear block and never did incorporate any feature similar to what Colt did. It was never a legal requirement in any state and only Colt was doing this. I don't know where you read this but I'm sure it's disinformation. Although someone somewhere might be looking for a sear block lower they are generally not sought after and are more than likely worth much less then say an original Bushmaster of the same era. The upper separately may retain some value but Colt experts will recognize the shaved off bayonet mount and the shaved sear block BCG carrier and un-shrouded firing pin area. I also have an "89" Colt Sporter HBAR large trigger pin that is completely original and it still retains the sear block and shall remain completely original. The Sporter now has a spare sear block BCG that came out of this Match Target rifle in this video so there is a silver lining.

[@FreedomsLife1776]

This is one of the STUPIDEST things Colt ever did. Was never required by law. Good on you taking that out of there.

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks! I've had some other commenters not to happy about it! Lol!

[@FreedomsLife1776]

@@peteregger7928 yea some people still think nothing should be modified. But what you did makes this rifle substantially more useful. If you haven’t filled those holes yet: I’d recommend a little silicon to fill the holes with tape on both sides to make it flush. Then you can paint it and it’ll look near perfect.

[@peteregger7928]

@@FreedomsLife1776 I ended up using some flat head screws that fit the tapered holes very well and from the outside looks decent. There's another video or two where I show it. I have since also refined and cleaned up the hardware on the inside to where it doesn't look bad either. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@FreedomsLife1776]

@@peteregger7928 nice work man.

[@peteregger7928]

@@FreedomsLife1776 Thanks again!

[@JR15A2]

I remember how no one wanted these back in the day due to Colt's dumbassery in this regard. I still shake my head every time I see one of those dicked up lowers. I have an old green label Delta HBAR that I bought in 1986 before they started doing that to them. I could install a registered DIAS in that one if I was lucky enough to have one. I also bought a couple of LE6920s between 2010 and 2012 after they went back to the proper trigger pin sizes. They were still thinking in the same direction, but they just didn't finish machining the rear of the pocket in that area, which I reckon isn't as bad as I was still able to install aftermarket triggers in them. A registered DIAS wouldn't fit in them, though. It's no wonder they went bankrupt more than once with the incompetent idiots they had running the company for so many years.

[@peteregger7928]

I didn't know any better at the time and generally no one talked about it... especially the FFL's. I was active duty Navy at the time and we were still using the M-14 and 1911's when I bought this abomination of an AR! I still like it for some reason? Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@JR15A2]

@@peteregger7928 Yes, I also remember how the people selling them tried to gloss over those unsavory details. At the end of the day, it's still a fine rifle if you can look past those unfortunate modifications. You did a great job of undoing the dickery. In fact, I think it's probably the first time I've ever seen it done. Thank you for your service.

[@peteregger7928]

@@JR15A2 The original trigger was exhibiting some signs of wear. I thought, "well, I can park it or remove the sear block to install a drop in!" I decided that I would really take my time and it went much better than I expected! 21 years and some change in the United States Navy! Don't know how I pulled that one off! Lol! Thanks again!

[@jimrodriguez8047]

Interesting to see how Colt put that sear block together. Interested to know what you ended up doing with the pins to close up the holes in the receiver

[@peteregger7928]

I did another video showing how I plugged the holes and then after that video cleaned up the inside hardware with some lower profile hardware which I blackened. Didn't make a third video to show the end result but I think it turned out decent. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffshannon4096]

I just installed a Geissele SSA-E trigger which goes right in without modification. However it's a $300.00 trigger

[@peteregger7928]

I had actually looked at them and was told by email that they could not be installed with the sear block? Pictures at their site still show the disconnector area of their large pin triggers and they are all shown with both tabs on the trigger disconnector area. The Colt large pin sear block trigger has one side of the disconnector tab removed because a MilSpec with both tabs will not slide in next to the sear block and receiver. Was this some kind of special order that they offer? This was not available when I went through all the trouble to remove my sear block?

[@jeffshannon4096]

@@peteregger7928 there were 3 large pin triggers available at that time . According to their site those 3 could be installed without the block removal. I chose the SSA -E. I had ZERO problems installing. I'd be happy to snap a pic of it installed.

[@jeffshannon4096]

Was about 5 years ago

[@peteregger7928]

@@jeffshannon4096 Just got off the phone with Jay at Geissele and was told that their large pin triggers cannot be installed with the sear block installed. I also asked him if there was a time when they could be and he didn't know. I called not dispute your claim but I have another Colt A2 sear block lower and I would have gladly spent the $300 to avoid having to remove the sear block. As for what they offer now the sear block has to be removed to install a Geissele Colt large pin trigger. Geissele 610-272-2060.

[@timbrown5720]

Drill small hole in center of one pin. Use punch to drive out other. Then drive out the remaining pin with a larger punch. Save the block. Tap the receiver and smooth the lock-tite'd filler bolts flush inside and out. Make it look like it never happened. Cause it was a sin to put that there. Proper material for filler bolts will take same finish as gun.

[@peteregger7928]

That might work but the blind rivets were a very hard material. I'm thinking probably around Rockwell 60. At one time there were a few FFL's around the country that had the right equipment but they have long ago quit offering the service. Most of them still left it with the holes exposed in the receiver where the blind pins were installed and only milled out the sear block. I have changed out the hardware since these videos and made things much more aesthetic. I also have an A2 HBAR purchased around the same timeframe that I will be leaving completely original. Didn't have much choice about this Match Target if I still wanted to shoot it as the original trigger was fried! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Great Job Pete You Defeated The Colt Geniuses That Put That Pesky Sear Block In There 😊😀 We’re There’s a Will There’s a Way 😎👍🏼

[@peteregger7928]

A stopped clock is right twice a day! Lol! It was easier than I thought it would be!

[@chrischiampo7647]

@@peteregger7928 I Was Thinking You Could Drill a Hole In The Center Of The Pin 1/2’s And Thread It And Cut Off a Grade 8 cap Screw And Thread It Together Like Allthread With Blue Loctite the Taper Of The Pin 1/2’s Will Fill In The Receiver Holes 👍🏼

[@peteregger7928]

@@chrischiampo7647 I was thinking something similar. Also thought about a press fit coupling simulating the sear block. Would use some sleeve adhesive. That stuff with about a .002" press fit is never coming apart. I think your idea would be better if I ever had to take them out again though!

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Well that was modification that worked well. Great job.

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks Hybrid! Now I can install whatever trigger I want so long as it's 90's large pin. I have always been frustrated by what Colt was doing back then... but no more! Lol!

[@lovebutter2014]

I’ve got a velocity trigger to love them gonna get another

[@peteregger7928]

Maybe not "the best" but for the money they're hard to beat! Their military discount is 20-25% active or retired. Same for LEO's and other first responders. Thanks for watching!

[@christinepearson5788]

Very interesting, haven't seen a factory bubba'ed reciver in a while. Was wishing for a bonus of how you plugged the holes, trimmed and JB welded the pins back?

[@peteregger7928]

I have another video or two showing what I did to plug the holes! Didn't turn out half bad! Thanks for watching!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Rock Paper Scissors 😂😂😂 Lol Pete 😊

[@peteregger7928]

Ha! Ha!

[@stooster3456]

Just installed Geisselle SSA in a 1992 Colt Competition. Left the sear block in…Fine!

[@peteregger7928]

I looked at his but if I remember right the only option was "2 Stage". If you don't mind those then that's a great option not having to remove the sear block!

[@ung427]

You can use a tap to thread those two little pins, and then thread a bolt body between them, screwing them together and holding them in place, covering those holes... or maybe there's a more simple solution.

[@peteregger7928]

I did a later video using some tapered flat head socket screws where from the outside doesn't look too bad and was flush with the receiver. Changed some of the internal hardware and then cold blued everything. Black oxide on the external screw heads to remove any shine. It ended up matching the trigger pins, selector and take down pin finish perfectly!

[@majorlee76251]

I took care of it this way, I bought a new preban bushmaster a2, paid too much, and put my colt up for consignment, so I do not have to potentially deal with this problem.😅😅😂

[@peteregger7928]

Just now put up a new video! Geissele has a solution after all! If you just want to replace the trigger with the sear block still installed! Two phone calls to them and two different representatives gave me bad information on the phone! Removing the sear block allows me to run whatever BCG I choose so there's a silver lining! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5y7qZ93l6-GeqM

[@billz4795]

i have one and decided NOT to chop up the orignal. instead installed a geissele ssa two stage trigger with the proper pin sizes, it works great and i have an orignal untouched classic. I see below that some have installed a Jewell large pin two stage AND kept the lower original - nice, and the Jewell is adjustable - but looks like they are out of business? Any other options from the Giessele two stage $$$.

[@peteregger7928]

I have an older A2 Sporter that is also a large pin sear block that is still all original. The only thing that got "chopped" out of this one was the sear block. The rest of the rifle can be put back to all original and someone that knows what they're doing could block off the sear block holes to look like it still has the pins. I can now run any type of trigger or BCG. I know hard core Colt fans are sensitive about this but I don't think even most Colt purist see a large pin sear block lower as collectable or classic? Could be wrong about that? I know I would never buy another one with a sear block or pay any more than what I originally paid for it back in the early 90's which was probably too much back then. Unlikely its value has increased beyond inflation if at all on a good day even if completely original. Colt screwed it up in the first place because of their weak politics if you ask me. I have no affinity or strong feelings one way or the other just because it says Colt on the lower. Looks like we don't see eye to eye on this one but hopefully no hard feelings on your end. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@billz4795]

@@peteregger7928 Yes - Colt more than screwed up. Looks like FAR Left in Conn. Got to them. BUT I believe CZ USA has positive plans for the Colt brand/history. CZ makes some of the best respected firearms in the world.

[@peteregger7928]

I hope CZ USA can resurrect Colt but then I sometimes think that Colt might sink them too? Selling A4's with Carbine marked lowers! WTF? I never thought that some of the icons of the past would fail. Remington recently going under for example and destroying an AR manufacturer that at one time was just as good as Colt for the most part... the original Bushmaster. As much as I would like to maintain brand loyalty you sometimes find out in the end it was always about the money and what worked or works for them politically! Ruger, Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms, and most recently Liberty Safes just to mention a few standouts. I could go on a huge rant about what's going on well beyond firearms and 2A related in society but I would be typing for days! @@billz4795

[@18echo]

Same here , but used the jewell 2 stage trigger for cmp competition ,paired w/ Fulton upper NM free floated krieger barrel and on a good day it can print sub moa at the 600 yard stage with no wind and 77gr. Match ammo .

[@peteregger7928]

I put Jewell triggers in my 700 PSS rifles! One of the best triggers on the market!@@18echo

[@GZA036]

1:45 Lmfao

[@peteregger7928]

Sometimes I really try! Lol!

[@EastTexasOutlaws]

Interesting, nice job !!!!!!!!!

[@peteregger7928]

Thanks for watching!

[@coldcase5844]

I assume the roll pin hole for the sear block roll pin wasn't drilled thru to facilitate just driving it out from the bottom with a punch?

[@peteregger7928]

Nope! I carefully put some mini-duck bill pliers on it and a couple of twists it came right out!

[@MajorCaliber]

Remind me again why Colt performed all these Frankenstein gymnastics on their civilian-market ARs? Did the "pressure" come from ATF, or DoD?? =:O

[@peteregger7928]

I don't really know why the decision was made. I can only speculate that it may have had something to do with keeping or gaining military contracts and satisfying the anti-Second Amendment politicians that had influence over those contracts. Bushmaster around the same time frame also had military contracts but did not install sear blocks in their commercial variants so maybe my theory doesn't hold water? Short answer is I don't know why Colt did it!

[@montzster]

An attempt to curry favor with the govt. FN had recently won the M16 contract. Colt thought removing the bayo lug and adding the block and changing the FCG pin size would help. Dumb. The front pin/screw was a carryover from the SP1 slickside lower.

[@peteregger7928]

@@montzster The original trigger had developed a wear issue where it rides off the hammer sear notch.The rifle has maybe 1K rounds thru it so I was a little surprised. I was able to smooth it out but wasn't feeling good about it! I'm thinking maybe a heat treat problem on the original trigger group? Despite Colt's best efforts I can now put whatever trigger group I want in it so long as it's large pin! I cleaned up the internal sear block hardware that I used to block the removed sear block rivet holes since I did this video. Much better appearance. Thanks for watching!

[@switchgod3928]

Why does the buffer weight look like that

[@peteregger7928]

Ha! Ha! It's been hammered!

[@malcolmpalm]

No sh*t, so it can be done. Great job. Could you get anti-walk pins for that trigger if need be?

[@peteregger7928]

Yes, that's what I installed. KNS Precision .170" large pins for 90's Colt and the Velocity large pin drop in trigger. The pins are anti-rotation and anti-walk. Thanks for watching Malcolm.

[@malcolmpalm]

@@peteregger7928 Got it. Thanks, Pete

[@TheChibitodd]

What about the big ol holes in the lower?

[@peteregger7928]

I got those plugged up! Did some other videos on it but have since cleaned up the hardware on the inside to make it more aesthetic.

[@dvdrmorales]

How did you plug those holes on the side?

[@peteregger7928]

Since this video I've cleaned up the hardware on the inside and used smaller profile locking nuts with oil and gas resistant threadlocker and then blackened them. I kept the flat socket cap screws. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2LcZqNjhtGIobcsi=z7n2QdwWgyuj2pvs

[@ung427]

I hate the philosophy of trying to do silly things with inanimate objects in order to stop evil people rather than dealing with evil people... in other words, settling for a society with evil people in it, and limiting everyone and bringing everyone down to the level of the evil people because you think that they won't just get that thing anyways, or break that rule anyways, or make what ever for themselves anyways... thus putting themselves at an advantage over all of the moral people blindly following all of the rules meant to stop the evil people.

[@peteregger7928]

Yes! Impossible to legislate good and evil! People hurting each other has been going on since day one from when Cain killed Able!

[@w.w.9047]

Poor Colt. Lowers are so cheap. Why? Just why?

[@peteregger7928]

Ha! Ha! It's all better now!

[@victorediaz1]

THAT BLOCK IS THERE SO THEY CAN'T MAKE IT FULL AUTOMATIC. NOW MY QUESTION IS: IS IT LEGAL TO MODIFY A WEAPON THAT CAME LIKE THIS FROM THE FACTORY?

[@peteregger7928]

There was no legal requirement. Colt voluntarily installed them. Colt was the only manufacturer that did this back in the 90's. The sear block would only slow someone down and not prevent or stop a determined person. You can convert an AR to full automatic with a coat hanger or a shoe string. Somebody that knows what they are doing can bump fire any semi-automatic to behave like a full auto. Do a search on "bump firing". Virtually every gun law on the books with very few exceptions is unconstitutional. Thanks for watching!

[@ung427]

Of course it's legal to remove it. The illegal part is to make it fully automatic.

[@vashmatrix5769]

Not very knowledgeable about this kinda stuff. I've never seen a sear block, what's it for?

[@peteregger7928]

Colt installed them to make it more difficult to convert the rifle to full automatic. It was not required by law just something Colt did on their own. They also used oversized trigger pin holes for the same reason and machined the receiver floor "high" so that if you got around all of that you would still have to finish machine the receiver floor to the correct depth.

[@vashmatrix5769]

@@peteregger7928 oh I see. Thx