Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Colt Light Rifles?

What's the general consensus on the Colt Light Rifles, manufactured by Seco Defense? Reviews seem to be all over the place, and there appears to have been at least one recall....did the recalls affect the .270 rifles? Anyone own one, and are they reasonably accurate for a 6lb rifle?

The general consensus is that they were “ok”. They get a lot better if you send them to Melvin to fix. You end up with a semi-NULA.

What all needs to be done to get one "fixed"?

Trigger is the first thing that needs fixed.

I sent one to Extreme Rifleworks. Rick installed a Rem 700 trigger in it

I like them enough to have 6 of them.

The recall involved a small number of rifles chambered in 30-06. If you search for Colt Light Rifle Recall, you can probably find the toll-free number to call and determine if you have one of the rifles that was subject to the recall. I've posted the number on this site in the past.

They are good rifles in their original factory specs, but for around $900 you can have Mel Forbes replace the stock, trigger and safety, firing pin spring, and magazine follower. I have long struggled with the decision to send one or more of my CLRs to Mr. Forbes, but finally decided to send my 270 and one of my 30-06s earlier this year. None of us are getting any younger and there will probably come a day when the CLR upgrades from NULA are no longer an option.

EDIT: I think that CLRs are a good value to use "as is" if you can buy them for around $500.

Thanks for the information. Is the Rem 700 trigger a drop in, and do they use standard 700 bases?

I believe there was some milling involved. Its been years ago I had it done. Would have to ask Rick to be sure.

I’ve always kept an eye on them & thought they represented a unique spot in the market given the time that they were introduced but never bought one. Handled several.

Any ideas who manufactured their stocks?

They were just injection molded.

Do these actions share a 700 footprint, or is the stock proprietary? Same with base/ring sets?

No, yes, yes.

Thanks!

I have one in 7 mag and it’s one of the most consistent shooters in my arsenal. I want to send it to Melvin for the upgrades but a little hesitant since it shoots so good now. Anyone have a before and after report on this being done accuracy wise?

I picked up the rifle today, now its just a matter of deciding on a scope....I'll post a few pics as soon as I get a chance. I'm interested in seeing how it "feels" compared with my other lightweight .270, a '50s Husqvarna Vapenfabriks.

Here are a few pics...

I would not pass one up at a good price. I had to replace the firing pin spring on a 30-06. I think Melvin sent to to me for free.

Dang! All that work is akin to jacking up the radiator cap and driving a new pickup under it. Spend $900 on a $500 rifle?
I don’t think so, Scooter.

From my POV, for around $1,400 you end up with nearly a NULA. You'll have to look long and hard to find anybody who has sent their CLR and their money to Mr. Forbes for the CLR/NULA hybrid work who didn't think that it was money well spent. Besides, it's only money and you need to enjoy the fruits of your labor while you're alive and healthy enough. It took me a decade or so to make the decision to send the two CLRs to Mr. Forbes and his age has more to do with my decision than any particular deficiency that I've found with the factory specs CLR.

Another one of those "different folks, different strokes" situations.

I still have no idea what I am going to do with the rifle, but I did order a set of Talley base/rings yesterday. I have some 130gr spitzers to load, I am very interested in seeing how the rifle shoots....looking at it, I am not sure it has ever been fired.