Back in the 80’s when the AR-15 and M16 were going through several transitional versions like a teenager changes their clothing style, the HBAR by Colt was released. I remember as a young survivalist that the HBAR was simply, “cool!”
This is around the same time the Colt Combat Elite .45ACP came out and the Colt Delta 10mm 1911. Yeah, I was a Colt fanboy back then. Several Colt guns including the Python and Combat Commander remain on my “wish list”.
Today the HBAR can be bought or built. Why would someone take that path? Well, if the goal of a defensive firearm is to put rounds on target accurately in rapid succession – the HBAR with its 20″ barrel is an excellent choice. Running much heavier than a standard M4 or CAR-15, recoil is pretty much nothing. The longer barrel ensures maximum velocity. Recoil? Well, pretty much any AR has minimal recoil. Muzzle rise(different than recoil) is much better than a carbine variant.
Colt Combat Elite .45ACP
So – I have not had an HBAR and I’ve never shot one. I’ve dreamt of having one though and that’s good enough, right? I’ve read numerous articles about them back in the day. I’d really like to build one at some point as the original is just too expensive.
got HBAR?
Not yet.
Rourke
Well well well.I happen to own one of those puppies. I have two uppers for it. The long barrel version came with it’s own owner’s manual from Colt which certifies accuracy to 800 meters. I mostly used the 16″ barrel with it to blow up groundhogs when I was younger.
I had an Eagle Arms HBAR years ago and used it in high power rifle competition. Very accurate, but I believe the Colt is a better rifle and all others are compared to Colt, as they set the standards for materials used, tolerances and so forth. Too bad I sold mine but life goes on. Last HBAR I saw was at a pawn shop not too long ago, ~$1100 if I remember correctly. A decent price these days for the benchmark that all the others are measured against. I like the M4 version as it is a bit shorter and lighter, guess I’m getting soft in my old age. So be it, always better to be realistic in expectations than my imagination conjuring up fantasy about my alleged abilities.
I paid more than twice that for my Colt HBASR back in the 80s or early 90s. It was an expensive splurge for me at the time.