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Expanse M4: Colt’s Cheap AR

With major manufacturers like Ruger and Smith & Wesson driving the price of entry-level AR rifles down, Colt responded in 2016 with a new rifle called the Expanse M4. The new rifle is a (very) basic AR-15 that comes in with a suggested retail price of $699.

Colt CE1000

The new rifle is a direct impingement gun with the basic M4-style features. It has a collapsing buttstock, pistol grip and A2-type front sight assembly. A polymer two-piece handguard is standard.

Colt Expanse M4

As is typical for AR-15 rifles, this gun is chambered in 5.56 NATO. It can safely fire both 5.56 and .223 Rem ammunition.

Colt Expanse CE1000 Review

The 16.1″ barrel has a 1:7″ twist that should allow it to stabilize most of the bullet weights commercially loaded for the calibers.

Colt CE1000 Expanse

Colt uses a flattop upper and does not ship with a rear sight. However, the Picatinny rail makes adding one a quick process. Many people will opt to add a red dot like the Trijicon MRO instead of, or in addition to, a rear sight.

Colt CE1000 Review

A single 30-round aluminum magazine ships with the Expanse M4.

Colt states on its web site that these rifles do not ship with a forward assist or dust cover. That’s unfortunate as these items are pretty standard with even budget AR rifles. (Thanks to reader TechnoTriticale for pointing this out.)

Colt Expanse Specifications

Here are the specs for the Colt Expanse:

Model #CE1000
Caliber5.56 NATO/.223 Rem
Magazine Capacity30
# of Included Magazines1
Barrel Length16.1″
Overall Length32.0″-35.5″
Actionsemi-automatic, direct impingement
Stock6-position, adjustable length
MSRP$699

In the wake of the Sandy Hook buying frenzy, there was a glut of AR rifles on the market. In economic terms, supply exceeded demand and prices dropped. 

Colt Expanse Price

While there have been a number of smaller manufacturers that have targeted the budget-priced AR market, additional pressure was applied by the introduction of lower-priced models from more prominent gun makers adjusting to consumer expectations of less expensive rifles.

Colt Expanse M4PSA FDE AR-15Ruger AR-556S&W Sport II
Caliber5.56 NATO5.56 NATO5.56 NATO5.56 NATO
Magazine30 round aluminum30 round Magpul PMAG30 round Magpul PMAG30 round Magpul PMAG
# of Included Magazines1111
Barrel Length16.1″16.0″16.1″16.0″
Twist Rate1:7″1:7″1:8″1:9″
Chrome Platingnonobolt carrier, gas keyfiring pin
Finishunknownhardcoat anodized FDEMilspec Type IIIArmornite
Handguard2-piece2-piece Magpul MOE M-Lokeasy removing 2-piece2-piece
Pistol GripA2-styleMagpul MOERuger gripA2-style
Front SightA2-styleA2-stylemilled A2 Style with QD-socketA2-style
Rear Sightnonefolding Magpul MBUSfolding Rugerfolding Magpul MBUS
Price$699$749$799$739

On a price-to-features comparison, the PSA AR-15 makes the most sense for a budget rifle. You can see my PSA AR-15 review here.

Smith & Wesson seemed to be doing well with it’s budget friendly M&P15 Sport rifles that were selling for less than $700 in many shops. Then Ruger introduced the AR-556 – another entry level rifle that came very well equipped with an MSRP of $749. Both of these rifles allowed a novice AR shooter to buy a rifle from a readily recognizable name.

Colt Expanse Upper

With the Expanse M4, it seems Colt is trying to capitalize on its name to reach new shooters buying their first AR rifle and more experienced hands who prefer the Colt name as a basic platform to build a more custom gun.

Watch for additional information on the Colt Expanse M4 and other new guns at the special 2016 SHOT Show page I have set up.

Last Update: June 26, 2022

By Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is a gun writer, amateur historian and - most importantly - a dad. He's done a lot of silly things in his life, but quitting police work to follow his passion of writing about guns was one of the smartest things he ever did. He founded this site and continues to manage its operation.

27 replies on “Expanse M4: Colt’s Cheap AR”

no sling attachments or rear sight (or dust cover or forward assist), so add $100 to actual cost. #fail. Still Ruger #forthewin. 4150 barrel while only 6.4 pounds is interesting, however. admittedly Ruger does not come with the front sling attachment, so add $15 to the price of the Ruger. also 1:7 is arguable too much for common civilian 55g rounds. Does Colt not know how to make 1:8 or 1:9?

i had recently purchased the colt expanse M4 and am very pleased with it, mine also does have the bayonet lug too. the only thing i would change is i would really like to put a rail system on it. Any suggestions on the best rail system that would be compatible with this weapon?

Depends on how far you want to go with it. As Richard states the Magpul SL handguard is an excellent option, which is what I went with. You can certainly go farther, but by that time you could have just bought a rifle that included that stuff.

This is what I tell my customers at the gun shop I work at. Either build, or buy the gun with most the features you want.

you can buy a 25$ 4 rail handcover. It fits great. Most of these other guys are just pissed they invested so much money and I can still out shoot with my pony.. Giddy up boyz.

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