My brother gave our soldier-daughter a new, unfired Colt M4 for a recent rank promotion (US Army stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA). He bought the Colt about three years ago and kept it boxed in the safe until giving it to her last month. She came home on leave over Thanksgiving and wanted to take it to the range for a break-in, but upon cleaning it to remove the factory cosmoline (pre-range cleaning) she discovered that the safety won't engage...it freely spins counter-clockwise from "Safe" back to the "Fire" position. Given that the gun is no longer under factory warranty (even though still NIB), Colt won't make good on the manufacturer's defect. I'm not sure where to take it and don't have the skill set to disassemble the lower.

Is there an armorer in the Fort Worth area (prefer a THF'er) that could take a look at this and make the adjustment or repair?

She is coming home in a couple of weeks to prepare for her wedding (marrying an Army Sapper on December 18th here in Ft. Worth) and I would like to get this problem fixed and take her to the range prior to giving her away...I might just need to use it!

Pm sent

If the safety is moving counterclockwise it is installed wrong. Should be rotating clockwise from 'no pew' to 'pew' not 'pew, pew, pew' to 'pew'. Also possibly the safety control detent (and spring) are missing or broken. Remove pistol grip, it should be in the top of the grip. At that time pull the safety lever out and reinstall it facing 'no pew'. Install/reinstall the safety control spring, detent, and grip. Maybe???

What Couzin said....easy fix. I have had this happen on new guns before. If missing any parts let me know and I will mail to you, or hit you up on my way to the lease sometime, I go through FTW regular.

Turns out the detent spring in the grip was messed up. TONS of cosmoline jammed up the whole mess.

Cousin also called it. After cleaning thoroughly I'll probably replace the detent spring (it almost looks like it rusted, not just cosmo).

I appreciate the quick responses guys. Special thanks Bird Dog who called and walked me through the disassembly of the lower.

First off ....... THANK your daughter for her service in our Armed Forces.

And the above recommendations are probably correct. Safety detent or spring are likely missing, but the safety itself could be defective. There are dozens of guys on here that can walk you through the correct steps to fix this on the telephone in about 5 minutes. Very simple and easy fix. The internals are easy to deal with.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

The new spring is in and the cosmoline is out. The detent and detent spring had more yellowish gunk than my dog's ears, but are now ready to rock'n roll.

My daughter told me to say thanks again to all (pic below w/her young Sapper fiance). Sixteen days and counting until they say they do, and then head to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky to make me some little Army grandkids!



PS: At 6'5" he may tower over her, but she outranks him!

Congrats on the future SIL and glad to see you got it figured out Great looking couple

and if he's 6'5", she's pretty darn tall herself. Best of life to the about to be new couple.

Yesterday's Finale. Planning a gun range run when they return from the honeymoon...



Thanks again!

Congratulations! Good looking couple.

Congratulations, thank them for their service.

Tell them both thanks

I would think Colt would be all about fixing a safety issue... did you call them?