This is another model from my collection that I really like. It is a MGC M16A2 Commando, Colt Model 733 that became known to the public by the movie Black Hawk Down, but it played also a major role in the famous shootout from HEAT.
Black Hawk Down also made Tokyo Marui to create their M733 AEG Airsoft model which was well liked by their customers.
MGC had brought out their M4A1 Carbine in 2004, followed by a version with short barrel and different rear sight.
When the M733 came out the box read M16A2 series with a colorful M733 Commando sticker, so a lot of us hoped for various other M16A2 versions that never came. MGC managed to bring out a M4A1 with R.I.S and a last production run of the M4A1 (then again in a more silver greyish natural HW color) before they went out of business again.
MGC made a close copy of the M733 that was seen in Black Hawk Down, so they used a front sight with a bayonet lug which is cut-off on factory assembled Colt Commandos as the short barrel won’t allow the attachment of a bayonet. MGC also used the early style XM177 stock. For the modelgun the only difference are two small ribs on the side, but in reality the earlier XM177 stock was made from nylon coated aluminum whereas the later M4 stock is made of plastic. Early M733 did come with the metal stock so I am happy with MGC’s choice. The stock has 3 positions, something that was never made by Colt. For a long time the receiver extension hat just two positions, open and closed. With the M4 the 4 position receiver extension was introduced. US Army armorers often drilled a third hole into the tube to allow firing with a halfway extend stock, a requirement that came from the use of bulky body armor.
It has no property of US Govt. markings which is correct. The few M733 that went into service with the US military, mostly special forces, where so called "COTS" (commercial off-the-shelf) guns.
The lower receiver is mostly the M4A1 version with other markings. The upper is a modiefied A1 with A2 sights and a "tacked-on" case deflector.
I got mine in late summer of 2006 for 340 USD from Japan, and I remember that summer 2006 was the hardest time in my life so far, so I ended up many nights playing with my beloved M733 and listening to music my friends called “suicide music”, or watching Black Hawk Down a dozen times on DVD as I just couldn’t sleep.
Sometime the front sight broke, so I had to replace it with one that came in natural greyish HW color, but oiling and handling it over the years has darkened it quite well. I also attached a felt pad in the inside of the stock to reduce wobble. I normally use an older MGC magazine from their earlier ABS series as it looks a little more realistic.
This one fires quite good out of the box, but I experienced wear on the hammer, as well on the carts. I had at least 10 carts blow-off their threads over the years …
Although I don’t fire it often, this is always in arms reach and I like to handle it regularly.
If you are a fan of the M16, this is a nice model to get. I like the combination of the A2 style rear sights, fixed carry handle and short barrel. It does not come uo for sale that often nowadays and a good, like new and complete model will cost around 500 USD.
I hope you will enjoy this short review which is meant as a tribute to MGC, as well as this forum.
Stock that came with the M733 on the left, M4A1 MGC stock on the right
M4A1 stock on top, M733 (XM177) stock below
3 position receiver extension
M4A1/M733 magazine (blued, with alloy follower) on the left, earlier M16 (ABS series) with plastic follower on the right
additional manual sheet showing the M733 specific parts
big notice that came with the model. I would love to know what it means ...
slight wear on the hammer
tools for holding and placing the hammer, wrench for receiver extension lock ring and barrel nut, set of allen key, plastic tube loading tool, two Q-tips
Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:14 pm
