Well, .223 or rather 556 (same thing, but different).
The ARs are nice modular guns. Go for it.
There are several ones in .22LR AFAIK and of course adapter kits for putting .22LR mags in the mag wells of the standard rifles, but that is of course of no interest to you, as you are looking at a 22.
According to the ATF, Pac West Arms (PWA) produced 2,964 rifles in 2000. Only 2 in 2001. The PWA company is now defunct. Only 2,966 rifles built.
PWA also produced complete AR15s in the late 70's and early eighties and lowers in the nineties.
All pre-ban lowers have PWA with a circle around it stamped and under it is Milan, IL. 5.56 Commando and the 4-6 digit serial number. Pre-ban lowers are SN 35222 and below. All post ban lowers have the year appended to the serial number. Pre-ban lowers go for $400-$900 depending on condition.
Serial number list
- AR15.Com
| Colt Carbine | ||
| Competition HBAR | ||
| Government Carbine | ||
| Governmodel Model Service | ||
| Match HBAR | ||
| Match Lightweight | ||
| Match Target | ||
| Sporter | ||
| Sporter Target | ||
| 9mm |
Above Information Courtesy Stokes
Pwa Commando Pre Ban
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others, mostly from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be clearly noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon. Please note that BATF has ruled that 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' are two different things. A Pre-ban lower is only grandfathered if it: 1. was a complete rifle prior to 9/13/94; 2. possessed two banned features (pistol grip and CAR stock assembled); or 3. was part of a complete weapon kit, either assembled or not. This list does not discern between 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' as it is very nearly impossible to find that detail of information. If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail (hkusp40@midmaine.com) and I will update and re-issue the list. Note:All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX - ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY. Finally, BATF has allowed some pre-ban damaged to be replaced with post-ban lowers with numbers outside the ranges given below while retaining the grandfathered status. They will send a letter documenting this and allowing the original manufacturer to proceed with the replacement. Laughingbird the logo creator mega pack v 5.0. Colt (800) 962-COLT |
| 1963 | SP00001-SP00023** | ||
| 1964 | SP00101 | ||
| 1965 | SP02501 | ||
| 1966 | SP05600 | ||
| 1967 | SP08250 | ||
| 1968 | SP10750 | ||
| 1969 | SP14000-SP14653 | ||
| 1970 | SP15001-SP15473 | ||
| 1971 | SP16001 | ||
| 1972 | SP19401 | ||
| 1973 | SP24201 | ||
| 1974 | SP32601 | ||
| 1975 | SP43801 | ||
| 1976 | SP55301 | ||
| 1977 | SP67651 | ||
| 1978 | SP83400 | ||
| CC001616 and Below | |||
| CH019500 and Below | |||
| GC018500 and Below | |||
| LH011326 and Below | |||
| MH086020 and Below | |||
| NL004800 and Below | |||
| SL027246 and Below | |||
| SP360200 and Below | |||
| ST038100 and Below | |||
| TA10100 and Below | |||
| BD000134 and Below(AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model) | |||
| MT00001 and Above | |||
| BK000001and Above (CAR-A3) | |||
| CST000001 and Above (Began Late 1997 Production) | |||
| CMH000001 and Above | |||
| CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production |
Item Description: PWA Commando PreBan 4 digit serial number. Gun is used has 2 mags 1 steel, one polymer. Extended charging handle. Used as cruiser gun for years does show normal wear and tear. Apparently high demand in some states. Willing to meet for transfer since I am all over the state daily. I am looking for partial trades for a Glock 19x. Also dont know the quality of this weapon it is a preban serial number 20818 so any info would be great. Pre/post ban should not be a concern. PWA is no longer. Recently some serial numbers have left with one or two letters followed by FIVE numbers. The last numbers are either 5’s or 0’s. 99.9% of these are post-ban. “Older” does not always mean pre-ban as per Corey Sattler. “BL” serial number series lowers are transitional with some pre and some post ban.
Colt Ar Serial Numbers
Serial Number Information Courtesy Geremy Chubbuck