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Colt EPR II & M5: Modernized 6920 and Ambi Pistols at SHOT Show 2026

Colt unveils the Enhanced Patrol Rifle II series and new M4/M5 braced pistols at SHOT Show 2026. The EPR II modernizes the 6920 with M-LOK and ambidextrous controls, while the M5 introduces a fully ambidextrous lower receiver.

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AB
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6 min
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AR-15
Colt EPR II & M5: Modernized 6920 and Ambi Pistols at SHOT Show 2026 header image
NewsJanuary 23, 2026

Colt EPR II & M5: Modernized 6920 and Ambi Pistols at SHOT Show 2026

Colt modernizes its legendary 6920 platform with the Enhanced Patrol Rifle II series and introduces new M4/M5 braced pistols at SHOT Show 2026. The updates bring ambidextrous controls, M-LOK rails, and Magpul Pro sights to the company's duty-grade AR lineup.

Key Takeaways

  • EPR II Series:Four new SKUs with 11.5" and 16" barrel options, free-floating M-LOK rails, and Magpul Pro metal sights ($1,449-$1,749)
  • EPR II PRO: Upgraded variant with Radian Raptor charging handle, ambidextrous mag catch, and QD end plate
  • M5 Pistol:Fully ambidextrous lower receiver with dual-sided bolt release and mag release, 11.5" barrel ($1,999)
  • M4 Pistol: Standard controls braced pistol at $1,450, same price as the EPR II rifle

EPR II: The 6920 Modernized

The Enhanced Patrol Rifle II represents Colt's answer to market demands for a modernized duty rifle. Built on the proven 6920 platform that has served law enforcement and military users for decades, the EPR II keeps the core reliability while adding contemporary features.

Colt offers four SKUs across two tiers: the standard EPR II (LE6920-EPRII, LE6933-EPRII) and the upgraded EPR II PRO (LE6920-EPRII-PRO, LE6933-EPRII-PRO). Both configurations are available with 11.5-inch or 16-inch barrels, and all variants come suppressor-ready.

EPR II Specifications

  • Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
  • Barrel Options11.5" / 16"
  • RailFree-Float M-LOK w/ Pic Top
  • SightsMagpul MBUS 3 (Std) / MBUS Pro (PRO)
  • SafetyAmbidextrous Selector
  • StockMagpul MOE SL
  • QD Sockets2x Integrated Steel
  • MSRP$1,449 - $1,749

EPR II PRO: Premium Upgrades

The PRO variant adds several meaningful upgrades over the standard EPR II. The most notable is the Radian Raptor ambidextrous charging handle, a widely respected aftermarket upgrade that Colt has integrated from the factory.

Standard EPR II Features

  • Ambidextrous safety selector
  • Enhanced trigger guard
  • Magpul MBUS 3 folding sights
  • Magpul MOE SL buttstock
  • Standard charging handle

EPR II PRO Upgrades

  • Radian Raptor ambi charging handle
  • Ambidextrous magazine catch
  • Magpul MBUS Pro metal sights
  • Magpul MOE-K2 pistol grip
  • QD receiver end plate

The PRO's upgrades address common first-day modifications that shooters typically make to duty rifles. The ambidextrous mag catch, combined with the already-standard ambi safety, makes the PRO truly left-hand friendly. The Magpul MBUS Pro metal sights replace the polymer MBUS 3 sights for increased durability in hard use environments.

M4 & M5 Braced Pistols

Colt expands into the braced pistol market with two new offerings: the M4 Pistol and the fully ambidextrous M5 Pistol. Both feature 11.5-inch barrels optimized for balance with a pistol brace configuration.

Colt M4 Pistol with brace at SHOT Show 2026
Colt M4 Pistol being presented at SHOT Show 2026 (Credit: ARFCOM News)

The M4 Pistol at $1,450 uses standard controls, making it identical in price to the EPR II rifle. The M5 Pistol at $1,999 introduces a fully ambidextrous lower receiver, a feature that sets it apart in the Colt lineup.

M5 Ambidextrous Features

  • Bolt ReleaseDual-Sided
  • Magazine ReleaseDual-Sided
  • Safety SelectorAmbidextrous
  • Barrel Length11.5"
  • MSRP$1,999

The M5's ambidextrous lower allows left-handed or right-handed shooters to operate all controls with their grip hand. The 11.5-inch barrel was specifically chosen to maintain balance and prevent the pistol from being nose-heavy when equipped with a brace.

M5 Carbine: Full-Length Ambidextrous

The M5 Carbine brings the fully ambidextrous lower receiver to a 16-inch rifle configuration. This gives shooters who prefer a traditional carbine the same ambi control set found in the M5 Pistol.

Colt M5 Carbine 16-inch with ambidextrous lower
Colt M5 Carbine with 16" barrel and full-length Picatinny top rail (Credit: Colt)

M5 Carbine Specifications

  • Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
  • Barrel16"
  • Capacity30+1
  • ActionSemi-Automatic
  • Lower ReceiverFully Ambidextrous
  • SKUCM556-16-M5S

Ambidextrous AR-15 Upgrades

Controls & Ergonomics • $89

Radian Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle

  • Ambidextrous
  • 7075-T6 aluminum
$104.95
View at OpticsPlanet
Controls & Ergonomics • $62

HB Industries CZ Scorpion EVO 3 Theta Extended Charging Handle

  • 11.5mm extended length over factory handle
  • 6061-T6 aluminum finger catch, hardcoat anodized
$62.00 MSRP
Buy Direct from HB Industries
Controls & Ergonomics • $199

Next Level Armament MPX Ambi Charging Handle + Lifter Block Kit

  • MPX-specific
  • Ambidextrous
$109.00
View at OpticsPlanet
Controls & Ergonomics • $108

Daniel Defense GRIP-N-RIP Charging Handle

  • Ambidextrous
  • Anti-gas ports
$111.00
View at OpticsPlanet
Controls & Ergonomics • $99

Radian Raptor-LT Charging Handle

  • Ambidextrous levers
  • 7075 aluminum
$79.95
View at OpticsPlanet
Controls & Ergonomics • $119

Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety

  • Ambidextrous levers
  • 45° or 90° throw
$64.95
View at OpticsPlanet

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Colt EPR?
The Colt Enhanced Patrol Rifle (EPR) is Colt's duty-grade AR-15 built on the proven 6920 platform for law enforcement and defensive use. The new EPR II at SHOT Show 2026 modernizes the line with a free-floating M-LOK handguard with Picatinny top, ambidextrous safety selector, Magpul MBUS 3 folding sights (MBUS Pro metal sights on the PRO variant), a Magpul MOE SL stock, and integrated QD sockets, all in 5.56x45mm NATO with 11.5-inch or 16-inch barrel options.
What is a Colt M5?
The Colt M5 is a new AR-15 lineup featuring a fully ambidextrous lower receiver with dual-sided bolt release, magazine release, and safety selector. It comes in two configurations: the M5 Pistol with an 11.5-inch barrel and pistol brace at $1,999 MSRP, and the M5 Carbine with a 16-inch barrel (SKU CM556-16-M5S). The fully ambi lower puts Colt in direct competition with premium lowers from LMT and Radian.
What is the difference between the Colt M4 and M5?
The Colt M4 Pistol uses standard right-side-only controls and lists at $1,450, the same price as the EPR II rifle. The Colt M5 Pistol adds a fully ambidextrous lower receiver with dual-sided bolt release, magazine release, and safety selector for $1,999. Both ship with 11.5-inch barrels and pistol braces; the $549 premium on the M5 buys the engineered ambi lower, which would cost roughly that much as a standalone aftermarket part.
How much does the Colt EPR II cost?
The EPR II lineup is priced $1,449 to $1,749 MSRP. The standard EPR II (LE6920-EPRII, LE6933-EPRII) starts at $1,449, and the EPR II PRO (LE6920-EPRII-PRO, LE6933-EPRII-PRO) tops out at $1,749. The PRO upgrade adds a Radian Raptor ambidextrous charging handle, ambidextrous magazine catch, Magpul MBUS Pro metal sights, Magpul MOE-K2 grip, and a QD receiver end plate.
Is the Colt M5 a good gun?
Yes. The Colt M5 is a robust AR-15 built on Colt's MIL-SPEC 6920 heritage with meaningful feature enhancements over the standard lineup. The fully ambidextrous lower makes it one of the few factory-ambi AR-15s on the market, and the 11.5-inch barrel on the Pistol variant is specifically chosen to maintain balance with a brace. Support-hand operation of all controls is a genuine benefit if your primary hand is injured or committed to a grip transition.
When will the Colt EPR II and M5 be available?
All Colt EPR II and M4/M5 products are currently in distribution and available for purchase through authorized Colt dealers as of SHOT Show 2026. Unlike most SHOT Show announcements that take months to reach shelves, Colt's 2026 lineup is shipping now.
What makes the EPR II PRO different from the standard EPR II?
The EPR II PRO adds five upgrades that shooters typically install aftermarket on duty rifles: a Radian Raptor ambidextrous charging handle, an ambidextrous magazine catch, Magpul MBUS Pro metal sights replacing the polymer MBUS 3, a Magpul MOE-K2 pistol grip, and a QD receiver end plate. These upgrades would cost $200 to $300 aftermarket, so the $300 price bump from $1,449 to $1,749 is roughly break-even on parts with factory integration thrown in.

What This Means

Colt's SHOT Show 2026 lineup reflects a clear strategy: modernize the legendary 6920 platform while maintaining the MIL-SPEC heritage that built the company's reputation. The EPR II addresses the most common complaints about factory Colt rifles, specifically the lack of M-LOK compatibility and limited ambidextrous controls.

The M5's fully ambidextrous lower is notable because it's not simply adding an ambi safety or mag catch, but redesigning the lower receiver with dual-sided bolt releases and magazine releases. This puts Colt in direct competition with premium ambi lowers from manufacturers like LMT and Radian.

Pricing remains competitive for the quality tier. The EPR II at $1,449 undercuts many comparable duty-grade rifles, while the PRO variant at $1,749 includes upgrades that would cost $200-300 if purchased aftermarket. The M5 Pistol at $1,999 commands a premium for its fully ambidextrous lower, but that's reasonable given the engineering involved.

All products are currently in distribution and available for purchase through authorized Colt dealers.

Check our Platform Catalog for Colt-compatible builds, or use our Interactive Builder to configure your own setup. For military-inspired build ideas, see our military clone builds guide.

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