Description
Before the M4 was even a thing, there was the Colt 723, the lightweight carbine that special operations units carried through the late 1980s and into the Blackhawk Down era. Harrington & Richardson has recreated that gun faithfully here, right down to the details clone builders obsess over. You get an M16A1-style upper receiver without M4 feed ramps sitting on an H&R-marked M16A2 lower, which nails the transitional look of those early carbines that bridged the gap between the A1 rifles and the M4 we all know today.
What Makes the H&R 723 Feel Right
The 14.7 inch pencil barrel is pinned and welded to a 16 inch overall length, so it keeps the slim original profile without a chunky aftermarket muzzle device throwing off the look. The barrel is 4150 chrome moly vanadium steel with a chrome-lined bore, a parkerized finish, and a 1:7 twist that stabilizes everything from 55 grain plinking ammo to heavier 77 grain loads. A carbine-length gas system runs under the handguards with a rifle-height front sight base, and the bolt carrier group is a full-auto profile carrier with a properly tested bolt. Period looks, modern manufacturing.
Running the 723 Retro Carbine
At roughly five and a half pounds, this thing is a joy to carry and swing. The CAR-15 style stock rides on a 6-position buffer tube so you can adjust length of pull, the A2 grip fills the hand the way it always has, and the fixed carry handle iron sights keep the whole package simple and dependable. No rails, no clutter, just the K.I.S.S. approach that made these carbines legendary.
Whether you plan to build it out into a screen-accurate clone with period furniture and a vintage optic, or just want a featherweight range gun with real history behind it, the 723 is a hard package to beat. It ships with one 30 round magazine, so you can head straight to the range and see what all the retro fuss is about.
Key Specifications
- Model: 723
- Manufacturer Part Number: HR51655133723
- UPC: 810141222717
- Caliber: .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Barrel Length: 14.7" pinned & welded to 16" OAL
- Barrel Profile: Pencil, 4150 CMV, chrome lined, parkerized
- Twist Rate: 1:7
- Gas System: Carbine length, rifle-height front sight base
- Upper Receiver: M16A1 style, no feed ramps
- Lower Receiver: H&R-marked M16A2 style, anodized aluminum
- Stock: CAR-15 style on 6-position buffer tube
- Sights: Carry handle iron sights
- Capacity: 30 rounds
- Weight: Approx. 5 lbs 9 oz
- Color: Black
What’s Included
- H&R 723 carbine
- One 30-round magazine
- Owner's manual
- Cable lock
- Factory box
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H&R 723 a clone of?
It recreates the Colt Model 723, the compact carbine famously carried by Delta Force and other special operations units in the late 1980s and early 90s. The mix of an M16A1 upper on an M16A2 lower captures that transitional period after the A1-based carbines but before the M4 was adopted. It is one of the most requested retro configurations among clone builders.
Is the muzzle device on the H&R 723 removable?
No, the flash hider is permanently pinned and welded to the 14.7 inch barrel, bringing the total barrel assembly to 16 inches. That is by design, since it preserves the slim original 723 profile. If you want to swap muzzle devices down the road, plan on a barrel-level change rather than a simple unscrew job.
Can the 723 handle modern 5.56 ammo, or is it just a wall hanger?
This is a fully functional modern rifle dressed in retro clothes. The 4150 chrome moly vanadium barrel is chrome lined with a 1:7 twist, so it digests everything from 55 grain FMJ up to heavy match loads. The full-auto profile bolt carrier group and mil-spec internals mean it runs like any quality AR built today.
Does the H&R 723 have any way to mount an optic?
There is no flat-top rail on this one, since the fixed carry handle is part of the period-correct look. You can use a carry handle optic mount if you want glass, which is exactly how units mounted early red dots and scopes back in the day. Many owners keep it irons-only for the authentic experience.







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