State troopers train with new Colt rifles

BOISE – Idaho State Police troopers are upgrading their rifles, replacing models nearly 20 years old that were sometimes defective.

Officers trained Saturday on the Colt M4 .233-caliber rifle, which replaces the Ruger mini-14. After nearly two decades, police said the older models had become defective in some cases.

“They served us well during the time we had them,” ISP Lt. Clyde Kaffenberger said. “But because of age and modern technology, it was time to change.”

Police said the Colt manufacturer offered a high trade-in value on the Rugers, which are the same caliber as the new rifles.

“The Colt will give us more firepower without being absurd,” Kaffenberger said.