Colt AR-15

[Phosphorus32]

AR area has been quiet for a while, so here's a 1980 Colt Model SP1 AR-15 that I picked up a while back at the LGS. I like the retro look of the SP1, like the A1 style carry handle and sights, triangular handguard, classic three-prong flash hider, and of course the fact that they were made by Colt. There are some obvious (besides no giggle switch), and some subtle differences from an M16-A1, but these are obviously easier and far, far cheaper to acquire than an actual M16.

Colt made this model from 1963-82. You'll often see them advertised as "pre-ban", which of course is marketing gimmickry that is stating the obvious, since they were all made before the 1994-2004 Federal AWB. Basically, it means they have a lug for the M7 bayonet, which is a nice feature. The early ones (serial number: SP16xxx or earlier) are already Curio and Relic eligible.

1:12 twist chrome-lined barrel is good for M193 55gr or less bullets. The bipod is a reproduction (no markings) although the bipod case is military. The M7 bayonet is real.

[running-man]

I’m not a big AR guy, but having said that, if I were to get one, it would pretty much be this one.

What do these typically run vs a run of the mill new production AR Jon?

[Phosphorus32]

I’m not a big AR guy, but having said that, if I were to get one, it would pretty much be this one.

What do these typically run vs a run of the mill new production AR Jon?

Too much. They've become collectible too. I paid $1940 about 7 weeks ago and was very pleased to get it for that price. I saw it the day they put it out on the rack behind the counter. I went out in the parking lot to look up sold prices on Gunbroker, then I went back in with my checkbook  I doubt it would have lasted many more hours, let alone the day. I live in an AR town.

I like ARs but my others are tools. Granted, they're very effective tools for hitting small points at intermediate distances, but they don't have the history euphoria to go along with the shooting effectiveness. This one has some of that history I like, as well as the shootability, and I've wanted a retro one for quite some time, so I'm glad to have it.

[Greasemonkey]

Yeah, I'm... Gonna agree with RM.. cough. Uhm.  Yeah.    I love the retro classic utilitarian looks  always wanted one like that, but even the true blue retro kits cost pretty much what a low end piece of tupperware costs.

[carls sks]

on my want list, but probably will not be able to afford. have had to settle (a few years ago)for PSA at 1/4 the price.

[lowell66dart]

That is very nice and thank you for the education. I only have one AR, a Smith and Wesson MP that I got way back for like $500.

[Phosphorus32]

Yeah, I'm... Gonna agree with RM.. cough. Uhm.  Yeah.    I love the retro classic utilitarian looks  always wanted one like that, but even the true blue retro kits cost pretty much what a low end piece of tupperware costs.

Thanks GM!

Yeah, NRA Fair (C grade) kits for $699 is the norm these days, $780 for Good (B grade). The days of A and B grade kits going for $350 and $300, respectively, are gone.

https://atlanticfirearms.com/colt-m16a1-parts-kit-cal-223

https://whatacountry.com/colt-m16a1-parts-kit.aspx


I'll keep my civilian AR-15 as is. It's very similar in appearnce to the early AR-15 used by the USAF. Functional differences are the smooth bolt theirs had and the giggle switch and necessary components.

Photo credit: "The Black Rifle" Stevens and Ezelll, p. 108

[Phosphorus32]

on my want list, but probably will not be able to afford. have had to settle (a few years ago)for PSA at 1/4 the price.

Yeah, probably not much settling in terms of function. Most of the modern M4 copies are good to go.

[Phosphorus32]

That is very nice and thank you for the education. I only have one AR, a Smith and Wesson MP that I got way back for like $500.

Thanks! Nothing wrong with an S&W M&P.

This SP1 will very likely only increase in value, and in the mean time, it's fun to shoot with the longer sight radius of the M16 and the straightforward peep sights that I like.

[Larry D.]

Sweet!
I've been on the hunt for an A1 or A2 upper for a while now.

[Phosphorus32]

Sweet!
I've been on the hunt for an A1 or A2 upper for a while now.

Thanks Larry 

[hoopharted]

there goes my keyboard , i drooled all over it

[Phosphorus32]

there goes my keyboard , i drooled all over it

 

[hoopharted]

i had a couple Special Police rifles back in the day and regret selling them , oh how i consider that one of my great Homer Simpson moments of life , had too many calibers and decided to tone down and narrow collecting focus , so .223 went away , oddly enough shortly after i bought the M1a (.308 but US ) and realized what i had done by not keeping them because they would have really complemented the Springfield , the SP1's were about $600 on the high end then but to say i shot them rarely would have been a overstatement so at the time the logic leaned get rid of them , a true Doooooooooouuuuut!!!!!! moment

[Marcus]

Yeah,  I love those old Colt rifles.

Sadly,  they are on the  assault rifle ban list here in California.

[Phosphorus32]

Yeah,  I love those old Colt rifles.

Sadly,  they are on the  assault rifle ban list here in California.

Right. Far too many evil features.

[Larry D.]

Fortunately, the Cali-ban (see what I did there) has put an abrupt end to the rash of drive by bayonetings and pistol grippings.....

[Phosphorus32]

Fortunately, the Cali-ban (see what I did there) has put an abrupt end to the rash of drive by bayonetings and pistol grippings.....

Yes, murders involving bayonets are now at zero. See how effective it was!  Of course they were at zero before too 

[Cz315]

Yes, the evil feature of scary bayonet lug is super dangerous. OMG, what if someone puts a bayonet on!!! It'll make that assault weapon so much assaultier! 

Fortunately in our people's republic you can still have them on 'antiques', which morons who wrote the SAFE act defined as 50 years or older, i.e. C&R in Federal laws, as long as you register them with the State police. The issue is to convince people to sell them to you. Many just refuse, because 'I've heard on the news that you have restrictive gun laws'

[Larry D.]

It'll make that assault weapon so much assaultier!