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Attachment 19178Attachment 19179Attachment 19180Attachment 19181I had the opportunity to take some photos of an original Colt AR-15 SP1 in the three digit serial number range. The 20rd magazine inside this rifle had the small letters/numbers, top magazine in photo. Also note the thin barrel profile
Nice Rifle!!!
I am trying to determine when Colt added the spring which limits the magazines to 5 rounds, for hunting. Anybody know when?
I know of late SP1's (late 1970's to mid 1980's) had the spring added.
SP1s came with the 5 shot mag from the beginning. From the original 1960s owner's manual, page 3: "1.1 The AR-15 Sporter is a caliber .223, air cooled, gas operated rifle. It is fed from a 5-round magazine." On page 10 are directions for removing the spring, called a "5-round spacer".
The top magazine in this photo came with the three digit SP1, this magazine still has the block inside so only five rounds can be loaded. Note the serial number of the SP1 in the Colt AR-15 manual is s/n 100, that rifle was in circulation in the 1970's in the mid westAttachment 19223
Thank you guys. I appreciate the information. I have some Colt catalogs, but not until the early 1970's.
I have a 4 digit SP1 which puts it at 1967 I have 2 colt mags and niether has a block but since I am not the original owner I'm not sure if they are the ones that came with it
They had a way of getting removed.
Very true: Back in the 1980's those springs were all over the gun shows. The mistakes many of us made (including me) was replacing the upper receiver with a Military Forward Assist version and using the offset screw to attach it.Quote:
They had a way of getting removed.
By the mid 1970's the standard SP1 was targeted to be "upgraded with the military upper". Sort like taking the 30-40 dollar 03/03A3 in the 50's and 60's and sporterizing it for a few dollars more and not spending that big "$129-149" for a commercial rifle.
How times change.
RCS, did magazines have 1/2 dia. white sticker at the bottom right sight. I have a friend that has a NIB low 4 digit SP1 and both mags blocked to 5 rounds and had that sticker on them. Nothing on the sticker. I have heard from others with early SP1s their magazine were also marked this way.
I bought a new four digit SP1 in the box from a dealer - I do not remember any white stickers - but they could have been on the magazines.
I bought a Colt AR15 back in March of 1965 (when they were lawful in NJ) #SP 01709. It came with two blocked magazines. The AR15s were $189.00 then...a LOT of money.
I have # SP 00323. It came with two 20 rd. mags, one blocked to 5 rds. and both have the round white sticker on them. It also came with the early bipod and sling. I was also lucky enough to aquire a mint "Comanche" manual to go with it.
Pix of SP 00323. Note the white sticker on the magazine. There is also one on the bipod, not shown here it's on the other side.
Any idea what these stickers were for?
Very nice rifle SoylentGreen.
I'm guessing the sticker was to identify to the person packaging the rifle that the magazine had the 5 round block in it. These were sold as sporter rifles and hunting with a magazine greater than five rounds was not considered sporting. Or so I'm told.
Here is a photo of a friends NIB SN 118X SP1 made Nov.16, 1964. Note the white stickers on the magazines.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0002_011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...01/00521-1.jpg
Your early bipods had the lock ring on both sides?
When I was in the 82d we were issued the XM16E1's circa Jan/Feb of 65. I remember my bipod losing one of the rings, and the bipod legs were lose and almost coming apart.
The second version had one lock ring and a large head.
The third and final version had a large rivet with staking on one side.
I don't think the early SP-1's came with bipods. Educate me. I imagine the owners purchased bipods later on.
I do not remember the bipod with the Colt SP1 in the same box, seems like the bipods were available a year or two later and never came with the rifle - but thats a long time ago too.
bipods: 1) very early COLT-ARMALITE stamp with C clip 2) COLT stamp with C clip 3) COLT with rivet holding legs 4) stamped with parts number, both an early and later part number 5) no stamp
I'm guessing PrivateSnafu's friend bought the extras, such as the scope, bipod and bayonet. That or Colt was making Super package deals!
The hang tag in the lowest photo makes no mention of the bonus goodies.
Yes, those parts were purchased seperatly. But was ordered from Colt at the same time of the rifle, and was delivered together on the same order. IIRC
Looks like I got the education here. I pulled out the bipod to see if it was single lock ring or double. It is a single lock ring but it is also unmarked and does not have the ridge that runs up the middle of the legs like the Colt bipods have so I'm guessing it would have been a later add-on.
It also appears the sling is incorrect being that it is OD green instead of black.
Actually I know of three Post Armalite Colt bipods as I have had all three as shown in my earlier post. I am still looking for a type 1.
The latest (common) version with the rivit had rust issues with the internal support pieces attached to the legs. I have seen them, new in the wrap, with rust on the inside coming through to the surface.
One of Colt's last contract for late bipods was 1969. By 1974 Martin Machine Works in Tennessee had the next one. There was another contract circa 1976 from Connecticut, which I have listed elsewhere in my files, but it was not Colt.
I also saw another experimental one, unmarked. It had two slightly wider legs and a different type of closing spring. The reinforcement lines were different in the legs.
It was for sale by a Retired Colt Employee circa late 1990's. Wish I purchased it.
I have a bipod marked Colt's-62122 Hartford Conn USA along with the Colt stamp logo.
The question is which method of assembly is it?
Here is the earliest Non Colt Bipod Contract I have so far. There may be earlier, but I have not found any yet. (I stated 1974, because that was the Fiscal Year. Actually this production was August of 1973. Sometimes my brain is over worked with contract details).
Martin Machine Works, in South Fulton, Tn.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...pod_6317-1.jpg
Just wondering if you still have SP1 Colt SP00323. I'd like to ask a few questions. Bob
This is an 8 year old thread (2011) and he hasn't been here since... (Last On 01-29-2011 @ 10:11)Quote:
Originally Posted by mod1751
There are guys here that will know anyway if it's historic.
In 1971 I purchased a Colt SP1 (NIB) that came with two magazines. They were standard 20 round mags with a "U" shaped, spring steel clip inserted to prevent loading more 5 rounds. The clip came out easily enough by removing the floor plate thus increasing the capacity to twenty rounds. Later model SP1s had the clip riveted to the floor plate, but this could be removed by drilling out the rivets (but then you had two holes in the plate.)
BEAR
Oh wow! Didn't realize this was such an old post until I saw Jim's post. I either need to pay more attention or get new glasses.
New guy didn't even state his question yet, I thought maybe you were mind reading him...Quote:
Originally Posted by BEAR