Early and later Colt SP1 Sporter magazine

[RCS]

I once found an AR-15 magazine on a three digit Colt SP1 Sporter that had the small letters and numbers CAL. .223 and have never seen another since - until someone posted a photo of the same magazine (with four holes in the side - cartridge counter ?) on another forum.

The enclosed photo will show the difference in the CAL. .223 marking between the early and later magazine. Anyone have some of these early magazines ?Attachment 23717

Information

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[Roscoe Snyder]

I have two. I suspect I had more in years gone by that I sold or traded (or had stolen) before floorplate markings were anything people found noteworthy. One is quite used and worn while the other shows harly any wear at all. I have another marked

ARMALITE AR-15
PATENTS PENDING
CAL .223
COLT'S P.T.F.A. MFG.CO.INC.
HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.

[RCS]

Attachment 23726Attachment 23727

Do you have the waffle side like these magazines or the Colt SP1 magazines with the ArmaLite markings (both kinds are rare)

[Skip]

What can you tell me about the 2 mag pouch? I have 3 of them.

[Roscoe Snyder]

My Armalite is aluminum, identical to every other aluminum 20 rounder except for the floorplate markings and a faint scribe line around the bulge under the catch hole.

[imarangemaster]

Nodak Spud sells reproduction waffle mags and floor plates. The floor plates are unmarked. You need to add your own follower and spring, though. If I ever get bucks up, I plan on getting one for my slabside early 603 build.

[RCS]

The follower on the original waffle mag is marked with an S would be very difficult to fake.

There is a two mag and four mag pouch, most but not all were a rubberized -cotton

Some collectors state these magazine pouches were Air Force issue ?

[Skip]

You have confirmed my suspecions. An Air Force service member gave me 3 in the early 1970s. At first I thought that the pouches could fit on the stock of AR15 like the ones on the .30 M1 carbine.

[jmoore]

I once found an AR-15 magazine on a three digit Colt SP1 Sporter that had the small letters and numbers CAL. .223 and have never seen another since - until someone posted a photo of the same magazine (with four holes in the side - cartridge counter ?) on another forum.

The enclosed photo will show the difference in the CAL. .223 marking between the early and later magazine. Anyone have some of these early magazines ?Attachment 23717

I believe I can round up some. Anything in particular for which to look? Also have quite a few early 30 rounders.

[RCS]

My question, I think the early AR-15 magazines with the small letters/numbers are the early variation being issued first ? can anyone verify this information ?