Colt factory magazine block from early AR-15 rifle

[RCS]

When Colt started selling the AR-15 Sporters to the civilian market they placed a magazine block in their magazines that only allowed five cartridges (for hunting).

Interesting to collectors is that not many of these magazine blocks are found today as most were soon thrown awayAttachment 96104Attachment 96103

Information

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[rcathey]

Very neat. It’s fun to think about all the things that are super rare and valuable simply because they were at one time worthless!
Old ammo boxes, stuff like this magazine block, and the list goes on. Today’s trash, tomorrow's treasure.

[Boonie Stomper]

When I purchased my SP1 (1982) in came with a 5 rd, blocked mag. The seller offered to swap it for a "normal" 20 rd. mag & I declined. The collector in me was intrigued by anything unusual & non-ordinary.

[RCS]

Found this early bolt carrier (center in photo) in both three and four digit Colt SP1 semi auto sporter rifles. The machining is quite different from the common full auto and semi auto bolt carriersAttachment 96105

[browningautorifle]

That was done so the FA kits wouldn't work with the also new hammers...with the notch at the top. With the bottom carrier they would catch and cause a stoppage.

[Lee Enfield]

That was done so the FA kits wouldn't work with the also new hammers...with the notch at the top. With the bottom carrier they would catch and cause a stoppage.

http://www.quarterbore.com/nfa/lightninglink.html

Which resulted in the "lightning link"...

[browningautorifle]

Which resulted in the "lightning link"

Yes, another method. I just use ex FA parts, converted except an SA selector. They all seem to run better. Leave the bolt alone...

[fjruple]

Additionally the cut on the bottom bolt carrier was done so the safety lever can be placed on safe with the bolt carrier to the rear.

Cheers

--fjruple

[browningautorifle]

That makes sense too, mechanically. Can't see why one would want to do it though...range rules?

[AmEngRifles]

Prompts me to ask..."Should I keep that hinkie wire insert I pulled out of my AK-74 45 round mags? I think they came thru Aim Surplus and were a fair price, because they were "blocked" mags. Easy enough to defeat that so called "block". I actually ran across several of those silly wires yesterday. Almost threw them away! lol

I also had blocked AR mags for my rifles and yes, removed the blocks (hey, I was in Florida, land of almost NO rules in the 70s and 80s) and probably did throw them away. Don't see them any more.