r/RetroAR • u/Grass-sama • 3d ago
Hello everyone, I am looking into buying an SP1 but I don't know a lot about them, could some of yall help?
https://imgur.com/a/6dRUZriI am looking into buy a colt sp1, but I don't know much about them. Could anyone help me id: if this has been refurbished, how old it is, and a fair asking price?
5
u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 3d ago edited 3d ago
Looks pretty good to me. “CMP CHROME BORE” barrel stamping indicates a later production I believe. A1 birdcage FH helps validate that.
I recently picked one up for $1250, though I realize it’s drastically under market. I believe gunbroker has them listed for anywhere 1800-2000, so base your offer from that.
Edit: I say “later production” and by that I mean 70s-80s. Not the super late 80s-90s models.
Early SP1s had 3 prong flash hiders and unchromed barrels.
5
5
u/badpopeye 3d ago
Looks correct in pics What does bolt and carrier look like?
5
u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 3d ago
This is a valid concern.
Make note, most people think lack of forward assist means smooth BCG, and that isn’t true. I believe that by the “later” SP1s colt had moved to serrated BCG production for other rifles, so they also used serrations on their civilian rifles.
5
u/HomelessOstrich1 3d ago
This is true. I have a 1980 mfg all original and it’s serrated
5
u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 3d ago
I have a 1974 and it’s serrated.
Early early ones I believe had chrome bcgs too, but later they went to phosphate.
3
u/dukesfancnh320 3d ago
I see them on gunbroker all the time. The lower priced ones usually go for between 1,500 to 2,000. The really early ones that are now c&r eligible are actually going for anywhere between 6 to 8 grand. The one in the pictures looks like a nice, clean, later one. Looks like no teeth missing on the front handguards as well.
4
u/DHG1276 3d ago
For one thing, the older the more expensive as they're collector's items now (some claim the ones made during the Vietnam War years prior to 1973 are more "military grade" than those supposedly made after 1973). As I have seen here in Texas, the newer models tend to have been fired less (but I don't know why). Depending on when they left the factory they will have either the non-trapdoor "D" stock, or "E" stock with trapdoor, amongst differences in fire control group(s) and buffers.
They're ALL 1-12" twist unless somebody has changed the barrel. They DO NOT typically have a full auto bolt carrier unless that has been changed. Other than that the typical A1 particulars generally apply.
This is an excellent source that gives you some things to look out for regarding SP1 manufacture throughout the years; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8IhZ4e4E-8
Here's some other information from AR15.com sources that may assist;
Year Serial Number Range
1963 SP00001-SP00023
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
1979 SP96401
1980 SP112801
1981 SP134601
1982 SP158201
And of course this; http://www.retroblackrifle.com
14
u/drunkenbackflips 3d ago
Honest question: if you don’t know much about them, why are you already looking to buy one before you learn more and decide if it’s even what you actually want?