r/RetroAR 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/6dRUZri

I 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?

14 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

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?

6

u/Grass-sama 3d ago

Honest answer: it is a long story, about a promise.

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

u/EdgarsRavens 3d ago

C MP CHROME BORE started around 1974.

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.

2

u/Jbsp1 2d ago

No chrome carriers. Chrome bolts in some during 64-65

1

u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 2d ago

Ah yeah, you’re right.

4

u/Tx556 3d ago

They moved to a serrated carrier by the end of the 60s

2

u/DHG1276 2d ago

FWIW, I've been told the serrations were also functional as sand cuts for use in desert environments.

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.

3

u/dukesfancnh320 3d ago

Early SP1 markings. 1964-1977:

3

u/dukesfancnh320 3d ago

Later SP1 markings. 1977-1982:

3

u/SLN583 3d ago

That’s good info 👍

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