Colt AR-15

[arcangeltyrael]

http://www.armslist.com/posts/346736/louisville-kentucky-rifles-for-sale--colt-ar-15-sporter-sp-1--223?utm_source=c000019&utm_medium=plink&utm_campaign=p021481

I've been wanting an AR-15 for a long time, specifically an older one. This one caught my eye and is local. How do they perform as opposed to newer platforms? And is this a fair price for this model?

[circuits]

They're as good as any AR-15 type rifle ever made, and better than most.

Only pain in the butt is the screw-type pivot pin for the upper, and the larger, non-standard hole size Colt used - which is a complete non-issue if you don't intend to go swapping things around, and just want the rifle like it is.

Price looks to be real close to high retail - most similar rifles are listed with starting bids at $1200-$1300, but sit for MONTHS and MONTHS at those initial bids, though they do still occasionally sell at those asking prices.

If you just gotta have an oldschool rifle, that's a high, but not insane, asking price.

[mriddick]

My old 70's and 80's AR's were never as reliable as today's models I've owned. I owned a SP1 back in the 80's that seemed unable to fire a complete mag without a malfunction. IMO alot of changes have been made in the design since the 80's that have helped them work much better, hence I do not look at these types of rifles as shooters as much as collectables. If you want a collectable it's not a bad price (normally on armslist there is some room to dicker), if going for a shooter I'd rather build a retro model from new parts.

[5.56NATO]

What he said. You'd come out ahead by building a new one with known good parts and probably save money at it.

[Schuetzenman]

What he said. You'd come out ahead by building a new one with known good parts and probably save money at it.

This and what mriddick said is true imo. You can get a complete lower with stock for $250 to $275 ish. Get a complete upper with bolt carrier for $450 to $650 depending on barrel and handguard configuration. You want something extreme you can pop $900 + for just a complete upper, but I digress. Assembly is merely pushing the front and rear push pins in once you've set the upper on the lower. Instant rifle! No tools and still cheaper than that SP-1 antique.

[mrkalashnikov]

I've been toying with the idea of building a retro-looking civvie M16. Does anyone have a source for the stock, grip, & triangular handguards?

[Gunreference1]

I've been toying with the idea of building a retro-looking civvie M16. Does anyone have a source for the stock, grip, & triangular handguards?

Sarco might have some of what you're looking for.

http://www.sarcoinc.com/m16.html

Steve

[AK-J]

Sarco might have some of what you're looking for.

http://www.sarcoinc.com/m16.html

Steve

When you click on the part number AR323 it takes you to a page that says "No matching products were found, please try again."

I'd hazard to guess they're sold out.

[5.56NATO]

Someone could probably clean up if they made retro handguards and buttstocks.

[skorpion]

Gun shows seem to be the best bet for original A1 parts since nobody seems to make new ones. That's how I came across the A1 hand guards and pistol grip for my retro AR build.

[Warthogg]

My old 70's and 80's AR's were never as reliable as today's models I've owned. I owned a SP1 back in the 80's that seemed unable to fire a complete mag without a malfunction. IMO alot of changes have been made in the design since the 80's that have helped them work much better, hence I do not look at these types of rifles as shooters as much as collectables. If you want a collectable it's not a bad price (normally on armslist there is some room to dicker), if going for a shooter I'd rather build a retro model from new parts.

Yup. Use of high speed cameras has been very helpful in correcting problems.


Wart

[fivehundred333]

Thats the best site out there.

http://www.armslist.com/contests?utm_source=c000019&utm_medium=plink&utm_campaign=p025017

[mrkalashnikov]

Sarco might have some of what you're looking for.

http://www.sarcoinc.com/m16.html

Steve

Out of stock. But Numrich Arms has used sets, though the condition doesn't sound too hot: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=13510

[Texas Soldado]

Someone could probably clean up if they made retro handguards and buttstocks.

A month ago Sportsmansguide had complete A1 parts kits sans lower receiver.

I used to have an SP1 and it worked really well for me... very lightweight compared to current AR platforms, that said, I sold it after 20 something years because I hated the large pin/2 screwdriver hinge set up. It was a pain just for break-down cleaning. Of course in the early years it didn't seem like a big deal but after being in the Army, I could see that it was a step in the wrong direction. Colt is famous (to me) for making civilian versions 'effed' up like current large diameter pins, some sort of weird pinned block in the receiver. I would recommend Milspec, and nothing else.