This has been on my short list for a very long time.

It has the original Colt 4x20 optic. I have the IDF version on my other SP1.

Nice!

Congratulations!

That’s among my most favorite AR configurations, personally.

I ordered a stripped A1 upper and am going to get a dissipator upper and remove the barrel and transfer it to the A1. The whole A4 upper is around $200. Lowers are super cheap nowadays also.

My surplus store up the street has stocks and triangle hand guards. I want to build the Vietnam era dissipator with the modern reliable gas system.

That’s sweet. Brings back memories. I had three of those back in the day, along with one of those Colt optics. Sadly sold all. Enjoy..

Man I love that gun. It would be even sweeter with a compact ACOG in the carry handle.

I have always liked the old school slim light guns without all the junk hanging off them that is common these days.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
I have always liked the old school slim light guns without all the junk hanging off them that is common these days.

I call them man Barbies®.

You get none of the advantages of an M14, but with all the weight.

Very cool. Congrats.

Congratulations on a very fine carbine.

Hey Mars,
I'm looking at buying one right now and like yours the BC has the grooves for the assist but obviously there is not one. Would this mean the BCG has been replaced at some point? It's not a big deal to me but I just want to pay accordingly...

Depends on the age and type (rifle or carbine) of the SP1 you're looking at.

Early SP1 rifles had slick-side BCGs, and then later production SP1 rifles had serrated BCGs (starting in roughly the late 1960s/early 1970s).

By the time the SP1 carbines were being produced beginning in 1977, Colt had long since transitioned to using the serrated BCGs, so they should all have those.

It's a 1982. The proper BCG is serrated.

Ok gotcha, thanks. The serial number for the one I'm looking at puts it in 79 or 80 so that makes sense.

I'm envious. The temptation to SBR that would be too strong for the to resist however. Then I'd have to find ANOTHER SP1 upper to keep around so I could switch back and forth. Vicious cycle.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
The temptation to SBR that would be too strong for the to resist however.

Cutting chrome-lined barrels is problematic. This is not even taking into account the collectibility of that rifle.

True story. Chopping a SP1 is a no go. That just leaves me hunting a period correct CAR-15 upper with moderator. Far safer if I just lust over his rifle from afar. My wife has learned the price of such things. Dangerous times.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Cutting chrome-lined barrels is problematic. This is not even taking into account the collectibility of that rifle.

I agree that the rifle's value would be compromised by cutting down the barrel, and thus a second barrel & upper is a better option.

My local 'smith has cut chrome-lined barrels. If done carefully, he said it isn't a big issue. The challenge is keeping the chrome from flaking at the cut & crown, as this could reduce accuracy. However, with a grin he stated that anyone using a chrome-lined barrel doesn't place accuracy as their primary barrel consideration.

I would love a similar setup but probably with a flat top. Slim light and handy.

When I was 19 years old (1984) I traded my stainless Ruger Mini-14 and some cash for a used one just like this! Thanks for the memory!