Colts (or owners?) at an all time high

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This past week I've seen two Colt SP1s in the EE. One was described as mint and unfired, the other is 80-85%. Now generally a featureless SP1 with a light 1/12 barrel, early furniture, and nonstandard screw takedown pin isn't worth a premium in this saturated AR marketplace. However these two guns are listed for $1,700 and an astounding $2,200 (for the 80%er!) respectively!

I know some people think Colt is the end all, be all of ARs an it reflects in the pricing of LE6920s and such. I've owned several brands of ARs and honestly I didn't see a major difference that commanded such a premium (prices down south are a lot more reasonable), but whatever. Now I do NOT mean to insult the sellers of the two above rifles; I believe firmly that capitalism is an important tenet of our society and you're free to ask what you want for a product. But the last bone stock SP1s I saw on the EE were around the $800-1000 mark.

Are these two examples really indicative of the current market, or two sellers with unreasonable expectations? Colt collectors please chime in, usually aficionados are more apt to pay a premium for something specific.
 
Considering Colt doesn't support Canada (only .22 LR available) and pretty much abandoned the US civilian market for years; I won't touch them. They can go bankrupt as far as I'm concerned. :runaway:
 
I paid $1000 for mine and both the seller and I were happy. That being said there has been much more interest recently in "retro" AR's.
 
I have an unfired SP1 that I purchased new. I am considering selling it privately. I agree that the rarity of the model makes realistic pricing difficult. If memory serves me correctly, the last SP1 was described as having a 1/7 barrel twist. Perhaps an experienced Colt collector could offer an informed opinion.
 
hiredgun said:
I have an unfired SP1 that I purchased new. I am considering selling it privately. I agree that the rarity of the model makes realistic pricing difficult. If memory serves me correctly, the last SP1 was described as having a 1/7 barrel twist. Perhaps an experienced Colt collector could offer an informed opinion.
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Typically SP-1's were a 1/12 twist. Either confused or had the barrel changed out at some point.
 
I know where there's an unused Colt HBar, custom shop tuned, heavy barrel, in the factory hard case, with Colt marked Swan scope mount, Colt scope and factory cheek rest - still wearing the hang tag - for $1700. In my opinion (& I'm not an expert, or a collector - I'm a shooter) those prices are on the high side. But overpricing sh*t is the last bastion of freedom from what I can see, so more power to them.
 
there is a strong Colt gunowner community out there, and they really love thier rifles. i purchased a LE6920 last year with a high round count and took it out a few times, nice rifle but not outstanding by any means. i traded it for a BNIB Noveske Infidel, and i was more than impressed with the quality and accuracy. i personally think i got the better deal with the Noveske, but thats just my opinion. i would happily own another LE6920, just not for the same price as a Noveske or KAC...
 
While I don't think the 6920 is anything special, their rarity in Canada is why they command such a premium. The SP1 on the other hand are far from rare and can usually be found for under a $1 000.

I'd probably pay a couple of extra dollars for a 6520 because they seem to be extremely hard to find up here, although that's probably because they don't have the cool factor others covet, so are less in demand.
 
I saw that later SP1 price on the forum the other day also. I laughed. It's prices like those that make me wish there was a way to vote thumbs up or down on the deal price. That'd be a polite way of adjusting prices and helping newbies out who obviously have no idea what they should be selling their swag for.

The thing about Colt AR15s is that at one point (the 80s and 90s) it seems that most AR15s in Canada were Colts. So, technically speaking, they're not exactly rare (especially the fixed carry handle 20" barrel variants). The rarity is the new Colt rifles and the occasional odd-balls that made it over. As indicated above, they're decent rifles, but they're not worth an arm and a leg.
 
cancer said:
I saw that later SP1 price on the forum the other day also. I laughed. It's prices like those that make me wish there was a way to vote thumbs up or down on the deal price. That'd be a polite way of adjusting prices and helping newbies out who obviously have no idea what they should be selling their swag for.

The thing about Colt AR15s is that at one point (the 80s and 90s) it seems that most AR15s in Canada were Colts. So, technically speaking, they're not exactly rare (especially the fixed carry handle 20" barrel variants). The rarity is the new Colt rifles and the occasional odd-balls that made it over. As indicated above, they're decent rifles, but they're not worth an arm and a leg.
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At one time, the only AR15s WERE Colts.

There simply were no other manufacturers. That changed when then patents expired.

Still, in the 1970s and 1980s, ARs were only so popular. A lot of people had no time for the "poodle shooter" and even black rifle guys mostly wanted 7.62 NATO rifles. With FN FALs, HK 91s, AR10s and actual USGI M14s avalable, that wasn't such a problem.

After the C7 was adopted, and more AR manufacturers came on line, they started to get more popular. Then they went Restricted. Prior to mandatory licensing and universal registration, the Restricted classification turned a lot of people off. Few wanted a papered long gun that could only be shot on a range.

Of course its all different today. The whole AR15 thing in Canada has just exploded and morphed into a whole new thing. I think Colts stand out as they are the "original" AR15s. If you grew up in the '60s or '70s you know what I mean.

I collect Colt AR15s. Some of the SP1s in the EE look interesting, but some of the asking prices are definitely on the high side. Theres only so much of a market for old school Colts, and prices have even come down in the U.S. for all but the most rare or obscure models. SP1s are not rare.

I'd love to get another SP1, but I think I'd want a 6920 more. It's what the market will bear.
 
P90Puma said:
I know two guys who spent 3500$ each on matching LE6920's, I'm all for more black rifle owners, but way to pay a premium for an inferior product at that price point.
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I would like to know where these $3500 6920's were available? I've never seen them for that price new or used. When real LE 6920's showed up in Canada they were about $1800 and most recent $2399 I think. Maybe they bought some scopes ect to go with them for that price?

Why do you think they are inferior? Common opinion is that they are quality AR's just somewhat overpriced when compared to other quality AR's.
 
crashcollins said:
I would like to know where these $3500 6920's were available? I've never seen them for that price new or used. When real LE 6920's showed up in Canada they were about $1800 and most recent $2399 I think. Maybe they bought some scopes ect to go with them for that price?

Why do you think they are inferior? Common opinion is that they are quality AR's just somewhat overpriced when compared to other quality AR's.
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IIRC CFRAM was selling them for $3200 brand new last year. After taxes, you're looking at over $3500 for most provinces. That said, you're right for between the years of 2004 to 2006, they could be had for under $2000, which is probably what they're really worth.
 
Hey, i think some of you are referring to my sp1 for sale. I don't need to sell it so i was just testing the waters. I apologize for the high price. I had no idea it was too over priced. I have never seen a colt bayonet offered so i thought ide try what i thought was fair but i guess it wasn't. And for the twist like i said in the EE add i was by no means an expert in the gun so i will i just my add for info and price. If anyone has a reasonable offer Iam more than willing to entertain it..

thanks
 
No apologies skid dog! Like I'd said I wasn't trying to be inflammatory, just curious if Colts had really gotten to that point.
 
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