My "New" Retro AR....Lots of pics

ted_dent said:
Just curious, when did the US switch over to the A1 flash hider from the original 3 slot triangle style?
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I think the 3-prong fh were ceased in the late '60's because they were susceptible to breaking/bending.
The full-slotted A1's (like mine) were eventually replaced with the current version that were not slotted at the bottom to lessen "sand blast" signature when shooting in the prone position.

I'm still learning about these Colt's so forgive me if my info in inaccurrate....
 
the judge said:
That is a great looking Colt!

I have pretty much gone the same direction. I had a Colt 6920 for years that was my go to gun. It had the usual assortment of 'upgrades' hanging off it. It managed to stay as my primary AR among a goodly number of other AR platforms that have passed through my hands over the past several years.

I am now down to just a Colt Sp1 ;).

It is hands down my favourite. Mine has some honest service use wear being an ex-service rifle. I have done some minor cosmetic (stocks) changes to it, otherwise it is stock which is just how I like.
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Your AR "experience" is similar to mine. I got tired of all the doodads not to mention the heft.
Any pics of your SP1?
 
the judge said:
That is a great looking Colt!

I have pretty much gone the same direction. I had a Colt 6920 for years that was my go to gun. It had the usual assortment of 'upgrades' hanging off it. It managed to stay as my primary AR among a goodly number of other AR platforms that have passed through my hands over the past several years.

I am now down to just a Colt Sp1 ;).

It is hands down my favourite. Mine has some honest service use wear being an ex-service rifle. I have done some minor cosmetic (stocks) changes to it, otherwise it is stock which is just how I like.
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SP-1 an Ex "service Rifle". I wasn't aware that SP-1's were ever on issuance?
Scott
 
johNTO said:
...did a search on the net and found the "triangle" charging handle and the "slick-side" BC with chrome bolt. Both were pre-'71.

Makes me wonder why my BC has the serrations on the side even though my rifle doesn't have the forward assist.....hmmmm

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1) A previous owner robbed out the rarer and more desirable slick-side carrier and dropped in a cheaper less collectible commercial Colt A2 bolt.
2) The rifle could be transitional and uses a commercial M16A2 bolt.

Pick one - no way to know for sure.
 
Claven2 said:
1) A previous owner robbed out the rarer and more desirable slick-side carrier and dropped in a cheaper less collectible commercial Colt A2 bolt.
2) The rifle could be transitional and uses a commercial M16A2 bolt.

Pick one - no way to know for sure.
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Claven2...probably 2)

...info from another site on the early SP1 BCG.
"Earliest ones were slick sided (no FA notches) with phosphate finish. Colt discontinued chrome bolt carriers early in Model 603/XM16E1 production shortly around 1964, long before 1967 when they standardized on M16A1. A few sporters were produced in the 1963-64 range, though, and they may have had a chrome carrier."

"The SP1 carrier with the chromed bolt is from a three digit serial numbered SP1"

Also interesting is the SP1's with 3-digit serial no. 56x had a 1/14 twist barrel
 
johNTO said:
Your AR "experience" is similar to mine. I got tired of all the doodads not to mention the heft.
Any pics of your SP1?
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You bet!

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I replaced the grip, trigger guard and hanguards with Magpul MOE.

The charging handle will be replaced shortly with one of the Bravo Company variants.

Other than that, I really like it the way it is. ;)

Oh, and yes..Magpul mags these days. I have Colt 20/5's, but I got tired of having the old mags get bent feed lips when dropped so I have shelved them to preserve the couple I have left.
 
johNTO said:
I think the 3-prong fh were ceased in the late '60's because they were susceptible to breaking/bending.
The full-slotted A1's (like mine) were eventually replaced with the current version that were not slotted at the bottom to lessen "sand blast" signature when shooting in the prone position.

I'm still learning about these Colt's so forgive me if my info in inaccurrate....
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You may well be correct although I did hear a story that the three pronged ones were a problem because they got snagged on branches which, in Vietnam, could be an everyday occurrence.

Should you find that, in fact, the 3 prong model is correct for your gun they are still available. I've seen the odd one at gun shows and I believe that due to the resurgence of retro ARs they are still being manufactured.
 
Great looking rifle. If you want to make it look really early, get the dimpled selector, retro mag release and bolt catch and a 3 prong flashider. I am jealous.
 
I really like the look of the 3-prong FH even though it may not be time correct for my '71 SP1.
I'll have to keep my eyes open for one and perhaps some of the earlier controls.

judge...I recently picked up some 5/30 Pmags (Good deal). I'll have to keep them in mind if I'm doing any drop mag drills. Don't want to damage my 5/20 Colt mags either!
Nice rifle btw....
 
Do believe that your bolt carrier is correct for this rifle. GI XM16E1 (and later M16A1) rifles had forward assist as early as '64. Once the Army officially adopted the M16A1 Colt had little use for the slab side uppers since most of the M16's had already been built for the Air Force. Simple solution was to use them on commercial models. Same deal with bolt carriers, once the slickside ones had been used up it made little sense to manufacture them without the cuts.
 
^^^ I believe you are right. I have in my hands right now an SP1 ser # SP1312xx that is unfired.(Yep, you read that right!) It has the notches cut on the bolt but no forward assist.
 
Seems like the retro AR's are getting more popular! Nice rifle, just today I picked up my slick side Colt upper for my XM177 build.
 
ArtyMan said:
Seems like the retro AR's are getting more popular! Nice rifle, just today I picked up my slick side Colt upper for my XM177 build.
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ArtyMan...that sounds like a nice build! Where are you getting your parts?
I actually found an old thread you posted of your Retro Colt and was inspired to get one.
 
johNTO said:
ArtyMan...that sounds like a nice build! Where are you getting your parts?
I actually found an old thread you posted of your Retro Colt and was inspired to get one.
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In regards to my build, the only part I have is the upper. As for everything else Im not sure, will have to wait until I get more cash anyway. I picked up the upper as it seemingly fell into my hands off a gent here on CGN. Everything else I will pick up slowly over time as it comes up as Im not in a big rush. The biggest block it seems will be finding a clone of the comp, which although seemingly common down south (few companies making copies) they are difficult to locate up here. Im still not sure if I can buy a Bushmaster clone down south and bring it back. Will have to check.
 
I did a run of the clone comps a while back, there maybe a few still out there...I don't have any retros anymore but my go to gun still has shades of the old days...

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