Colt SP1 (223) Overview

Brief overview of a beautiful 1973's Colt SP1 package, including the bayonet, sling, bipod and original Colt optics.
All firearms presented comply with local applicable law. This material is for entertainment only and the information shall not be used for commercial or other purposes. All responsibility and liability is declined in case of wrong application/interpretation of this material as it is for entertainment only. Check your local law and be safe!

[@elifoust7664]

Issued the M-16a1,1974 ,US ARMY BASIC TRAIN, Looked like a toy until you shot it ,fine weapon. Enjoy the civ version.

[@Mondo762]

Yes the SP1 seems cheap on the outside. It's internals are where the quality is. The whole rifle is actually military spec. The SP1 was built alongside military M16's. It was made to be lightweight and quick handling. The basic design was revolutionary for it's time.

[@spd579]

Hello! Very good overview. When you have a chance, check out James Yeager @ tactical response. He had his hands on an original, full-auto, commercial AR-15, from 1960! Capt. Birdzell, found it at Remington, in one of their storage rooms short of its bolt/bolt carrier group. Most impressive videos on that old rifle. Now, about what you have. If it was made in 1973, the chamber will likely be chrome lined but, not the barrel. During the Vietnam war, the problems of malfunctions was due to switching from what was called, "stick" powder, to what was standard for all U.S. military ammo, "ball" powder. Ball power raised the chamber pressure and cyclet rate of fire. Also, plugging the gas tube. After 1969, they starting the chroming the chambers. In 1970, they figured out that it was a calcium filler used in the ball powder, that was the problem and dropped the filler from production. In 1971, they started chroming the entire bore, from chamber to crown. Another problem was administrative. No cleaning kits! Thank you, secretary of defence McNamara! Ok, a couple of things to note about you newly bought AR-15 SP1. At the pivot point of the upper and lower receivers, is a two piece screw. The reasons for that, was so you could not swap a full-auto receiver, for the semi. The ring is a different size, than that of government issue. Larger. Now, compare bolt carriers. You will notice the other cut out at where the back end of the firing pin is. Again, another thing to separate government issue from commercial semi-auto. The fence, that would be around the magazine release button, did not come along until the M16A1. The XM16E1, had the raised section, under the ejection port, to house the small spring that forced a pin into a slot, into the now new captive pivot pin, This feature was added around 1965. The fence feature, was added around 1966. Official adoption didn't happen until Dec, 1966. Remember, this was for the G.I. rifles. All the above goodies did not happen for civilian rifles, until 1984, when the AR-15A2 became avalible. At that time, Colt was the game in town for AR's. Others followed, yes. On your newly bought SP1, have the chamber and throat, checked for errossion. Check the back of the firing pin for any bending or cracking. The same for the cam pin, too. Check the barrel under the hand guards, the slip ring, and the hand guard end cap for rust. To remove the hand guards, don't try to bring the slip ring down, all at once. Tilt the slip ring one side at a time. Wrapping your thumb, trigger finger, and web of your palm around the slip ring, and push down word, one side at a time. Same thing to reinstall. Yes, what you have is what was intended to be, the lite weight rifle, that didn't wear you down after along patrol. 300 to 500 meter engagements. Simple to replace parts. Pack a lot of ammo. Yes, improvements came along and some for the better and some.........eh. Yes, my hands on with the SP1, goes back to 1981. A birthday gift from father, to son. My father knew what the future held for me. A tour of duty, with my Uncle Sam! LOL! I learned the basic function of the system, what to watch out for, and how to keep it working. My SP1, was made in 1979. Yes, it had a chrome bore and chamber. Check out NoDak Spuds and Brownells for parts and receivers. I hope that my information helps you. Good luck and enjoy, this rifle!

[@SwissGunGuy]

Wow, thanks a lot for taking the time to put down all this information! Hopefully it will help other viewers as well, it has a lot of interesting background info. I was kind of able to reconcile some of your historical points, but the more technical bits are new to me. I went to the range after this video and shot it at 100m. Had to adjust POI horizontally but otherwise it was already very spot on, and I was using random .223. I understand the twist rate on these early SP1 is somewhat not used any longer but that did not affect accuracy at 100m. Granted 100m is not a great distance to begin with, but still. I especially like how you can "hear" the spring oscillate a little bit in the stock after the bolt goes back into battery! I'm glad to own this one, a great piece of history.

[@spd579]

I'm glad to help. Rifling twist is the same as the A1's, 1 turn in 12 inchs. They only used 55 grain projectiles. Yes, a lot of history. I only scratched the surface. Yes, standard rifling twist now, for all N.A.T.O. standard is 1 turn in 7 inchs. Yes, run a compaireson of the SP1 to which ever rifle of modern make and the same caliber. The results, will be interesting.

[@elifoust7664]

Forward assist-

[@SimonR141]

I want to know swiss citizen can own a new machine gun (I mean HK416D,M16A4,F2000,G36C etc.) and license for own machine gun hard to get ?

[@SwissGunGuy]

Simon Riley you could buy all of them in select fire, problem is less the license but rather the unavailability on the market

[@ichderjogi]

What are these things typically being sold for in switzerland? Im currently on the hunt for a retro Colt AR-15 but they seem RARE in europe and even rarer here in germany! Feel free to pm me

[@SwissGunGuy]

The price can vary, depends if you get the whole "original" package including the resp. accessories. Never saw one going for less than 2.5-ish CHF

[@ichderjogi]

SwissGunGuy Thank you. 2.5 for a good one with all the goodies like yours or just the rifle alone?