I'm a firearms enthusiast, with "intermediate" abilities. I shoot mainly for fun, and practice for home defense. Many of the channels have turned into "sales platforms", promoting products and such. I understand they want to make money, and that's fine. However, I want some good accurate information as well. You definitely provide that. Thanks very much.
@ 1:36 in the video he said Oct 23rd 1963 ...And here i am on Oct 23rd 2021 watching this video for the first time.. and he right away answered and cleared up the most crazed rumor un educated people spout- I.E AR15 model questions. ..He does an awesome job in his videos! always a pleasure to see things said the right way. Semper Fi and cheers from the woods of Maine. !
I have had the Colt SP1 carbine version since 1979 and it has been an outstanding rifle, so light to carry hunting, you just wouldn't believe it. Performs like a dream. Thank you for showing it on your channel. Blessings to you and family.
Well, the AFT made Colt do it so it could be sold to the civilian market without being an NFA firearm. The US government had been corrupt for longer than anyone admits.
I sold my pre forward assist 1973 Colt Sp 1 in 2007 to finance my divorce, and it still haunts me to this day. I was young (25 ish) and dumb and had no idea what I had. I had a few AR’s and didn’t have enough knowledge to know which one to let go and which ones to keep. Every time I look at my bushmaster or stag from that time that i still have, I get nauseous for letting that 1970’s goddess go.....
Oddly enough, I've bought four SP1 carbines about 10 years ago. Half were PD trade-in's (they bought new Bushmaster M-4gerys) and guys wanting the carbines that looked like military M-4s. All for less than six hundred each.
Can't wait for the SP2 series, I'd pre-ordered 2 of them before they were released. What I got wasn't what I was expecting. Be nice to know more about this oddity...
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Ive had a 6001 in my collection for a few years and didnt have a lot of specific information on the model.
This guy sticks to facts. Sorry I forget his name. He can not be bought and paid for. A true Colt AR-15 enthuist. Best Fucking informational Channel in my humble opinion.
You wouldn't believe the hate that some so-called "pro-gun" people will throw at you if you point out that M16's and M4's ARE AR15's, but not the other way around (just like a square is a rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares). I find their staunch position that AR15's and M16's/M4's are different distastefully apologetic regarding our 2nd Amendment rights. THANK YOU for clearing that up in this video.
The very early Colt civilian AR-15s are really more of a 602 though right? Sight adjustment marks on the carry handle, black Type C furniture, 1/12 twist barrel, type 2 3 prong, half round gas key etc. The only non 602 feature I see is the rear sight adjustment marks are raised when 602 was etched. So that would be a 604 type upper receiver which is consistent with the 603 and 604 military models being introduced in '64, the same year of the featured rifle. All of the rest is 602, which honestly makes this rifle more cool to me since they are even more rare than 601 transferable rifles and parts. Lastly from what I understand nearly all 602s still used the original triangular charging handle, with the current type being introduced very late in 602 production. Does the first rifle have the "early bend" gas tube? Also is it a VP marked barrel or MVP? Also please do more of these, I'd watch a 2 hour long Chris Bartocci M16 video.
Excellent!!!! I got my new years gift early... this ‘channel’ should be a cable show with co-host Mishaco... incredibly informative and welcome. Thanks
Excellent video. Looking forward to bringing out my dad's r6002 for cleaning, inspection and sending rounds down range. Will I be able to find the manufactured date from the serial number ?
I think I know the answer to this, but thought I’d ask you since you are very knowledgable on these rifles. 1980 SP1 marked Colt 223, are these specifically chambered for the 223 remington. Or is it also safe to fire 5.56 nato in these? Thanks.
I have a colt sp1, and from the serial number it was made in 1968. I have everything except the box and manual. My question is do you know when colt moved from the Edgewater system to the more common buffer?
I remember my first range day in the US Army. We got up early in the Ozarks of Missouri on a cold, overcast, December morning for a 5 mile march followed by rifle training, marksmanship and how to cook and eat a 'C' ration. The lucky ones would get a p-38 can opener and got to open their cans before the flimsy openers were broken or lost. The smell of ammunition, wet cardboard, and canned food always gives me a woody since that day.
And that's why it's called Lost in the Woods! Went through from Oct-Dec in 86. Had MRE's for a few years before that. But thanks to Dad, I have a number of memories of C rats.
I have that early gun when my dad passed away the local Police Chief gave me a call told me to come pick his guns up he was a FFL way back when in MA and in MA if you don't have a LTCF the local Sheriff's dept has to confiscate them until someone in the family can come down with one. Well I live in PA drove up showed them my LTCF it was a a problem with the Deputy but the Chief who knew my dad came out told them to release my dads guns to me. I drove home didn't stop until I got to PA. So when we arrived home and I pulled this rifle out of one of three big boxes plus 2x Armalite AR180 guns one was a genuine Costamesa the other Howa. Anyway what would be replacement parts needed to shoot her safely? I have to say my dads came with the Duckbill flash hider not sure if he did that or if the factory sent it out like that?
Chris quick question.. You mentioned that the *Sporter II* was discontinued in 1988. I assume the remainder of the *Sporter II* were probably sold into and throughout 1989.. What I'm trying to figure out now is did Colt implement any sear blocks post production of these already assembled *Sporter IIs* (due to the Stockton schoolyard shooting in March of 1989) in order to please the government? Or are all the Sporter IIs clear from sear blocks?
As usual, great stuff. Lots of info. I really wish other gun channels would adopt your intro rather than 3-5 minutes of heavy metal/industrial and constant/rapid blasting. I fast forward through all of them. Keep up the good work!
Sporter-1 versions had 1/12” twist. 1/14" was only on the Colt 601 select-fire military rifles made from 1959-1963, primarily for USAF Contracts and Project AGILE for US Army. A lot of what made the Colt 602 changes went into the civilian SP-1 production, but using 601 lower receiver forgings. The earliest SP-1s had 601 lowers with the RET roll pin intersect. Most of the production were 601 forgings but with the roll pin RET intersect deleted from the machining of the lower. Early SP-1s had cast FSBs, while later ones had forged FSBs.
I am almost certain that there were 1/14 bbls used on the very earliest 1964 production SP1’s. Any rifle with a serial number below 600 could have a bbl without the 12 stamped in it. These have the cast FSB.
I love these technical history videos. Even when he dogs my 1911. 😉 Now that I resumed the video...that 6002 might have appeared in the pilot movie for Fantasy Island. I am thinking of the time frame, 78 or 79? And a man in helicopter was leaning out shooting, and he had an AR with the scope.
@@SmallArmsSolutions My carrier is also cut back further. It is a full M16A1 with auto sear cut out, forward assist notches, and slam fire prevention. Also, the hammer notch galls the bottom of the carrier, and can chew up the firing pin. It will cause battery failures on manually locked rounds, but from the LRBC no problems with lockup. Replace notched hammers with unnotched, and stone out any galling for a smooth action.
@@SmallArmsSolutions I do! The hammer would just catch the edge of the flange and rip it up. The above carrier is cut back 1 1/4" where the one shown looks to be 3/4" on the auto sear cut. Don't know if you're up on failure modes, but I ran across this one twice. Had a M16A1 that would fire on safe during it's 180 day inspection. Inspection showed a buildup of debris in the sear notch and the front of the trigger. Hammer/trigger pins were perfectly straight and not bent. Cleaning the notch and trigger was preformed, and then reassembled. Passed 10 function tests with no faults. Recently, I had to do the same to a friend's M4 that AD'd due to this same fault. Somehow, the trigger mechanism can give enough play to build up the dirt, so that the dirt becomes the sear! Keep that trigger mechanism clean!!!
😊have ar6401 changed upper receiver ,to ar6500, did I de grade this rifle,by this change, Do like the look of the r6550 or should lt be as a r6401, this rifle is 100% from HARTFORD, CONN. ....COLT!
I have a 161,000 sp1 lower I'm trying to restore back to correct spec, I bought a sp1 complete upper to, what I want to know what is the correct stock and pistol grip
It should have the earlier one without the trapdoor. That appeared 1971 or 72. Somebody replaced the stock on yours. Some folks do the opposite and replace the stocks and flash suppressors on 1970s rifles withe the old types because they just want that VN look.
According to the internet in my serial number I have one manufactured in 1979 it has a Magnesium phosphate Bolt. No forward assist smooth side. It is my favorite AR. 4 by 20 Colt scope
I have a 1976 vintage SP-1. It does NOT have a forward assist device but the bolt carrier DOES have the cuts in it for use with a forward assist. Is that correct, or did somebody replace the bolt carrier?
You know, I alwayd teach my son to look at an argument or issue from both sides but I cannot, for the life of me, understand how the American people could allow the government, who we are the boss of, regulate firearms. It is inconceivable to me how it is better for the people to be under equipped for the inevitable tyranny that arises out of ANY AND ALL governments. This nation was NEVER meant to have a standing army. We were NEVER supposed to get involved in foreign affairs. Only trade. The fact that people today don't gather together, armed with what we are told we cannot have as free people, and go to the capitol and tell the government what will and will not be acceptable any longer. The atf, along with all other alphabet agencies and federal law enforcement and taxation on the citizenry is strictly prohibited! Unconstitutional. The atf can have one convicted based on THEIR OPINION! HOLY HELL, PEOPLE! The atf is a MILITARIZED TAXATION WING OF THE IRS!!! This is exactly the kind of thing that led us to the revolutionary war! Taxation without representation! Interstate taxation on intrastate transactions! Federal and state laws that trample your constitutional rights! Wake TF up! The inevitable and only conclusion that an intelligent person can come to is that the American gun owner is a comolete and utter coward and should WILLINGLY give what they wont fight for. The one who stands idly by whilst evil tranples the free is far more evil than the tramplers themselves. It is on their backs that blame should be laid.
I have a SP1 from 1981. Works like a champ still all these years later.
I'm a firearms enthusiast, with "intermediate" abilities. I shoot mainly for fun, and practice for home defense. Many of the channels have turned into "sales platforms", promoting products and such. I understand they want to make money, and that's fine. However, I want some good accurate information as well. You definitely provide that. Thanks very much.
@ 1:36 in the video he said Oct 23rd 1963 ...And here i am on Oct 23rd 2021 watching this video for the first time.. and he right away answered and cleared up the most crazed rumor un educated people spout- I.E AR15 model questions. ..He does an awesome job in his videos! always a pleasure to see things said the right way. Semper Fi and cheers from the woods of Maine. !
I have had the Colt SP1 carbine version since 1979 and it has been an outstanding rifle, so light to carry hunting, you just wouldn't believe it. Performs like a dream. Thank you for showing it on your channel. Blessings to you and family.
That early SP1 is beautiful
Chris has given me a whole new appreciation for Eugene Stoner and the AR platform.
This entire video is just him explaining every method Colt used to neuter the gun.
Well, the AFT made Colt do it so it could be sold to the civilian market without being an NFA firearm. The US government had been corrupt for longer than anyone admits.
I sold my pre forward assist 1973 Colt Sp 1 in 2007 to finance my divorce, and it still haunts me to this day. I was young (25 ish) and dumb and had no idea what I had. I had a few AR’s and didn’t have enough knowledge to know which one to let go and which ones to keep.
Every time I look at my bushmaster or stag from that time that i still have, I get nauseous for letting that 1970’s goddess go.....
I thought I can get another anytime.But...
I have a few clones ,but they are just not the same.
Oddly enough, I've bought four SP1 carbines about 10 years ago. Half were PD trade-in's (they bought new Bushmaster M-4gerys) and guys wanting the carbines that looked like military M-4s. All for less than six hundred each.
i have a 1976 sp1, its a good rifle. i prefer it over my colt m4 even.
Can't wait for the SP2 series, I'd pre-ordered 2 of them before they were released. What I got wasn't what I was expecting. Be nice to know more about this oddity...
I finally slowed down enough to watch this. Well done as always. I really enjoyed the discussion of part variations and model differences.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Ive had a 6001 in my collection for a few years and didnt have a lot of specific information on the model.
I see that rifle, first thing I think of is I need to grow an 80s mullet and go make some over the top gory 80s Action movie set in Central America.
Get to tha choppa!
This guy sticks to facts. Sorry I forget his name. He can not be bought and paid for. A true Colt AR-15 enthuist. Best Fucking informational Channel in my humble opinion.
His name is Chris.
I wish I could thumbs up this video more. Love these looks back at the models and systems.
Didn’t even know that silver rifle existed!! Such a beauty😍
Great work as per usual. I always learn something. God bless. Happy new year to you and your family.
You wouldn't believe the hate that some so-called "pro-gun" people will throw at you if you point out that M16's and M4's ARE AR15's, but not the other way around (just like a square is a rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares). I find their staunch position that AR15's and M16's/M4's are different distastefully apologetic regarding our 2nd Amendment rights. THANK YOU for clearing that up in this video.
I have a 1978 orginal ar-15 sp1 223 with a green sling. Turns heads at the gun range.
Bought mine in 78 came in a white box with colt written on it if I remember, paid just over $300 for it at the gun store.
Chris I have the same rifle you have their at the beginning except mine came with the Duckbill flash hider instead of the standard 3 prong .
Anything not used on military production rifles would be used in SP1 production typically.
Great information, thank you.
The very early Colt civilian AR-15s are really more of a 602 though right? Sight adjustment marks on the carry handle, black Type C furniture, 1/12 twist barrel, type 2 3 prong, half round gas key etc.
The only non 602 feature I see is the rear sight adjustment marks are raised when 602 was etched. So that would be a 604 type upper receiver which is consistent with the 603 and 604 military models being introduced in '64, the same year of the featured rifle. All of the rest is 602, which honestly makes this rifle more cool to me since they are even more rare than 601 transferable rifles and parts.
Lastly from what I understand nearly all 602s still used the original triangular charging handle, with the current type being introduced very late in 602 production.
Does the first rifle have the "early bend" gas tube? Also is it a VP marked barrel or MVP?
Also please do more of these, I'd watch a 2 hour long Chris Bartocci M16 video.
Excellent!!!! I got my new years gift early... this ‘channel’ should be a cable show with co-host Mishaco... incredibly informative and welcome. Thanks
What a great, informative video. Great job, once again.
In Germany is currently a SP1 053xxx serial for auction
Mr79dream ja
Excellent video. Looking forward to bringing out my dad's r6002 for cleaning, inspection and sending rounds down range. Will I be able to find the manufactured date from the serial number ?
I'm subscribed and I haven't heard from your videos...
Is you tube limiting your videos
Happy new year........
Happy New year Chris
Wow!!I seen chris on the DISCOVERY CHANNEL!!!totally cool
I think I know the answer to this, but thought I’d ask you since you are very knowledgable on these rifles. 1980 SP1 marked Colt 223, are these specifically chambered for the 223 remington. Or is it also safe to fire 5.56 nato in these? Thanks.
All 5.56
@@SmallArmsSolutionsThanks.
Very thorough, thank you. How's your back?
I had two of them,a lifetime of regret,because I sold them.A rifle and the carbine.I made a nice profit during the AWB of '94, but....
Money is Money. And it is hard to pass up.
I have a colt sp1, and from the serial number it was made in 1968. I have everything except the box and manual. My question is do you know when colt moved from the Edgewater system to the more common buffer?
why this man look like he about to drop some mad hipster gun knowledge on me?
I remember my first range day in the US Army. We got up early in the Ozarks of Missouri on a cold, overcast, December morning for a 5 mile march followed by rifle training, marksmanship and how to cook and eat a 'C' ration. The lucky ones would get a p-38 can opener and got to open their cans before the flimsy openers were broken or lost. The smell of ammunition, wet cardboard, and canned food always gives me a woody since that day.
And that's why it's called Lost in the Woods! Went through from Oct-Dec in 86. Had MRE's for a few years before that. But thanks to Dad, I have a number of memories of C rats.
So all M16s are AR15s but not all AR15s are M16s.
Yup
I have that early gun when my dad passed away the local Police Chief gave me a call told me to come pick his guns up he was a FFL way back when in MA and in MA if you don't have a LTCF the local Sheriff's dept has to confiscate them until someone in the family can come down with one. Well I live in PA drove up showed them my LTCF it was a a problem with the Deputy but the Chief who knew my dad came out told them to release my dads guns to me. I drove home didn't stop until I got to PA. So when we arrived home and I pulled this rifle out of one of three big boxes plus 2x Armalite AR180 guns one was a genuine Costamesa the other Howa. Anyway what would be replacement parts needed to shoot her safely? I have to say my dads came with the Duckbill flash hider not sure if he did that or if the factory sent it out like that?
Straight or conical duck bill FH?
Can you make a video on the colt 711? I haven’t really heard much about them
should change the title to "the history of colt kissing government's ass and infringing of our rights". good and informative video as always
First model completed 10/23/63 and the Secret Service had them in Dallas on 11/22/63?
There was one in Dallas
Colt 601 production began in Dec, 1959.
Chris quick question..
You mentioned that the *Sporter II* was discontinued in 1988.
I assume the remainder of the *Sporter II* were probably sold into and throughout 1989.. What I'm trying to figure out now is did Colt implement any sear blocks post production of these already assembled *Sporter IIs* (due to the Stockton schoolyard shooting in March of 1989) in order to please the government? Or are all the Sporter IIs clear from sear blocks?
As usual, great stuff. Lots of info. I really wish other gun channels would adopt your intro rather than 3-5 minutes of heavy metal/industrial and constant/rapid blasting. I fast forward through all of them. Keep up the good work!
Did the colt sp1 ever come with a hook hammer say like in 1967 ?
If atf requested changes like the fat front retaing pin ect, why is it that every other manufacture was able to offer milspect version?
I may be wrong, but i think it had to do with the 86' machine gun ban which changed many laws that had to do with making a semi vs auto firearm.
I listened to the whole video, I may have missed it, is this a 1in12 or 1in14 twist rate barrel? thanks !
Sporter-1 versions had 1/12” twist. 1/14" was only on the Colt 601 select-fire military rifles made from 1959-1963, primarily for USAF Contracts and Project AGILE for US Army. A lot of what made the Colt 602 changes went into the civilian SP-1 production, but using 601 lower receiver forgings. The earliest SP-1s had 601 lowers with the RET roll pin intersect. Most of the production were 601 forgings but with the roll pin RET intersect deleted from the machining of the lower. Early SP-1s had cast FSBs, while later ones had forged FSBs.
I am almost certain that there were 1/14 bbls used on the very earliest 1964 production SP1’s. Any rifle with a serial number below 600 could have a bbl without the 12 stamped in it. These have the cast FSB.
I love these technical history videos. Even when he dogs my 1911. 😉 Now that I resumed the video...that 6002 might have appeared in the pilot movie for Fantasy Island. I am thinking of the time frame, 78 or 79? And a man in helicopter was leaning out shooting, and he had an AR with the scope.
Great content as always, Happy New Year Heather and Chris!
That SP-1 BCG looks different than mine, mine's cut back further. This video just left me more confused.
The Original Gamer these are the only way the carriers were made
@@SmallArmsSolutions My carrier is also cut back further. It is a full M16A1 with auto sear cut out, forward assist notches, and slam fire prevention. Also, the hammer notch galls the bottom of the carrier, and can chew up the firing pin. It will cause battery failures on manually locked rounds, but from the LRBC no problems with lockup. Replace notched hammers with unnotched, and stone out any galling for a smooth action.
@@2fathomsdeeper be sure you have the small head semi-auto firing pin
@@SmallArmsSolutions I do! The hammer would just catch the edge of the flange and rip it up. The above carrier is cut back 1 1/4" where the one shown looks to be 3/4" on the auto sear cut.
Don't know if you're up on failure modes, but I ran across this one twice. Had a M16A1 that would fire on safe during it's 180 day inspection. Inspection showed a buildup of debris in the sear notch and the front of the trigger. Hammer/trigger pins were perfectly straight and not bent. Cleaning the notch and trigger was preformed, and then reassembled. Passed 10 function tests with no faults. Recently, I had to do the same to a friend's M4 that AD'd due to this same fault. Somehow, the trigger mechanism can give enough play to build up the dirt, so that the dirt becomes the sear! Keep that trigger mechanism clean!!!
I will have to check my buffer with a magnet. I thought they were tungsten.
Nope, steel
😊have ar6401 changed upper receiver ,to ar6500, did I de grade this rifle,by this change, Do like the look of the r6550 or should lt be as a r6401, this rifle is 100% from HARTFORD, CONN. ....COLT!
What are your thoughts on colt announcing the reintroduction of the python?
Sure enough, it's no longer just talk, Colt really did bring "a" Python back out!
I have a 161,000 sp1 lower I'm trying to restore back to correct spec, I bought a sp1 complete upper to, what I want to know what is the correct stock and pistol grip
A1 pistol grip and type D stock
My ‘68 has the ‘trap door’ butt stock. Is that correct ? Also no ‘C’ markings on the upper and nothing on the BCG...
It should have the earlier one without the trapdoor. That appeared 1971 or 72. Somebody replaced the stock on yours. Some folks do the opposite and replace the stocks and flash suppressors on 1970s rifles withe the old types because they just want that VN look.
What magazine did the pre-1970 SP1 ship with ? Did it come with a sling ?
Redcat94 20 round aluminum with black or green M1 garand type sling
Great Video! I own an SP1 and you answered so many questions i had about it.
Happy new year Chris! We have a couple SP 1's at our department. Love shooting them!
Great video as usual. My favorite is the more modern 20” 1/7 twist A4 version.
Awesome video I am excited about the next couple
Let me know when you want me to send FNMI M16A2 URG
Been waiting on you to cover the Sporter series, you going to do the Sporter IIs and other early AR variants?
According to the internet in my serial number I have one manufactured in 1979 it has a Magnesium phosphate Bolt. No forward assist smooth side. It is my favorite AR. 4 by 20 Colt scope
Manganese Phosphate, not magnesium. Those are great little carbines.
I have a 1976 vintage SP-1. It does NOT have a forward assist device but the bolt carrier DOES have the cuts in it for use with a forward assist. Is that correct, or did somebody replace the bolt carrier?
Isaac Arnold it is correct
@@SmallArmsSolutions Thanks! Happy New Year!
I'd like to see you do a video on the sporter a2 rifle please
Present.
Nay
very interesting to sea with the "auto sear cut"
German market uppers have to be that way, either never machined out or permanently sealed off.
Classic ATF cancer.
So what were those diagonal cuts behind the bolt lugs? Part of the peening process?
Machining process for the lugs.
Too bad soon we won’t be able to buy Colts anymore
You can find colts through law enforcement dealers arms unlimited always has them
Bears 85
For a while. They will be gone soon
@@calebclark6739 they will be making them again once they fulfill there military contracts
Colt just got bought by CZ Arms if I'm not mistaken. So hopefully, they'll still be available once CZ fires anti gunners in the company!
I have a 1982 Sp1 carbine. Wonder what it’s worth these days
They are upwards of $3k these days
i have a 1984 sp1. what crap. casting and tool marks. if anyone made an AR today, that looks like colts crap, they would be laughed outta the market.
You know, I alwayd teach my son to look at an argument or issue from both sides but I cannot, for the life of me, understand how the American people could allow the government, who we are the boss of, regulate firearms. It is inconceivable to me how it is better for the people to be under equipped for the inevitable tyranny that arises out of ANY AND ALL governments. This nation was NEVER meant to have a standing army. We were NEVER supposed to get involved in foreign affairs. Only trade. The fact that people today don't gather together, armed with what we are told we cannot have as free people, and go to the capitol and tell the government what will and will not be acceptable any longer. The atf, along with all other alphabet agencies and federal law enforcement and taxation on the citizenry is strictly prohibited! Unconstitutional. The atf can have one convicted based on THEIR OPINION! HOLY HELL, PEOPLE! The atf is a MILITARIZED TAXATION WING OF THE IRS!!! This is exactly the kind of thing that led us to the revolutionary war! Taxation without representation! Interstate taxation on intrastate transactions! Federal and state laws that trample your constitutional rights! Wake TF up!
The inevitable and only conclusion that an intelligent person can come to is that the American gun owner is a comolete and utter coward and should WILLINGLY give what they wont fight for. The one who stands idly by whilst evil tranples the free is far more evil than the tramplers themselves. It is on their backs that blame should be laid.