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Colt SP-1 Carbine

shootuadeal
Anything you guys can tell me about the SP-1, its serial number is #sp 158980. On the barrel is stamped "C MP CHROME BORE". The guy I bought it from said he bought in 1999 from a store that said it was unfired in the box and he never fired it. It has the original box with acessories and paperwork and even the little cardboard thing stuffed down the barrel.

I am not an expert in older Colt AR's so I thought I would run this past you guys to let me know what you think. DOM, whether you think its original or not and a guess at its value would be appreciated.

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Not a very good picture of the stamp on the barrel, sorry.
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Thanks alot!!!
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • fordsix
    bought one just like that in 78 for a little over 400.00 new at a local fun store had it about a year and sold it due to the newer ones had forword assist[^]
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  • rufe-snow
    I don't believe it's original, as it doesn't have the forward assist and the fence around the magazine release.

    IMHO, persons unknown have converted into a short barrel carbine configuration, with a telescoping stock.

    I don't know how much you have in it? Might be worth while to convert it back with the original parts, if you can pick them up in excellent condition, at the right price.


    EDIT #1, According to the Biggerhammer site, the serial number dates it to a DOM of 1970. Colt didn't start selling the SP 1, (R6001) shorty carbine until 1977.
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  • 1sgret
    Shootuadeal,

    Your carbine was made in 1982. It is an original unaltered Colt. I have one exactly like it. They were not made with the fence around the Mag release and there were no forward assists on the civilian models at this time. Unfired with the box & the items you have that came with it makes yours fairly expensive. Mine was made in 1979. I purchased it directly from a Colt upper mamagement person. My bill of sale for this rifle was directly from Colt, & the money order was made out to Colt. I had an FFL at the time. It is a GREAT accurate shooter and extremely light weight. I love mine.

    Mine was appraised at almost 2K. This was in the Richmond VA area. I had three different dealers appraise it (retail value). Granted it was two years ago, so things might have changed.

    I would not get rid of it. Your Carbine was a Colt R6001 type.

    Go to
    http://www.retroblackrifle.com/

    The R6001 was Released Sepember 27, 1977.
    It was similar to a Late R6000 SP1 but has a 16" chromed barrel and a 2 position collapsible stock.
    Production of the SP1 series ended in late 1982 with the introduction of the Sporter II series. (from www.retroblackrifle.com)

    I hope this helps.
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  • fordsix
    its original guns made for consumer were the slap side reciver with no fence,,and with out forward assist this is the type the airforce had..if you have the original box what is the lable color..white.green, blue
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  • nmyers
    1sg is correct. Had you posted a photo of the box end label, that would have made this a lot easier.

    The barrel markings are unique to Colt-made barrels.

    Your accessories should look like this, with blocks inside the 20 rd mags:

    AR-15accessories-1.jpg

    Neal

    EDIT 1: A Colt letter is not worth the expense for a modern rifle. A PHOTO OF THE BOX END LABEL SHOULD BE ALL AN ADVANCED COLLECTOR NEEDS.
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  • MrM1A1
    Definitely an original piece. She's a beauty, you done good!

    Everything looks correct. Slab side A1 lower, slick side upper, C MP CHROME BORE barrel, vinyl acetate coated aluminum stock, are all correct for your carbine. Stock ring has original lacquered staking, should be a two position stock tube. Stock latch should be marked "NEWTON" inside one of the ends. Stock body should be marked with an N or NN on a small square (about 1/8" square) under the front of the latch on the right side. Behind the back of the latch the body should have a number, 1,2 etc. These markings can be very faint sometimes, as the coating is heavy.

    C MP CHROME BORE barrel is correct for post '74 Colt rifles and carbines. It has a 1:12 twist, so keep that in mind when deciding what to shoot in it. 55gr is your best bet, .223 or 5.56 is GTG, M193 surplus is perfect. 1:12 barrels tend not to stabilize heavier grain bullets or boat tails. And obviously it has a chrome bore.

    Bolt carrier should be semi auto, have a C mark on the left side, have an MPC marked bolt, and have forward assist cuts, even though the upper has no forward assist.

    Very nice carbine! You don't see a lot of these floating around anymore, especially in new condition. I'm a little jealous.[:I]

    EDIT: As far as value is concerned, you could get $1,500 in a heartbeat, more of you hold out for the right buyer. Retro AR stuff is getting really hot, so in a penny auction I could see it pushing $2k. Something about penny auctions makes bidders go crazy. A fair estimate would be $1,600-$1,800.
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  • shootuadeal
    Thanks guys! I am a big fan of Rufe-snow's knowledge but I thought he had this a little wrong. My salesman at the store actually called Colt on my day off(did not know he did as of my first post) and the person he talked to at Colt said the rifle was assembled in 1983.

    I should probably pay the $100 for the factory letter on this one I am thinking, it is available evidently on this model.
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  • md1634
    The letter will settle any issues with the rifle's originality if your going to sell it.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    You have an original genuine Colt SP-1. Great rifle. I sold one for $1200 a couple of years back.
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