Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
8/1/2012 9:01:12 AM EDT
I have a 1981 SP1 carbine.  The BCG does not have forward assist notches and is a full auto BCG.  There is not a "c" on the carrier.  Is this a correct BCG for this carbine.  the serial # is SP138xxx
8/1/2012 9:12:51 AM EDT
[#1]
Not correct. Should have a serrated C marked half circle I believe.
8/1/2012 9:27:21 AM EDT
[#2]
I have a sp-1 carbine of that vintage i know is correct because i bought it new off the rack from a local colt dealer (damn thats over 25 years ago - i am getting old lol). the bca is the full circle (not half-moon), has the short "semi-auto" rear as opposed to the longer m16 type, has the forward assist serrations even though the receiver is a slick side, and is marked "C" on the left side.
8/1/2012 9:29:42 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I have a 1981 SP1 carbine.  The BCG does not have forward assist notches and is a full auto BCG.  There is not a "c" on the carrier.  Is this a correct BCG for this carbine.  the serial # is SP138xxx


not correct.  your SP1 carrier should have the forward assist serrations, C marked carrier and MPC marked bolt.  SP1 carriers have a very distinct tail.  It's like a SP1 spec except where the tail meets the cutout, it's more square than rounded.  

the lightning link was designed to use the SP1 carrier so that may explain why it was swapped out or sold along the way.
8/1/2012 11:05:15 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks all.  The gun fires great and is the softest shooting AR I have.  I may leave it like it is for shooting but I would like to acquire a correct BCG for the SP1. Where and what should I look for?
thanks
8/1/2012 11:15:11 AM EDT
[#5]
gunbroker and EE would be your best bet.  colt hasn't made them to that spec in nearly 30 years so you'll have to settle for a secondhand one.
8/2/2012 7:39:43 AM EDT
[#6]
The top one is what should be in your SP1. The bottom is what it sounds like you have.

(I forget who's pic this is, but it's one I borrowed from somewhere.)
8/2/2012 2:36:36 PM EDT
[#7]
Young's makes one but its a test to get it.
if you do what i did and ASK for a SP-1 carrier, you get this little memo, full of just wrong info, but who am I to question Young's?



3613 North 35th Avenue
                          Phoenix, Arizona 85017
                    623-915-3889 623-915-3746 (fax)
                      www.youngmanufacturing.net

                                           SP-1 CARRIER CONFUSION

We are going to attempt to clear up the confusion surrounding the so called SP-1 carrier. The early Viet Nam era Colt SP-1 rifle was an M-16 (full auto) rifle with no forward assist on the upper receiver. So it makes sense that the carrier also did not have any forward assist notches and had a full hammer ramp with an M-16 type bottom to trip the auto sear. If you order an SP-1 carrier from us this is what you will get. It will come in phosphate or chrome depending on what you specify.
The web experts are claiming that the original SP-1 carrier is one that has an exposed firing pin, forward assist notches and an AR-15 style bottom cut so it won’t trip an auto sear. ( the exact one you describe as “Colt SP-1). This carrier in fact came about later in an attempt to keep the rifle from easily being converted to full auto and to avoid slam fires. This rifle also had “large pins” holding the upper and lower together, notched hammer to catch the firing pin and pull it to the rear avoiding slam fires and had a forward assist added to the upper. Some versions even had a hardened steel block fit into the lower receiver to keep any one from adding a drop in or standard auto sear. During this time some one came up with a device called a “lightning link”. The lightning link allowed you to use a Colt style carrier as described above and have the rifle fire full auto as long as you had all the other full auto lower parts installed. If you are looking for a carrier that will function with your registered “lightning Link” you need to order our “lightning Link” carrier. Not the SP-1 carrier. In conclusion the carrier you have marked as “Colt SP-1”is in our opinion incorrect. We hope this clears things up at least when you place your order with us.

Good Shooting

Dan Young


so all wrong info and snarkiness aside, to get a SP-1 carrier from Young's you DON'T ask for a SP-1 carrier, because THAT will get you a slick sided full auto  carrier.
to actually GET a SP-1 carrier, you have to ask for a Lightning Link carrier.
clear?
and good luck to you.
and woe be upon you if you ask them to make sure the bottom measurement (which is the ONLY thing that makes a SP-1 a SP-1, well, and the unshrouded firing pin) is right).
thats what got me this zinger.
SP-1 carriers came both slick sided and  forward assist notched, the years are the difference
8/11/2012 3:40:38 PM EDT
[#8]
One for the archives.  I bought this off of an auction years ago, never saw one of these before.  Anyone else?  I've only seen milled carriers with FA notches.









AR Sponsor