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5/21/2002 11:41:24 AM EDT
    I have an M16A1 upper with the tear drop forward assist and no brass defelector. It came off of a Colt M16A1. Who made these uppers because I do not see any marks on it. I also have an SP1 upper that came off my Colt SP1 lower. I do not see any marks on this upper either. Does anyone know who made it? Thanks.
5/21/2002 12:14:43 PM EDT
[#1]
Have you tried taking off the handguards to see if there any barrel markings beneath them?
5/21/2002 12:50:47 PM EDT
[#2]
Yes, the upper that came on the SP1 has
"C MP C" stamped on the bottom of the barrel. The M16A1 upper, has had the barrel changed to a Wilson barrel. Neither upper has any stamping on them that I can find.
    Any help would be appreciated.
5/21/2002 12:55:31 PM EDT
[#3]
Sorry 'bout that.  You were saying "upper" and I was thinking "barrel".  Lemme see what I can find when I get home from work.
5/21/2002 1:17:04 PM EDT
[#4]
Look for any faint proof marks in front of the ejection port -



In particular, you'll be looking for a 'C' in a box, this would verify it as a Colt.  You may also see a # '1' or a triangle shaped proof mark.
5/21/2002 1:49:16 PM EDT
[#5]
Kevin,

great find !!

i just finished checking my 1975ad vintage SP-1 & shure as shootin, there, visible under my 5X magnifying glass glareing back at me is a "C" inside a square & next to it is a tringle, smaller, so out comes my 20X coin & stamp inspection magnifier & find inside the triangle, "VP", as in Vincent Price...! attached as in a brand inside the triangle, i am certain the "C" means Colt, but the other is the individual armorer who proofed it, i thynk.., not certain, but that was the procedure in days gone by........


5/22/2002 6:07:00 AM EDT
[#6]
Hey Kevin, I found the exact proof marks on mine as cactusjack. However, I only found it on the 1972 SP1 upper. I still do not see anything on the M16A1 upper. Any other suggestions?
5/22/2002 6:38:32 AM EDT
[#7]
Even though it has zero markings in all likelyhood it's a Colt.  This is a sm. pin receiver, correct?  
5/22/2002 1:42:44 PM EDT
[#8]
Hey Kevin it is a small hole upper, I had to use the adapter to put in on the SP1 lower. I have heard of people having them machined into a large hole, do you recommend this?
5/22/2002 3:47:34 PM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:
Hey Kevin it is a small hole upper, I had to use the adapter to put in on the SP1 lower. I have heard of people having them machined into a large hole, do you recommend this?



No!!! That's been discussed here several times before and it isn't recommened.  Drilling out a sm. pin receiver will leave less support material than w/ a factory lg. pin receiver.

Seems how that upper isn't in original configuration I'd consider selling it or trading for what you'd like to have.
5/23/2002 6:12:59 AM EDT
[#10]
Kevin I have considered selling it or trading it for a Colt A2 16" upper in preban configuration, but I do not know what my upper is worth. Any suggestions.
5/23/2002 7:53:32 AM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
Look for any faint proof marks in front of the ejection port -



In particular, you'll be looking for a 'C' in a box, this would verify it as a Colt.  You may also see a # '1' or a triangle shaped proof mark.



 Kevin, thanks for the tip.

 I have a CAR 15 A1 14" upper, no forward assist, no brass deflector, and I have no idea who manufactured this upper.  But, with your tip, I find out that it also has "c" inclosed in a box.
Also, under the A1 rear sight , there is a "C" and "M". What is exactly these 2 letters stand for?  I assume "C" stands for Colt?.. Thanks
5/23/2002 9:25:46 AM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:
Also, under the A1 rear sight , there is a "C" and "M". What is exactly these 2 letters stand for?  I assume "C" stands for Colt?.. Thanks



www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/


Quoted:
...but I do not know what my upper is worth. Any suggestions.



With the bolt/carrier/ch. handle assy. as much as $340 if you try the right places.  Deduct $100 if you keep the bolt/carrier/ch. handle assy.

Three quick ?'s though, is it a pre-ban Wilson barrel or post?  Does it have A2 or A1 handguards? What is the upper's condition overall?
5/23/2002 10:20:00 AM EDT
[#13]
Hey Kevin, it is a preban barrel with A2 handgaurds. It is in excellent condition, It appears it has been shot very little.
    What are the going prices for a Colt A2 preban upper? Prefer large pin if that is possible.
5/23/2002 10:49:38 AM EDT
[#14]
Hope you're sitting down, a Colt A2 lg. pin 16" will be in the $500 & up range.

A couple things to checkout:

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?id=116916
www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?id=118713
5/23/2002 11:05:16 AM EDT
[#15]


 Kevin, thanks bro.
5/23/2002 12:46:57 PM EDT
[#16]
What makes mine in the $340.00 range, the fact that it is a wilson barrel or the fact that it is an M16A1? Also, if I part it out, How much should I ask for just the upper, no barrel etc...?
5/23/2002 1:00:32 PM EDT
[#17]
The fact it's not a factory assembled upper, that it's an A1, that it's just a std. chrome-moly barrel & most of all it's a 20".

Parts breakdown -

Upper - $80
Barrel & gas tube - $130-140
Delta ring assy. - $10
h.guards - $11
b/c/ch - $95-105 (unless it's factory Colt - will be a 'C' on the carrier & 'MPC' on the bolt)

(You might be better off packaging the middle 3 items together.)
---------
The prices for Colt equipment are higher because certain variants are rarer because of receiver pin size, barrel profile, color, etc.  Colt 16" or M4 barrels are really at a premium.

What I'd recommend is finding a Colt A2 lg. pin receiver and then buying a Bushmaster lightweight carbine barrel or M4 profile barrel.  This would be more affordable than an all Colt setup.
5/23/2002 1:58:33 PM EDT
[#18]
Hey Kevin, I appreciate all your help. One clarification though. My barrel is a 16" barrel. It looks like a HBar barrel under the handgaurads, but then it tapers down to a lightweight barrel.
   I agree with you, I think I will find me a large hole A2 grey upper and put a busmaster barrel on it.
5/23/2002 2:33:29 PM EDT
[#19]
i just checked my other Colt, near the rear sight base is "C" 7 just a bit lower & left there is an "M", BUT !! it still has the "C" in the square, & a triangle, but it is stamped so lightly it is hard to determine what letter or number is in the triangle.........
5/23/2002 2:37:12 PM EDT
[#20]
The barrel will still fall in that same price range BUT if sold as a complete upper you might be able to pull in $350-360.  A1 sights & a 16" barrel are more acceptible.  Somebody may be looking for a lighter weight carbine upper and they'll like the fact it's an A1 sm. pin receiver w/fwd. assist & no brass deflector hump.
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