Posted: 6/25/2001 9:17:24 AM EDT
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I picked up an SP1 carbine and wanted to know more about it. My question is about the upper. It has a 11.5" barrel and 5.5" flash suppressor. The finish matches the lower perfectly and the rest appears to be inline with most of the SP1 carbines that I have seen online. I am, however, questioning the barrel and flash suppressor. I have not seen any others like it for sale. Is this a true Colt SP1 carbine? Thanks and forgive my ignorance on the topic. |
| I have seen only 20" and 16" barrels on SP1's. I did however just pick up a one owner SP1 dated by Colt 1976 and the guy had an 11.5" barrel with the 5.5" suppressor as a spare. He said he bought it back when he bought the rifle new. He gave me the 11.5" in the deal. There are no markings anywhere that I can find. It is the same color as the SP1 barrel so I am guessing it is a Colt. Perhaps your SP1 had a barrel change. Sp1 uppers are pretty common and not alot of $. Buy a standard 20" upper and you have two rifles.Is the stock a two position coated aluminum Colt? If so are the factory stakes in the threads? If so it probably had a barrel change. Hope this helps. |
| Look on the lock ring threads up where the tube meets the upper, You should see where they made small punches at the factory. By the way, J&T Dist. sells the Lt. Weight 16" barrel for the SP1 CAR with lug and supressor but you have to specify A1 or A2 supressor. If your stock threads have been staked it most likely came from Colt that way. |
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I have an SP1 carbine like this too. Though, it appears to be a 16" barrel with the 5.5" suppressor (total length about 17"). It looks like it is slid down over the barrel and threaded on. You can see threads around the crown and was able to slide thin piece of plastic up the back a couple of inches. Has the 2 position stock and round hand guards, also has A1 sights, but the rear windage adjustment in knob (like A2) and not the plate style of A1. No markings on barrel either. Ser # is SP 210xxx and as far as I know, I'm original owner (no box, so not sure). Bought it back in '86. |
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MAC-SP1, your AR-15 has an non-factory flash suppressor and windage adjustment knob. It was made very near the end of SP-1 carbine production. The last batch, shipped out in 1985, had A2 pistol grips. Your was made in the 84-85 time frame. If you purchased it in 1986 there was a year or two for someone to mess with it. |