Celebrate 50 Years of the Civilian AR15!

[CmdrSlander]

50 Years ago this year (1963), Colt's Mfg. began selling the SP1 rifle to civilian customers. In doing so, they brought the semi-automatic, sporting AR15 as we the American people know it to the market for the first time. The SP1 is the rifle to which all of our AR15s trace their heritage.

Here's to another 50 years! (in a form unmolested by lawmakers, might I add)



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[meanmrmustard]

Look at that price!

50 years later, ten times the cost.:banghead:

 

[CmdrSlander]

Look at that price!

50 years later, ten times the cost.:banghead:

Adjusted for inflation the SP1 cost $1,426.08 so ARs can actually be had for cheaper now

 

[Cosmoline]

So now the earliest Colts are going to be C&R?

 

[CmdrSlander]

So now the earliest Colts are going to be C&R?

Yes, if you can find a '63 model. Most SP1s still on the market are from the 70s and 80s.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Great info @ retroblackrifle.com

 

[jim243]

What a bunch of hype, My 1968 was a Armilite AR-15 still the best today. Colt will do anything to sell overpriced guns. And I can tell you they never sold one for that low a price to my knowledge they were too busy rapeing the American tax payer with their government contracts. Colt was too damm cheap to chrome line the barrels and chambers which cost many american GI's their life.

Jim

 

[CmdrSlander]

What a bunch of hype, My 1968 was a Armilite AR-15 still the best today. Colt will do anything to sell overpriced guns. And I can tell you they never sold one for that low a price to my knowledge they were too busy rapeing the American tax payer with their government contracts. Colt was too damm cheap to chrome line the barrels and chambers which cost many american GI's their life.

Jim

McNamara and Co refused to require it even though all of their military advisers told them the rifles need to be chromed lined from the get-go, they also wanted cleaning kits with the rifles. McNamara and his whiz kids said both were unnecessary. Colt fulfilled the contract to spec, it was just a bad spec initially. Do not blame them. Once chrome lining was spec'd Colt did it.

 

[jim243]

Do not blame them. Once chrome lining was spec'd Colt did it.

It was part of the original specs by Stoner, I suppose you don't blame Ford for the Pinto either.

Jim

 

[CmdrSlander]

It was part of the original specs by Stoner, I suppose you don't blame Ford for the Pinto either.

Jim

The government did not tell Ford how to go about producing the Pinto.

Mil-Spec for the M16 did not call for chome lined bore and chamber at that time.

The issued M16 in Vietnam, before it was revised, was an unqualified disaster but those problems were resolved and the SP1, which =/= the M16 is a different matter entirely.

 

[jim243]

Your right the SP1 is not a M16, their total production was sent to the army during those years, the only thing a civilian could purchase was Armilite (thank God), so what's this hype of Colt being your hunting partner since 1963?

My personal view (opinion) is that I hope the management of Colt (then) is roasting in hell. (product liability they could not be sued for)

Jim

 

[Centurian22]

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Your right the SP1 is not a M16, their total production was sent to the army during those years, the only thing a civilian could purchase was Armilite (thank God), so what's this hype of Colt being your hunting partner since 1963?

My personal view (opinion) is that I hope the management of Colt (then) is roasting in hell. (product liability they could not be sued for)

Jim

The SP1 was launched in '63 according to the gun buyer's Blue Book, how many were available is another matter entirely. I wasn't around at the time, I'd be interested to hear what led you to form these strong opinions? Were you endangered by a malfunctioning Colt rifle at some point in your life?

 

[CmdrSlander]

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I suppose you don't blame Ford for the Pinto either.

My first car was a Pinto.

 

[cat9x]

Can y'all please keep this post on topic?

CmdrSlander thanks for the pictures, I hope civilian ownership stays strong another 50 years!

 

[GCMkc]

In some states you cannot hunt certain game with a .223 rifle. I believe in KS you cannot use a .223 for hunting deer (correct me if I am wrong).

Did they have these caliber regulations for hunting in 1963?

 

[CmdrSlander]

In some states you cannot hunt certain game with a .223 rifle. I believe in KS you cannot use a .223 for hunting deer (correct me if I am wrong).

Did they have these caliber regulations for hunting in 1963?

Most likely yes, the "superb hunting partner" was a combination of an attempt to normalize the new-fangled rifle with sportsmen and the fact that it was indeed more than adequate for varmints, coyotes, etc. It may not be a deer rifle but the AR15 is a superb varminter.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Can y'all please keep this post on topic?

CmdrSlander thanks for the pictures, I hope civilian ownership stays strong another 50 years!

Here's some more pictures:

 

[Cosmoline]

What stance is that officer using? It reminds me of some of the stances you see in old pics of FN-FAL's.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Its an older stance for the use of a semi auto rifle in rapid fire at close range. You can steer the muzzle with your support hand by holding the front sight post while the rifle pivots against your hip/gut. Its the rifle version of point shooting, which was all the rage back then.

 

[wrc]

These are great retro adverts. A good look at how "back in the day", no one was scared of these rifles. I especially like the '70s-looking "Survival means different things to different people" ad.

 

[Sapper771]

Awesome ads. Thanks for posting.

Looks kinda like the "assault" position (SAW/GPMG). The Officer looks like Robert DeNiro . LoL.

 

[7mmsavage]

I still love the old style AR rifles. The rifle that rancher has in post #19 is what "AR15" meant to me as a kid growing up in the 80's. So when I built mine, I did it pretty much just like that, with the exemption of a flat top reciever and removable carry handle. Generally speeking, when I go to the range, I've got the only AR there with a 20" barrel and no do dads, or even a place to mount them.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Most likely yes, the "superb hunting partner" was a combination of an attempt to normalize the new-fangled rifle with sportsmen and the fact that it was indeed more than adequate for varmints, coyotes, etc. It may not be a deer rifle but the AR15 is a superb varminter.

.223 kills deer just fine. Meat destruction is overrated.

Carbines are handier, too. Especially in a tree.