Older AR-15 question

[Brother in Arms]

Hello everyone
Today I found a AR-15 style rifle that is in M16A1 configuration here is all the info I can find on it.

The lower is Marked
SGN Oly WA
Mod XM15A1
SN 78**

It has the early slab side reciever

It had a "C MP Chrome Bore" marking on the barrel (colt magnetic particle) and it had the dull black triangular hand gaurd buttstock and pistol grip. The only thing I could see that was new was an odd looking Ak-74ish muzzle break. It was equipped with a forward assist.

Any Idea how much this might be worth?? The asking price is $900 and its a really great M16A1 looking rifle.

Brother in arms

 

[Sherwin]

Umm

Ya around 1,000$ umm... wat state you live in because some states doesnt allow assault rifles. i live in nevada and its purely legal and i own many 30 round mags

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Though a purely democratic state every election, Maine has no restrictions on assault weapons or high cap mags.

 

[Brother in Arms]

Maine has very good gun laws

Its major problem is the southern part of Maine is very liberal and the greateast group of people live in the souther part. Maine only has 1.5 million people but 65,000 of them live in Portland (southern Maine) alone. Unfortunately much of Maine is a welfare state and voting Democrat is appealing to many.

However I didnt start this thread to discuss if assault weapons where legal in my state but what you know about this rifle.

Brother in Arms

 

[Brother in Arms]

Maine has very good gun laws I am aim to keep them that way.

Your are incorrect to say that maine is "a purely democratic state every election" as the electoral vote from 1972-1988 was republican. You would be correct to say that in recent years Maine has voted Democrat in recent years1992-2004

Its major problem electorally is the southern part of Maine is very liberal and the greateast group of voting people live in the southern part. Maine only has 1.5 million people but 65,000 of them live in Portland (southern Maine) alone. Unfortunately much of Maine is a welfare state and voting Democrat is appealing to many.

However I didnt start this thread to discuss if assault weapons where legal in my state or what its voting status is.

I want to know more about this rifle and its value.
Brother in Arms

Edited: Pardon the double post

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

You've got a mixed parts rifle that was built out of an old Olympic Arms lower and a surplused Colt M16 upper from CDNN. The barrel is 1/12 twist and will not fire anything heavier than 55gr rounds very well. The AK74 muzzle brake is a Bushmaster product.

There are several reasons why that rifle isn't worth $900. The first is that you could build the exact same rifle out of new parts yourself for less than that. In fact, the cost of building it yourself would be about $650 + the cost of the AK74 brake (if you just had to have it).

The second is that a 4-digit serial number Oly receiver is an old receiver, probably mid 1980s manufacture. That is a big plus if you still live in a state with its own AWB; but for the rest of us it is an old receiver that has been around the block a few times. Brand new an assembled Oly lower would run around $200.

The third is that the CDNN Colt upper is the 1/12 twist barrel that makes about half the ammo available for .223 unusable in that rifle. CDNN was selling the uppers for $399 without the bolt carrier group, though I don't know if they still have any left.

The final reason why that isn't worth $900 is that the mix of parts shows it was put together by somebody. Right now you have no idea if the person who did that was a master gunsmith or a trained monkey. I would take a very close look at it to make sure it has been assembled correctly and that they didn't cut corners using cheaper parts (plastic buffer, cast instead of forged, etc.)

All in all, may be a worthy rifle; but $900 is too much.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

i saw an original "pre ban" stop sign logo Oly at a GS for $650.
the upper was a cut down a1 with a weaver rail bolted on.

those original olys were hogged out of a block of aluminum
and you could see the surfacing marks on the part

 

[Brother in Arms]

Thanks guys for the information! That is totally what I am looking for!

The reason I like the rifle is because of its authentic look. I am mainly interested in it for historical reasons. I like the look of the older reciever as its is slabsided. But I guess it doesnt matter that much. So do you think its worth around $600 or so?

Thanks
Brother in Arms

 

[Sherwin]

i think its around at least 800$

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Well, a lot depends on what you want and how bad you want it. It also depends on the current availability of CDNN Colt uppers, how many rounds are on the rifle, and whose bolt carrier group they dropped into it.

If CDNN (or someone else) is still selling those uppers, then it will cost you about $750 ($200 lower, $399 CDNN upper, $150 bolt carrier group) + taxes, shipping & FFL transfer fees to build the same rifle out of unused parts; but you won't have a slabside lower.

If you really want that particular look, hop over to the Retro AR15 forum at AR15.com and price out what it would cost to build with all new components. That will give you a baseline "Do not exceed no matter how much I want it" price.

 

[Detritus]

since it is an older Oly lower, also check the receiver to see if it is one of the ones that was, as mentioned, milled from aluminum billet or if it's one of their cast lowers (raised instead of inset markings being one possible tip-off).

to my mind a cast lower doesn't reduce any aspect related to the use of teh rifle, with the possible exception of cast can be less rugged when subjected to outright abuse, but it's a rifle not a hammer. But a cast lower DOES reduce the value over a forged or CNC'd from billet piece.

oh, and since i just built one, i'll have to throw in with the following. as the others are saying building a quality A1 clone but on an A2 lower is maybe a $600-700 deal. when you look at the rifle in question you have to ask yourself if the lack of fences and reinfocements on the lower is worth $3-400 plus having that out of place and (to my mind) UGLY AK-74 type brake to deal with or replace (if replacement comes to mind check that it's not welded or otherwise permanently attatched)

 

[Kenneth Lew]

$600 tops with that lower.

Check both the upper and lower receiver for any shiny spots where someone may have did some filing to to fit the receivers. Olympic Arms were known in the early years of have receivers not in spec. Pay close attention to the fire control group for any oblonged holes in the receiver and may sure the fire control group pins do not come out due to use.

 

[Brother in Arms]

It is a solid milled reciever.
I will check all the things Ken said. As for the flash hider I can easily removed as it is held on by allen screws and I already have a pronged style in my parts bin some where.

I think im going to mull it over.

Brother in Arms

 

[Brother in Arms]

Went back to look at it today and it also comes with a Colt scope. How much is something like that worth?
Thanks
Brother in Arms

 

[1911user]

If the AK brake is held on by set screws, make sure it actually has muzzle threads and the brake is easily removable. Don't assume anything about it without checking.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Assuming it is the actual Colt scope&mount and not the Chinese made knock-off, it adds about $100 (though you'll see adds on GunsAmerica asking $175 for it). If it is a Chinese knock-off or has no brand name, it is worth about $20-40.