Dr. Dickie
Member
Okay, I am finally moving into the EBR area (in a quest to get examples of American Military arms of the 20th century).
I have a Colt AR15 SP-1/M16 A-1 upper with teardrop forward assist (small hole), and am in search of a suitable ("correctish") lower. Of course, the real lower was an auto, but I want to get as close a possible (to me that means keeping it Colt). I am new to AR's and from what I have found to read there is lots of material about the subtle differences of flash suppressors and brass delectors, but little knowledge about what lowers go with what uppers and such.
I know that any upper should go with any lower (techincally), but that is not true when you get into small vs large hole (and I imagine otherwise as well).
From what I understand, the SP-1 Upper should go with the SP-1 Lower. But, since the SP-1 was a commerical product, didn't Colt use the large hole on commerical AR's until the 1990s sometime? If so, since mine has a small hole am I restricted to only a Colt lower made from 1993 or so forward? Since my upper has a tear drop assist, I though that came out in the late 60's or early 70s, and the A2 came out in the late 70's with a round assist.
I want to make this AR as "correct" as possible for a Vietnam area AR (or thereabouts).
If anyone can point me to a great source I would be thankful (yes, I am over a AR15, but again, their threads are great once you understand all the subtle differences).
Thanks
I have a Colt AR15 SP-1/M16 A-1 upper with teardrop forward assist (small hole), and am in search of a suitable ("correctish") lower. Of course, the real lower was an auto, but I want to get as close a possible (to me that means keeping it Colt). I am new to AR's and from what I have found to read there is lots of material about the subtle differences of flash suppressors and brass delectors, but little knowledge about what lowers go with what uppers and such.
I know that any upper should go with any lower (techincally), but that is not true when you get into small vs large hole (and I imagine otherwise as well).
From what I understand, the SP-1 Upper should go with the SP-1 Lower. But, since the SP-1 was a commerical product, didn't Colt use the large hole on commerical AR's until the 1990s sometime? If so, since mine has a small hole am I restricted to only a Colt lower made from 1993 or so forward? Since my upper has a tear drop assist, I though that came out in the late 60's or early 70s, and the A2 came out in the late 70's with a round assist.
I want to make this AR as "correct" as possible for a Vietnam area AR (or thereabouts).
If anyone can point me to a great source I would be thankful (yes, I am over a AR15, but again, their threads are great once you understand all the subtle differences).
Thanks