Can anyone tell me about an SP-1 front take down pin?

[Daren Thompson]

A friend of mine bought a Colt AR-15 SP-1 and the front take down pin has broken. I ordered one from Gun PArts Corp and he says that it is not the right one. The one I recieves looks just like a conventional AR-15 pin, but has a screw in the end to hold the pin in place. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find the RIGHT pin?


Thanks
Daren

 

[motorep]

That is the right one, I believe. Colt take-down pins are two pieces, male and female, the push-out kinds are aftermarket. Just measure the OD of the original and order the proper one. I hope I'm not dating myself here, it's been a while since I owned an early AR.

 

[Jeff White]

Daren,
If it's as you describe it's probably for the small hole receivers on the newer production Colts. The SP1 takedown needs two screwdrivers to install or remove. It's slooted on both ends and it's a larger diameter.

HTH

Jeff

 

[444]

I hate to do it, but I have to ask a stupid question. How does that front pin come apart ? Does it just screw apart with two screwdrivers ?
I recently bought two ARs with those type of front pin. I never saw them before. I made a very tenitive attempt at taking it out but didn't want to mar anything. It didn't come apart but then I wasn't putting much effort into it. Every AR or M16 I ever saw had push pins including the ones I saw in the military in the early 80s.

 

[motorep]

They're Loctited- two big screwdrivers will do the job. Standard righthand thread.

 

[Jeff White]

444,
Yes, you just put a screwdriver on each side and take it apart. One screw has a male end and the other a female end. All Colt commercial AR15s had this type of front takedown pin until very recently. My Colt R6920 LE Carbine has the pin that looks like the standard push pin. You only need one screw driver to take it down. It's also the same size as the push pin the other manufacturers use.

Jeff

 

[444]

Thanks Jeff. I had an SP1 back in the early 80s but I don't recall that type of front pin, but that was awhile ago and maybe my memory is fading. I just bought another SP1 and a Lightweight Sporter in 9mm and both have the screw front pin. I want to give the SP1 a real good cleaning.

 

[Daren Thompson]

Well I was at the Louisville gun show today and two SP-1's ahd two different pins. Both kinds were different than what gun parts sent me. One SP-1 with the collapse stock had the kind I believe I am looking for. The AR that I need the pin for is an original SP-1 Shorty. The pin I was sent from Gun Parts does not have two screw heads, just one. The one peice looks like a standard takedown pin, but has female threads on the end for the onther end to screw into.

Well does anyone have any ideas about where to find the right pin now?


Thanks
Daren

 

[Jeff White]

Daren,

The best place I know to get genuine Colt parts is Specialized Armament Warehouse in Arizona. I've got their URL bookmarked on my computer at work.

Tina should be able to fix you up with one.

I'll run by the office sometime tomorrow and post the URL for you.

Jeff