Colt AR-15 Sporter "CMP"???

[Geno]

Fellow THR Members:

I went to the gun store today and ran across, what appears to be, an unfired Colt A-2 HBAR Sporter. It has a 20 inch barrel, standard full-sized stock. According to the original box, it came with a .22 LR conversion kit, but that was not included. What catches my attention is the following text on the rifle:

1) The right side of the rear sight says CM in large raised letters
2) The barrel, just in front of the front sight says “CMP 5.56 NATO 1/7 HBAR”
3) The left of receiver says:

AR-15 A2
HBAR Sporter
Cal. 233
Ser. SP 24XXXX


Is this some form of a special model?

What is this “CMP”?

Does anyone know if this rifle has a chromed bore?

Does anyone know an estimated year of production?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated,

Doc2005

 

[Quintin Likely]

I think the "CM" means Chrome Moly.

 

[Shear_stress]

Nope: "Colt Magnetic Particle Proof tested" .

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Is this some form of a special model?

No, it is just a standard 20" HBAR.

What is this “CMP”?

It should read "C MP" and represents a Colt barrel that has been Magnafluxed after being Proof fired. Proof firing is an overpressure load designed to test the rifle. The barrel is then magnafluxed to see if there are any cracks or fatigue that may be a problem later.

Does anyone know if this rifle has a chromed bore?

Depends on the year of manufacture. Many of the Sporters have a chrome chamber; but not a chrome bore. The easiest way to check is to first unload and secure the weapon, then peek at the muzzle with a flashlight and see if you see a shiny chrome ring there.

Does anyone know an estimated year of production?

Can't help you there.

 

[Geno]

Thanks all. The only thing I could locate on the Internet was Civilian Marksmanship Program. While it could be, it didn't make complete sense. The fore end, I noticed, appears possibly to be free floated. One-half of it has additional steel inside the black plastic grip.

The booklet that accompanied the rifle has a 1985 copyright, so the date of manufacture can't precede 1985. I know that the original owner purposed it in 1990. But, I don't know what year it was manufactured, but I do now have it narrowed down to be between 1985 and 1990. When I first picked it up, I believe it was brand new! Then, I noted "...As New (Used)..." on the sales tag. I thought it was an error. To locate a wonderful Colt like this, of this age, and unused I thought was a real treasure!

It is a shooter for certain! I put 20 rounds FMJs down range, off hand at 50 yards. I was able to maintain group measuring about 1". I was happy with that for iron-sights, off-hand, and using cheapo FMJs. Tomorrow, I put the 36X scope on it and test it in earnest at 100 yards!

Thanks again all!

Doc2005

 

[Glockfan.45]

The booklet that accompanied the rifle has a 1985 copyrigh

Knowing that puts it between 85 and 94. My Colt came with a booklet dated 94 so they did release new literature between 85 and 94. Try over on AR15.com. I would swear some of those guys are Colt historians that can answer any and all Colt questions.

 

[Geno]

Why didn't I think of that?!

Thanks!

Doc2005

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

If it is a 1985-1994 Sporter, it should have a chrome bore.

 

[Geno]

Thank-you for that info. I just posted the same info over at AR15.com. Wow, that site is really massive.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Wow, that site is really massive.

+1
IBTL







(hang out there too long and that will make sense)

 

[Geno]

Thank-you all who have provided information! Here are six photos of the "new" Colt:

View attachment 295713

View attachment 295714

View attachment 295715

View attachment 295716

View attachment 295717

View attachment 295718

Doc2005

 

[Glockfan.45]

Is that a flash hider or a brake? It looks like a pre-ban with no bayo lug. I could never figure out some of the crap Colt does with civi rifles. I bought a post-ban Colt and added my own telestock,FH, and lug thus making it a government carbine without L.E only markings. FWIW your barrel is marked the same as mine, and mine is chromed so I would guess yours is as well.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

If it is a 1985-1994 Colt, then Colt voluntarily neutered the bayo lugs around 1989 in an effort to stave off regulation. So it likely has a GI flash hider; but no bayo lug.

 

[o/u mike]

Colt AR-15 Dates of Manufacture

Doc,

I'm curious what you paid for it if you are willing to share that info. According to Colt Customer Service, Serial # SP 24XXXX was manufactured around 1990. Call the Colt 800 number below and if you give them the whole serial number, they can verify the year.

Colt 800-962-COLT
CC001616 and Below - Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below - Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below - Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below - Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below - Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below - Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below - Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below - Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below - Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below - Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below - Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above - Post-Ban
BK000001and Above - Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above - Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above - Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production

 

[Geno]

I paid $1,175.00. What would the range be for it's worth, i.e. $1,050.00 to 1,200.00?

Doc2005

 

[Geno]

Update Re: Date of Manufacture:

I finally remembered to call Colt'c Customer Service. Carol advised me that this particular rifle was made in, she believes, in 1990. For more specifics, I will have to submit payment for the Colt letter. You all know I will be doing that, right? Exactly.

Thanks for the feedback all,

Doc2005