I need some info on a couple of pre-ban AR-15's

[Kingknives]

A customer has asked me to take a couple of his old AR's to place on my table at the gun show this weekend, and I'd like a little more info on them.

Both are pre-ban rifles.

One is an Olympic Arms, SGW Mod CAR AR, serial #Z25** (Oly says this is a May '84 - Feb '95 gun), 20" barrel, fixed stock, teardrop bolt assist(no shell deflector, flash suppressor and bayonet mount

The other is a Sendra XM 15 A1 serial #9**, also a 20" barrel and fixed stock. Triangular handguard and three-prong flash hider, bayonet mount, and round bolt assist (no shell deflector).

My question is, the uppers have no markings and I was wondering if they we're Colt uppers? Did anyone else make uppers in the early 80's and if so, how can I tell?

Also, I had never heard of Sendra, and could find very little history on them, but it appears to be a very well made lower. Are they well respected as lowers go?

And finally, the most routine question, what would be a fair asking price? Not interested in making a killing, but would like to get my customer his moneys worth. Both guns show some wear on the stocks, I'd say about 90% finish, but the metal and internals look very nice. These guns were obviously handled but not shot often.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Joseph King

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

One is an Olympic Arms, SGW Mod CAR AR, serial #Z25**

This receiver is likely manufactured before 1994; but may or may not qualify for preban status.

The other is a Sendra XM 15 A1 serial #9**

Post-94 Sendra receivers will have a circle milled into the magwell. Sendra was sold only as part kits, so this may also not qualify for preban status.


Technically speaking, the guns are only prebans if they had the required number of evil features prior to 1994 (assembled as rifles with bayo lugs, flash hiders, etc.). Unless the seller can provide proof of this, the guns value as pre-bans is much less (Never mind the potential sunset of the AW ban in September reducing value as well).

See this link for more info on those issues:
http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/

My question is, the uppers have no markings and I was wondering if they we're Colt uppers? Did anyone else make uppers in the early 80's and if so, how can I tell?

If they are Colt uppers there will be a forge marking by the rear sight. Several other companies made uppers in the 80s, they should have forge markings in about the same location.

Can't help you on price, I recommend looking at Shotgun News or Gunbroker for ideas on what various prebans are going for. Non-mutt prebans will go higher as will Colts, the ability to prove the gun is a certifiable evil black rifle prior to 1994 will also increase the price.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

Drasen=Sendra=Nesard

Sendra
Post-ban receivers have a circle milled into the side of the magwell. They were originally bead-blasted to a non-glare finish. All others are pre-ban. (This is unverified info…) Also, they used to be NESARD. Rumored to have been owned by Dick Drasen (currently M&A Parts) and produced lowers only out of Barrington, Illinois. No complete guns were sold (again, unverified info).

is the SGW stop sign logoed and milled out of a solid block of aluminum?
4-numbers only - very very old. Probably machined from bar stock.

http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/serialNumberList.html

 

[Kingknives]

Thanks gentleman,
I appreciate the info. I'd planned on supplying a letter with the information off the gunsmith that built them, and the years they were built, to attest to their pre-ban status.

The SGW is miiled. As mentioned, Olympic arms said this was made late '84 to early '85.

I'll check the uppers again for forge markings when I get home.

Thanks again,
Joe

 

[Kingknives]

The uppers are marked, "L M" under the front sight, and the barrel is marked, "C MP Chromed Bore"...

any ideas as to the makers on these?

thanks again,

Joe

 

[Harry Tuttle]

Colt Magnetic Particle inspection

http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/barrelsbolts/

 

[Kingknives]

Thanks Harry!!

 

[money mann]

A LITTLE ABOUT THE SENDRA AR-15

I would like to know a little about the Sendra AR-15 and if anyone knows what there worth. I just recently bought one and don't know much about them.

 

[harvester of sorrow]

I would like to know a little about the Sendra AR-15 and if anyone knows what there worth

Your search-fu is excellent. Sendras are worth a lot less now then they were when this particular thread started. I would put their value at around $600 to $800 unless they were clearly made and assembled prior to January 1, 1994, in which case they would probably be worth $1100+ in some less enlightened states in the northeast.

 

[Chipperman]

My Sendra is worth a lot more than that, but that's because it's got "Da Switch"

 

[Sendra]

Sendra pre-ban

I have an AR-15 that looks exactly like that one. Are you talking about the safe and fire switch in the image? I've been trying to find out more about my Sendra AR-15, but hardly anyone knows anything about it. I've been having a small problem with the catch release not holding the magazine in tight enough and jamming rounds unless I hold the mag. when firing. The dealer at my local AR-15 shop said it wasn't made to spec. because it's before they had a specific spec. system. He gave me a free release and told me to grind it down to fit. Are there other options? and have you had any similar problems?

Thanks,

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Sendras had more value prior to the expiration of the ban because they were all built before 1994. Now they are just a 13yr old (or older) lower receiver from a lower tier business and don't bring much of a premium except for the few states that still have a state ban in place.

I have an AR-15 that looks exactly like that one.

I bet you don't Unless yours is engraved "auto" in the third position and has a sear hole drilled directly above the fire selector, in which case you don't have an AR15.

The dealer at my local AR-15 shop said it wasn't made to spec. because it's before they had a specific spec. system.

They had a specific spec system then. Nesard/Sendra/etc. just didn't have access to it and they were a bit sloppy on their parts tolerance anyway. I used to work for an SOT building M16s and AR15s out of Nesard parts kits and Oly/Bushmaster lowers. My apologies to anyone who bought anything I ever built.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Well Sendra, yes and no...

He is talking about the selector, BUT(big but) that not so obvious little hole above the "fire", notch on the safety(actually a selector in this case) means his weapon will fire in the 3rd postition; witch means it is either full auto, or 3round burst capable. Lucky bastitch .

The grind to fit idea sounds like a failry cheap fix to me. YMMV...

Still 2 Many Choices!?