Is any AR collection complete without a SP1?

Collector's rifle for sure. I have seen SP-1's at Gun Show's for much more than that. Mine was $250.00 in 1971. I still have it with the the two magazines that were blocked to five rounds, Illinois, you know. Of course a lot depends on condition. AR-15's Large.jpg
 
I wouldn’t think that it would be necessary to have one, especially at that price point. They may bring that much on the market, and sure it’s a neat gun with some ties to weapon development but there’s a lot of things on a sp1 that people have paid dearly to get rid of and make the gun better. There are a lot more interesting variations that I would find more enjoyable and more affordable, like an xm15 clone. Monetarily I don’t see that strong of a market for the original guns, so there’s not much of an investment opportunity there either. Just personal opinion that’s worth what you paid for it but for me, hard pass and no regrets.
 
If you are interested in the A1 style, I’d pick it up. They won’t get cheaper than that and even a modern replica like a H&R model 604 will cost you around the same price.
 
Mine is light, handy, and extremely reliable. Makes me wonder if we’ve actually made much progress over the past 50 years.
Exactly how I feel about my 1976 model. I also like the operation and feel in hand better than most of the one modern ones I've held.
 
Am I right in my understanding that the old school triangle handguard setup is really the main thing that has collector value?

I like the vibe of the slab-side lower and three-prong flash suppressor and lack of a forward assist, in addition to the triangle handguards.

And the lightweight barrel!

I don't have one...but those are the reasons I would get one.
 
Depends on how important the Colt stamp is to a person.
Clone-correct version could be had for less, a bit more to get the Colt logo engraved in a "blank" lower.

Palmetto State owns the HR trademarks and tradename, and have been turning out reproductions of very collectible AR here of late. Might be a good time to grab one of those before they wind up like SP-1.

SP-1 will have "issues" too. Those original pencil barrels do not have the benefit of near five decades' experience in heat treating. But, if you replace the Colt barrel with, say, a Faxxon one, is it still "original"? Your groups will be better, your satisfaction will likely be greater, too.

Dunno. YMMV
 
Mine was $250.00 in 1971. I still have it with the the two magazines that were blocked to five rounds, Illinois, you know.
I purchased early AR's new in Texas and Virginia, in that time frame. All of them came with magazines with removable spacers that would block them to five rounds. I think that was about making them legal for hunting.

The bigger issue with early AR's is that they would double unreliably (or go full auto) if the disconnector was removed. Colt quietly took the AR off the market in 1970-71 until they could redesign the mechanism. When they reintroduced it, it was with a beveled bolt carrier and notched hammer, so that instead of hammer follow-down, if the disconnector was removed, the notched hammer would snag the firing pin and hopelessly jam the weapon. (Eventually this modification was dropped as Colt experimented with other things to make it harder to convert to full auto.)

The temporary absence of the AR-15 from the market gave an opening for the Armalite AR-180. I bought two of those in that intervening period. They had the 5-round magazine spacers too.
 
Monetarily I don’t see that strong of a market for the original guns, so there’s not much of an investment opportunity there either.
Remember that pre-1975 AR's are now "curios and relics," so they can be bought freely across state lines by holders of 03 FFL's. That factor has to be taken into account in determining the value.
 
Am I right in my understanding that the old school triangle handguard setup is really the main thing that has collector value?
Slickside lower receiver, no forward assist upper receiver, A1 buttstock length, A1 sights. They made carbine versions also but the M16-looking one is the main attraction IMO. Some were sold with 3-prong FH, some with birdcage (mine was), and most had notches for the forward assist on the bolt carrier despite the lack of the forward assist on the receiver. Mine is like this.
 
Am I right in my understanding that the old school triangle handguard setup is really the main thing that has collector value?
I like the vibe of the slab-side lower and three-prong flash suppressor and lack of a forward assist, in addition to the triangle handguards.
Yes, all of those things. But I would say that the double-screw (larger) front pivot is what really sets the SP-1 apart.
 
Wait, people collect ARs?!?!?
😁
The only reason I will not have a SP-1 or any type of AR without a built in brass deflector is the fact that I shoot left handed. I always got hit with hot brass when shooting the M16A1 while in the Army. Plus the fact that if I own a firearm, I am going to shoot it. Hot brass in the crook of your support arm elbow or down your shirt is absolutely no fun.

For the OP: $1300 is not bad IF it is all matching and in good shape.
 
I agree that $1300:is an excellent price for an SP1. I happen to love a good ol’ SP1, the light weight, natural pointing ability, good sights, it’s really just an excellent, basic rifle. I had one for years that I loved and then, in a fit of insanity, sold off! I shoot rifles lefty and miraculously, that rifle ejected cases to a perfect 3 o’clock and never once pelted me (I believe there’s a way to play with the ejector spring and buffer spring to effect a similar outcome). I also liked the way the flat-bottomed triangle handguards would settle into a front bag at the range. I have, I think, 8 other ARs but no SP1 anymore and I pine for having one again. If I could find one for $1300, I’d buy it! Good luck, you know what you need to do!
 
The only reason I will not have a SP-1 or any type of AR without a built in brass deflector is the fact that I shoot left handed.
Collecting is not about shooting. Collectors and shooters have different priorities. In fact, a dyed-in-wool collector would prefer not to shoot his pieces, because shooting them would inevitably worsen their condition. (He might want all his pieces to be theoretically shootable, but that's a different issue.)

I only fired my SP-1's for a few rounds before putting them away. I've never fired my full auto Colt M16A1. I've even kept the box and the accessories it came with. (It's worth big bucks, partly because of that.)

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The only reason I will not have a SP-1 or any type of AR without a built in brass deflector is the fact that I shoot left handed. I always got hit with hot brass when shooting the M16A1 while in the Army.
FWIW I shoot long guns lefty and I don't get any brass to the face or down my shirt when shooting my SP1 in 3-gun matches, prone, standing, or through barriers. I wonder if the Army M16s were tired.
 
Collecting is not about shooting. Collectors and shooters have different priorities. In fact, a dyed-in-wool collector would prefer not to shoot his pieces, because shooting them would inevitably worsen their condition. (He might want all his pieces to be theoretically shootable, but that's a different issue.)
I am definitely not a hard core collector then. I will shoot every firearm I own.

FWIW I shoot long guns lefty and I don't get any brass to the face or down my shirt when shooting my SP1 in 3-gun matches, prone, standing, or through barriers. I wonder if the Army M16s were tired.
I don't think so. Yes most M16A1's used for basic training were pretty worn out. But I did get issued the A1 in some units that were like brand new or recently rebuilt at the arsenal. And it was a common issue for left handed shooters to get hit with hot brass when shooting the M16A1. Most of us were issued the clip on brass deflector during basic training. Regular units would just tell us to unroll our sleeves and button the top button of our BDU tops to keep from getting burned.
 
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Collecting is not about shooting. Collectors and shooters have different priorities. In fact, a dyed-in-wool collector would prefer not to shoot his pieces, because shooting them would inevitably worsen their condition. (He might want all his pieces to be theoretically shootable, but that's a different issue.)
There are collectors and then there are collectors. I don't have a problem shooting any of mine. I keep them in pristine shape but I go by the philosophy that they're ment to be used. Admittedly my (only!) SP1 hasn't seen much range time but M16:s, M4:s, MG42:s, M1928A1 Tommy Gun, XM177 and others have and do. And I've bought many of them brand new, some new old stock and none well worn.

When you handle them carefully and keep them squeaky clean, it's hard to tell that some of them have even been fired.

Purists may cringe but I don't really care what other people think nor do I regard myself as a "lesser" collector because of this. Maybe even vice versa, and on some level I even pity collectors who have never experienced what their prized possessions are like to shoot. That's half the fun. Or more, when you flip the fun switch all the way and let 'er rip...
 
Not for me, I've built a few retro style ARs they always seem to be the expendable when I decide I want something else.
 
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