Rockrivr1
Member
Looking at one my friend is selling for 1300 beans. It’s in very good shape but going back and forth on whether it’s really worth it.
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.Mine is light, handy, and extremely reliable. Makes me wonder if we’ve actually made much progress over the past 50 years.
IKR? Believe it or not people collect Glocks too?Wait, people collect ARs?!?!?
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Am I right in my understanding that the old school triangle handguard setup is really the main thing that has collector value?
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.Mine was $250.00 in 1971. I still have it with the the two magazines that were blocked to five rounds, Illinois, you know.
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.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.
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?
Am I right in my understanding that the old school triangle handguard setup is really the main thing that has collector value?
Yes, all of those things. But I would say that the double-screw (larger) front pivot is what really sets the SP-1 apart.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.
The large screw pivot was retained by Colt into the Match Target, Sporter, and HBAR models not just the SP-1.Yes, all of those things. But I would say that the double-screw (larger) front pivot is what really sets the SP-1 apart.
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.Wait, people collect ARs?!?!?
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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.)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.
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.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.
I am definitely not a hard core collector then. I will shoot every firearm I own.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 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.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.
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.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.)