Colt sporter 2 A1 - Page 1

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Posted: 8/12/2017 3:45:07 PM EDT

The local gander mountain had a colt match target I was watching. Thought it might go for cheap one day. Was a little beat up but not bad. Stopped by today and the place is almost empty. The match target was gone and this sporter 2 was sitting there almost by itself. Took a quick look and knew I wanted it. Wonder where it came from as it wasn't there 2 weeks ago. Might go check your local gander. Paid $740 came with a redstar China replica 3x20 scope.

Plugged in the serial number on colts website and didn't get a sporter. Any idea what year?

Posted: 8/12/2017 4:30:40 PM EDT

[#1]

Good buy!

Posted: 8/12/2017 4:40:14 PM EDT

[#2]

Circa 1990. Call Colt & they prolly will tell you exactly.

Posted: 8/12/2017 5:02:14 PM EDT

[#3]

You scored.

Posted: 8/12/2017 5:51:15 PM EDT

[#4]

Nice find.

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:18:45 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Circa 1990. Call Colt & they prolly will tell you exactly.

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I'd guess earlier than that, probably mid-'80s. I'd have been all over that for $740. It looks like it's in great shape and almost completely original.

I'd find an original sight wheel and screw set for the pivot to set aside but would leave the Rapidex wheel and push pin on there for now.

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:23:29 PM EDT

[#6]

None of the AR series serial numbers are searchable on Colt's website - you have to call their archive department. $25 for a simple lookup, and more if you want full historical details on your firearm.

The earliest Sporter IIs, like mine, didn't even have the forward assist. My serial is 302xxx and comes from 1985. Yours is 314xxx, which would make it probably late 1985 or early 1986.

After the 1989 Stockton school shooting, California enacted its first AW ban in 1990, and banned the AR-15 by name, so Colt ceased production of the Sporter II and started calling most of their new rifle models by names other than "AR-15"

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:37:32 PM EDT

[#7]

I am thinking 85-86 as well based on the numbers I have accumulated over the last 35 years.

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:40:04 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'd guess earlier than that, probably mid-'80s. I'd have been all over that for $740. It looks like it's in great shape and almost completely original.

I'd find an original sight wheel and screw set for the pivot to set aside but would leave the Rapidex wheel and push pin on there for now.

View Quote

I just bought 3 surplus rear sight kits from Indiana Army Surplus for 15 each.

They might be able to help you locate just the sight wheel for a good price.

Currently Numrich is out of stock.

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:46:32 PM EDT

[#9]

I could take more pictures. Colt bcg and C marked hammer. Looks clean inside and out.
Originally thought the scope was a better made in Japan one. Didn't look it over too closely.

ETA Really tempted to put an A1 grip and type E stock on but I'm guessing the A2 stuff is original.

Posted: 8/12/2017 8:27:06 PM EDT

[#10]

I own a HBAR Sporter with serial # SP248xxx & Colt told me it was made in April 1990.

Posted: 8/12/2017 11:40:05 PM EDT

[#11]

Educated guess, made in 1986. Nice score!

Posted: 8/13/2017 2:16:31 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I could take more pictures. Colt bcg and C marked hammer. Looks clean inside and out.
Originally thought the scope was a better made in Japan one. Didn't look it over too closely.

ETA Really tempted to put an A1 grip and type E stock on but I'm guessing the A2 stuff is original.

View Quote

Yeah, I'd leave it original. I could be mistaken, but even though this has an A1 upper, this would be considered an early transitional A2. Like Hikok45's in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLcw62Zs7gY

I'd put the sling on the other way though, it's on backwards in the pictures.

Posted: 8/13/2017 2:31:26 PM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:

I'd put the sling on the other way though, it's on backwards in the pictures.

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Yeah I thought that was funny. Wondered if any one would see that.

ETA. Pulled the sling off after the pictures to clean the barrel. Would this have a certain type of sling? I'm guessing no and will probably leave it off.

Posted: 8/13/2017 6:00:50 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Circa 1990. Call Colt & they prolly will tell you exactly.

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Negative. Earlier than that. I have a Sporter II (s/n: 346XXX) and it was made in 1986. Mine has the A2 upper which was used a little later than the upper in the pictures. I suspect that the OP's Sporter II is from around 1985. Contact Colt for find out exactly when. That is what I did.

Posted: 8/13/2017 7:20:07 PM EDT

[#15]

How late did they use slab sided lowers?

Posted: 8/13/2017 8:16:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yeah I thought that was funny. Wondered if any one would see that.

ETA. Pulled the sling off after the pictures to clean the barrel. Would this have a certain type of sling? I'm guessing no and will probably leave it off.

View Quote

That's likely the sling that came with it, it would be correct. I'd keep it on there for use during unsupported shooting, to help stabilize the rifle.

Posted: 8/13/2017 8:44:40 PM EDT

[#17]

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Quoted:

That's likely the sling that came with it, it would be correct. I'd keep it on there for use during unsupported shooting, to help stabilize the rifle.

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Thanks! I'll put it back on.
Barrel was clean also. No copper at all. Kind of surprised how clean it was.

Posted: 8/17/2017 5:22:27 PM EDT

[#18]

Mine is a 321 and verified by Colt 1985

ETA Mine is exactly like yours with the A1 upper, although mine has an early A1 port door. Colt was just using up existing stock when they transitioned to the A2

Posted: 8/17/2017 6:23:09 PM EDT

[#19]

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Quoted:
How late did they use slab sided lowers?

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My Colt R6601 Sporter Match HBAR has a slab side A1 lower with an A2 upper and Colt said it was made in 1990.

Posted: 8/17/2017 8:59:48 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I could take more pictures. Colt bcg and C marked hammer. Looks clean inside and out.
Originally thought the scope was a better made in Japan one. Didn't look it over too closely.

ETA Really tempted to put an A1 grip and type E stock on but I'm guessing the A2 stuff is original.

View Quote

windage drum and front pin clearly aren’t original, Should be same as an SP1.

Posted: 8/18/2017 8:34:54 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mine is a 321 and verified by Colt 1985

ETA Mine is exactly like yours with the A1 upper, although mine has an early A1 port door. Colt was just using up existing stock when they transitioned to the A2

View Quote

Early port door would be cool.

I have a like new A1 grip and stock that would look great on this.

Posted: 8/18/2017 8:37:29 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
windage drum and front pin clearly aren’t original, Should be same as an SP1.

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I have the windage drum on the way. Should have a spare 5 notch front sight pin in my parts box.

Posted: 8/18/2017 9:12:06 AM EDT

[#23]

I would leave it as is. Do not change anything. If you have the need to change anything, it could be to change out the rear sight wheel and that is all. Remember, your AR15 A2 Sporter II is an A2 based model other than the upper and lower receivers. It was the transitional model from SP1 to the Sporter II. Later Sporter IIs were all A2 based except for the lower.

This is a pic of my 1987 AR15 A2 Sporter II. Same as yours with the exception of the upper receiver, pivot pin, and forward assist.

Attached File

Posted: 8/18/2017 9:21:59 AM EDT

[#24]

Another great A2 thread.
That grey is the best gun-grey in existence; I like it tons over the contemporary black anodize that most AR15s have on today.

I guess that that's why we love - among other things - retro looks and builds.

OP it's a great score. I understand your temptation to change things here and there - typical when we have a transitional looking item - but I would keep it as you have it.

Or sell at twice your buying price. You scored.

Posted: 8/18/2017 9:23:06 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Early port door would be cool.

I have a like new A1 grip and stock that would look great on this.

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You will always have the larger barrel - so you'd still looking at it sideways, probably.

Whatever you end up doing, great purchase!

ETA: my own A2 build. Upper is original early Colt, lower had to be Nodak spud A2 as - here in California - those Colt lowers are banned by name.

I hope they'll never ban that musket, at least.

Because Muskets. by SoloDallas, on Flickr

Posted: 8/18/2017 10:08:33 AM EDT

[#26]

Good catch. Now I want another one...

Posted: 8/18/2017 9:18:46 PM EDT

[#27]

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Quoted:

I have the windage drum on the way. Should have a spare 5 notch front sight pin in my parts box.

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I meant the front takedown pin, should be large hole flathead screw like an SP1 and A2 HBAR.

Posted: 8/18/2017 9:53:12 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
I meant the front takedown pin, should be large hole flathead screw like an SP1 and A2 HBAR.

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About that front pivot pin, does no one make them? Only ones I find are $50 on gunbroker.

Posted: 8/18/2017 10:44:16 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

About that front pivot pin, does no one make them? Only ones I find are $50 on gunbroker.

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I know of no one who makes them. You will most likely need to buy an original one and you will have to pay a handsome price for it. Maybe someone here has a spare laying around somewhere.

Posted: 8/19/2017 1:14:13 AM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
About that front pivot pin, does no one make them? Only ones I find are $50 on gunbroker.

View Quote

KNS and one or two others make replacement push-pins for the .315" pivot pins.

A classic two-screw pivot pin can either be had as NOS, or fairly easily fabricated from parts by a local shop - but they're not a standard stocking item anywhere but classic Colts, that I know of.