As someone who is newly interested in M16s, can you give me an estimate on current price ranges for each of the more common varieties (not the obscure or rare ones).

If I understand correctly from my reading on the internet, the hierarchy looks something like this:

1) Colt M16a2
2) Colt M16a1
3) Colt AR15 that was factory full auto (model 614 or 613--others?)
4) Colt semiauto with small pin upper that was converted to full auto
5) Colt SP1 with large pin upper that was converted to full auto
6) Sendra forged receiver converted AR15
7) Oly, Frankfort, SGW other forged receiver converted AR15
8) Essential Arms cast receiver AR15
9) Rewelds

On a related matter, I have been watching various listings and auctions, trying to figure out why certain firearms are offered/sold at certain prices. I realize, of course, that sometimes the explanation is simply a quirky seller or buyer. But I wondered if you had a theory why this M16a1 did not draw a bid at 21K: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=433603467, and yet this one had 17 bids and sold at 22K http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=441445729.

Finally, this listing caught my eye as a possibly underpriced conversion, at $15,400. See http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/i...uery=retrieval. You agree?

Thanks for your help.

I dont watch the market that closely now that im now longer a buyer but this is what i have seen in general the last few months.
RR Non-colt $15-18k
RLL $15-18k
RDIAS $20-25k
RR Colt M16A1 $20-25k
RR Colt M16A2 $25-30k


Places to watch for good deals...

http://www.sturmgewehr.com
http://www.shootersdepot.com
http://www.atfmachinegun.com
http://www.autoweapons.com
http://www.impactguns.com
http://www.subguns.com
http://www.onlythebestfirearms.com
http://www.davidspiwak.com
http://dealernfa.com
http://www.gunbroker.com
http://www.nfasales.com

EDIT: Welcome to the site

I actually think the market for MGs will be taking a light dip for a little while, but will of course continue to climb again soon.

Reason for this?

-So many people thinking the MG ban will be lifted b/c of the recent trust form 1 crap.  Wishful thinking at best IMO, and it aint gonna happen.
-People are tapped out after the last couple back to back to back scares.

All it will take is time, or another scare (shooting or election.....both of which are inevitable), and the price will take the next jump up.  It's probably a good time to buy right now.

To answer your questions as best as I can.....

1) Colt M16a2 - $25k-$35k depending on model
2) Colt M16a1 - $20k-$25k depending on model

That's all I really know.  the list of sites to visit up above are great places to start looking at prices.

To answer your questions as best as I can.....

1) Colt M16a2 - $25k-$35k depending on model
2) Colt M16a1 - $20k-$25k depending on model

That's all I really know.  the list of sites to visit up above are great places to start looking at prices.


Thank you very much. Can you please elaborate on your estimate that Colt M16a1s are selling for $20k-$25k "depending on model."  Specifically, what are the models that are higher/lower in that range?  Thanks again.

I'm not sure what exactly was meant by "model" but typically the price varies based on condition, private vs dealer sale, year of production and serial number. Also some have slight variations, for example the majority of M16A2s are labeled safe/semi/burst but some very rare models are labeled safe/semi/auto. All original matching parts can also draw a premium for someone collecting say a Vietnam era rifle for display.

As a first time buyer I would first decide your price range, if you can only afford to spend $15k there is no point in wasting time looking at colt m16a1s or a2s. Then decide why you are buying it.

Is it for shooting? If so a non colt RR, RLL or RDIAS would suffice.

Investing? Prob want to look into a better condition harder to find model with original parts and finish.

Impressing your friends by going pew pew pew!? Might just want to get a Mac11 or similar low cost fun gun.

By model I mean "commando, carbine, etc"

Thanks for the info. I notice a RLL went on Gunbroker last night for "only" $12,775. Any theories?  See http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=446927612

That seems about right to me, maybe a tad bit high.   Figure you have maybe $500 to $600 in a host gun which leaves you right about $12,000 for the RLL.

Seems like RLLs have bounced between 10 and 12K this year give or take.

About a year about they were around this price but for some reason this last spring there were a few that sold for around $18k, they are pretty rare items (what ive read says around 500 or less) but always used be the cheapest way to get into the M16 market. Glad to see they are selling back below the price of a Non-colt RR.

Kind of a bummer do me, I initially wanted a RLL but couldn't find one for a decent price and had to step up to a non-colt RR. But a RR is a little more plug and play so I can't complain to much I suppose.

There are also early SGW receivers machined from billet aluminum, and converted to FA by RIA (and maybe others). In terms of value, these would come after #7, above.

Recent auctions have fetched somewhat lower prices at auction than the retail we see on the boards.

Here's an M16a1 carbine at GB for less than $20k right now. Not mine, and I have no connection to it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=447577783

Seems like a fair price for a M16A1, they typically run in the $20-25k range.

Having reviewed the various posts on this and other sites, I compiled the following proposed hierarchy of full auto AR15s/M16s. I have two questions: 1)  do you think that the weapons are correctly ordered, based on recent prices?; and 2) whether or not the list is accurate, do you personally think that the market is valuing certain weapons more/less highly than it should relative to other weapons?
Here is the list:

1.Colt factory M16A2 Carbines and Commandos.
2.Colt factory M16A2 Rifles marked auto.
3.Colt factory M16A2 Rifles marked burst.
4.Colt factory M16A1 rare variations (e.g., models 621, 633, 635, 639).
5.Colt factory M16A1 standard rifles.
6.Group Industries Stainless Steel 16A1 receivers.
7.Colt factory M16 standard rifles
8.Colt full auto factory AR15 (e.g., models 613 or 614)
9.AR15 with registered drop in auto sear (RDIAS)
10.Colt semiauto AR15 (small pin) conversion
11.Sendra AR15 receivers converted by Bushmaster (BFI).
12.Sendras converted by other folks.
13.Colt SP1 large pin upper conversion
14.PAWS forged receiver AR15 conversion
15.Oly, Frankfort, PAWS, other forged receiver AR15 conversion
16.AR15 with registered lightening link (RLL)
17.Essential Arms cast receiver AR15 conversion
18.Reweld M16

That's not how I'd order them, but everything is subjective.  Based on actual sale prices, the RDIAS is bringing as much or more than factory full autos, since it can be moved around.  The RLL is still the cheapest, if no longer by very much.

Agreed. Also, I personally value factory transferable Colts above any conversion, to include Group SS lowers.

So, do you think that this is a more accurate current price ranking?

1.Colt factory M16A2 Carbines and Commandos.
2.Colt factory M16A2 Rifles marked auto.
3.Colt factory M16A2 Rifles marked burst.
4.Colt factory M16A1 rare variations (e.g., models 621, 633, 635, 639).
5.AR15 with registered drop in auto sear (RDIAS)
6.Colt factory M16A1 standard rifles.
7.Colt factory M16 standard rifles
8.Colt full auto factory AR15 (e.g., models 613 or 614)
9.Group Industries Stainless Steel 16A1 receivers  
10.Colt semiauto AR15 (small pin) conversion
11.Sendra AR15 receivers converted by Bushmaster (BFI).
12.Sendras converted by other folks.
13.Colt SP1 large pin upper conversion
14.PAWS forged receiver AR15 conversion
15.Oly, Frankfort, other forged receiver AR15 conversion
16..Essential Arms cast receiver AR15 conversion
17.AR15 with registered lightening link (RLL)
18.Reweld M16

I don't believe any such transferables exist. All factory Colt semiauto AR15s at the time had the larger diameter front takedown pin.