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Posted: 12/8/2010 11:07:51 AM EDT
| I recently got a 1976 vintage Colt SP 1 and had a few questions. I was wondering if the front takedown pin could be changed to a pop out kind instead of the screw together kind it has now? Also can any upper be used or does it have to be a "large" hole? I was just seeking to be clear on what I can and can't do with it. |
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There are several types of "pop out" pins that will fit your SP-1.
KNS Pushbutton pivot pin, large hole size You can use just about any upper on your lower, but you will need one of the offset pins to adapt a small hole upper to the large hole lower. They typically run around $4 to $6. DPMS Small hole upper to large hole lower offset pin Your upper can be used on just about any lower, but you will need an offset bushing to adapt it to a small hole lower. They typically run $3 to $6. DPMS small hole lower to large hole upper offset bushing As long as you don't make any permanent modifications to either the upper or lower, or sell either one or any of the parts, then you can swap away to your hearts content without affecting the value, since you can always return it to it's original configuration at any time. I don't know if I'd call an SP-1 a true collectable, except for perhaps a 3 digit or lower serial number one. They do command a little higher price on the market, partly because they are "retro," partly because they are Colt, and partly because they are pre-ban. |
| My intent wasn't to hack it up. I have an appreciation for the rifle how it is. It was for information only after I saw a full auto conversion with an SP-1 lower and a different upper. I have an 84 Corvette that's all original, but the HP rating on the engine sucks and sometimes I think about dropping in a new Vette motor. It's only bench racing. My Dad is a Vietnam vet and I'm thinking about giving it to him just because it looks just like an M16 from that era, or I might sell it to somebody who really wants a retro gun. Thanks again to everybody who has replied, my hacking up stuff days are over. |
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The 'Vette engine can be re-worked with today's technology to put at least 100 more horses in it. This would be a heluva lot cheaper than trying to fit an engine that doesn't belong there. Things were nasty for performance cars in the late '70s and into the '80s because of the new emissions laws. I had a '76 Trans Am with 400 CID engine that was rated at 185 HP. It had plenty of torque but no top end. Your 'Vette is probably somewhat similar.
So, clean and oil your SP-1 and sock it away. If you shoot it, use M193 only. I think I would shoot it at least some, because its probably a lightweight and very accurate rifle. |
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Quoted:
My intent wasn't to hack it up. I have an appreciation for the rifle how it is. It was for information only after I saw a full auto conversion with an SP-1 lower and a different upper. I have an 84 Corvette that's all original, but the HP rating on the engine sucks and sometimes I think about dropping in a new Vette motor. It's only bench racing. My Dad is a Vietnam vet and I'm thinking about giving it to him just because it looks just like an M16 from that era, or I might sell it to somebody who really wants a retro gun. Thanks again to everybody who has replied, my hacking up stuff days are over. Some people here do overreact when you ask questions about a "classic." As noted by others, you have a lot of options that don't involve permanent mods. I've used the adapter pins in the past to put small pin uppers on my SP1 lower. I also use those simple pushpins when using a big hole upper, instead of the double screw setup. I have about 5 or 6 big hole uppers that I use. I even "hacked" one of them up. 
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