AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/14/2012 9:08:16 PM EDT
|
I found this SP-1 Carbine Complet Upper Today:
Here it is above my XM177E2 build, which needs a barrel. 
Flash Hider looks original 
Barrel markings are correct: 
|
|
Quoted:
Nice find! Looks like its in pretty damn good condition. What did you get it for if you don't mind me asking? I think I got a good deal. Guy didn't know what he had. I tried to tell one of his assistants the value of it, but they were clearly and adamantly uninterested in its value. It felt like trying to force a donkey's head down to the water hole, but there's no way I can overpower a stubborn ass. |
|
Quoted:
Nice score! And if you don't mind some input when you start building it up look for a proper set of hand guards for it, looks like a set of M4's on it right now. And don't forget to post pics when you get done!  The 2 things not original on it that I can tell are the handguards, which are carbine 7-hole, but definitely not Colt. The exterior of the handguards are profiled really close to a Colt, but they are after-market for sure. I'm not sure about the charge handle latch, as it is black, while the handle is grey. This may be legit, but it looked a little out of place to me. I can't see why someone would replace a grey latch with a black one, and there isn't evidence of punch defacing around the latch roll pin, so maybe someone can let me know if they've seen black latches on original charge handles. I honestly didn't think I would find anything really retro, as parts have been dried up pretty well at the last shows I've been to for a while. Anybody have an idea what time frame this might have come from? |
| Where did you find Vietnam-era gear at? I saw a guy walking around in OG-107's with a boonie, and some patches, but was too busy to see what he was about. Good score on the ammo... 500rds for $50 is a good deal all day long. I didn't even look at ammo, which is what I should have been doing. |
|
There was a booth right there near the front, with mostly WW2 stuff, that in the bins under the tablehad some Nam ea stuff. I got an M1967 cateen cover, and some various stuff for my mid war Marine gear set up.. I snagged that stuff up right around 930, so fairly early in the show.
I also picked up a nice used 1967 dated Pilots survival knife for $33!! 100rds of the 38 was 60's dated GI as well. I guess I should post pics of my finds as well haha. There was a guy that had some used but pretty good condition M7 bayonets in M8 (not M8A1) sheaths for $30, which I would say was a good deal, but he was a dick so I walked away. I saw the guy that used to have the both with the stash of retro parts, but he said he didn't feel like bringing it all this time sadly. And Sherluk had some cool stuff as usual, but they know what all their stuff is worth, and may even be a little proud of it. |
|
I have seen black latch charging handles on 70s SP1s and I see them on pictures of 70s and newer gray M16s too. Can anyone give a better year range when black latch charging handles were made?
Quoted:
Quoted:
Nice score! And if you don't mind some input when you start building it up look for a proper set of hand guards for it, looks like a set of M4's on it right now. And don't forget to post pics when you get done! The 2 things not original on it that I can tell are the handguards, which are carbine 7-hole, but definitely not Colt. The exterior of the handguards are profiled really close to a Colt, but they are after-market for sure. I'm not sure about the charge handle latch, as it is black, while the handle is grey. This may be legit, but it looked a little out of place to me. I can't see why someone would replace a grey latch with a black one, and there isn't evidence of punch defacing around the latch roll pin, so maybe someone can let me know if they've seen black latches on original charge handles. I honestly didn't think I would find anything really retro, as parts have been dried up pretty well at the last shows I've been to for a while. Anybody have an idea what time frame this might have come from? |
| CH latches have been known to break and a black latch is easier to find than grey. Think if I needed a grey latch I'd have just switched handles otherwise. Wouldn't let that slow me down any. See a lot of them that way on genuine surplus parts. Armorer installed from the parts bin. Never had one that way on a new authentic purchase personally. Sounds like whoever put it together did it right. Most new AR's show signs of latch install or touch up. I like it and think you bought what you wanted at time of purchase anyway. Hope it shoots great. |
Almost too nice to break up - are you going to 1: Use an offset pin and mount it on your lower 2: tear the barrel out of it and sell off the rest of the parts to offset the cost or 3: find an SP1 lower to mount it on?  Oh - I guess there's 4: Sit on the damn thing for 6 months trying to decided WTH to do with it and change your mind every time you open another beer? That's usually what I do, but I don't recommend it. Too stressful - you'll end up buying more, and more, and more...
|
|
Yeah, I don't like the thought of breaking it up since a 16" 1/12 Colt pipe belongs on one gun only-the SP-1 carbine. I'm kinda kicking myself in the pants now since I came across an SP-1 lower last year, but traded it with a forum member for a bunch of other retro parts.
I think I'll put it up on RBR as well. I think that SP-1 lower went to a ban State, so no chance of recovering that one really. I just need to focus on getting a barrel for my XM177 project, and I won't cut a CMP CHROME BORE 16" barrel for that, but the ejection port cover is whispering strange things to me..... |
|
Quoted:
IIRC, Olgunner might have an incorrect SP1 carbine (lower is correct I think) frankengun he might part with or part out. Hate to speak for him, but I know he's thinking about selling some parts. Actually, I just sold that lower a week or two ago. I had it mated to a 604 upper and had been looking for an SP1 upper to "restore" it, but when time came to cover the cost of some other purchases, that one went to a guy in VA who is building it for a vet buddy. That is the first time in my life I've sold a "gun"––or lower, at least. I've given a few away, but never sold one. It was a little easier knowing it was going to a good home. |
| Patience is the key although it appears to me SP-1 pieces are in a little more demand this year than the last 5 or 10 with exception of collector grade. Think 1-12 is the only twist I don't have in a LW profile carbine and 1-9 on a rifle. Two reasons to spend some more coins. Need to have the right AR for the right situation. Think I'd hang on to it unless I bought it to sell and needed the coins. |
|
I think your words are wise. As I've been trying to value this piece, I've been researching through the EE and GunBroker. SP1 Carbines are basically non-existent for sale. I did see that sorry abortion of an excuse labeled as a "rare early model Colt SP-1 Carbine", never mind the cheezy after-market barrel, flash hider, handguards, stock, and who knows what other parts have been thrown in there. I don't think someone should be able to get away with false-advertising like that, and then have the gaul to price it at $1850. It looks like they took a green pad to a Model 1 Sales barrel/FSB/fake 5.5" flash hider with the silly line cuts in it.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=281581306 They have it up on GunsAmerica too with the same fraudulent description. It really hurst my feelings every time I visit one of my local gun stores, where they have an SP-1 rifle that was rat-sucked for its original extension tube for a customer who installed a PRS on their modern AR15, and then they put a cheap no-name telestock on it. It's sitting there in the used rack every time I go in, and hasn't moved at all in well over a year. That had an original registered M16A1 that was up on the wall for maybe a week or two, and was snatched quickly, especially for an NFA item. |
|
SP1 Carbines are basically non-existent for sale.
Think it just depends on geographic region and job market. Although with us they would be one of the last items to go that is usually not the case with the wife. Timing and cash in the pocket is the key. I've seen more SP-1's mostly rifles in excelent condition in the last three years than I ever remember previously. I live 2 miles from VA's largest gun dealer and hanging around the appraisal counter sometimes has it's rewards. They are only gonna offer 1/2 appraised value so figure no more than $550 unless they want it real bad and they already have plenty usually. $750 in the parking lot or less could easily happen. At funshows ask the guy walking around with the sign what else he has for sale. |
AR Sponsor