Fully Transferable Colt SP1 Machine Gun 14.5″ .223 5.56mm NATO, NFA Class 3
SOLD FOR: $27,385.00
LSB#: LSB260414MS001
Make: Colt Industries
Model: SP1
Serial Number: SP147125
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Caliber: .223 Remington/5.56mm NATO
Action Type: Select-Fire Full- or Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines (no magazine included).
Markings:
Left lower receiver- Rampant colt logo, “COLT / AR-15”, “M16 A1”, “CAL. .223 / MODEL SP1 / SER SP147125”, “COLT’S FIREARMS DIVISION / COLT INDUSTRIES / HARTFORD, CONN. / U.S.A.”, standard SAFE, FIRE, AUTO selector markings.
Right upper receiver- “C H”.
Barrel- “C MP (monogram) B”
Bolt- “MPC”
Carrier- “C”
Barrel Length: 14.5″, A2 Flash Suppressor
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the front sight base, the base is pinned to the barrel. The rear sight is an A1 dual-aperture sight adjustable for windage in the integral carry handle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The handguard is a two-piece clamshell with heat shield. The grip is an A2 checkered black polymer. The buttstock is a metal M4 N1 carbine style stock on a three-position buffer extension. There are a couple of scratches on the left of the stock. The grip and handguard have some light scuffing. The LOP ranges from 10″ to 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate depending on position. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Hard Anodize, Phosphate
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The upper receiver assembly is not original to the lower receiver.
Bore Condition: The chrome-lined bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The lower receiver has odd wear on the right side with scattered nicks, scuffs and light scratches. The upper receiver has generally strong finish with scattered light scuffing and small scratches. The flash suppressor is tool marked. There is wear on the barrel under the front sight base consistent with use of an XM3-style bipod. The receiver has holes drilled in the magazine well for installation of a Colt SMG magazine block (not present). The action shows operational wear. The pin heads range from unmarred to tool marked, but not peened. There are tool marks around some pin heads. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the “S” in the serial number is interrupted. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Notes: The lower receiver is a “large pin”, bushed. The upper receiver is a “small pin”. As noted above, the magazine well is drilled for the installation of a Colt SMG magazine block, not present.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Developed by Eugene Stoner, the M16 was a revolutionary design which fused modern manufacturing, aerospace materials, and a small-caliber, high-velocity (SCHV) cartridge. The result was a rifle that dominates the semi-automatic rifle market to this very day and whose design has been in use by the United States military in various forms for more than 60 years. The civilian equivalent, the AR-15, has come to be perhaps the most popular rifle in America. Colt’s sporting rifles were designated the SP1
Prior to 1986, it was possible for regular citizens to purchase fully-automatic rifles and register them under the scheme created by the National Firearms Act. This is one such example, produced in 1981. Originally sold as a Model R6001 (confirmed with Colt Archives), this SP is fully automatic, transferable, and sports a 14.5″ pencil-profile upper receiver assembly. It is also drilled for installation of a Colt SMG magazine block (not present), allowing it to be converted for use with a Colt 9mm upper receiver and SMG magazines. The rifle appears to have seen some use, but retains a strong bore and good mechanics.
This is a very interesting example of a transferable full-auto Colt SP1. It is a registered machinegun, transferable on a Form 3 or Form 4 after BATF approval. AR15 owners know how much fun they are to shoot, but there’s nothing like full-auto to make it even better. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud