PreBan Colt SP1 SP-1 AR-15 5.56/.223 20” Semi-Auto Rifle & Extras, MFD 1978
SOLD FOR: $1,513.00
LSB#: LSB260403ER001
Make: Colt
Model: AR-15 SP1
Serial Number: SP70449
Year of Manufacture: 1978 / Modern
Caliber: .223 Rem. / 5.56 NATO
Action Type: Direct Impingement, Magazine Fed Semi-Auto Rifle
Markings: Left side of receiver marked “COLT / AR-15 / CAL. .223 / MODEL SP1 / SER. SP70449” with the Rampant Colt logo. Marked on left side receiver behind bolt catch “COLT FIREARMS DIVISION COLT INDUSTRIES. / HARTFORD, CONN. / U.S.A.” with “SAFE” and “FIRE” for the selection options. The bolt carrier is marked with a “C”. The barrel is marked “C MP CHROME BORE”.
Barrel Length: 20”. Pencil Profile, 21” w/ A1 Birdcage Flash Hider.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post iron sight and the rear has an adjustable iron dual aperture peep sight set within the carry handle. A1 sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This rifle has a three-piece A1 stock set with a triangle clamshell handguard, A1 plastic pistol-grip, and a fixed A1 stock w/ storage door. There are light scratches and handling marks throughout. There are no chips, but there are some splits in the hard rubber buttplate. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in Very Good to Excellent overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x Colt 30rd aluminum magazine and 1x 20rd aluminum magazine, both in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Gray Anodized, Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The chrome bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore but there is some faint stubborn fouling. The feed ramps are smooth. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are light scratches, scuffs, faint thinning, and handling marks throughout. The action has very light wear and the magwell has draglines from use. The screw heads are sharp, and the markings are clear. The pins are unmarred. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 2x Mags, 2x carry handle picatinny rails, sling, small parts, full auto profile Colt marked bolt carrier, spare A1 flash hider, cleaning kit, paperwork, snap cap, sling.
Our Assessment: The Colt AR-15 SP1 is one of the most important commercial rifles ever produced and represents the direct civilian counterpart to the early M16 rifles carried by American servicemen during the Vietnam era. Featuring the lightweight pencil-profile barrel, slab-side lower receiver, triangular handguards, and A1 sighting system, the SP1 preserved many of the defining characteristics of the original military rifles while remaining a semi-automatic sporting firearm. By 1978, Colt had firmly established the SP1 as the benchmark civilian AR-15, and these early production rifles remain among the most desirable collectible variants of the platform today. This example remains in very good plus overall condition, retaining approximately 95% of its original finish with only light handling wear, scattered scratches, and minor finish thinning visible throughout. The chrome-lined bore remains excellent, showing bright surfaces and sharp rifling with only faint fouling present, supporting its outstanding 9.5 out of 10 rating. The original A1 furniture remains in very good to excellent condition overall, exhibiting only minor wear and age-related splitting at the buttplate. The rifle retains a Colt-marked carrier and is accompanied by both 20-round and 30-round Colt magazines, further enhancing its collector appeal.
Altogether, this Colt SP1 represents a highly desirable early commercial AR-15 from one of the most influential periods in the platform’s history. The rifle is further enhanced by an impressive collection of accessories including a Colt-marked full-auto profile bolt carrier group, spare A1 flash hider, cleaning kit, sling, carry-handle rail adapters, paperwork, and additional small parts. For collectors seeking an authentic early Colt AR-15 with excellent bore condition and a substantial package of accompanying accessories, this SP1 offers a compelling opportunity to acquire a classic example of America’s most influential rifle design. -R.E.