Posted on 01/01/2008 8:32:26 PM PST by Jonah Hex
I'm getting a hankering for a retro AR-15 (chrome-lined barrel, A1 stock and sights, slab side, triangular handguards, lightweight barrel, etc.). I found a number of used Colt Sporters chambered in .223 with a 1:12 twist, but I also found a slightly cheaper new retro reproduction non-Colt rifle with a 1:9 chromed barrel in 5.56 but with a round-assist and shell deflector.
I suppose the question is, are there any Freepers with experience on the Colt SP1 who are willing to share their opinions on this rifle?
Im partial to the Ruger Mini 14 Ranch gun in .223 but respect your hankering for the Colt in 5.56. Buy whatever makes you feel happy. We’ll call on you when needed.
Who makes the one you call a non-Colt?
IMHO, the only justifications needed for buying any firearm is the desire and the means (and in the case of, "means" it can easily be a willingness to forego other desires).
If you're looking to use it as a tactical firearm, there are probably better choices suited to your specific needs, but as a general purpose rifle with tons of aftermarket options out there it's not a bad choice.
IMHO, as a general purpose, utility rifle that you can bounce around in the back of a pickup, and also has a great deal of nostalgia, it's hard to beat an M1 carbine.
Search the archives here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3
http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3
Happy new year...
The newer, heavier bullets won't stabilize in that 1:12 barrel. The "surplus" supply of 55-grain ammo is becoming extinct.
beat me to it 26 sec
waiting-for-gunporn-postings...BUMP!
What do you want to do with it? The 9” twist is better for heavier bullets. The .223 has more offerings, but the 5.56 may be had in surplus, albeit currently not as surplus as in times past.
I have a .223 with the 12” twist and I use it for varmints with lighter bullets.
Glad to have you confirm my post.
Also I would recommend a flattop with a SureFire light and an Eotech red dot sight but if you have to go retro the A2 sight is much better than the A1 - again if you are going to use it as a weapon. I have two DPMS rifles, a flattop and an A2 carbine.
A 55 grain bullet will do everything that a 223 Rem / 5.56mm size cartridge was designed to do.
The later versions with a 1:7" twist to stables heavier bullets suffer in relative accuracy and killing ability (man or beast). The fast twist overstablizes the longer, heavier bullets and they just bore a hole through the target without causing much damage.
The 1:12" twist with 55 grain bullets is just barely stable in the air and very unstable in the denser medium of the target. The unstability in the target causes "key holing" with much greater damage.
There was no complaints related to "lack of killing power" with the M193 Ball bullet in Vietnam like there is today in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 62 grain M855 bullets.
If you are purchasing the rifle for serious purposes, the 1:12" twist with 55 grains bullets is clearly superior.
If you want to impress your friends with all of the doodads that you can hang on a 'modern' M4 type weapon , you should purchase the latest versions. If you value substance over appearance, the SP1 can't be beat. It does the job. Period.
Right on!
Wolf, Russian Ammo, still makes the 55 grain ammo and a real decent price. Go to Ammoman.com and you will find it. The new Wolf Ammo is polymer coated and the AR-15 will like this stuff. The old lacquer coated stuff would jam as when the chamber got hot it would leave lacquer in it and foul it. Also the new Wolf has a cleaner burning powder.
Buffalo Head is right on the money from a military perspective as they are limited to FMJ bullets. If you are going to stick with FMJ then 1/12 twist with 55 grain is the way to go.
However, please keep in mind that you are not limited to FMJ ammo. A wide variety of 223/556 defensive and hunting ammo is available which provides superior performance to the M855 and M193 mil rounds (Hornady TAP would be one example).
If it were me, and I’ve been down this path, I would opt for a 1/7 or 1/8 twist shooting HP rounds in the 69-77 grain range. If you choose to go with a modern (M4 style) rifle, please look at Lewis Machine & Tool. Quality is superior to almost every other manufacturer and you don’t have the politically correct features (oversize trigger pins, half-circle bolt carriers) that you have to put up with from Colt.
Just my two cents.
Was it good eatin'? ;-)
I was once issued an M-16 made by Fridgidaire. No lie.
My post was written from an AR for home defense perspective. TAP rounds are very good for this purpose. Of course, so is a 12 gauge loaded with #7.
Apologies if I strayed from the original intent of the thread which may have been military repro.
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