[Buffalo Head]

I purchased my SP1 in 1972 and have fired over 12,000 rounds through it. Most recently over 600 rounds at Jackrabbits in Nevada. It is reliable and does the job, just like the M16 did in Vietnam.

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.

[nralife]

Right on!

[Radio_Silence]

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.

[VeniVidiVici]

purchased my SP1 in 1972 and have fired over 12,000 rounds through it. Most recently over 600 rounds at Jackrabbits in Nevada

Was it good eatin'? ;-)

I was once issued an M-16 made by Fridgidaire. No lie.

[Jonah Hex]

Thanks! Good insight. :-)

[Uhaul]

All of those “doodads” are damned important if you are trying to kill people in an urban environment. Well at least many of them. Red dots allow soldiers to shoot faster and with better accuracy both up close and at realistic medium combat ranges. A 65 lumen or better light is critical if fighting house to house.