New Colt M16A1 Reissue

Anybody see one yet? These bring back memories for me and outside of the limited edition and over $2K price I wouldn't mind having one if I could scrape up the money. They were supposed to be released early 2017. Exact reproduction only semi auto, complete with original markings. Looks to me like the only difference between these "M16A1" and the original is semi-auto and the early M16's didn't have a chrome lined barrel thanks to the wiz-kids.

First Look: Colt M16A1 Reissue | Gun Digest

gdnagle said:

Anybody see one yet? These bring back memories for me and outside of the limited edition and over $2K price I wouldn't mind having one if I could scrape up the money. They were supposed to be released early 2017. Exact reproduction only semi auto, complete with original markings. Looks to me like the only difference between these "M16A1" and the original is semi-auto and the early M16's didn't have a chrome lined barrel thanks to the wiz-kids.

First Look: Colt M16A1 Reissue | Gun Digest

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My problem with the description is that they say that the flash hider is the "correct" type for a M16A1, not true, the A1 had the "Birdcage" flash hider, the 3 pronged flash hider was on the M16 (the original one) it was changed because the 3 pronger got snagged when going through heavy underbrush. I liked the triangular forearms, but couldn't get those on the CAR 15 that I carried.

"it was changed because the 3 pronger got snagged when going through heavy underbrush."

Also used (and damaged) by use of the 3-prongs as makeshift wirecutters. Some M16s were retrofitted with the birdcage flash hider, but I think no M16A1s had the 3-prong type.

The one I was issued straight from the box in 1967 had a bird cage.

I see little difference between it and the SP-1 civilian model, except for markings. Am I correct?

I have very little interest in AR-style rifles, even though I have fired hundreds of them. And especially not at that price. I don't even own an AR, probably never will.

Say hello to my little friends. The carbine is a Colt 653 clone I
put together. All Colt except the lower A1 receiver and carbine
stock. The barrel is a Colt 1X7 A2 barrel that I converted to A1.
The middle AR-15 is an all original 1966 Colt SP1 with a 4 digit
serial number. The last AR-15 is a late 70's Colt M16A1 clone
or "retro" rifle I put together. All Colt except for the NoDak
Spud A1 lower.

These rifles are light and fun to shoot. Lots of interest when I
take them to the range. The surplus parts used to make these
retro rifles are drying up and the prices for the parts reflect this.
Lots of SP1's being parted out and sold for parts. The early
SP1's are getting scarce and expensive.

I've read on some of the AR-15 forums that the Colt M16A1
tribute rifle will be built by a third party, not Colt. As such lots
of people are questioning the high price for this rifle.

KSDeputy said:

I see little difference between it and the SP-1 civilian model, except for markings. Am I correct?

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There are a few differences between the SP1 and the M16A1, The front take down pin on the SP1 is a large pin with a slotted screw head where the M16's had the small push pin like todays AR15's.
Also while the earliest M16's had no forward assist or fenced mag release the M16A1 did, The SP1 is more of a copy of the earliest M16 and had no mag fence or FA.
There are some transitional green label AR15's out there, box was marked R6500, receiver was marked Colt AR-15 A2 Govt Model or Sporter II with A2 pistol grip and buttstock assembly, the earliest uppers are the older M16A1 style with FA and no brass deflector, older windage site wheel, heavy profile A2 barrel with 1/7 twist, A2 birdcage and A2 handguard and new style delta ring.

Early run marked as SPORTER II with M16A1 style upper and SP1 lower:


Later run Marked A2 Govt Model with A2 style upper and SP1 lower (notice area just aft of the rear take down pin is old style M16a1 on both)


Late Govt models have the new A2 rear site, later ones have the bayonet lug milled off as the Clinton gun ban was on the horizon... Interestingly the lowers on these guns are marked A2 but are actually SP1 lowers with non fenced mag release, large front hinge hole with slotted screw head pin .





Besides the fenced mag release the most notable difference between A1 and A2 lowers is that A2 lowers are reinforced just above the rear take down pin , Basically finding a Colt marked A1 lower with the fenced mag release made before the A2 reinforcement is the hardest part, IIRC the only source for those is buying a stripped Nodak Spud lower then having it finished to match your upper and marked by an engraver to replicate the M16.

I was on the fence about building one from an X USGI M16 upper (Cheaper than dirt was selling these several years ago for $350) they now sell for around $550 to $600 but by the time you scrounge up all the other parts you will be in over $1000 for an authentic looking parts gun copy, there are a couple manufacturers now making A1 copies but they are few and far between,
The DPMS lite 20 is a mixture of A1 and A2 parts with the old style rear site but has a brass deflector so is actually a copy of the Canadian C1, (below)


the other is the Olympic Plinker plus 20 which is a mixed bag of A1 and A2 , basically an A1 upper mated to an A2 lower below, ( BTW I havent seen a right side view yet)


IMO $2400 is way too much for a retro M16A1 when new Colt A4 flat tops are around $1000 and a much improved design, perhaps since sales are so sluggish Colt will stop being so greedy and make a run priced in the $1000 range once interest peeters out.

Another strike-out by Colt IMO. They've been so off the mark for years trying to reinvent the same thing and then sell them for an astronomical price. IIRC a few years ago at SHOT show it was the 1903 Colt reissue and each was well over $1k- cool gun, not inexpensive to mfg, only mfg 1k or so...then they wonder why they go bankrupt every 2-3 years.

I like the retro ARs and have built a few myself, but $2400 for a repro Colt? I won't be scrambling for one. YMMV.

Valmet said:

Another strike-out by Colt IMO. They've been so off the mark for years trying to reinvent the same thing and then sell them for an astronomical price. IIRC a few years ago at SHOT show it was the 1903 Colt reissue and each was well over $1k- cool gun, not inexpensive to mfg, only mfg 1k or so...then they wonder why they go bankrupt every 2-3 years.

I like the retro ARs and have built a few myself, but $2400 for a repro Colt? I won't be scrambling for one. YMMV.

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Not being an expert on the Armalite/Colt history, I can't comment in detail, but I agree with the basic sentiment of the post. I find certain aspects of both the civilian and military models attractive, but in the end, I bought one of the two best AK-47 descendants, a .223 Galil. The quoted poster obviously knows what the other one is.

Valmet said:

Another strike-out by Colt IMO. They've been so off the mark for years trying to reinvent the same thing and then sell them for an astronomical price. IIRC a few years ago at SHOT show it was the 1903 Colt reissue and each was well over $1k- cool gun, not inexpensive to mfg, only mfg 1k or so...then they wonder why they go bankrupt every 2-3 years.

I like the retro ARs and have built a few myself, but $2400 for a repro Colt? I won't be scrambling for one. YMMV.

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Agreed..............................

I bet they sell every single one they make.

I'm not into para military and AR type rifles. When news of this
retro came out, I thought I would buy one just for old time sake.
As usual Colts bussiness plan sucks, pricing this rifle at $2K+.
There are a lot of us Vietnam vets that would by one of these
as a reminder of the day. Not at that kind of price. Do the suits
at Colt realize how many Army & Marines were involved in the
Vietnam War? This rifle will take no more to produce than the
other models. They would rather sell a few thousand at gouged
prices that thousands at a reasonable price. Given that this model
has targeted Vietnam Vets , I take it as a deliberate sales plan
to gouge Vetrans.

Just got finished as Churchill once said
"When going through Hell keep going" The Big C... so yes I bought one should be here next week. you can always get the cash. But second life and a nice Colt not so much..RON K.

I don’t think colt makes em. In any case, it’s a limited edition. I doubt anybody had the intent to gouge veterans.

Would love to have one but not at those prices! Just like everything else Colt......Overpriced!

Delete. Technical difficulties

Junk is junk, even when re-issued. Killed a lot of good men. No thanks!

The problem was never the rifle

1965 sp1