Colt AR-15 and M16

[CLASSIC12]

The black rifles I’ve acquired over the years. Strictly fixed carry handles so far. It’s part of the unmistakable look for me.

A1

1975 - SP1

1980 - SP1 carbine

1973 - M16A1

1967 - XM177E2

A2

1989 - Delta Hbar

1988 - Sporter II

With an M4 barrel now

1987 - A2 with field sights

1985 - M16 A2

1995 - Sporter lightweight 9mm

I replaced the fixed stock

 

[Sistema1927]

Great collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Very nice set of rifles. My only issue is that I was trained on M-14s and when I first saw an M-16 I recall thinking, "What the hell is THAT?!?!". Never mind the Mattel/plastic jokes. I just could never warm up to that handle. It jus' beez dat weigh........

 

[hittman77]

I've got a mid-70's SP1 too.

Was lucky enough to find a period correct MINT condition 4x Colt scope for it right here a couple of years ago.

My all time favorite evil black rifles!

 

[JohnRippert]

Really liking that SP1 Carbine, and the wear on that M16A1 is perfect. Thanks for sharing.

 

[MOONDAWG]

Impressive collection, thanks for sharing,

 

[kennethg]

You have a very impressive assortment of AR's. The retro look of the SP1's is very popular here in the U.S. now.
What are the procedures for owning these items in Switzerland?

 

[Valmet]

Nice group of guns! I have a NIB 1976 SP-1 and am about to mail off my Form 1 for a Colt 609 SBR build.

 

[CLASSIC12]

You have a very impressive assortment of AR's. The retro look of the SP1's is very popular here in the U.S. now.
What are the procedures for owning these items in Switzerland?

You need to apply for a gun permit at the bureau of arms for each gun. Cost is $ 50 per permit. For that you obviously need a virgin criminal record. You may put up to three guns on the same permit but those have to be bought the same day from the same seller. That leads to some regrouping amongst sellers at gun shows, and also to some compulsive buying, to fill the third line and amortise the permit.

We used to be allowed to carry, concealed only, but that now requires another permit which is nearly impossible to get unless your profession requires it. Private transaction used to be allowed without permit but that’s no longer the case.

We are still allowed to acquire and possess full auto weapons for collection purposes, or professional needs. Those require an exceptional permit, which has a few more conditions required, such as already having a small collection, a bolted safe, bolts have to be stored separately and another permit is required to shoot them.

This limits interest in them and they are therefore fairly cheap here, say $ 2-2500 for an M16, $ 1500 for a Glock 18, HK MP5 start at $ 1600, a Thompson starts at $ 1800 etc..

 

[Luvmine]

Very impressive collection. Thanks for sharing them and the info.

 

[Mainsail]

Love them!

I built my first one, a flat-top M4ish gun. Shoots great and 100% reliable. Still wanted an A1 style though, so jumped on a police trade-in A2 HBAR Colt a couple years back. Still wanted an A1 style though, so recently picked up one of Brownells Retro A1s.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Nice grouping CLASSIC12.

Yeah, I like the carry handle look too. While I can understand why it's expedient to do without a carry handle I never wanted to get into AR 15s enough to play with variants. Only one lives here and it'll see me out, a late 1973 Colt SP-1 I obtained in the late 1980s.