The Colt Coltguard AR15 SP1

[@Tadicuslegion78]

This is why SmallArmsSolutions is one of the most educational gun channels out there, we get to see the kind of gun content/history/information you can't find anywhere else. One of these days we will make the stars align and get Chris and Ian McCollum in the same room to talk about Colt.

[@texas-raider]

Love Chris' work. It's real content for adults.... no pretentious, blaring intro music playing over absurd animated title cards, no opening grade school level skits trying (and failing miserably) to be funny, no 'gun bro' wannabe operator crap made to tickle the "Dude! That was cool!" gland of the slathering minions lining up to worship their pet cult of personality.... just a grown man quietly and intelligently imparting knowledge. How refreshing.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

I couldn't agree more. Maybe it's because we're both Texans. Anyway, I watch a lot of guitar review videos, too. The format is very similar to gun reviews. They consistently start out with a demo of the instrument, and it's always just the most boring, derivative, soulless, generic playing you could ever imagine. Then they're constantly making lame "Look at me, my humor is so quirky!' jokes throughout the whole video, despite the jokes actually being the most conventional normie humor ever. I can't stand it. I just want to know about the guitar and not spend 80% of the video watching some cookie-cutter wannabe hipster wearing an embarrassing fedora and graphic tee play repetitive, predictable blues and classic rock licks. Like a suppressor test KZbin video, you can't actually glean anything about what it would sound like in real life. Just tell me the specs and history and some good closeup b-roll. That's all I want.

[@tasjan9190]

Indeed. Well said.

[@amberhernandez7843]

Kk 1:52 k

[@dandexinventor]

I never knew these existed. I was in the Marines '81-'85, shot the A1 and A2 heavily and became a definite fan of Eugene Stoner's design. I see this and think Coltguard is like Coast Guard so I guess wrongly it was a run for the Coast Guard to test in '83. I don't have any complete AR's (at purchase), all mine are pieced cause it's a hobby and a pass-time for me, but this one, I'd buy it if I had the opportunity. Nice report SAS!

[@5shotsr611]

Lovely piece of American craftsmanship. Bet they are worth a pretty penny now, wished i had time machine with 30g in my bag 😎

[@175jfs5]

As previously said, they were a hard sell. At the time I got one for the gun shop I owned and while it had a lot of interest but no buyers. I recall the MSRP was something like $100 - $150 over a standard Colt SP1 ($499.99 circa 1984). So no takers. I later traded it for a new Springfield Armory T26 Tanker Garand in 7.62X51mm.

[@jjjr.1186]

Last one I saw for sale was 10000$. It was a nickel boron before boron finishes.

[@175jfs5]

@@jjjr.1186 Did they actually get that price? Or is it more wishful thinking by the seller?

[@jjjr.1186]

@@175jfs5 they got it. It was an auction

[@famalam943]

Love this chrome finish. It’s something I would have seen in the A-Team or something. It’s so 80’s TV.

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

It’s not chrome

[@chipsdubbo5.56]

Thank you to Mr. Alex!!!

[@jetsonIFY]

1981 I lived in Syracuse NY. Heading west on the NY state thruway, almost to Rochester , there was a gun shop called Creek side. I think the town was Holcomb. On the rifle rack was a new SP1 commando next to a new AUG. Both guns 5.56, and both the same price. 850.00$ That was a lot of mony then and I worried it to death for about an hour. Went home with the Colt!. I dearly miss the eighty's!!!!!!!!!

[@redcat9436]

The SP1 is my favorite AR.

[@spd579]

Yes, I remember seeing one of these. A sporting goods store called "Hogans", in Pleasant Hill, Ca. In 1983. I remember Rich, behind the counter, with a big smile on his face, pointing at this rifle and saying; Ya wanna see? Crazy to look back and remember that. Yeah, where is that time machine when you need it the most? Great video Chris. Thanks!

[@SuperMarshall2009]

Creekside Gunshop! I remember them. I grew up near Rochester. It was "the" shop for a long time in the area.

[@EastCoastMan603]

Thank you Alex ! Thank you Chris and Heather !

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@mrsquishyboots]

I was about to assemble a pistol lower and a complete rifle build with parts I have laying around. I have to copy these colors lol.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Thanks Chris And Alex For Sharing a Rare Piece Of Colt History 😊😀😊

[@mrivantchernegovski3869]

Wow what a beautiful unicorn of a AR,great rifles the older Colts,I used a Colt M16A1 on my basic for the Army .

[@bob_mosavo]

Alex, thanks for sharing your beautiful rifle with us.

[@sorryociffer]

LOVE my SP1…..

[@stefanmolnapor910]

I love your SP1 😥

[@RARufus]

What year is yours?

[@CircaSriYak]

Looking forward to your take on the XM5/NGSW selection.

[@Godzilla691138MW3]

Yeah I'm hoping he puts a video out on that topic.

[@newpeupyoass]

We will have to wait for someone to shell out 8k for the rifle and then send it to Chris.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Me Also😀 But Still Think The M-16A4 And M4 Are Here Too Stay 😀😊

[@shoelessbandit1581]

I've held one of these while perusing through gunshops, didn't know the history but i was surprised of how light the rifle was it makes standard ar15s feel like fals in comparison

[@itsapittie]

My first experience with the AR platform was with Air Force M16s which were pre-A1 (no forward assist). The SP1 was the same rifle without full-auto capability. IMO, most of the changes made since then have been unnecessary if not entirely detrimental. About a year ago I finally got all the parts and built essentially an SP1 although it isn't a Colt. I'm sure it's partly nostalgia but I just love the way the original AR5/M16 handles and it's my favorite rifle to shoot.

[@tasjan9190]

Chris is a treasure trove of firearms knowledge. His knowledge easily transfers into wisdom. His wisdom is priceless in it's application to better protect individuals and their families as well as their wallets!! A person who makes the world a better place. That's rare.

[@roberta.6399]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@dksdg]

Thank you Alex

[@Shot_Gunner]

I wish I would have found one of these years ago. I really appreciate the valuable information you share on here. By far the best KZbin channel. 😊

[@MrSLF]

Thank you.

[@isaacarnold4635]

Yes, Nitex! I sent some guns to them. I still have a S&W 19 they did.

[@cz-bundy6896]

Thanks for all you and Heather do Chris and heather

[@scottenlow5249]

Thanks Alex!

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Thank you Alex . Thank you Chris

[@jeremysiegel10]

I have a colt trooper in coltguard, I really like the finish myself Shame they didn't do more with it

[@johnfarrow3463]

Sounds almost just like NP3 & NP3+ with the charging of the parts, pitting & cracks all filled in, & very very durable. Even down to the Colt-guard & Royal Colt-Guard .. Nevermind.. you just said it right now in the video..

[@pmgn8444]

Another interesting video on Colt history. Thanks Chris!

[@Koncept34]

Thanks Alex, these videos are awesome to have for us who havent seen them. Chris as always awesome video and presentation.🤙

[@fatcat3211]

These were hard to sell. Nobody wanted nickle plated ar15s in the 1980s.

[@christianbolt5761]

Reminds me of NP3 at first glance. I have an AR-10 with similar NP3 plating

[@brentsauer]

Great video SAS. Excellent history content as always.

[@FreedomsLife1776]

That is a beautiful rifle, it’s a shame the US military didn’t use rifle like this en masse for parades and such.

[@modulo3664]

This would be an excellent companion to a Remington 870 marine magnum

[@noncompliant209cali]

This would pair awesome with the chrome Glock slide, like the one from Bad Boys

[@mpwmu9041]

Great work CB. Per usual.

[@M4jeff]

Great and informative video, thanks for the upload!

[@RARufus]

Great video on this rifle. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about these!

[@dudebroski9460]

i love my sp1

[@MisterTengu]

Very interesting, thanks for the history lesson.

[@AmericanMinuteman95]

Thanks for this information.

[@ElTejon47901]

Oh yeah, watching before my Friday after work ruck.

[@charlescomly1]

Very informative video, thanks very much. I like it better on the pistols than the rifle, but I like the finish color.

[@patrick-rb3ul]

Superb! Thanks!

[@paulbarnes2752]

Very informative. Although I must admit that I think AR's look better in basic black.

[@ricashbringer9866]

Made me think of the Henry Repeating Arms All Weather Finish. I wonder if this is where the idea came from.

[@WeeWillieWinkee]

Cool never seen one😎

[@Socdog3000]

Brownells should make this.

[@sanangelo7926]

Colt should make it but they wont because it would be popular and make them money and they seem to be against that. It’s as if Colt is in competition with HK on who can refuse to sale what their customers want the most.

[@ElTejon47901]

And get sued?

[@grayharker6271]

I think I saw one at Jim's in Fayetteville years ago. But it's it's pretty much a waste since aluminum doesn't rust. All the pins and hardware in stainless would be more practical.

[@GlockMan-oj2ik]

I knew a guy back in the 1980s that had one of those

[@bigrebone]

That's a great video for Colt Guard, but I wish you had spent a little more time just on the SP1 series, features etc. Still a great video, though.

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

There is a whole video on the SP1. This focused on the Coltguard finish

[@joesgarage5385]

Great info as usual.. Any idea who has picked up the slack and is the go to for NP3 coating firearms and similar finish to this since Robar closed down? Had a flood in the basement last fall and have a few collectibles bluing finish damaged and would like to bring their luster and value back

[@bergunx]

I bought a used and abused SP1 with the Colt Guard finish showing a lot of wear, with a damaged upper receiver handle for $400 about 15 years ago. It’s been sitting in the safe and now, I looking to have it refinish in a Colt Guard finish or something very close to it. I know that refinishing will lower the value, but the upper receiver is unserviceable and I have a like-new Colt SP1 receiver to replace the damaged one. Any ideals who can refinish it? I haven’t ask Ford’s yet, I just want to see my options first. THANKS!!

[@servicerifle16]

I was offered to buy one of these several years ago but passed on it because the seller wanted $3000 for it.

[@twan102000]

Assuming this was coated inside the barrel and receivers, did it flake off the internal wear surfaces potentially causing more cleaning issues?

[@6string42]

There's one on GB right now and it's listed at 18k!!! Yikes!!!

[@1stidvet553]

Is Alex the same Alex that used to make videos for TFB TV?

[@brentsauer]

No, not the same guy.

[@krellio9006]

How expensive does the coltguard vs Stainless?

[@LIV2500]

Would it be cringe to have my normal okay grade sp1 coated? Probably. But I still think about it sometimes. If I did what would be an appropriate way to mark it as not being original finish?

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

That only matters if you plan to sell it!

[@koffeekage]

This would look good with a beretta inox.

[@timbrown5720]

I'm all about good coatings and rarity in variation, but it doesn't appeal to me visually.

[@burtlandcastor8359]

Was that Creekside in Homer, NY? I have family in Homer, NY still.

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

Victor/Holcomb NY

[@burtlandcastor8359]

@@SmallArmsSolutions Ok, the one out by Rochester then. I'm from CNY myself. Originally Syr but now some ways north of it now.

[@pocketabes274]

👍

[@GunsNBBQ]

🤠🤝

[@BareSphereMass]

12th! (after 1 min)

[@socwyvern9745]

can you cover the Colt LE6900? (not a typo)

[@newpeupyoass]

Ah yes, Yee Olde SCAR Type A/C

[@ashleycalhoun1824]

Absolute chad, I see your Diet mountain dew!

[@socwyvern9745]

this needs wood furniture

[@picklerick9578]

FIRST

[@jdirt1982]

Now I need a nickel plated AR receiver set.....

[@arthurc4531]

There’s one on gun-joker for $18K.