At that time there was no Assualt rifle scare. They did not care how many were actualy wanted. Actually the practice began quite some time prior but Colt, due to its available labor pool, used to plan on delivering a set amount of weapons to the civilian market. Luckily I spoke to BB at Colt about this subject several years ago and this is how he put it.Ĭolt used to assemble AR15's right amongst government production M16A2's. Without some insight this one is sort of tough to answer.

I am the original owner.Ī very good question. I bought my rifle new in June '90 and still have the box, etc. Thus the rifle with the 'early' A2 features has the higher serial number, the rifle with the lowest serial number has the proper A2 features, and my Blue label Match Sporter rifle has a serial number right in the middle of the other two. The other is marked AR15A2 HBAR Sporter with the A2 upper on a slab-side lower (this one is identical to my rifle except for the receiver markings) and is numbered SP215677.

One is a Sporter ll with the SP1 upper and lower receivers. Included in both articles are very clear pictures of the left side of the receiver and markings.

In the NRA's book Semi-Auto Rifles: Data & Comment there are two AR15A2's they tested in the American Rifleman. I ask this because my Colt Match Sporter HBAR (#6601) has a slab side lower, typical blue label receiver markings yet wears serial number SP249xxx. Does anyone understand how Colt assigned their serial numbers? Did they do it in 'blocks' or did they stamp the number on a receiver then through it into a bin to be assembled and model marked later?Īnother thread resparked this question that has nagged at me for some time.

Colt sp1 serial numbers 209307