Any way to tell model/type from an AR upper?

Stressfire · October 16, 2012, 08:11 AM

Picked up my first AR about a week ago, Palmetto Armory lower with what would appear to be a complete Colt upper.

Rifle is A1 style. Production year is likely late '70s, early '80s
Marking that I can see:

Barrel stamped C MP C
Bolt Carrier stamped C
Bolt stamped MP C

Have not had handguards off yet, despite my best efforts, so not sure what might be under those.

Is there any way to tell what model it is actually from?

Technosavant · October 16, 2012, 09:53 AM

Yup, sure sounds like a Colt... they like to stamp their stuff with a C.

Stressfire · October 16, 2012, 10:49 AM

Any way of telling what the base model it came from (or was intended for) was?

Technosavant · October 16, 2012, 01:25 PM

No idea if you can confirm the original model. Maybe the folks in the AR15.com retro forum can help... some of those guys know a ton of details about such things. They will likely be needing some detailed pictures to be of much help though.

Stressfire · October 16, 2012, 03:47 PM

Will check over there.

Most of what I have been able to find out thus far has been matching the parts to those listed here: http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackr...CmpGdeRfl.html
Based on what I gleaned from that site I have:
Type E Stock
Standard Rifle Buffer
Recessed Directional Arrow on rear sight - which seems to indicate Model 602
Square external ejection port cover - also indicating 602
No marks on front sight base either, also seeming to indicate 602

So...am I on the right track with a model 602? The only pic I have right now is from my phone and not very detailed

madcratebuilder · October 17, 2012, 09:09 AM

I think you got it with Model 602, nice score, these are good rifles.

Stressfire · October 17, 2012, 11:08 AM

Any idea on a value? I don't plan on selling it, just curious how well I did.

Also, out of curiosity, what are my chances of finding a correct lower for it

Would it even be worth the investment? I imagine the old Colt's would be rather pricey, if even available at all

BlackJackID · October 17, 2012, 04:56 PM

Hiya Stressfire,

I think what you have is similar to what I have..A couple years ago, my wife went to the gunshow with me and bought my first AR-15 as a birthday present. Mine is a colt upper built on a CMMG lower. Its an A-1 style, or 603.

A few years ago there was alot of m16a1 parts kits that were imported and sold through various large surplus dealers. These did not include the original barrel or receiver, but some were offered with new U.S. made barrels (green mountain I beleive). From all my research could find with various emails back and forth, these were NEW/OLD stock m16a1's that were bought from Israel, more than likely. They were absolutely beautiful. The only difference in yours from mine, from what I can tell is my upper is marked "C H" for Colt Hartford

The parts kits dried up pretty quick, and I havent been able to find any for sale for quite a while now, but the last one I did see went for about $650.

As for finding an original Colt 601 0r 603 receiver I hope you have better luck than I have, I havent found on in almost two years of looking. Your best bet, if you want to make it a true Retro build is go to NodakSpud. They make correct retro Lowers for about $175, but get on the list as these are ALWAYS backordered for months.

In any case, you have a great rifle, take care of her. I would guesstimate, as she sits, your rifle is worth about $850, if you were to put the nodak spud reciever on it, and have it engraved with a "relica" dancing pony, I would figure you could get$ $1200 out of her.

Great find!

October 16, 2012, 08:11 AM	#1
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Any way to tell model/type from an AR upper? Picked up my first AR about a week ago, Palmetto Armory lower with what would appear to be a complete Colt upper. Rifle is A1 style. Production year is likely late '70s, early '80s Marking that I can see: Barrel stamped C MP C Bolt Carrier stamped C Bolt stamped MP C Have not had handguards off yet, despite my best efforts, so not sure what might be under those. Is there any way to tell what model it is actually from? __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

October 16, 2012, 10:49 AM	#3
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Any way of telling what the base model it came from (or was intended for) was? __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

October 16, 2012, 03:47 PM	#5
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Will check over there. Most of what I have been able to find out thus far has been matching the parts to those listed here: http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackr...CmpGdeRfl.html Based on what I gleaned from that site I have: Type E Stock Standard Rifle Buffer Recessed Directional Arrow on rear sight - which seems to indicate Model 602 Square external ejection port cover - also indicating 602 No marks on front sight base either, also seeming to indicate 602 So...am I on the right track with a model 602? The only pic I have right now is from my phone and not very detailed __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

October 17, 2012, 11:08 AM	#7
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	Any idea on a value? I don't plan on selling it, just curious how well I did. Also, out of curiosity, what are my chances of finding a correct lower for it Would it even be worth the investment? I imagine the old Colt's would be rather pricey, if even available at all __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

October 16, 2012, 09:53 AM	#2
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	Yup, sure sounds like a Colt... they like to stamp their stuff with a C.

October 16, 2012, 01:25 PM	#4
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	No idea if you can confirm the original model. Maybe the folks in the AR15.com retro forum can help... some of those guys know a ton of details about such things. They will likely be needing some detailed pictures to be of much help though.

October 17, 2012, 09:09 AM	#6
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	I think you got it with Model 602, nice score, these are good rifles.

October 17, 2012, 04:56 PM	#8
BlackJackID Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2011 Posts: 159	Hiya Stressfire, I think what you have is similar to what I have..A couple years ago, my wife went to the gunshow with me and bought my first AR-15 as a birthday present. Mine is a colt upper built on a CMMG lower. Its an A-1 style, or 603. A few years ago there was alot of m16a1 parts kits that were imported and sold through various large surplus dealers. These did not include the original barrel or receiver, but some were offered with new U.S. made barrels (green mountain I beleive). From all my research could find with various emails back and forth, these were NEW/OLD stock m16a1's that were bought from Israel, more than likely. They were absolutely beautiful. The only difference in yours from mine, from what I can tell is my upper is marked "C H" for Colt Hartford The parts kits dried up pretty quick, and I havent been able to find any for sale for quite a while now, but the last one I did see went for about $650. As for finding an original Colt 601 0r 603 receiver I hope you have better luck than I have, I havent found on in almost two years of looking. Your best bet, if you want to make it a true Retro build is go to NodakSpud. They make correct retro Lowers for about $175, but get on the list as these are ALWAYS backordered for months. In any case, you have a great rifle, take care of her. I would guesstimate, as she sits, your rifle is worth about $850, if you were to put the nodak spud reciever on it, and have it engraved with a "relica" dancing pony, I would figure you could get$ $1200 out of her. Great find!