Welcome everyone to the 189th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the steampunk Springfield SA-35 was a hot gat.  

HGFC – Bronze Steampunk or Engraved Junk? — Poll Results

At this time the original auction is still up on GunBroker with no bids on the unique penny finish Springfield.  We can only hope this certified hot gat can find its way to a new home in the very near future.   

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a rare nickel-plated Colt SP1 chambered in .223. As is tradition, this flashy classic is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $3,136 Current Bid with No Reserve.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“Perfect for fighting the USSR in space. Hot Gat.” -Daniel Y.

“Hot 80’s gat. I’d throw one in Crockett’s Daytona Spyder.” -Rusty S.

“Wanna let your friends know there’s unnecessary chrome on your truck while standing at the firing line… Own this SP1 with unnecessary chrome as well!” -Adam S.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

Selling this collectible gat is GunBroker seller Atlas Collectible Firearms, located in Atwater OH.  Let’s see what they had to say about this Colt SP1.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

Authors Note: The item description has been truncated in order to match the format of this series.  If you’d like to view the full item description please do so by visiting the link here.    

1983 Colt SP1 AR-15 .223 REM *FACTORY NICKEL COLTGUARD FINISH* 1 of 1000

Item Description

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

Atlas Collectible Firearms is proud to offer this Holy Grail 1 of 1000 Made Colt SP1 AR-15 semi automatic rifle wearing the incredibly rare Factory Colt Custom Shop special order Electroless Nickel finish (also known as Coltguard – E-Nickel – Satin Nickel), sporting the sought after 20″ chrome lined barrel, Iconic 223 Remington Cartridge and the factory original SP1 furniture in excellent condition. The rifle comes as shown with the original Sling, original Cleaning Kit, one correct early original .223 Remington 20 round magazine, no box and no paperwork. According to our research she was built in 1983 wearing Serial Number SP202800 making this the correct year and serial range for the Coltguard finish. These rifles were specially ordered from the Colt Custom Shop with the Electroless Nickel / Coltguard finish with only 1000 units ever produced by Colt and this is one of them!! In our opinion this Beautiful firearm is in Collector Grade condition showing only the faintest of handling which is to be expected with the satin finish. This Colt SP1 will be listed as Used.

Thanks so much and don’t forget to check out our other auctions ending every Sunday at 9:00 P.M. eastern. Happy Bidding and God Bless!

Atlas Collectible Firearms

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

There are firearm enthusiasts, and then there are brand loyalists.  Colt is one of those companies that has such a following, particularly for old Colt firearms.  Regardless of how you feel about Colt, it’s hard not to like a SP1.  These early large pin rifles with the triangular handguards are just cool, and will certainly fetch a pretty penny at auction.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

This nickel variant is something else.  At first glance, I thought someone had gotten ahold of an original SP1 and refinished it.  I even asked one of our other writers about this rifle.  He went looking for it in the Vickers Guide AR-15 books and couldn’t find any mention of it.  It’s both cool and confusing.  It’s like the SP1 version of an H20 Benelli M4.  Just without rust resistance and certainly a lack of scratch resistance.  Either way, it’s an interesting rifle that looks like it’s going to sell for a pretty penny.

So what do you think a 1 of 1000 nickel-plated Colt SP1 is really worth?  Is this really worth north of $3k for a collectors-grade firearm like this or is the price just being driven up by a small group of fanboys.  I guess we’ll find out.  As for the other question, I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Collectors Grade or General Dismay?

What do you think?  Is this Nickel Colt SP1 a Hot Gat or gaudy collector Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this 1983 Colt SP1 AR-15 .223 is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: