Why no plastic hammer for the AR-15??

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why no plastic hammer for the AR-15??

Posted: 2/29/2008 2:48:05 PM EDT

I test fired a friend's FN 5.56 over the weekend and it uses a hammer that is made of plastic.

Why wouldn't a hammer made out of plastic work in the AR-15?

Posted: 2/29/2008 2:55:21 PM EDT

[#1]

cuz we do not like plastic

actually i suppose you could make a molded unit with a weighted insert for smacking the firing pin...

would I use it? Nope

Posted: 2/29/2008 3:01:32 PM EDT

[#2]

The M16 was designed in the 1960s... plastics technology was in its infancy then. Even now, I have to say (as a polymer chemist who still works in the polymer field) plastic fire control parts do not blow my skirt up.

Posted: 2/29/2008 5:26:44 PM EDT

[#3]

Dont see any advantage to it

Probably more expensive in the long run as well

Posted: 2/29/2008 7:03:00 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I test fired a friend's FN 5.56 over the weekend and it uses a hammer that is made of plastic.

Why wouldn't a hammer made out of plastic work in the AR-15?

Heat and fouling.

Posted: 2/29/2008 8:44:21 PM EDT

[#5]

Because there is no reason to change it.

Posted: 2/29/2008 8:46:57 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
The M16 was designed in the 1960s... plastics technology was in its infancy then. Even now, I have to say (as a polymer chemist who still works in the polymer field) plastic fire control parts do not blow my skirt up.

The AUG has used a completely plastic fire control pack since the 1970s with no issues.

I would say the only reason the AR doesn't have plastic FCG aprts is because there would be little advantage to switching to them. The existing parts work fine and are cheap.

Posted: 3/1/2008 1:39:57 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I test fired a friend's FN 5.56 over the weekend and it uses a hammer that is made of plastic.

Why wouldn't a hammer made out of plastic work in the AR-15?

Because then it would not be detectable by airport security and would become the gun of choice for international terrorists.

Any body remember those arguments?

Posted: 3/1/2008 10:44:44 AM EDT

[#8]

OK - thanks for the replies. Seeing the FN's plastic sear and hammer just got me thinking about the AR; I guess when it was first designed, Stoner's use of aluminum and plastic seemed really radical, compared to the Garand-derived M14 - and now everyone accepts the AR.

Maybe the NEXT US service rifle after the AR/M-4 will use an FN style hammer and sear. for now steel parts are good.

Posted: 3/1/2008 10:50:53 AM EDT

[#9]

Does the Mk 16 and Mk 17 (SCAR L and H respectively) use a plastic FCG?

Posted: 3/1/2008 5:35:36 PM EDT

[#10]

If the lower and internals are still based on the FNC, no.

Posted: 3/6/2008 7:39:46 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Does the Mk 16 and Mk 17 (SCAR L and H respectively) use a plastic FCG?

No.

A plastic AR hammer may be too light to ignite all types of ammo. Just a thought. It would have to have SOME metal because of the sear surface too (HK MK23 has a metal/plastic hammer).

Posted: 3/13/2008 7:47:57 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I test fired a friend's FN 5.56 over the weekend and it uses a hammer that is made of plastic.

Why wouldn't a hammer made out of plastic work in the AR-15?

Heat and fouling.

+1

The FS2000 does not use a direct impingement gas system, so polymer is fine. I think most polymers would not be happy in the heat- and carbon-rich environment of your standard AR receiver.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why no plastic hammer for the AR-15??

Armory » FN Herstal

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