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Posted: 7/16/2007 4:33:46 PM EDT
| Question guys; I've been a long time shooter and reloader of .30 caliber firearms but just moved to the 5.56X45. What type of lifespan is expected of the AR? Reference Barrel, parts, etc.. Just what can a shooter expect to have to replace and in what time frame. I shoot my guns above average(I believe). My AKM's see around 3,000 round+- a year of steel case FMJ and are none the worse for it. My .308's have digested thousands of rounds of surplus ammo and just keep running. I shoot in high temp 100+ and below freezing as I'm not a fair weather shooter. I see myself shooting my AR ALOT. It's a fun gun and accurate as any firearm I've ever owned. I got it smoking hot the last time out as temps were 98+ and high humidity. It's chrome lined like the AK's and sports a 14.5" barrel in M4 configuration. I'm looking at getting a 20" standard rifle with HB to shoot also. I just wanted to know since I'm new to the AR if there is any problem areas to watch out for. I clean and maintain my guns so lack of care and lube will not be a problem. Any input or recommendations appreciated......Mike |
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I don't think there is any magic round count at which parts fail. I am sure you already know that though. Preventative maintenance done properly can keep an AR running for a long time. I only have about 7K rounds through my AR i have shot the most and never had a problem with it. I just keep a spare bolt, carrier, lower parts kit, complete spring kit, complete detent kit, and a couple extra firing pins, gas rings etc just in case. Just keep it cleaned and properly lubed and pick up some extra parts and see how long it lasts for you. |
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Long time. Proper maintenance and it will likely outlive you. The standard breakable are trigger and hammer pins, gas rings, firing pins, firing pin retainers, all springs, ejectors and extractors and gas tubes after a lot of wear. As with any other rifle, due to erosion in the chamber, the barrel and bolt will have to be replace or reworked after 10,000-20,000 rounds to maintain decent accuracy. |
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I install a new barrel, bolt assy and hammer spring +/- every 25K on my M16/M4s. I very rarely have any parts failures unless I use a 9mm upper, then I might break a hammer pin. I have had to rework one M16 lower that was worn to the point of being dangerous. It had been in service since 1981 and had many hundreds of thousands, if not a million round through it. I have a Bushy lower that has a RDIAS installed that has 125K rounds through it and it is still in great shape. Key to trouble free, reliable operation is to use quality parts and never cut corners. My .02, Pat 0-1-25 |
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