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Posted: 9/26/2012 10:10:16 PM EDT
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Well here's where I am at, I just got done on a PSA build I'm very happy with...and not having any problems. I'm not one to "bling" out my rifle per say but I am wondering what upgrades I could do to maybe even make it have less chance of a failure in the future?
Here's what I'm running now sans sling: http://i50.tinypic.com/2ufvl9v.jpg - Palmetto State Armory Mid-Length A2 Profile Premium, 16'' CMV Chrome-Lined Stripped Upper - Spikes Tactical M16 Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group - Palmetto State Armory Premium Classic Lower Build Kit - Palmetto State Armory Blemished Lower Receiver - Palmetto State Armory Forged T7075 charging handle - 20 Round MagPul P-Mag - Troy BattleSight Rear, Fixed Heck I'm even running 20 round magazine exclusively because at least to me it seems there is less of a chance of a hang up feeding at a complete vertical angle and not having to rely on anti-tilt followers. Not sure if there is any truth to that but eh? What would you do to it? Just remember I don't need match grade accuracy or anything for cool looks, as long as it will hit a deer or perpetrator at 100 yards that's good enough for anything I will ever use it for. Lighter is better too IMO. All opinions appreciated...I just want it to work all the time, dirt cheap ammunition, dirty chamber, whatever. |
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Quoted:
Keep it lubed and be sure to inspect it for broken parts or abnormal wear whenever you clean it. Also be sure to use good mags with it. Most issues with a quality AR seem to come from bad mags and ammo. This. Lube what needs lubed, good ammo and good mags. |
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Quoted:
Wouldn't hurt to get a heavier buffer/spring. Actually it might. Probably fine with standard parts with a midlength setup. H buffer wouldn't be a bad idea. Could try an H2 but doubtful it will do much that an H won't. Standard spring unless you find a problem you need to fix with a heavier spring. |
| The AR platform is a very reliable tool in stock form. The components you have seem to be just fine. By some good lube such as Slip 2000 EWL and keep it clean and wet. Your idea about the 20 round magazine feeding more reliably than a 30 because it is straight up is a bit off. 30 round magazines feed the same as the 20 round magazines as they are straight at the top of the magazine. Pmags, or high quality mags for that matter, have a great reputation for reliability. I myself have never had a reliability issue with a Pmag to this date. That goes for my deployment time as well as civilian training and law enforcement career. |
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Quoted: I have a heavier bcg than standard so I would be a little leary of adding a heavier buffer, am I right in thinking this? It shouldn't have any issues unless your gas port was undersized from the factory. I reccomend an H1 buffer for the majority of applications. FWIW I have an ar15performance midlength barrel cut to 14.5" that cycles just fine (on wolf even)with an H3 buffer and M16 carrier. I also reccomend either an XP extractor spring with insert or an extractor O-ring for most builds. |
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I'm not exactly sure how a different charging handle would make it more reliable, I doubt this T7075 will fail. I run a stock charging handle, as do many others, including the services, I have not had one fail. But you asked how to upgrade reliability on a rifle that has shown no weakness thus far and fact is charging handles can/do fail, it is primarily caused by how you use it. Its a simple part, with a simple yet vital job, but its held together by a tiny roll pin, therein lies the weakness. Of course a failed latch wouldn't be the end of the world, just very irritating. 20s/30s doesn't matter as long as they're quality pieces. Lots of lube, inspect bolt closely after every use, particular attention to lugs adjacent extractor and thin sides around cam pin. |
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Magpul 20 rounders have a poor reputation for reliability. Just go shoot the thing already. I've still got my Magpul 20's, 10 of them to be exact, only 8 work flawlessly. The other 2 I had to dremel myself to get them to feed better. The Magpul 30's are extremly great if you want polymer. Very strong for polymer and I've never had any troubles with them at all. Sounds like you have a good set up and the rifle looks great. The charging handle is would change just because I like a larger latch. The BCM gunfighter is a great addition. Other than that, keep the gun well lubed and use good quality brass. |
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In 20 years of teaching nothing but M16 training for the military I have never seen a properly maintained properly lubed standard milspec M16, A1, A2, M4 etc ever fail except for two reason. faulty trigger actuator, bad magazine.
Parts sometime break for no reason but there is no way to predict that regardless of who made it. If you know what to look for, feel for, and check for you will find potential problems before they start. |
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I had been running my midlength gas carbine for about 7 years now, same quality parts as you except different brands, however mine is opposite of yours because mine is "blinged" out to my personal preference.
Summary of components of my midlength: - GTS-Rock Creek-Compass Lake Engineering midlength, medium (SOCOM) profile, mil-spec 11595E certifiedCMV, HPT-MPI, chrome, 1/7, 5.56 camber, M4 feedramps, 16" barrel - Colt 6721 carbine upper and lower receiver with M16 auto BCG with BCM extractor mil-spec Crane O-ring & H buffer - Troy BattleSight folding rear - 30rd PMAG My bling stuff: LaRue Tactical FF rails 9.0 midlength LaRue FUG VFG Magpul XTM rail panels Magpul enhanced trigger guard MIAD grip Vltor EMOD stock Aimpoint M2 on LaRue cantilever QD mount Surefire M961C weaponlight Viking Tactics-LaRue version VTAC padded two point sling Your components are fine, a new manufacturer but their suppliers are long time military suppliers, I would only suggest two items which are a mil-spec Crane extractor O-ring (don't use it in sub freezing temps) and optional H buffer which you must try extensively with your weakest ammo load to see if it reliably cycles. I would also recommend 30rd PMAG because of their anti-tilt followers are more reliable than the pivoting followers of the 20rd PMAG, I had a couple of failure to load with my 20rd PMAG but I can't determine if it was ammo or mag related, never had even one problem with my 30rd PMAG. I'm just using surplus military ammo and sometimes quality commercial .223 ammo, I had tried cheap Russian ammo but I prefer not to use it regularly, my midlength have several thousand rounds without a single very bad malfunction, the only couple failure to feed are only minor and I just reloaded the next round and quickly went back to shooting. Fire your AR at least 600 to 1K rounds without FTF before trusting it for a defensive role. For parts that breaks see this thread on "What Parts Break in a Carbine Course", see page 48 & 49 for summary, have a spare bolt assembly (or a complete BCG if you desire it), LPK, springs, CH, bolt assy small parts, etc. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/360169_What_Parts_Break_in_a_Carbine_Course_____Thread_summaries_are_on_pages_48_49.html&page=48 |
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Wouldn't hurt to get a heavier buffer/spring. Actually it might. Probably fine with standard parts with a midlength setup. H buffer wouldn't be a bad idea. Could try an H2 but doubtful it will do much that an H won't. Standard spring unless you find a problem you need to fix with a heavier spring. I'll expound on this a little. There are a myriad of "upgrade" parts on the market, many/most of which are intended to help mask the symptoms of improperly timed and overgassed AR configurations. Many of these parts, especially if used in combination, will actually be detrimental to reliable operation of a different configuration like your 16" midlength gas setup. I would try your existing setup and see how it runs before thinking about any kind of "upgrade" part add-ons or swaps. Quoted:
Magpul 20 rounders have a poor reputation for reliability. I have read that but have no experience with them. I made my own curved 25 and 20 rounders from PMag 30's. |
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Thanks for the replies so far everyone, very helpful information.
I guess I should have made it more clear, I all ready ran through 140 rounds with no problems. I know it works and it works well. Considering the "bad" reputation 20 round PMAG's have apparently what is the most popular 20 round magazine? |
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For 20rd mags besides PMAG, I bought a couple of 20rd Colt mags (straight body ones) and they have been flawless. I'm actually looking for a couple of more of them for a scoped rifle.
I have 4 20rd PMAGs and have had zero issues. I also have 2 Cproducts 20rd mags with magpul followers and have not had any issues either, but I want more Colt ones. |
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If it runs, WHY change it???
To the OP and everyone else suggesting to change parts, you are way over thinking this. Listen to Gamma and Soco, run it as is. This other stuff is if you have problems. Don't 'upgrade' until you replace, unless you know for sure it is the problem and something truly is better - meaning it greatly shows improvement or serves a specific function the original doesn't. Consistency is reliability. |
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I have a heavier bcg than standard so I would be a little leary of adding a heavier buffer, am I right in thinking this? The FA carrier is 11 grams heavier, that's .7oz. A FA carrier used with a H buffer is similar to a SA carrier and H2 buffer. Try the H buffer. I don't know why so many are telling to change the CH, nothing wrong with the one you have. Lube, ammo, mags and a good extractor well keep it in top form. |
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