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Posted: 7/12/2013 3:37:14 PM EDT
| Hey guys I am curious how long or how many rounds about an ar-15 (sig sauer m400) would last. I shoot about 600-1000 rounds per month and clean it every time and take very good care of it. When do things start to wear out? |
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A machine like an AR doesn't 'wear out' per se but individual parts will wear, some faster than others.
Or a part may fail with a corresponding malfunction. Wear will show itself either as worsening accuracy (bore) or malfunctions related to tolerances opening up to an 'out of spec' condition. It's more like a car that will need replacement parts along the way, some more costly than others. You could replace every part on the rifle three times over the life of your ownership and still not wear it out. 
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| Ok i mean like upper and lower receivers wearing out..? that kind of stuff. how about bolt carrier wearing out to the point of out of spec or the take down pin holes (upper and lower). and i am just curious..and about what point does accuracy start goin out to the point of not being able to hit a man sized target at 300 yards? Im sure I have quite a long time but again i am just curious. |
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Quoted:
Ok i mean like upper and lower receivers wearing out..? that kind of stuff. how about bolt carrier wearing out to the point of out of spec or the take down pin holes (upper and lower). and i am just curious..and about what point does accuracy start goin out to the point of not being able to hit a man sized target at 300 yards? Im sure I have quite a long time but again i am just curious. You're way over-thinking this. I don't know how much you'd have to shoot in order to wear out a bolt carrier or the take down pin holes, but it would be a hell of a lot. Get some spares of parts you know will need to be replaced eventually (extractor spring & o-ring, extractor, bolt cam pin, bolt, gas rings), a couple extra misc. springs and don't worry about it. Think about how many years military M4s have been in service, and how many thousands and thousands of rounds they've had shot through them. If you ever end up wearing out an upper and lower receiver, be sure to tell us about it. |
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Its a very valid question, especially if you are shooting 1k a month. You will wear it out.
Wear comes from how you shoot though, the faster, and hotter, the faster the barrel goes. From what I recall, the SCAR is rated to 90k rounds total lifespan, which they claim is 2x AR life. Thats for the ENTIRE rifle. Barrels can be shot out in as little as 1 or 2k full auto over-heat death. 5k is not uncommon and 5 or 6k is the "official" lifespan the ruskies gave to what everyone claims is the most indestructible weapon ever, the ak47. There was a thread not long ago bitching about a spikes barrel being dead after less than 5k rounds. I think spikes gave him a new barrel cause it was a hot thread, but personally, i think it was not necessary, dude just shot out his barrel. He should have ponied up instead of crying like a bit... well.. my $0.02, different thread. On the other side, you see gents with lightly used ARs saying.. I've got 25k rounds on my A2 HBAR... well.. its an HBAR and its lightly used... they do point out that accuracy "has diminished." Bolts routinely break at 5k and up... which is why you always see people post, a spare bolt is a good thing to have. Also, steel ammo uses bi-metal bullets which are harder than standard usa copper-lead projectiles and they wear out barrels faster. that can be another acceleration... So, if you're worried, don't shoot it like crazy.. treat it nice. Or just shoot the snot out of it and replace parts as needed. But before you get upset about it, think about how violent an action is happening against your face... and how much energy is being expended... even if it craps out low.. it's still impressive. My advice is shoot it and enjoy it. Worry about the breaks when they happen. |
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ya i dont have any problem replacing parts..you see, im affraid of a potential ban so i am coming up with a list to accomidate my ar needs if there is a ban. and i want to know what parts will most likely go. i know a barrel can go after about 5k-15k rounds..but i want a spare upper receiver just in case my stock one cracks while changing the barrel and i would like a spare lower just in case something on my stock one goes or what ever. i like to be prepared for liberals to strike again. although i think a ban on our beloved weapons is unlikely it could happen so i just wanna be ready..if a ban does happen the only part we wont be able to get will be the lower right, should still be able to get bcg's barrels and uppers right?
thanks for the help. |
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