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Posted: 11/30/2013 5:44:39 PM EDT
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Anyone think of putting one together? What are the most common parts to wear out, and what should someone keep at home "in case?"
I keep at least 5 of everything in the lower, 10 of every spring, an extra carrier, an extra bolt, and 3-4 firing pins, a dozen gas rings, 3-4 extractors, 3-4 ejectors.. So how about them spare parts kits edit: to get things rolling http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af277/Tommyintx/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpseb9b42aa.jpg http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af277/Tommyintx/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc6642f15.jpg 7$ flambeau case from walmart (made in usa!) found in fishing section- although admittedly i had to buy an extra for more dividers - no big deal. i use the other one for BCGS, charging handles, and upper parts. i also bought a third, to setup for 1911 parts, although i dont think its going to be big enough. Label Maker is dymo brand, also from walmart - 24$. make sure you use the white plastic labels, as the white paper labels will get greasy and nasty quick. |
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How many rifles are you maintaining? If this is just for yourself consider keeping a parts inventory that somewhat matches probabilities of malfunction or breakage.
I broke my second extractor hook last Friday. That's two extractors lifetime in something over 35k, mostly steel, mostly FA. Broke an extractor spring, too, but the bolt didn't care and kept working. Replaced a slightly weak hammer spring b/c it gave some FTFires only with SA M193. I think that covers everything I've ever broken. Have never broken a takedown pin or detent spring. Or a selector. Don't even know how that might happen. Never broke a rifle buffer and never even needed to replace an action spring. Have never broken an ejector....never even pulled one out. As far as I can tell bolt carriers are indestructible. See what I'm driving at? Less of some stuff, maybe more of other stuff. Like mags. So maybe you should pick up a spare upper w/complete bolt since a chromed barrel's lifespan - best case, slow fire - is around 20k. Nice organizational skills, BTW. I just throw parts in ammo cans. Then I forget where the stuff is. Sam |
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Quoted:
Wow, what an idea, I doubt anyone on Arfcom has ever thought of keeping spare parts on hand!! Quoted:
Wow, what an idea, I doubt anyone on Arfcom has ever thought of keeping spare parts on hand!! Thank you for the valuable input! Quoted:
How many rifles are you maintaining? If this is just for yourself consider keeping a parts inventory that somewhat matches probabilities of malfunction or breakage. I broke my second extractor hook last Friday. That's two extractors lifetime in something over 35k, mostly steel, mostly FA. Broke an extractor spring, too, but the bolt didn't care and kept working. Replaced a slightly weak hammer spring b/c it gave some FTFires only with SA M193. I think that covers everything I've ever broken. Have never broken a takedown pin or detent spring. Or a selector. Don't even know how that might happen. Never broke a rifle buffer and never even needed to replace an action spring. Have never broken an ejector....never even pulled one out. As far as I can tell bolt carriers are indestructible. See what I'm driving at? Less of some stuff, maybe more of other stuff. Like mags. So maybe you should pick up a spare upper w/complete bolt since a chromed barrel's lifespan - best case, slow fire - is around 20k. Nice organizational skills, BTW. I just throw parts in ammo cans. Then I forget where the stuff is. Sam I already have a small footlocker worth of magazines, spare followers, spare springs, and floor plates, and as of right now, about 8 rifles. This is the kind of post i was looking for though, other peoples experiences. to kind of zero in on most common failures, and a what-people-should-keep-on-hand-vs-how-many-rifles-they-have. I got my first AR-15 in middle school, and it is on it's third barrel, second bolt carrier group and second set of lower springs. i also replaced the buffer when i grew out of the car aluminum collapsable stock and realized the a1 was the best fit for me. this is of course over a period of 15 years and probably 40,000 rounds. however, since this is a place for information, and regarded highly for those less knowledgeable and new to the platform, posts like yours are appreciated, and posts like mine are suited for those to get an idea of methods for storing parts and what to keep on hand, so thank you. |
I keep some spare parts on hand:
Small parts are in individual containers: 
I have been building up this parts kit since 2006, whenever I order parts that I need for a build I order some spare parts also to save on shipping. I have at least 2 of every part. Springs, detents, pins, and wear items I have 10 or more. (Except action springs only have 3) Gary |
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Quoted: i also replaced the buffer when i grew out of the car aluminum collapsable stock and realized the a1 was the best fit for me. this is of course over a period of 15 years and probably 40,000 rounds. I am on that exact page. A1 buttstock and rifle buffer for me, too. Have a bunch of carbine stocks/buffers that I'll likely never use. Most of your parts will not get used unless you build more rifles. I think Gary said it too: "I have at least 2 of every part. Springs, detents, pins, and wear items I have 10 or more." Barrels, bolts (not carriers), mags, some springs, extractors, firing pins - those are wear items. That's why I thought you might want additional barrels/uppers. I rough figure two barrel lives per bolt, though a bolt can fail early in life. Have a firing pin with must be 24k that's cratered but still works 100%. Sam |
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I have one of the same cases but with much less parts. Typically when I need a new spring or somethin gI buy a handful just to make up for the $5 shipping on a .79 spring.
I have some but nothing major. I would like to keep more on hand. Every now and then Ebay will have a few parts for a decent price. But they mostly package them in large bulk to make up for the low price point on each. anyone reccomend a good place to get cheap parts one or two at a time? My LGS has alot of small stuff, but a buffer tube spring for a new build cost me $4. He is an awesome guy, very helpful and has given me a lot of info and tips so no biggie here or there when I am too ADHD and want to do something NOW...but not effective for building spare kits. PSA also had complete Magpul MOE furnished lowers for $169. I bought two of those for "safe" keeping. Those will be my "LPKs" if I need something I dont have. I own 4 complete AR's so WORST case I cannabilize....one never gets used anyway. Bought it as a post Sandy Hook investment! I do keep a spare firing pin and few springs in my range bag so I don't have to give up early in case... ALSO...I did have an AR I shot probably 15,000 rounds of all kinds of ammo to include a wide mix of steel and brass, corrosive and non, 5.56 and .223 and NEVER ever replaced a spring, part or pin...and that was an Olympic Arms, that I beat to hell and cleaned infrequently and insufficiently. I would be surprised if my current AR's have 1k rds thru them and are hand built with the best parts....Don't expect anything to fail anytime soon. |
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