I am going to buy some spare parts for my AR. 20" armalite
What should I buy to keep the rifle serviceable for a long time?
Spare bolt assembly? pins? Please be specific and jargon free... I'm not good with AR part acronyms.
Thanks.
*Firing pin. This goes in buttstock kit.
*Extractor and extractor spring, brand new, not used.
*Bore Snake, keep in handle or stock.
*GI A2 style buttstock cleaning kit (NOT A1 style, because that one isn't designed to fit in the stock) .
*Hammer spring- STRONG and brand new, (NOT used!!!!!) and from a reputable source. A weak spring won't strike primers hard enough to detonate them, making your rifle useless.
*Magazines, 30 rd and 20 rd, at least 12 each per rifle. Don't skimp; they can disappear indefinitely, and if when they do, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth- you included- if you didn't stock up.
That will keep you shooting for a long time and head off likely and easily fixed problems.
Okay thanks... Anybody else have more suggestions?
Several manufacturers have Lower Receiver Parts Kits and Upper Receiver Parts Kits available with a collection of pieces that would probably be more expensive to collect individually.
Bushmaster, DPMS and Rock River all have different sets.
AZG
Yes to all the above. It also depends on how much you'd like to spend. Definately get the spring and pin kits. If you shoot steel cases buy extra extractors. Next would be an extra bolt...complete. Then focus on good maintence and storage options. The bore will have copper rub off inside. That must be removed with some chemical process. Sweet's or something similar works. Heat is the enemy so avoid "mad minutes." Rust is bad too, Keep it cleaned and oiled and stored in a case securely. You should keep it running a long time if you meet these conditions.
You can't go wrong with GI parts!
Get a nice GI bolt (complete) and switch it out with yours. Switch out your buffer for a GI hydraulic buffer and as said above, invest in some good GI magazines.
Where would one obtain a specifically GI bolt? or is there no difference if I bought one from, say armalite?
I think if you stay with Bushmaster, Armalite, Rock river Arms, or DPMS you are in good shape. They all have "field repair" kits, bolt rebuild kits, pin kits, spring kits, bolts, complete bolts with carrier, etc. I believe Bushmaster and DPMS are military contractors. Probably the other 2 also. They all make good, reliable stuff.
Maybe this belongs in Deals & Steals, but I found AR-15 mags on sale at the DPMS website. Got word of it through their email system which alerts me to sales. DPMS front page says the sale is over, but when I scrolled down to link below, page still reflected the low price I got last week.
Here's link to the site's list of magazines for various calibers: http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/?cat=1826
Prices are good enough you might want to buy a case or two. Around $12-14 each for 20 rounders in 5.56
Mags, Mags, Mags.
Yes, they wear out. Don't skimp, buy USGI issue (MIL SPEC) quality. Those DPMS mags are going to be good.
Avoid the low end stuff. USA Mags, Pro-Mags aren't real good, as a rule.
Hello group; As cheap as they are now, a lower parts kit dpms or another company woud be a good choice, Extractors and extractor springs, Bolt
Carrier Key and screws woud be a good choice. EXTRA Chamber brushes and cleaning kits. Your favorite lube. GI Bolts and as a rule never wear out, or lets say I replaced two in my time with sam and the rifles were early hydramatic`s
due to excessive headspace. AS always Pappy
This is just me but....the best spare part is another rifle. If that is not possible check out a spring kit, a pin kit, and one each of an upper and lower reciever parts kit. Oh and get a spare bolt and bolt carrier group. except for shooting your barrel out, this should hold you over. and LOTS of ammo/mags. The AR platform is a erally lousy single load weapon.
Rob
a quality bolt assembly. (Shot peened, proof-fired then MPI tested) including gas rings, extractor assembly, and firing pin.
Springs and detents.
Mags, mags, mags. USGI or PMAG are generally the best choices. Remember that mag bodies do wear out after a while (especially the feed lips), so you'll need a lot of replacements to keep rotation going.