Project Appleseed

I apologize in advance if this is covered elsewhere on the forum but I couldn't find it given a search.


Given our current troubled times, what does this group of firearms enthusiasts consider a minimum essential repair item list to maintain on hand for various common firearms (AR platform, 10/22, .45 pistol, Glock 17/19)?

That's a broad topic.

I'm sure my list won't be all-inclusive, but here's a rough start to the conversation:

The easy answer is "as many parts as your bank account can support, once other priorities (food, etc.) are covered."

A more realistic answer:
For .22 rifles, I've previously invested in some loaners for events.  Not too worried about spare parts for this scenario - just switch rifles, or strip parts from the spares.
For an AR-15: A firing pin and gas rings, at least.  Lower parts kits aren't too expensive and are good to keep on hand, especially if the kit doesn't include items that aren't likely to break (stock, pistol grip etc.)
Glocks: I tend to upgrade a lot of the internals on our Glocks.  I then have the OEM parts as backups, in case the upgrades fail.

If you're worried about societal unrest, be certain to have enough magazines and ammunition on hand.  Numbers vary, but my general recommendation is MINIMUM 10 magazines per firearm, 2,000 rounds for rifle / 1,000 rounds per pistol.

Just my initial $0.02

For standard day to day

For pistols and rimfire rifles:
1. Small hammer (as in a stubby hammer), I'd wager anything that needs a good hit from a hammer to knock loose on a rifle or pistol will get more than enough of a "oofph" just from a stubby hammer.  No need to have a full size hammer.
2. Set of good punches, you don't necessarily have to have a roll punch set, flat punches can work just fine if you're careful using it with roll pins.
3. Set of small screw drivers.
4. Torque wrench
5. Spare parts (springs, pins, extractors, etc).  I'm not going to be carrying a spare barrel, stock, receiver, or bolt.

For centerfire rifles (AR, AK, etc)
1. All of the above
2. AR specific, armor's wrench.

For AR's a complete Bolt Carrier Group and lower parts kit will handle whatever breaks.  If not an entire BCG then everything but the carrier.

What I'm working toward is enough of the small parts (LPK, firing pin, all the detents and springs) to build a few complete rifles.  A half dozen rifles worth of parts will fit in a couple Plano 3700 cases. 

Similar scale of parts for other guns too.  Every spring in the gun, pins, screws and firing pins/strikers.

Recoil springs (and most springs) on handguns should be replaced every 5K or so. 

Firing Pins
Springs
Spare sight or two
Various receiver pins
Extractors
Blue Loctite
Clean and Lube supplies
Screws for chassis
Tools to replace these parts
Zip ties
duct tape
Sight touch up paint and fiber
At least 5 of each mag
locking blade
flashlight
folding ram rods

Quote from: Thaddeus on July 22, 2020, 09:33:46 AMA minimum essential repair item list to maintain on hand for various common firearms (AR platform, 10/22, .45 pistol, Glock 17/19)?

AR - bolt repair kit & firing pin is minimum for a quality AR.
Glock 17/19 - nothing. 
.45 pistol - A 9mm pistol 

Lube & a boresnake will keep quality AR's & 9mm‘s going for thousands & thousands & thousands of rounds.  Just add batteries & good Mags when needed!

 There are several forums out there that are equipment specific, like the M14 forum, that would have discussion on the subject in depth.

When involving a USGI rifle or pistol there are those on many forums who were military armorers that contribute to the repair/ maintenance aspect and with solid info on enhancing or what to watch for during normal maintenance procedures.

Much also on the more popular commercial firearms out there.