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Recommended AR spare parts

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#41 ·
sarge912 said:
someone earlier said gas tubes, Have you replaced many of those? I would assume that they would be replaced as a matter of course when replacing a barrel.
Click to expand...
Actually, we very seldom replace gas tubes. I give them a good cleaning on the wire wheel and reuse them.
Sometimes they get really hard to get off and they wind up damaged in the process. Then we change them.

I did forget ejection port cover springs on my list. But, a weapon is not out of the fight for that.

Al
 
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#42 ·
Most times there is no need to replace a gas tube when changing out a barrel. If you are someone that shoots a lot and shoots a lot of rapid fire, it is possible to damage the gas tube, but not likely for most.
 
#43 ·
TriggerHappy said:
The only place I've ordered parts from is psa, midway and Brownells. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
AR15discounts.com, dirtybirdusa.com, OpticsPlanet.com, DVOR.com, joeboboutfitters.com
Shop around a little research will save you money, don't forget to consider free shipping options in your price comparisons and if your are eligible for military discount don't forget to access that. Good luck!
 
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#44 ·
Bravo32 said:
Most times there is no need to replace a gas tube when changing out a barrel. If you are someone that shoots a lot and shoots a lot of rapid fire, it is possible to damage the gas tube, but not likely for most.
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Never had to "replace" one. Having a spare around just means I haven't had to seek one out if I decide to put something together.
 
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#45 ·
The caution with having too many spare parts is that it will look like little orphans Which need a home to be complete.

Once you have enough spare parts, you eventually will complete a build, or two, or three….or more than planned….

as others have mentioned, extra BCG, gas tubes and an Oops kit with the more common springs and pins that shoot off into never-never land…get a few extra barrels to if you planning on running FA.

And Gun oil, Lots and lots of gun oil. even though its not a part, it’s imperative to keep the firearm maintained and clean to keep existing parts from breaking too soon, or worse, when you least expect them to break.
 
#46 ·
----- BREAK MOST OFTEN

  • cam pin
  • bolt lugs shear off
  • firing pin
  • gas key shears off the bolt carrier
  • extractor
  • hammer pin

----- GOING TO WEAR OUT

  • springs (extractor, ejector, FCG, buffer)
  • gas rings
  • bolt, bolt components
  • barrel (throat, rifling, gas port erosion)
  • barrel extension (headspace stretched)
  • gas tube (gas port erosion, flange worn)

----- LONG TERM

after hundreds of thousands of rounds:

  • the hole in the upper for the gas tube
  • where the BCG slides under the carrying handle
  • hammer/trigger pin holes
  • upper receiver barrel extension (where you screw on the barrel) can break off. it will happen eventually, irregardless of quality.
  • crack on the top left side of mag well, right where the mag well gets thinnest. It's also right thru the stamped logo, maybe from the bolt slam energy being transferred through the front pin, and that's the weakest spot. (rare)

----- STUFF THAT JUST HAPPENS

charging handle can stretch and the lever falls out.

extractor will break when it breaks. round count doesn't matter.

----- THE BIG 4 THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS

  • magazine damage. dents on the body or damage to the feed lips.
  • extractor is dirty under the claw, around the spring, or the spring is worn
  • ammo, damaged or crappy
  • lubrication, lack of
 
#48 ·
273andme said:
Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
273andme said:
Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Some of the major brand BCG's, that seem to be at discount prices, often have lower grade extractor spring parts.

This often looks like thinner, silver spring with odd colored spring insert and spring often has fewer coils.

Current military extractor spring has a gold finish, is fairly thick with 5 coils and inserts are usually black.

Cheaper spring will often have 4 coils and not last long and some inserts are red or brown.

The military uses a heavy spring with one insert and no o-ring.

There are different gas keys, firing pins (stainless or chromed), extractors (MIM or machined, MIM has mold circle along the inside), MIM gas key has a dimpled circle between the gas key screw heads.

Sometimes there are large price differences, but sometimes there are some real bargains with good parts.

Proper use of extractor o-ring is without insert, not both together.

That's usually a cheap way to make up for a cheap spring and was originally used alone with old 4 coil spring.

The firing pin cotter pin should have rounded ends.
 
#49 ·
JLW1974 said:
The caution with having too many spare parts is that it will look like little orphans Which need a home to be complete.

Once you have enough spare parts, you eventually will complete a build, or two, or three….or more than planned….
Click to expand...
I thought that was a feature.... 😂


273andme said:
Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Sometimes, manufacturers use "milspec" parts that are just as good if not better than the parts used by actual military contractors.

And sometimes they use "milspec" parts that aren't as good.

And yes...that is a real thing. Even in the military, we knew certain things made at factory A were better than things made at factory B, despite both things being accepted by procurement as operationally identical.

MilSpec has two meanings in the commercial realm.

It OFTEN means it meets minimum requirements as outlined by military specifications, and has the proper tolerances. Some are even tested properly, sort of. Chances are good there was no inspection by officials or outside auditors.

It RARELY means it is EXACTLY like the parts being sold to the military, to include all testing procedures at the levels required of a contractor, with oversight by inspectors.
 
#50 ·
Dont try to disassemble your AR, then you wont lose parts! 😁 Just spray it with lube and go.

But seriously... just an oops kit will fix most things. Firing pin, extractor and parts, firing pin retainer cotter pin, trigger and hammer springs.
 
#53 ·
TriggerHappy said:
The only place I've ordered parts from is psa, midway and Brownells. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Primary Arms, Right to Bear, Bravo Company and Wing Tactical are good.

Maybe Spikes Tactical, but maybe not directly, as I had my credit card stolen right after a purchase there and used in the same state they are in.

Arm or Ally is another one, as is Spice Tac.

PK Firearms is another.

Apex Firearm Parts.

Operation Parts.

Arms Unlimited

Thoroughbred Armament Company.

Midway USA, Brownells and Primary Arms are good for small parts, as is Apex Gun Parts.

Bravo Company has high end parts and springs in kit form.

Right to Bear usually has good prices.
 
#54 ·
I had spent a LOT of time looking for parts for a build. in addition to the above,

favorites:

VENDORS
jtdistributing.com
armorally.com
bkingsfirearms.com <-- best for small parts
dsgarms.com
ar15discounts.com
joeboboutfitters.com
blackjackbuffers.com
midwestgunworks.com
bigtexordnance.com
usaoptics.net

MANUFACTURERS
kakindustry.com
pkfirearms.com
pof-usa.com
rubbercityarmory.com
dsarms.com
precisionreflex.com

full list:

MANUFACTURERS ===========================
doublestarusa.com <<<
stagarms.com
faxonfirearms.com
diamondbackfirearms.com
dsarms.com
aeroprecisionusa.com/ar15
lmtdefense.com - way too expensive on everything
bravocompanyusa.com
adamsarms.net
pof-usa.com sux
andersonmanufacturing.com
rockriverarms.com
wmdguns.com
midwestindustriesinc.com - too expensive
cmmginc.com
del-ton.com
armalite.com
ballisticadvantage.com
midstatefirearms.com
at3tactical.com
rubbercityarmory.com
spikestactical.com
knsprecisioninc.com
kakindustry.com
retrorifles.com
vltor.com
obsidianarms.com
lmtdefense.com
bravocompanyusa.com
rguns.net
angstadtarms.com
b5systems.com
battlearmsdevelopment.com
blackrainordnance.com
blueforcegear.com
failzero.com
adcofirearms.com
adaptivetactical.com
fortismfg.com
kineticdg.com
knightarmco.com
lantac-usa.com
masterpiecearms.com
maximdefense.com
missionfirsttactical.com
phase5wsi.com
primaryweapons.com
ptr-us.com
roscomanufacturing.com
samson-mfg.com
tacticalinc.com
wilsoncombat.com

VENDORS =================================
jtdistributing.com <<< has the stuff
cdnnsports.com <<< has the stuff
armorally.com <<< has BCG's when all others oos
righttobear.com <<<
midsouthshooterssupply.com <<<
centerfiresystems.com <<<
tntesales.com <<<
newfrontierarmory.com
sonsoflibertygw.com
budsgunshop.com
atlanticfirearms.com
centuryarms.com
aimsurplus.com
classicfirearms.com
palmettostatearmory.com
brownells.com
ar15safespace.com
dsgarms.com
sharkarms.com
ar15discounts.com
gandrtactical.com
gungalleryinc.com
haleystrategic.com
krollcorp.com
cmmginc.com
midwestindustriesinc.com
primaryarms.com
www.rainierarms.com
surplusammoandarms.com
virginiaarms.com
skdtac.com
store.dennydennis.com
midwestguns.com
gtdist.com - feh
topgunsupply.com
jsesurplus.com
mississippiautoarms.com
carolinashooterssupply.com
americanspecialtyammo.com
joeboboutfitters.com
capitolarmory.com
wingtactical.com
valhallasurplus.net
scotsmanarms.com
riflegear.com
gandrtactical.com
daytonatactical.com
righttobear.com
eagleeyeguns.com
americanmadetactical.com
specialopstactical.com
modernwarriors.com
charliescustomclones.com
ar15depot.com
patriotdefensegear.com
armsunlimited.com
masdefense.com
bpoutfitters.net
model1sales.com
graniteridgeoutfitters.com
m-16parts.com
redxarms.com
bauer-precision.com
fulton-armory.com
sherluk.com
grabagun.com
recoilgunworks.com
bisonarmory.com
blackjackbuffers.com
operationparts.com
kearms.com
smallarmsales.com
specializedarmament.com
midwestgunworks.com
adcofirearms.com
elitetacticalcomponents.com
gritrsports.com
whiteknightsupply.com
bkingsfirearms.com
nationalsafetycenter.com
bayoutactical.com
4shooters.com
blackrifledepot.com
atioutdoors.com
heartoftexasarmory.com << good prices

stores -----------
patriotfirearmsusa.com

*
stay away from impact guns!
 
#55 ·
Any and all.


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#56 ·
Al Diehl said:
I can tell you what parts we replace the most on M4A1s. But, these fellas shoot a lot of ammo.

Not in any particular order:
Barrels
Gas keys (from dropping bolts/carriers on hard surfaces)
Firing pin retainers
Gas rings, gas rings, gas rings
Furniture, butts mostly
Front sight posts
BUIS

Al
Click to expand...
Been there, and done that with the gas key. Try to find one locally.
 
#58 ·
Been there.

Al
 
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