AR spare parts to keep on hand?

[WalterJones]

Sorry, it's a broad topic, I'm pretty sure discussed many times but my search is fruitless.

What are some necessary AR parts to keep on hand? Insert your own scenario, but if the supply of parts was to dry up or diminish?

Unlimited budget?

Spare bolt
Spare BCG
Plus the items below?

Limited budget?

Bolt cam pin
Gas rings
Extractor
Buffer spring (basic milspec or an upgrade?)
Extractor spring
Other?
Other?

Thanks, guys. With the exception of melting a handguard on an M249 a number of years ago (whole different set of circumstances), I have yet to have a part failure. But prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

[Peahi2]

I'm browsing kits today myself. I'm always in need of springs...those pesky things fly off somewhere or get lost in oblivion....especially the little micro springs our AR love and need for operation.

Funny thing is I swear I've bought a spare parts kit in the past. I'll need to have a AR spare parts box to sit next to the miscellaneous holsters box lol.

So getting back to your question: maybe get a high quality lower spare parts kit at the very least. I know, a spare trigger and spare A2 grip is overkill lol.

[-hanko]

No such thing as "overage" in spare parts.

I'd start with anything called a "spring", "plunger" or "roll pin". A spare fire control group with parts compatible to the guns TG is not a bad idea.

[Jarhead]

Detents, they like flying

[The War Wagon]

As many as possible - all the LPK springs at a MINIMUM. Pins after that. Trigger after that.


I have one complete spare lower (dedicated .22 upper on it at the moment), 2 complete LPKs, and parts and pieces from 4 others. With 5 AR's, I think I have enough.

[naz]

Hello, your “unlimited budget” scenario should include several complete rifles of your favorite kind, and spares to assemble a few more complete rifles

[badfish71]

Extra parts turn into other rifles. Just go ahead and buy a spare rifle and save time/money.

[WalterJones]

Originally Posted by badfish71

Extra parts turn into other rifles. Just go ahead and buy a spare rifle and save time/money.

I had some of those but lost them in a boating accident

Will definitely add some springs and pins to my shopping list.

[OnTheTrail]

A complete lower parts kit has saved me. A bolt catch broke and the little spring behind it got lost. So those 2 parts go used. Then I received an Anderson lower parts kit that had one spring missing. So that got used. Then the dentent pins that fly away.

[n8vrmind]

https://youtu.be/VO9H3TjCq8M

[kcheung2]

I think a spare bcg would be the minimum. An extra lower build kit would also be a good purchase, but mainly as a stepping stone for that stripped lower you'll inevitably buy later on.

[nate76239]

Firing pin and the firing pin retainer. The retainer pin could get lost while cleaning

[WalterJones]

Originally Posted by kcheung2

I think a spare bcg would be the minimum. An extra lower build kit would also be a good purchase, but mainly as a stepping stone for that stripped lower you'll inevitably buy later on.

Eventually? Just found one I didn't even know I had, while going through my parts bin.

Thanks, Nate, for the reminder about the retaining pin.

[FeuerFrei]

Daja vu all over again. CGN Gargle search thingy says;

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...d.php?t=751436

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...t-1073227.html

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/.../t-623345.html

[Skip_Dog]

+1000 to spare rifles. One for each person plus 1 or 2 spares for each person...

[land locked]

I get the having spare rifles, but who will strip parts off a functional rifle to get another one up and running?

[L.A. Saiga]

this is a good thing to have a few of

[TurboChrisB]

The DPMS kit is great......that and a extra LPK and buffer / buffer springs.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003346817

[Paperchasin]

If you keep walking down this path of spare parts you'll basically end up with multiple complete ARs.

[jimbo74]

just buy a toolcraft bcg. complete. like $100

[Jarhead]

Originally Posted by Paperchasin

If you keep walking down this path of spare parts you'll basically end up with multiple complete ARs.

A “ Spare “ AR15

Pins, Springs, Detents, Gas Rings ........maybe a Gas Key w/ screws

[Shumba]

Originally Posted by land locked

I get the having spare rifles, but who will strip parts off a functional rifle to get another one up and running?

I believe the concept is that your spare rifle now becomes your primary rifle until the other one gets fixed. Or, you can rob parts from the spare to fix your primary, etc.

Either way, you have one functioning rifle while you take steps to fix whichever one isn't then complete.

"Two is one, one is none"......Murphy

[jimbo74]

I have several ARs. Some different calibers. I could probably make a stripped receiver function with the bin of spare parts I have, haha

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[Ki6vsm]

Originally Posted by Jarhead

A “ Spare “ AR15

Pins, Springs, Detents, Gas Rings ........maybe a Gas Key w/ screws

I was going to say, each of my ARs is a collection of spare parts for my other ARs. Can only use one at a time anyway. But I do have spare small parts and trigger groups.

It's all said above, spares of little things that might break, and things that might get dropped and lost.

[Jarhead]

Originally Posted by Ki6vsm

I was going to say, each of my ARs is a collection of spare parts for my other ARs. Can only use one at a time anyway. But I do have spare small parts and trigger groups.

It's all said above, spares of little things that might break, and things that might get dropped and lost.

Or they go flying when you strip a Bolt

[Jimi Jah]

Extractors are all I've ever busted.

I just bring extra AR rifles in various calibers. Got to keep it interesting. I'll start with the AR-22, move to 5.56, 6.5 Grendel, then 7.62x39 and then 350 Legend 'cause I can see those holes over the smaller holes I've already made.

[Tank 57]

Definitely all of the little easily lost pieces. Long term, a couple of bolts. Saw one mention of firing pin. Don't remember ever seeing a broken one. Anyone ever have one break?

[FeuerFrei]

Outside of broken extractors, cam pins. bolts/lugs there's not a lot of parts needed for spares. Gas rings on an AR clone are to be considered consumables.

*nobody needs a spare carrier for an AR. Complete bolt yes, but never a carrier.

*action spring needs a swap when it stops stripping ammo from the mag and fails to run into battery. That takes anywhere from 5k to 10k shots/cycles. There's no certain expiration date on that. Start with a good mil-spec spring from the get go.

[naz]

Originally Posted by land locked

I get the having spare rifles, but who will strip parts off a functional rifle to get another one up and running?

One way is you have 2 of the same thing so you can keep participating in the event and fix later

[The War Wagon]

Originally Posted by Jimi Jah

Extractors are all I've ever busted.

EXCELLENT point! ESPECIALLY if you shoot that craptacular steel-cased ammo!

[ZombieLivesMatter]

I've been bad with extra parts, whenever I have a extra BCG or upper or barrel I end up finding a excuse to make another rifle. Then eventually rinse and repeat, slowly(not really slowly) extra parts pile up randomly, BCG, trigger, buffer/tube, barrel, etc.

[Jimi Jah]

Originally Posted by The War Wagon

EXCELLENT point! ESPECIALLY if you shoot that craptacular steel-cased ammo!

Only in the AR-47 has that happened after 3k rounds. I just snap in another, I carry spares. I love cheap commie ammo.

[jimbo74]

Someone keeps PMing me that everyone is out of stock. And they can't find a bcg. I told them PSA, among others, but they refuse to listen.Screenshot_20210111-100307_Firefox.jpg

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[jrbauerjr]

Yes, they claim to be in stock, but I've had orders in for lowers that were in stock when I ordered them. Still waiting since thanksgiving for one, second ordered in December, ordered from another vendor today... Lower kit and complete upper assembly came when ordered...

However, when they all come in, I guess I will have to build them all. What a horrible problem....

[SlowDrifter]

The only spare parts I carried in the military were extractor retaining pins. I'd always have a few in my wallet 'cause someone's going to lose one cleaning their rifle every field operation. You can drop one off those little bastages in the sand at your feet and even seeing the dimple it made in the sand you probably willl never find it. I still carry one in my wallet.