Wear Concerns with Fixed Mag Approach

[ar_123]

Ok. This is a total newbie question, but it has been bugging me for a while, so I'll ask and see what you guys think.

I have about 500 rounds through my new Stag-15, with a fixed-mag build. I have noticed that both the rear takedown pin and the pivot pin have loosened up a little bit (as one would expect with a brand new set of parts). I can now pull the rear takedown pin out to the detent without having to tap it in with a cartridge. However, I have begun to get a little concerned that constantly scissoring the rifle open to load may have adverse affects on the long-term durability of the lower receiver at these points. I am not really concerned about any of the other parts - If I have to, I'll buy new parts for all of the non-regulated parts but a lower receiver may someday be hard/impossible to legally obtain.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
-K

[3rd_gear]

Buy a bullet button. Save your worrying.

[hoffmang]

Two thoughts for you. First, I think you overestimate the long term wear that your lower will receive. Should you ever want to convert to a build that you don't top load, there are easy gunsmithing routes that will revert the changes you are seeing.

Second, most AR lower manufacturers have been stating that in a true lower failure, they are willing to remanufacture a lower with the same serial number after you return the broken one.

Finally, based on the current political climate and some of the court related changes coming, I doubt you'll see a new restriction on lowers to the point you can't just replace it with another lower. If you're really worried $160-$180 all in can give you a full spare lower that you just park in the back of the safe.

-Gene

[antwon412]

wait, I thought you don't have to reload if you have a pistol grip eqipeed rifle?

there should be no problems with wear since you will never have to open you rifle!

[SemiAutoSam]

You have been listening to Allison again haven't you ?

wait, I thought you don't have to reload if you have a pistol grip equipped rifle?

there should be no problems with wear since you will never have to open you rifle!

[Paratus et Vigilans]

You have been listening to Allison again haven't you ?

Boy, you could really have some fun with Elvis Costello's song "My Aim Is True" and some alternative lyrics to honor AM, couldn't you?

Something like, oh, I don't know, maybe . . .

Allison, my pistol grip is thrilling you!
Ohhh Allison, my spraying bugs you!!

[ar_123]

Thanks, guys. I feel better.

I do want one of those bullet buttons but, for the moment, I'm laying low to see what happens with the upcoming court stuff. The bullet button is just beyond my comfort level.

wait, I thought you don't have to reload if you have a pistol grip eqipeed rifle?

I must have gotten a defective rifle - even with all the black, a pistol grip, and a collapsible stock, the spray 'n' pray feature doesn't seem to be working

[psriley]

I use the plastic takedown pins that Bushmaster puts on the Carbon 15s. If you use them on a metal lower, the pin will wear down, not the lower. Just buy a bunch of pins (I think they're like two or three bucks on the BM site). Not sure about the pivot pin in the front, but that pin isn't really bearing a lot of load when you open the action, so there shouldn't be very much wear, especially if you lube it once in a while. I guess I'll find out, as I'm sticking with toploading as well.

[hoffmang]

I predict that very shortly you'll have a high profile bullet-button based case resolved in the gun owners favor.

-Gene

[Jicko]

I predict that very shortly you'll have a high profile bullet-button based case resolved in the gun owners favor.

-Gene