How Strong are AR-15 Lowers and Uppers?

[Shadowtengu]

Alrighty, I have looked everywhere and found only one other forum dealing with the "strength" of an AR lower Receiver. I have seen dropped tests that solely use the stock (and the stock shatters on the drop, CTR, Classic Ribbed, and CAR 15 stock). I just wanna know just how hard people can really run an AR. I am not in the military or law enforcement agency and I have no experience or affiliation with any. So I have no idea how harsh people are on their ARs.

Now my question is, Can I slap the Ping Pong Paddle roughly to close the bolt? Can I drop my rifle (with no round in the chamber of course) and a full mag on dirt (not concrete)? And does "mortaring the stock" damage the buffer tube? what are the odds of breaking the pin holes or wallowing them out?

I am a noobish Noob . Any advice and help would be awesome!

And Be nice please, the moderators on this site are GREAT and DO NOT let too many people disrespect others. Be respectul, we're all calgunners!

[Omega13device]

If you beat on it hard enough, stuff will break but for most civilian use cases they're plenty sturdy assuming you're using parts from reputable manufacturers. Use substandard parts (soft or brittle alloys, poor manufacturing or heat treat processes) and you'll see more breakage. I'm mainly talking about the smaller moving parts like the bolt release, selector, bolt components like the ejector and extractor, and fire control group parts. Lowers and uppers are pretty stout and the lower itself doesn't really come under stress.

Also keep in mind that most of the parts on an AR have finite service lives and even the best parts should be replaced after extended usage.

[coyotebait]

Alrighty, I have looked everywhere and found only one other forum dealing with the "strength" of an AR lower Receiver. I have seen dropped tests that solely use the stock (and the stock shatters on the drop, CTR, Classic Ribbed, and CAR 15 stock). I just wanna know just how hard people can really run an AR. I am in the military or law enforcement agency and I have no experience or affiliation with any. So I have no idea how harsh people are on their ARs.

Now my question is, Can I slap the Ping Pong Paddle roughly to close the bolt? Can I drop my rifle (with no round in the chamber of course) and a full mag on dirt (not concrete)? And does "mortaring the stock" damage the buffer tube? what are the odds of breaking the pin holes or wallowing them out?

I am a noobish Noob . Any advice and help would be awesome!

And Be nice please, the moderators on this site are lazy and let too many people disrespect others. Be respectul, we're all calgunners!

If you're trying to piss off the mods.....I think you're on the right track.....just sayin'

[live2suck]

... the moderators on this site are lazy and let too many people disrespect others ...

I could not disagree more.

[bjl333]

Alrighty, I have looked everywhere and found only one other forum dealing with the "strength" of an AR lower Receiver. I have seen dropped tests that solely use the stock (and the stock shatters on the drop, CTR, Classic Ribbed, and CAR 15 stock). I just wanna know just how hard people can really run an AR. I am in the military or law enforcement agency and I have no experience or affiliation with any. So I have no idea how harsh people are on their ARs.

The AR is the longest serving rifle in our military's history. They can handle quite a bit of abuse. But just like anything mechanical it could break if one tries hard enough. IMO they'll have to try VERY hard to break a good one!! Notice I said a GOOD one?

Are you military or LEO? I was didn't understand the above.

Now my question is, Can I slap the Ping Pong Paddle roughly to close the bolt?

Yes, But the preferred method is pulling the charging handle back and release. This way the ping pong paddle won't rub the bolt on the insides all the time.

Can I drop my rifle (with no round in the chamber of course) and a full mag on dirt (not concrete)?

Yes, just shake off the excess dirt and the gun should run. Providing the gun was test fired and everything runs good before the dirt adventure.

And does "mortaring the stock" damage the buffer tube?

Yes it could. There are some cheap tubes running around out there and if the tube bends the gun may stop functioning after the first round. The BCG will not have a straight path to travel into the buffer tube. A good tube is a must for a duty weapon.

what are the odds of breaking the pin holes or wallowing them out?

It could, but I have yet seen one wallowing out. There are pin holders you can buy to prevent this matter. Breaking the pin holes I've never heard of!!

I am a noobish Noob . Any advice and help would be awesome!

Good questions!!

And Be nice please, the moderators on this site are lazy and let too many people disrespect others. Be respectul, we're all calgunners!

Dumb comment!!

[Shadowtengu]

Its just a friendly nudge, But honestly come on. You know dang right some people are just disrespectful and need the big guys to give em negative points.

Thanks for the info on the receivers. I figured those parts were delicate/finite. Dang...

[Sumo99]

watch this: https://danieldefense.com/TortureTest
This is what just about any well made AR can withstand.

[17+1]

Now my question is, Can I slap the Ping Pong Paddle roughly to close the bolt?

Have done it more times than I can count...still running fine.

Can I drop my rifle (with no round in the chamber of course) and a full mag on dirt (not concrete)?

If it fell on the muzzle you'd need to punch the crap out of the flash hider. Can't see how falling on dirt would damage it...mine has fallen on concrete onto the sights and held zero.

And does "mortaring the stock" damage the buffer tube?

No, sometimes you have to while you tug the charging handle, especially when you didn't quite size a case enough and it's jammed in the chamber.

what are the odds of breaking the pin holes or wallowing them out?

My friend had an M16A2 in basic that had the anodization worn off a lot of the surfaces...the bore was trashed, carrier rattled around in the upper, lower was holding up fine.

I am a noobish Noob . Any advice and help would be awesome!

And Be nice please, the moderators on this site are lazy and let too many people disrespect others. Be respectul, we're all calgunners!

Don't worry...you won't hurt her.

[Shadowtengu]

+10

AWESOME BJL333!!! you rock! Thanks for that. Oh lol I left out the "not military". Yeah, I'm just a regular civi.

[Nathan Krynn]

I have literally beat on a lower with a hammer when people have said lowers are "weak aluminum".

[sixzulu]

They can handle a lot.

I throw my AR on the ground. I'm not a part of your system, maaan.

[Sicarius]

The AR platform can handle a fair ammount of abuse. Granted there are plastic and carbon lowers that won't hold up as well but you should be able to toss it around a fair ammount. A weak point is the gas tube under the handguard. If you smash the upper handguard you will crip the tube possibly turning it into a single shot rifle. A lot of people run rails which protect it quite well though.
Kevin

[MrExel17]

This might be overkill and has been posted here before, and not even sure if you've seen this but just passing the info down, enjoy

https://danieldefense.com/TortureTest

Alrighty, I have looked everywhere and found only one other forum dealing with the "strength" of an AR lower Receiver. I have seen dropped tests that solely use the stock (and the stock shatters on the drop, CTR, Classic Ribbed, and CAR 15 stock). I just wanna know just how hard people can really run an AR. I am not in the military or law enforcement agency and I have no experience or affiliation with any. So I have no idea how harsh people are on their ARs.

Now my question is, Can I slap the Ping Pong Paddle roughly to close the bolt? Can I drop my rifle (with no round in the chamber of course) and a full mag on dirt (not concrete)? And does "mortaring the stock" damage the buffer tube? what are the odds of breaking the pin holes or wallowing them out?

I am a noobish Noob . Any advice and help would be awesome!

And Be nice please, the moderators on this site are GREAT and DO NOT let too many people disrespect others. Be respectul, we're all calgunners!