AR Backup Parts?

[GTN]

After reading the post about Glock backup parts it made me realize I have no extra parts for my AR’s.

What would you have on hand for extra parts? (Besides an extra AR)

 

[Vapor]

Bolt head, firing pin, cam pin at the very least , along with the firing pin retaining pin.


I have 2 spare firing pins, complete bcg, a few spare fcg, buffers and springs, detents and spring, etc.

 

[northny]

A full lower parts kit and an oops kit. A spare bcg and a spare firing pin

 

[PutnamCharlie]

I keep at least three lower parts kits and firing pins. Used a couple of parts from them to keep things running.

 

[GOPerfect]

I have full back up guns...

On top of that, a bunch of different springs. Couple extra triggers. I have an entire Bolt carrier group as well. I have one extra firing pin.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I too have multiple AR's as well as parts kits or parts of parts kits. Regardless, my spare parts are either in a package or in a back up gun.

 

[Podmonkey]

Spare bolt, extractor, extractor spring- in fact keep several spares of all springs- spare ejector and spring, if you can afford it also have a fully dressed bolt ready to go, if you can afford it also have a complete bolt carrier group ready to go. This allows you to very quickly get the rifle back into action in the event of a bolt failure. Also keep spare springs fore the trigger group and spare pins for the trigger groups as well. Again, have spares of ALL springs. Also buy a whole heaping handfull of gas ring seals as those need to be replaced regularly. A couple firing pin spares are a good idea too. Be aware that due to differences in manufacturers specs and tolerance stacking that replacing bolts and firing pins may take your AR out of spec- verify headspace and firing pin protrusion with all your spares. Also have a spare cam pin and a bunch of firing pin retainers as the latter are so easy to lose.
The actual bolt of an AR is a wear item, over time the lugs can crack off and eventually the bolt WILL stretch in the area of the cam pin hole and fail at that point. The bolt carrier isn't likely to wear out however, Extractors and related hardware are also wear items as is the ejector plunger and spring.
Small plastic tackle boxes work really well for storing and organizing your spare parts.

 

[Vapor]

I don't have any ar15s. I just own the parts. I think they are scary.

 

[4WHLDRFTN]

a Norinco AK

 

[GTN]

It just might be cheaper to buy another AR

 

[dsdmmat]

I try not to keep back up parts. In my house they turn into guns, which then they need shelter, so that means buying new safes, which leads to buying a bigger house, which leads to…….

 

[Acer-m14]

a pistol to get back to the AR or your backup AR or AR parts ..

 

[Podmonkey]

I try not to keep back up parts. In my house they turn into guns, which then they need shelter, so that means buying new safes, which leads to buying a bigger house, which leads to…….

It's nice to have basic spare parts at the range isn't it? Doubly so for competition and/or training yes?
I keep a small multi compartment pouch attached to my range bag that has a complete spare bolt, firing pin with several retaining pins as well as a few other various sundries such as lens wipes and whatnot. One of the really great things about AR rifles is that it is so easy to replace just about any part at the end user level. The hardest thing would be the detents in the take down pins and thank God that's a once and done thing.

 

[Podmonkey]

It just might be cheaper to buy another AR

Springs, gas rings, firing pins, extractors, ejectors are all very inexpensive. A dressed out bolt isn't a bank breaker either. Buy a bunch of each, pop em in a small tackle box and you'll never need to order anything for basic repair and maintenance again. And you'll have it handy to get the rifle back in service right away.

 

[spat]

I have lots of parts, but because I like to build and tinker.

As for SHTF stocking, springs and pins are probably good, but everything else you're probably better off getting more ammo instead.

As yourself, "what are the odds I'll need this part before I run out of ammo". I bet the odds are very low.

Most people probably don't even have enough ammo on hand that they'd need to clean their guns before running out, let alone repair them.

 

[Acer-m14]

just thinking out loud .. does anyone have parts in stock these days .. and what is the price .. a AR bolt now cost as much as a completed AR
2 yrs ago ?? ..

 

[dsdmmat]

Springs, gas rings, firing pins, extractors, ejectors are all very inexpensive. A dressed out bolt isn't a bank breaker either. Buy a bunch of each, pop em in a small tackle box and you'll never need to order anything for basic repair and maintenance again. And you'll have it handy to get the rifle back in service right away.

@Podmonkey I have enough parts on hand to build 6 rifles, does that count?
Like I said, spares lead to complete rifles when I feel I have nothing better to do. Same with pistol parts, one day they are parts, the next week they are pistols. It is only a storage issue.

 

[Saltwater60]

A full lower parts kit and an oops kit. A spare bcg and a spare firing pin

This is what I have times two except the BCG, but that won’t last long.

 

[Saltwater60]

Primary arms has an Anderson AR-15 .223 bolt carrier group for $80.00. I just bought one.

 

[Podmonkey]

@Podmonkey I have enough parts on hand to build 6 rifles, does that count?
Like I said, spares lead to complete rifles when I feel I have nothing better to do. Same with pistol parts, one day they are parts, the next week they are pistols. It is only a storage issue.

You said you don't keep spares now you say you have enough for six rilfes! Which is it chief, lol.
I have plenty of spares but no receivers, barrels ect to put them in. I'm much too lazy to do so anyways. Things have picked back up at work too so I don't have much free time either. In fact due to high fuel costs and my former range closing down and being too far away besides I haven't gone shooting for months now.

 

[dsdmmat]

You said you don't keep spares now you say you have enough for six rilfes! Which is it chief, lol.
I have plenty of spares but no receivers, barrels ect to put them in. I'm much too lazy to do so anyways. Things have picked back up at work too so I don't have much free time either. In fact due to high fuel costs and my former range closing down and being too far away besides I haven't gone shooting for months now.

I build rifles, all the parts are for rifles. I just haven’t got to them yet. I suppose you could count them as spares but I count them as unbuilt rifles in the que. lol
Since rifles are too big to fit in gallon size zip locks I just keep them in boxes with the receivers in bags. Pistols are in gallon sized ziplocks waiting to be born.

If I buy spares they usually conspire with the other parts to become rifles.

 

[@thewheels]

When you have enough spare LPK's and drop-in triggers, it's probably a good time to consider spare complete uppers. Or vice versa.
Back in the day, buying a few $259 Saiga's was also an option if you had a buttload of .223 and needed an insurance policy.

 

[dwa12479]

Bare minimum, have an extra BCG, a lower parts kit, and a few oops kits kicking around.

 

[GTN]

Primary arms has an Anderson AR-15 .223 bolt carrier group for $80.00. I just bought one.

Any chance you have a link to it?
So no 5.56 using that bolt?

 

[dwa12479]

Any chance you have a link to it?
So no 5.56 using that bolt?

The only mix/match combo that's a no go is using 5.56 ammo in a barrel stamped .223. Everything else is interchangeable.

 

[Saltwater60]

Any chance you have a link to it?
So no 5.56 using that bolt?

Here you go. I understand it can be used for both calibers nitride coated to.

Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group - Salt Bath Nitride

DetailsThe Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group is a high-quality component that is designed to provide reliable and consistent performance in any shooting situation. This bolt carrier group is made from high-quality materials and is finished with a salt bath nitride...

www.primaryarms.com

 

[Saltwater60]

Any chance you have a link to it?
So no 5.56 using that bolt?

Here you go. I understand it can be used for both calibers nitride coated to.

Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group - Salt Bath Nitride

DetailsThe Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group is a high-quality component that is designed to provide reliable and consistent performance in any shooting situation. This bolt carrier group is made from high-quality materials and is finished with a salt bath nitride...

www.primaryarms.com

 

[Vapor]

I have seen lots of deals on bolt carriers recently. I think tool crafts are hovering around $99 again.


Brownells had their fancy gold ones for $109 I think.

 

[GTN]

Here you go. I understand it can be used for both calibers nitride coated to.

Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group - Salt Bath Nitride

DetailsThe Anderson Manufacturing Complete M16 / AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group is a high-quality component that is designed to provide reliable and consistent performance in any shooting situation. This bolt carrier group is made from high-quality materials and is finished with a salt bath nitride...

www.primaryarms.com

Thank you. It’s added to my list

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

After reading the post about Glock backup parts it made me realize I have no extra parts for my AR’s.

What would you have on hand for extra parts? (Besides an extra AR)

In the little chamber in the pistol grip?

Firing pin, jesus pin, extractor, foam to stop them from making rattle. And a hex key or two.

Although you can just stuff a pin and complete bolt in there, if you don't mind the weight.