Greetings! Last year, I started a new tradition: Every time I go to the Indy1500–a very nice, quarterly gun show–I spend a few bucks in spare parts. However, while doing an inspection last night, I realized that I am lacking what is more susceptible to break (bolt parts, etc.); therefore, I would like to ask for your advice in adding parts in order of importance.
The following pic is my “emergency” kit, which normally is taken to the range. From top left to the right and then down:
Extractor, extractor spring assemblies (black inserts), McFarland gas ring, #60 Home Depot “O” rings
Selector detent and spring
Buffer retainer and spring
Firing pin
Take-down pin detent and springs
Complete bolt and Buffer
Gas key
Cam pin
Empty compartment
The following pic is my “stay-at-home” kit, but will also be going with me to the EAG course this weekend. Again, from top left corner to the right and then down:
Empty compartment
Buffer
Firing pin
Bolt carrier (and a mount I used to mount my EOTech to my issued M16A2; has not seen use since OIF III-IV)
Empty compartment
Empty compartment
Take down pin, detent, and springs
Buffer springs
Extractors, extractor spring assemblies (black inserts), McFarland gas rings, #60 Home Depot “O” rings
Nice range kit. You might want to consider adding a cotter pin for the firing pin, and a spare front sight post, detent and spring.
I need to get a compartmented storage container like this, much better than my kluge of several little ziplocs in a couple of medium ziplocs in a big ziploc.
Guilty. The pin that retains the firing pin. But in Ace Hardware land we call it a cotter pin. In AR land they call it a firing pin retaining pin. But regardless of what you call it, when you drop the bastard in the grass or somewhere else and you can’t find the MF, it’s nice to have a spare handy.
The “nomenclature challenged” jmart is signing off.
Your spares kit is a nice start but replace your O-rings to the more durable real Crane O-rings from either ADCO, Bravo Company or G&R Tactical.
My spares kit that I bring with me shooting:
[ul]
[li]Complete lower parts kit with A2 grip
[/li][li]Complete bolt carrier group
[/li][li]Charging handle
[/li][li]A spare carbine
[/li][/ul]
I’ve been lucky so far, I only broke a firing pin retaining pin only one time.
Be careful if you have a complete lower parts kit it will turn into a complete lower half and then into a complete rifle.
I’m also still trying to put together a spare parts kit. I’m not sure what my “range” kit would be vs. my “home” kit, and I’m not sure if I’d take something different to plink/sight-in vs. to a match. To classes I just take two carbines and one complete BCG, so that’s a non-issue for me.
What I would love to have for my “bench kit” is doubles of everything other than the receivers, rails, stocks, and barrel. In other words, two coplete LPKs with A1 grips and gappers, and two complete BCGs with MPI parts, properly staked key, and the right spring/o-ring, and a couple of gas tubes & roll pins.
I’m still trying to figure out who offers a Colt-quality LPK with the larger Colt pins though.
Have you thought about any tools to go in your range kit? I’ve honestly wound up using my tools more on other people’s guns than my own, but I thin that a MOACKS (pocket or original), stock wrench, barrel wrench, pistol grip driver (allen or flathead depending on your setup) and maybe a small selection of pin-punches would be sufficient.
I see the charging handle being recommended more than once. Is it a problematic part? I will definitely buy a couple–just curious as I have never seen a malfunction due to it. Also, jsmart recommended a front sight post, detent, and spring. What is the most common problem with them?
Alaskagrown,
Excellent observation. I thought I was all set in BCG parts until I typed the original post.
Rob,
Good point on tools. I can install an LPK and stock and have the tools for it, but changing a barrel or installing free-float tubes is beyond my level of comfort. I will definitely purchase the MOACKS though.
