Most companies do not do ANY in house QC. That is why you want to buy parts from companies like BCM and Colt (as they do it).
C4
I did not see any buffer retainers, do you not carry them?
Yep, we have them: http://www.gandrtactical.com/Colt-Buffer-Retainer_p_883.html
C4
Thanks
I am in the logic camp. If a part is made to military specifications then it is made to military specifications. If those specifications have a tolerance range then then that part must fall within those tolerances. If the specification states that only parts made by military suppliers are mil spec then all parts not made by those companies are not mil spec. As for the drawings I would assume that they are referring to the official drawings contained in the technical data package and would contain the precise requirements for staking etc.
As for other countries if they manufacture M16 series weapons using the technical data package supplied by the US government then I would assume their parts are made to the same standards as US made parts and are mil spec. The whole point of a standard is to insure the interchangeability of parts and that is what mil spec does.
So only those parts which have passed government inspection are mil spec? I would assume then that only parts accepted by the government and then surplussed out of the government are truly mil spec parts.
That is probably the safest best. I would also throw in companies that follow the TDP, (but do not have a .Mil contract) AND have a strict QC program.
C4
BCM
Colt
Any others?
Sionics
I’m curious as to what everyone keeps around as wear and tear spare parts? And what kind of schedule? My round count gets spread out between the AR’s I have but there will come a time when stuff starts to get worn out.
I have spares of every receiver roll pin, pin, spring, and detent. They are inexpensive enough that it just makes sense to me.
Hammer and trigger pins I amass when I replace triggers, likewise I have several mil spec hammers and triggers in the box.
A couple of extractors, a couple of ejectors, a couple of pins for both, 6 or so extractor springs (springco and BCM), several sets of standard gas rings and a couple of McFarland one piece rings.
I have one spare 5.56 bolt and one spare 6.5 Grendel bolt, plus several complete BCG’s which are earmarked for future builds.
Buffer spring - one each for rifle and carbine. You can replace buffer springs by measurement: under 12 inches for rifle, under 10 for carbine; by cycles - generally around 5,000 to 6,000 rounds; or when you start having problems.
Hammer and trigger springs - when there are problems.
Extractors - replace when it doesn’t pass visual inspection, or if troubleshooting indicates it is needed.
Extractor springs: when indicated by FTE’s or other issues.
Gas rings: when they don’t pass this test: with cam pin removed, turn carrier so the bolt is pointed down. If the weight of bolt causes it to drop out the bolt carrier you need to replace the gas rings.
Regularly function test your rifle and replace any parts of FCG as needed.
I try not to work on firearms at the range, it is not optimal and you run the chance of losing parts - I on the other hand, always lose parts. I bring two rifles.
If you are thinking duty/HD rather than range use you may want to use a PM schedule that will have you discarding parts with life still in them to be sure of function when needed. I stole this from someplace:
2,500 round interval,
- Inspect and replace as necessary extractor spring, insert and O-ring
5,000 round interval
- Replace extractor spring
- Replace extractor insert
- Replace Crane O’ring (new springs may not need this)
- Replace gas rings
- Replace buffer spring
- Replace trigger and hammer springs
10,000 round interval
- Replace bolt
When I was armoring on LE weapons I tried to get agencies to do a complete spring replacement every three years - crazy talk.
Does BCM supply parts to the government? I thought only Colt and FN did?
It’s a little bit more complicated than that.
Colt and FN sell complete rifles.
Many companies have contracts to sell specific parts for repair. Some you would know of, some you might not.
And some of those companies might also be suppliers to Colt/FN. Or Colt/FN may choose to make that part in house.
Then there is special block stuff where companies like LMT play a big role.
To put it in perspective, LMT has had over 158 federal contracts since 2007, nearly all DOD. $15m rough value. Some of that is M203, but most of the rest is M4 related parts. DLA and the Army were big chunks.
Toolcraft is another supplier. Apparently one part, $5m in contracts. Several other parts for other weapon systems.
Just examples of companies selling true “mil-spec” to the military. There are many more, just not who you would think.
Also, a company may win a contract once, then lose it the next time. Or may be a subcontractor to another company.
Action springs. They’re cheap and are a wear item.
US Military, no I do not think so. Federal Govt? Yes. We have won bids for the Border Patrol, etc.
C4
LMT and most likely KAC.
C4
Any chance of your LPK coming back? Wish I had bought multiples at the time.
When the BCM and Colt LPK’s came out, we stopped doing ours (no need).
C4
Always nice to have another option but makes sense. I’m just being greedy [emoji5] Of all the parts kits I have used, I always felt like yours was of the highest quality (LMT iirc?). This is a direct comparison to Colt, Daniel Defense and ALG.
That would be a cool idea. Except Colt doesn’t even make the components in their LPK’s at all.