What do YOU think is the weakest part of the AR15 system? Poll to follow, write it in if you don’t see it on the poll. Consider wildcat cartridges too.
What do you think breaks more than any other part? multiple choices
Sorry, missed the carrier key screws.
Where’s the receiver extension threads? I have disliked that part of the design for a while.
By “weakest part”, do you mean the part most likely to physically break,
Or the conceptual “weakest link” of the system that needs improvement the most?
The bolt and extension pair must be considered together.
Any significant change to the bolt lug profile requires corresponding changes in the extension cuts.
What has history shown us? Anyone can think what ever they want. What do we KNOW that breaks?
I’ve never heard of a barrel extension breaking. I have seen bolts, extractors and springs break.
Mags are generally just a pain in the ass.
I chose extractor because everyone has multiple mags and bad mags are easier to diagnose.
Just SWAGing here but given the design and the stress the bolt lugs see, and the fatigue issues that presents, I’d say the bolt…
Man… I can’t really cast a vote for any of those. I suppose the argument has been made that mags are the weakest part of the equation, but I haven’t had a bad mag in so long, I can’t even vote for that.
I’d say shitty aftermarket parts are the weakest link. I’ve had junk parts fail, but that doesn’t translate into a broad conclusion.
I think the weakest part of the AR is simple…at LEAST 98% of ARs in private hands all have the same issue…
The owner.
Don’t believe me go check out TOS
I’m old…TOS?
TOS, I believe means the other site. I voted bolt, but extractor and action springs should be up there.
But really, I would say gas port size…too big parts wear quickly, too small doesn’t eject, or push the carrier back enough to feed a new round, turning your Semi auto into a bolt action
It isn’t on the list, but maybe failure to lube properly or enough, should be.
Bolt lug profile/receiver extension profile, extractor hinge pin position, and cam pin thickness/bolt body thickness. Basically all the stuff KAC addressed.
Additionally, the actual length that the reciprocating masses have available to move rearward in the gun. If the gas key were able to be reworked/repositioned/redesigned such that the bolt carrier would have a longer length available to it during the recoil stroke without substantially increasing weapon length. Possibly shortening overall carrier length but using screw-in tungsten weights like on golf drivers so that mass remained equal.
The more energy that can be absorbed by a linear action spring, the lower the cyclic rate and the more controllable the gun will be.
Meaning arfcom I assume.
Charging handle. It is something that can be bent by user error in the field (Mongo) and if it does you’re done.
It’s also awkward in some manipulations.
I agree with others about the charging handle being awkward, and not soldier proof.
I voted on the bolt, based on second hand experience with bolts breaking ~10,000 rounds. Seems like there’s room for improvement in that area.
I voted for the bolt, because in my limited experience it’s the part that needs the most attention and maintenance (rings, extractor, pitting, carbon fouling, etc.).
I’m with JulyAZ… The trigger nut is a problem.
Manufactures and ignorant shooters. Design is fine, and we have recently seen that a good ar with proper lube runs forever.
Use wrong matls, wrong manufacturing methods, or run it dry, forget the whole thing.
That said, I’ll vote CH. It’s the only think that can break/bend easily. Gunfighter or similar is a must imo.