AR Repair Kit/Spare Parts List

MCA · Dec 28, 2012

What should I be looking for in regards to a "spare parts" or repair kit list for my Daniel Defense M4? Being this will be my first AR I wanted to be ready for any failures that may occur sooner or later. What is the most common equipment failure on this platform and what should I have ready to fix it? What do you guys have in your spare parts box? I couldn't find a thread regarding this. If there is one please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for your experiences and replies! I hope the question is not too general in nature.

Cheers...

kg4kpg · Dec 28, 2012

Something I've wanted but haven't gotten yet is the AR Critical Tool Kit from Brownells. The link has the details.

Chris

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...s/ar-15-m16-critical-tools-kit-prod41214.aspx

MCA · Dec 28, 2012

Thank for the link kg4kpg. Looks like a good start. Of course it is out of stock like everything else at the moment!

Thanks again....

11B3XCIB · Dec 28, 2012

Get the PSA Amorer's tool. It has the barrel nut wrench and a castle nut wrench.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.ph ... -tool.html

You can get the polymer blocks separately but that other tool can't take the castle nut off.

Tigerstripe · Dec 28, 2012

spare parts i have needed since ive shot somewhere around 5000 rds in my machine gun,

well i didnt but Andy broke a disconnector, so im waiting for that to happen

my gass tube broke so that and a pin

going to get a spare bolt

11B3XCIB · Dec 28, 2012

I got a spare BCG then decided to build an entire back up rifle around it. It's got about all the spare parts I'll need.

MCA · Dec 28, 2012

Thanks 11B and Tigerstripe! I appreciate the help and your time.

Cheers...

AND something AR related that is in stock and not 3-4x retail. Sold....thanks again 11B.

11B3XCIB · Dec 29, 2012

I've got the PSA tool and I think you'll like it. I've used every part of it: the barrel nut wrench, the torque wrench 1/2" slot, the flash hider wrench, the castle nut wrench AND even the little holes for tapping out roll pins while supporting the trigger well ears. It's a great tool.

I'm making this list based on the assumption you may have to be self sufficient on these parts in the future:
But for parts....bolt carriers themselves rarely fail but it has happened. But if you're buying all the other parts, you might as well get a complete BCG AND a spare charging handle. A spare lower parts and upper parts kit won't hurt....all the little pins and springs... can't go wrong there. If you have a rail, get some rail covers + some extras; they can break or get lost. A spare gas tube + pin...they can get clogged or overheat and break.

See the reason I just went ahead and built a spare rifle? If you have one spare part, why not have a full compliment?

Clicker · Dec 29, 2012

My list of shame/broken/worn out parts:
Hammer & trigger pins
Hammer
Hammer spring
Firing pins - both standard AR and 22LR conversion kit FP's
Gas rings
9mm extractor, Olympic pattern
Enidine hydraulic buffer
Buffer springs
Buffer tubes

11B3XCIB · Dec 29, 2012

Got a MidwayUSA catalog in the mail; they have an AR repair kit for $35 that includes every spring and pin on the rifle, including a firing pin, new extractor, gas rings, takedown pins, disconnector, the works. This would be a worthwhile purchase.

Dave29461 · Dec 29, 2012

Clicker I understand everything except the buffer tube. What happened that made replacement necessary? Thanks in advance, Dave

Dave29461 · Dec 29, 2012

11B3XCIB said:
Got a MidwayUSA catalog in the mail; they have an AR repair kit for $35 that includes every spring and pin on the rifle, including a firing pin, new extractor, gas rings, takedown pins, disconnector, the works. This would be a worthwhile purchase.

This kit has saved me a lot of lost time. Every owner should one or two. But extra detent springs and detents for when you lose one while changing out hand grips or butt stock systems IMHO.

Clicker · Dec 29, 2012

Dave29461 said:
Clicker I understand everything except the buffer tube. What happened that made replacement necessary? Thanks in advance, Dave

I believe it was the result of carrier tilt when shooting a suppressed gas piston upper equipped combined with several Beta mag dumps. The Enidine buffer and a hammer pin fell victim to that same fun filled day also.

I now have a POF anti-tilt buffer tube, Vltor stock with a new Enidine CAR buffer on that lower but have yet to test it out.

MCA · Dec 29, 2012

11B3XCIB said:
Got a MidwayUSA catalog in the mail; they have an AR repair kit for $35 that includes every spring and pin on the rifle, including a firing pin, new extractor, gas rings, takedown pins, disconnector, the works. This would be a worthwhile purchase.

Excellent! Thanks 11B and everyone else that has replied. You guys are a big help for a newbie and a great source of information.

Cheers...

Dave29461 · Dec 29, 2012

Clicker said:
Dave29461 said:

Clicker I understand everything except the buffer tube. What happened that made replacement necessary? Thanks in advance, Dave

Click to expand...

I believe it was the result of carrier tilt when shooting a suppressed gas piston upper equipped combined with several Beta mag dumps. The Enidine buffer and a hammer pin fell victim to that same fun filled day also.

I now have a POF anti-tilt buffer tube, Vltor stock with a new Enidine CAR buffer on that lower but have yet to test it out.

I don't mean to high jack a thread but this is information that might be moved to another thread about malfunctions and solutions.

rotarymike · Jan 8, 2013

11B3XCIB said:
...AND even the little holes for tapping out roll pins while supporting the trigger well ears.

So THAT's what those holes are for.

Wanted to add that generic AR wrenches like the PSA one have pins on the barrel-nut end that can work for freefloat special barrel nuts (At least the Hogue ones). Had to scrape the powdercoating off the pins to get it to fit, but otherwise works a jiff.

+1 on midways' kit.

I think the most broken parts I saw on A2's in the USAF were broken firing pins, extractors, bolt cam pins, gas tubes, and the associated pins/springs. I would also add a front sight pin to the mix.

I wonder if they will ban sale of parts for the ARs too... as in, lower parts kits and/or uppers.

11B3XCIB · Jan 10, 2013

I would like one of those spare parts kits; although I could assemble one myself if I just bought the individual pieces...but due to the recent craziness, even those parts are gone around here. Not sure if people are just hoarding components or are trying to actually assemble a rifle from them. I could use 1 midlength and 1 carbine length gas tube and then 1 of those kits (plus an extra extractor & spring).

Tigerstripe · Jan 11, 2013

last Saturday PSA had gass tubes. $11.99

armaborealis · Jan 13, 2013

11B3XCIB said:
Got a MidwayUSA catalog in the mail; they have an AR repair kit for $35 that includes every spring and pin on the rifle, including a firing pin, new extractor, gas rings, takedown pins, disconnector, the works. This would be a worthwhile purchase.

+1

Spare BCG would be nice too but that is pricier.

Tons of magazines. Mags are probably the #1 component prone to failure. A few mag repair kits with springs and followers might not be a bad idea as well if you are short on mags themselves.

11B3XCIB · Jan 19, 2013

I've got...tons of mags.

Here's an armorer's tool and upper/lower vise blocks from PSA for $70:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.ph ... tarak.html

When I need to mount my lower in my vise, I use a crummy old magazine to clamp in the vise and then put the mag in the rifle. Holds just fine. I would like to have one of the upper receiver vise blocks...good for installing a barrel or something.