New to ARs.. spare parts?

[2tall2]

Picked up my first AR, a S&W M&P15 Sport 2, so lots of questions have come to mind.
One being, are there some spare parts one should have on hand, or look to getting?
Is there anything in particular that is prone to wearing or breaking?
Firing pin? Any of the bolt components? Springs?

Are parts a concern to others if a ban in announced? If so, what's at the top of the list to stock up on?

 

[Ratzilla]

You will need to replace the Buffer tube spring if it gets worn and the length becomes of spec.

Can't think of anything else...

 

[STEELCITYSLICKER]

Springs and detents, firing pin, gas rings, extractor, firing pin retaining pin......

They are resliant firearms but if they break down, those would be my guesses as to what would go first.

 

[King0265]

I'd buy a lower spare parts kit in case you loose little pieces while working on or cleaning them.

 

[FoxAlpha]

The key question is how many rounds do you intend to put through it in a year.
If your answer is anything less than 1000 per year, the likelihood you’ll wear out any of the common pieces is slim.

If it’s over, just buy a spare lower parts kit, a buffer spring, gas rings, perhaps a spare bolt and firing pin.

Or just wait for the itch, and buy a spare rifle. That includes all the spare parts.

 

[snipersyn]

They are resliant firearms but if they break down, those would be my guesses as to what would go first.

Agreed. You would need to shoot thousands of rounds to start wearing it down.

There many "critical parts kits" you can obtain from various retailers here on CGN. Most of which contain springs and detents of their respective use.

 

[Ebola]

Your not going to have the ability to shoot it enough to wear it down to need spare parts for it once we get hammered by the upcoming Liberal OIC. Save yourself the coin.

 

[Dsiwy]

Not sure why you guys are replacing buffer springs so much lol, I have seen a hand full of worn out buffer springs in my 18yr career as a wpn's tech. Yes these were high tempo guns and not dusty parade rifles .

Gas rings, firing pin and maybe a spare extractor with spring. Spare bolt might be a good idea for high round count carbines.

Here is a list of greatest to least broken parts I've seen from wear or abuse;

-gas rings worn
-firing pin worn
-extractor chipped
-bolt lugs broken
-cocking handle pin broken
-front sight post bent
-buffer mushroomed
-loose gas key
-firing pin retaining pin bent
-ejection port spring broken
-buffer tube stripped threads
-trigger/hammer pin broken
-take down pins chipped from idiots hitting them with multi-tools

 

[r34skyline]

Ar parts are readily available. I wouldn't stress spare parts. Firing pin and a complete bolt should cover the quickest wearing bits. As for the main spring it will be 10s of thousands of cycles before that spring drops below its minimum length. If you read my range report my 11.5 after a little over 5000 rounds is still well within the limits.

 

[dacron]

I have an aftermarket sprinco spring that's rated for 1.5 million cycles. If my factory spring lasts 5% of that, it's still a lifetime part.

 

[Dietz]

Your not going to have the ability to shoot it enough to wear it down to need spare parts for it once we get hammered by the upcoming Liberal OIC. Save yourself the coin.

 

[PSE]

Don't forget to buy some extra good quality spare mags.

These can take a beating (especially if you're planning to get involved later in some kind of competitive shooting)
Beat up mags can be the key factor and the usual suspect in many kinds of AR malfunctions.

Not quite in the same category as spare parts per se but later on getting a good quality trigger group can improve your AR shooting like no other part available.