Setting Up AR For A Training Course

Stevo said:
Spare bolt is a good idea, but you don't really need a spare carrier.

In all honesty, I've never seen parts break at a class. I've seen plenty of rifles have issues related to mags, ammo and such, but no breakage. Show up with a good rifle in good repair, with basic spare parts, and you should be fine.

If you really want to get through a class with zero drama, bring a VZ.
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John Beltran class: Yikes! Not mine but a buddies, good thing another member took the bolt from his spare gun and loaned it out otherwise he would've been Fracked.
TcSynCourse012.jpg
 
Oh yeah............

FINALLY got my order placed with One Shot Tactical.

3 slings. 3 push button detach thingies. Only one Rolly Polly dump pouch as they didn't have a second one in khaki large. Cadex Stubby front pistol grip. And a Cadex Sling mount (small) for my M&P 22 rifle.

Figure I would rig all 3 AR style rifles.
 
themikea said:
Damn, that's one busted bolt!
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This would be the catastrophic failure I mentioned in the post above. Thank you Sparrow, a picture is worth a thousand words. Don't be that guy, like I was. Spares are necessary...

Specs on the AR:
14.5" Armalite
SA Bolt+Carrier
Less than 6000rds.

After some research I found out that carbine lenght gas systems are MUCH harder on the hardware.
 
Keep in mind the bolt life span as per the Mil Performance Spec is 5k rounds - from a rifle.
Crane uses 3,500 rds for bolt life on a Mk18 (with 50% Suppressed as a general baseline).
 
sparrow said:
John Beltran class: Yikes! Not mine but a buddies, good thing another member took the bolt from his spare gun and loaned it out otherwise he would've been Fracked.
TcSynCourse012.jpg
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I have had that happen to me three times first time was running no lube, and the other two times around the 8/10k round mark
 
Keep in mind the USGI Performance Spec is for rifle expected to be used auto a degree of times.

Also given the difference in bolt materials used by various manufacturers, one cannot never be too sure, unless is is a factory complete gun from someone like Colt etc.
 
I've used Magpul MIAD ones for the last few years, no problems. Got a couple of BCM ones recently to try out. One of the two is a bit straighter and feels a bit better for shooting in the standing position.
 
Magpul MOE with a bolt storage core. Carries a spare bolt, firing pin, extractor and other small parts. See above photos if you are wondering if a spare bolt is necessary.
 
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Pro Tips: Being Ready for a Training Class

from: Modern Service Weapons (Written by Hilton Yam of 10-8)

I had the pleasure of getting away this past weekend to attend the Viking Tactics Street Fighter course, which we’ll be discussing at length in my upcoming posts. I wanted to start out with a few thoughts not specific to the course, but rather relevant to attending training classes in general.

Have your gear squared away. Don’t show up to the class with a new gun, new holster, new anything that you have not wrung out on your own in practice. Sure, the class is a great format to put your gear to the test, but if untested gear fails you, you lose training time. Keep in mind that you have spent a ton of money on tuition, travel, lodging, and ammunition, and wasted time equals wasted money.

If you are attending a carbine course, sight in your rifle with the ammunition you are using in class. The first hour or more of any carbine class is inevitably used for sight in, and it is better to be chasing 3-4 clicks of fine tuning than sweating to get on paper at 50m. The Street Fighter course required students to have attended the comprehensive 3 day Carbine 1.5, yet 2 of 24 students came with guns that didn’t print near the target at 50m and required the other 22 students to stand and wait while those two guns got unscrewed. Unacceptable.

Know your physical capabilities. You don’t need to be the star of your Crossfit gym to take a class, but many carbine classes teach position shooting which can become quite physical. If you can’t get in and out of positions, it can slow the progress of your learning and just make you miserable. With that in mind, consider bringing elbow and knee pads to help mitigate joint pain issues.

Shooting around cars is pretty hazardous, and everyone in class ended up finding little sharp edges and broken glass bits by the end of the class. I planned ahead and brought long sleeve shirts, knee pads, and gloves. Bringing your own first aid kit is a good idea too. The host facility should (hopefully) have a trauma kit for serious injuries as well as a first aid kit for smaller boo boos, but it is nice to have your own stuff too. My personal kit was lacking a few items I wanted, and I will be adding to it before I head out to the next class.

On day one of our class it was 90 degrees and sunny, like it is most of the year in Florida. Proper hydration is obviously key for survival, but lots of folks were under hydrated during longer evolutions, and one fellow fell out shortly after lunch. A Camelbak hydration system is a great asset, and I was one of only two students wearing one at the class. Not having to run back for water let me get a few more runs in while others ran to their coolers. Lacking a Camelbak, consider just stuffing a bottle of water into a cargo pocket or dump pouch.

Stay tuned for more thoughts on training and the AAR on the course.
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Hope this helps.
 
Thanx guys.

As an FYI, I ran my Norinco 10.5" on the first day of carbine with open sites. Had one double feed and that was it.

On the second day I ran my NEA 10.5" with Aimpoint Pro. Had one failure to feed as I didn't have the Pmag completely seated. no other issues what so ever. Round count was unknown for both days as I was using a Federal bulk box where the ammo was loose in a plastic bag.
 
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