Comments on: TECH TIP: Take-Down Procedure for AR Bolt Assembly

By: Byron davis

Byron davis — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:33:17 +0000

anpther expert calling an AR-15 a direct impingment,it is a gas piston operated system the piston just happens to be in the carrier and is combinded with the bolt,just take the piston rings off and see if it still works.for a direct impingment system look up a swedeish lungeman.

By: Daniel E. Watters

Daniel E. Watters — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:03:36 +0000

One thing to release is that there are two different extractor springs using the black insert. The so-called “gold” extractor spring (NSN 1005-01-505-2886) is the current standard for the M16 rifles and M4 carbines procured for the US military. It was adopted for the M4-series back around 2003, and for the M16-series around 2008. The uncolored extractor springs with the black insert (1005-01-424-5899) were still allowed to be used with the M16, but were ultimately to be replaced with the “gold” extractor spring.

By: Timothy

Timothy — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:54:42 +0000

I got a lothar walther barrel from gun broker real cheap a few years ago. I cut my gas block pin slots with a needle file by hand in my apt and when one of the slots was loose I used a coke can shim. That 16″ barrel shoots 1 inch groups with me shooting it prone from a harris with 55 grain FMJ from hornady using my aimpoint red dot sight. I have never cleaned it and shoot it suppressed all the time now that my can was approved. If a gun is throwing pieces of brass into the receiver areas something is wrong with your rifle. AR runs fine with no cleaning. My match upper in 6.5Grendel gets no cleaning as well and I have never had problems with that except for when I run it unsuppressed as the gas system is tuned for the extra pressure.

By: Markm

Markm — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:36:15 +0000

The big upside to cleaning is the visual inspection of the bolt group. I’m a clean freak on my defensive guns. But I’ve seen several guns that go thousands of rounds without cleaning. Foreign debris (dirt/sand) is more of a concern than the carbon.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:30:05 +0000

You mean you have to clean your rifle, what a novel concept.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:40:46 +0000

I agree with most of this, but also have several “match” AR’s that shoot .2’s and .3’s all day long (consistent accuracy) and they have GI uppers, (the ones you call flimsy. Also I’d like to see your injection spots from Testosterone, because you would have to be a monster to flex a (Daniel Defense, RRA, Colt, BCM, etc) with your bare hands. Also a very important factor not mentioned is “neck tension” for accuracy, and I’d highly put it more important that “upper to lower” fit, as well as two tiny set screws putting too much pressure on a .936″ brrl. My best shooting AR has this type of gas block. Military use? Yea F marked FSB pinned or other gas block pinned. If a set screw is putting too much pressure then a clamp on just might “strangle” your barrel. Been to Benning many times, and Perry, and won, along with several egg shoots with a set screw gas block.

By: Ed Heaton

Ed Heaton — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:46:20 +0000

Every heard of EAG Tacticals Filthy 14? 40k rounds with minimal maintenance and lots of lube. This level of cleanliness is hardly required on an AR-15 pattern rifle….unless you like to clean.

EDITOR: There are different philosophies when it comes to shooting ARs. I have a Cerakoted carbine that goes long stretches without cleaning. However, I have personally seen MANY ARs that malfunctioned because of a tiny sliver of brass or other debris (combined with sticky lube residue), in the ejector or extractor spring recesses. If you are shooting an AR spacegun in a match (as did High Power Champion Carl Bernosky), you are “playing with fire” if you fail to keep the critical areas of your AR clean. Carbon build-up inside the bolt carrier assembly is another common failure cause.

By: Eric Kennard

Eric Kennard — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:20:11 +0000

If are not using Slip 2000 Carbon killer to clean your AR type rifle, you are really missing out. I dont’ know what is in this cleaner but it really works and it is not toxic. I usually just dunk my disassemled bolt into the cleaner and come back in 30 mintes and clean it off with a tooth brush. THIS IS THE NUTS!!

By: Roger D Unruh

Roger D Unruh — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:34:05 +0000

Brownells.com has a nifty tool that’s useful for this process, especially for us older folks [those tiny springs are really hard to locate on the shop floor].