Spare parts recommendation

[Stud Duck]

What type of spare parts kit should I be building to keep a Bushy M4 up and running. Please prioritize your list.

[MrMurphy]

Bolt (not the whole bolt carrier group, although you could get another).

Firing pins, cotter pins and the other little one on the left side of the bolt group that you turn.


Buffer and spring, unlikely to wear out but hey why not.


Assuming you knew how to replace it, a trigger group wouldn't be a bad idea, though it's unlikely to ever break.

[RMTactical]

Extractor spring insert, Extractor spring, Cam pin, Trigger Spring, Firing pin, 2 Firing pin retaining pins, Safety detent, Extractor pin, Detent Spring, 3 Gas Rings, Disconnector, Hammer Spring. These should go wherever your rifle goes.

You can buy field repair kits for about $30.

Best spare is an extra rifle, of course. ;)

[Minuteman]

In addition to what gorelicks listed, I also keep a spare charging handle & a spare grip.

:patriot:

[MrMurphy]

All those springs and parts only help if you know how to change them out.


I have an armorer for that myself but getting a technical manual would be wise in your case Stud duck.

[Stud Duck]

I've got one.

I sat down with it last night, field stripped & cleaned it. It was amazing how much I retained from the military. I'd have no problems servicing the rifle,(simple repairs) just couldn't recall what would break on them though. I guess it was like you said, if something went wrong, you took it to the armorer and signed out another weapon.

[MrMurphy]

In my case, they take it, fix it, and give it back.

We don't have a whole lot of "spares" around, they'er all spoken for.

At most, I'd get an M16 till my M4 was fixed.

[doktarZues]

I've personally seen an extractor spring/insert and trigger spring 'wear out' to the point the weapon was inoperable. All of the springs are prone to wear and eventually need replacement, I can't intelligently give you an estimate of when, so I won't.

I've also seen a barrel in an age/round count unknown but obviously old M16A2 that couldn't zero. The armorer held on to it for months trying to figure out what was wrong with it, and eventually determined (apparently with the help of a bore scope) that the barrel was simply worn out to the point the rifling was warped.

I've /heard/ of extractors becoming worn and needing replaced in is little as 3000 rounds, though I've never seen a faulty extractor.

I ordered a spring and pin replacement kit from CTD a couple years back when I got my first AR, and later found the exact same kits (and better ones) at the local gunshow for cheaper. -dok

[Stud Duck]

Originally posted by MrMurphy
All those springs and parts only help if you know how to change them out.


I have an armorer for that myself but getting a technical manual would be wise in your case Stud duck.

I lied, unintentionally though. After a quick glance, what I've got isn't a technical manual, could you recommend one?

[c4igrant]

BM is NOTORIOUS for broken bolts. Get a quality MP tested bolt (like the ones CMT makes) and that will cover you. Spare cam pin, retaining pin and firing pin is nice, but if one of these breaks, you most likely have a bigger issue and would just change out the bolt anyway.
Generally speaking, one of two things happens with cheap bolts. They are crack at camp pin hole or the lugs get sheered off.

When I go to classes, I bring spare parts, but generally just bring another weapon as I don't want to be screwing with gear and holding up the class.



C4

[JWP]

spare ammo too

mag springs/followers
gas tube
roll pins
some tools

[Stud Duck]

I still need a good tech manual, can anyone recommend one?

[Skintop911]

Originally posted by Stud Duck
I still need a good tech manual, can anyone recommend one?

Downloads (http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/)