The AR-15: Springs and Pins Items Index.
I was a platoon and company grade armorer for 4 years. Your AR’s need new springs from time to time. These are cheap fixes. And you should have spares; When was the last time you replaced these parts? Too ease your mind, your trigger springs don’t go bad in my experience. I only saw two gas keys on the bolt carrier group go bad. Never saw a proper MPI bolt break.
Own a couple carbines? Remove the buffer springs and let me know if they are the same length… Bet you money they are not…
Let’s begin…
For Buffer Springs. https://sprinco.com/ar-buffer.html
These Buffer Springs are constructed from the same high-grade material used in NASCAR racing engine valve springs, which experience over 1 million compression cycles in a single race. Proprietary post-winding treatments result in superior performance.
FOLLOW COLOR CODE DIRECTIONS. DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL. YOU AREN’T AN ENGINEER… THEY ALREADY TESTED ALL OF THIS!
Rebuilding your Bolt…
The following is in case you loose anything, or wear out: your extractor, extractor spring, the retainer pin, or burn up your inserts. You, and your buddies, need spares ON your rifle kits. When was the last time you replaced these parts? Do you use steel case ammo? Do you have any spares that aren’t already on complete firing rifles?
Extractor: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractors/ar-15-extractor-only-prod140750.aspx?avs%7cMake_3=AR-15
Enhanced Extractor Spring: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractor-springs/heavy-duty-extractor-spring-sku100004041-26996-52810.aspx
Extractor Spring Insert: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractor-hardware/ar-15-extractor-spring-insert-prod140753.aspx?avs%7cMake_3=AR-15
Extractor Spring O-rings: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractor-hardware/ar-15-extractor-spring-o-ring-sku100040955-140752-250106.aspx
Extractor Retainer Pin: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractor-hardware/ar-15-extractor-pin-sku100040958-140755-250109.aspx
Bravo Company Complete Combo Kit: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/extractor-parts/extractors/ar-15-sopmod-bolt-upgrade-rebuild-kit-prod133592.aspx?avs%7cMake_3=AR-15
The Firing Pin and Firing Pin Retainer Pin gets lost in the field very easily…
Firing Pin Retainer Pin: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/firing-pin-parts/firing-pin-retainers/ar15a4-firing-pin-retaining-pin-sku160304001-4827-10805.aspx
Firing Pin: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/firing-pin-parts/firing-pins/ar15a4-firing-pin-prod4828.aspx?avs%7cMake_3=AR-15
Wild Springs Go BOING! into the woodline…
Own Four Rifles? Buy Four Kits…
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23 Comments
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5
JP is on fire, give the man a raise,
my buddy jokes that i cannot have any spare parts as have a habit of building an extra rifle around an extra spring or pin!
I had the same problem a few years ago. I have enough spare parts laying around to make a Syrian Shop Special
The very first flat-top AR I ever saw (circa early 80s) was made in a unit armory from “spare parts” and “surveyed” items. With just a privately purchased lower, everything else was from “extra stuff.” The A-1 carrying handle was ground off, and a curved rail was very carefully drilled, tapped and epoxied on top in its place. It had about a 4X scope mounted. Prior to that early DIY flat top, scopes were mounted on top of carrying handles, which everybody knew was a bad solution. This conversion and build was all done “after hours” (ahem) in the armory and went home with the gentleman who purchased the lower and did the carrying handle surgery and scope mounting. A lot of “spare parts” turned into guns that way.
That’s awesome. In my day everything was highly regulated. Including the expendable parts, like batteries.
I swear that’s a “thing” guys …. you stock up on little parts and all on their own they magically turn into a complete rifle !!
That phenomena must be hidden away in the back of the manual somewhere with a little tiny warning note.
The Springco buffer springs are something you just can’t go wrong with so excellent suggestion there. I did the cool guy thing for a bit with the Giesele Super 42. It’s solid gear but it didn’t thill me, didn’t offer any improvement I couldn’t do for a lot cheaper so I ditched those.
One buffer spring I’ve had a lot of luck with is the Strike Industries flat-wire spring. Might be a little re-inventing the wheel but it works really well to help fine tune gas system in my experience. I’d also recommend having a few tungsten buffer weights lying around for new projects. I’m not a fan of adjustable gas blocks on fighting carbines for longer term reliability and just keeping it simple. Tungsten weights won’t wear out or anything but are the ticket for tuning gas system with the appropriate spring selection.
Parts parts parts people. Get em while you can. The logistics of the AR platform are part of what make it such an awesome platform.
Thanks for the great little article JP. Placing another order for odds and ends today after this reminder.
I think it is important to add that bills such as HR 127 want to regulate online purchases of ammo and parts. so let that sink in. even today there are shortages on parts and accessories. so those sneaky bastards are on to the repair and DIY aspect of guns.
so as you said, “Get um while you can”
Thanks Brother. Don’t forget to get a spare set for the “Commando Kids” with the $300 a week paycheck. Those dudes are on the struggle bus and don’t have the same discipline (Yet) as a Technical Certified Union Mechanic or Army Veteran.
Amen. One is none. And it’s just as easy to buy 5 springs etc. as one spare for yourself.
Your future battle buddy will probably have no spares at all.
… and love the slinky eye glasses pic. That’s hilarious. Gotta keep it fun !
I remember the day(as does Pepperidge Farms)when a flying detent would evoke anger/perhaps even rage as you crawled around on a floor looking for it?!Well,no more,thanks to so many spare parts that if a detent went flying would just evoke a few giggles as you let it know it can hang in the dust till the vacuum finds it and leads it towards the trash! Helps also that tricks picked up over the years keep this from happening,yep,spares and spares of everything nice to have and at moment still available at reasonable cost.
I have a habit of picking up old lighters left on the ground by slobs,take em apart as usually a lot of good flint left in them for me Zippo.I recently had a thought that the flint springs are very close to take down/pivot springs,just a thought in tough times.
In keeping with the vein of the goofy glasses this is a entertaining video,we need to remember to laugh: https://www.captainsjournal.com/2021/02/21/gods-gun-versus-your-mamas-tupperware/
Moved several months ago, gun room & everything in it. new place have four times the room in a dedicated space. still complete chaos, lol every day it gets a little better, reloading bench is good to go. now need to get the repair/maintenance bench set up.
next move will be into the redoubt. will have to “right size” never downsize.
4.5
The Good Lord has blessed me with plenty, and I’ve used it to good effect by getting the prepping bug a few years ago, and laying in a supply of parts, especially the little ones and of course, springs. I’ve done cannibal on junk guns, as the parts are often better than the whole. Plano compartments and silicone bags are your friend. Although I don’t have rust problems. Proper maintenance is the way to prolong your guns, and a little grease and oil is always better than a stoppage. Spare magazines and parts for them is good too. Don’t look over at your safe and say to yourself they’re fine. LOOK AT THEM IN YOUR HANDS. Get to wherever there are spare parts and get some.
Yes! Take care of your things. They will last a lifetime if you take care of them.
PS, Thanks!!!!
Speaking of small parts, anyone here have one or a clue where I can find the C-clip for the A1 dustcover detent? A2 cover is different. I was getting ready to parkerize the dustcover and figured I’d remove the spring/detent to prevent rust later, next thing the c-clip went orbital. Tore the shop apart, that c-clip is the smallest part on an AR.
TIA
I got a box of them at my local Rural King. Don’t remember the size but they are tiny. Package of 25 maybe. Lost 2 or 3 before I got one to hold.
Thanks,don’t know what Rural King is but I’ve tried our NAPA Auto ports already, hoping they would have some small carb kit clips, no luck. Can’t find any of the gun supply houses that carry them either. Hate to buy another dust cover for $20, when this one is still sorta good.
I’ll keep looking.
It’s like a Tractor Supply or Murdoch’s.
I have bought packs of ten or so of those C clips before off of ebay, I don’t remember what they cost, but the postage for the envelope was about the same as the c clips. I don’t think it was over $5 total.
I’ve had the best luck not losing them using a dental pick and a pair of small needle nose pliers when removing and installing them.
JP
Another outstanding article! Nearly every time I read your articles I spend a few C notes, and it’s a good thing too.
Brownells restocked a many items as my list grew over several days. Keep writing, I’m loving it!!!
Wait till you see what I have coming out in a couple days.