What do you consider have to have spare parts for AR?

[dieselrealtor]

Assuming that you want to be able to repair what is most likely to go wrong in 10-20k rounds.
I have an extra BCG but putting together a repair kit with plenty of the (low cost) repair parts that are most likely to fail.

 

[bcannon]

Some lpks, complete bolts, and firing pins. Not much else can slow the function down. Maybe some extra roll pins Not much can go wrong with a carrier so complete bcgs would be a personal preference imho.

 

[cosermann]

A lot of people don't think of them as spare parts, but - magazines.

A couple other resources and a thread:

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/12/20/must-have-spare-parts-for-your-ar-15/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne6qsa9bXHs
https://www.ar15.com/forums/outdoors/Spare_parts_kit_for_an_AR/17-657479/

 

[J Galt]

Like you mentioned, bolt (and firing pin); not a part, but a bottle of lube as well.

Lube for the weapon, not personal use for those of you with your minds in the gutter.

 

[Principal Skinr]

Wouldn't an extra complete rifle give you all the spares you need? That's my thought process, anyway.

I do have a spare bolt/firing pin in the handle of one rifle but also have a spare complete BCG. That's quick and easy to pop in.

 

[indysims]

-Bolt Repair Kit: (Firing Pin, Firing Pin Retaining Pin, Gas Rings, Extractor, Ejector, Extractor Spring & O-Ring) https://tinyurl.com/ybg9uwvv
-Cam Pin
-Complete Bolt

I've heard of the Buffer Retainer breaking often, haven't seen one break, but seems like cheap insurance.

 

[MCgrease08]

You will almost certainly need to replace the barrel before you get close to that 15-20k round count.

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

You will almost certainly need to replace the barrel before you get close to that 15-20k round count.

That was my first thought when I read '15-20k'... YMMV

 

[Squirt239]

Springs. Most definitely springs.

Firing pin, extractor, and springs.

Did I mention springs?

 

[JeepHammer]

The Great Abyss', it's stomach is always growling...

The obvious,
You can't 'Fix' anything you can't take apart/reassemble...
Drop in parts are one thing, having to drive roll pins in/out takes a hammer & punch, for example.

The extractor is designed to be changed in the field, the firing pin nose will push the extractor pin out enough you can remove/replace it, the ejector plunger & spring are not.
The nose of a bullet or firing pin is often that's at hand...

Generally, 'Spare Parts' are anything that comes off during field stripping and gets lost...
You aren't likely to lose the bolt/carrier, but proper cleaning requires removal of extractor and it's little retaining pin, and those do go into hiding quite often...

Firing pins do bend, I owe my life to a bent firing pin in enemy hands.

People show up here looking for optics/sight screws, lost or broken, quite often.
End caps for lasers, lights, stock & hand grip cubby holes, optics caps, etc. are quite popular with 'The Great Abyss'...

I see guys carrying extra fire control group (trigger/hammer/springs) and I can't remember ever losing any of those, but I guess anything is possible...

One thing I can recommend for a cleaning kit,
A small, strong magnet. The best way to keep little pins/springs from crawling off in the first place.

 

[paintball_addiction]

One thing I can recommend for a cleaning kit,
A small, strong magnet. The best way to keep little pins/springs from crawling off in the first place.

I like to use one of those round magnetic parts bowls from Harbor Freight for this. They can usually be bought pretty inexpensively with a coupon.

 

[soupergenius]

I keep several lower parts kits. The problem I've had the most if if I mangle a spring when I'm swapping out furniture. I recently bent the retaining pin on the bolt and I don't have any spares so I'll be adding those to my list.

 

[johny5]

I keep several lower parts kits. The problem I've had the most if if I mangle a spring when I'm swapping out furniture. I recently bent the retaining pin on the bolt and I don't have any spares so I'll be adding those to my list.

Keeping spare lower parts kits on hand can be problematic. I have it on good authority that they have a habit of turning themselves into full rifles...

 

[portercounty]

^^^THIS!!! I started w 1 rifle and some spare parts, and then the spare parts sprouted and grew into full rifles, and their spare parts sprouted rifles....and it's now out of control and I love it.

 

[churchmouse]

We have several complete rifles and enough spares to do maybe 3 complete lowers. 1 spare BCG.

 

[DMTJAGER]

Wouldn't an extra complete rifle give you all the spares you need? That's my thought process, anyway.

No offence meant but why disable a functioning rifle to fix a malfunctioning rife? IMHO strikes me as at best break even at worst loose/loose solution.
I'd rather always be able to have all my firearms up and running, especially now a days.

I posted the same exact question at AR15.com and here are the suggestions:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthrea...R-manual-recommendation&p=2874639#post2874639

 

[Pin]

2 spare complete ar's....

 

[Chalky]

Pretty interesting video on this topic by Brownells:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO9H3TjCq8M

 

[Sigblitz]

A coat hanger. You know, for stuck cartridges.

 

[BGDave]

Keeping spare lower parts kits on hand can be problematic. I have it on good authority that they have a habit of turning themselves into full rifles...

Oh my dear Lord. THIS right here. I've had spare hand guards magically turn into rifles.

I figure if things go sideways there will be spare rifles laying around. Or mine.