[stu]

I know that these questions should have been asked before. But with the increased chance that the current war against America will be coming to our door steps, I figured Id better ask. I know the basics on matinance of the AR, but it seems to me that there are other things that might prove useful. Knowing that the AR isn't as totally reliable as the mini14 or the AK, it only makes sense that there are tricks that would help make this weapon function better in a time of crisis. What about spare parts etc??

[Carston]

Stu,

Get you a butt stock cleaning kit for each of them and fill the empty plastic bottle with CLP or Mil Spec LSA....it will double as cleaner and lubricatant.

In the Pistol grip (get the rubber storage Plug) get and extra parts kit as well as any extra batteries you me need for red dot or Holographic site systems.

Replace all black followers with the New Milspec green ones for more reliable feeding. Get rid of soft point ammo....get 55 grn Portugeese or SA. 62 grn stuff if you can find it responably priced.

Get a couple good Tactical slings.

Start looking for a LBV and mag pouchs, along with accessory pouchs for 1st aid, maps, matches and the needful items. Also a large ALICE or CF90 and pack full of clothes, extra socks, boots, camo netting, hat, paracord, more matches, fuel bars, MRE's, spotting scope, Ghillie Suit, extra ammo, entrenching tool and what ever else you thinks important.....WATER and sani tabs!!!!

Good luck and I pray nothing bad does happen here.

Carston

[ 10-01-2001: Message edited by: Carston ]

[Cliff C]

Stu - Carston covered quite a bit, I'll just add a few more things.

You really only need the green follower on 30 round mags. For ammo, if you have a barrel(s) with a 1X12 twist, stick with 55 gr. If you have the more common 1X9 twist barrel try to find some 62gr. SS109 green tip ammo.

Otis makes a butt stock cleaning kit for the AR that contains all of the cleaning gear you may need in the field.

You can get spare part kits through DPMS and Bushmaster. I'd recommend a Field Repair Kit and a Spring Kit - one set for each rifle. Also pick up a bolt repair kit if you can afford it, tho the Field Reapir kit should already have some of those parts.

As for maintenance tips... for cleaning and lubing, Breakfree CLP is all you need. Make sure that you have a chamber brush and USE it! You'll need a cleaning rod section - put the chamber brush on one end and the "T" handle on the other. Put some CLP on the brush, insert the brush with a twisting motion and then crank it around a few revolutions. When done, use a rag to clean out as much as you can from the locking lug area and then finish up with Q-Tips taking care to get in the recessed areas behind the lugs.

Read the above once. Read it twice. Practice it. Keeping the locking lugs and chamber clean is probably THE most important maintenance item to keep the rifle reliable. I've lost track of how many guys I've seen who had their bolt stuck in battery, had to hammer on the charging handle to open it and once open revealed the area to be CAKED with carbon and gunk. Also, do NOT lubricate the locking lugs.

The gas system is supposed to be self cleaning. To help it out, use a pipe cleaner inserted as far as you can into the gas tube in the upper receiver. Use a drop of CLP in the carrier key on the bolt. Use a light film on the gas rings and make sure the gaps are staggered. Also a light coat on the carrier key. Prior to assembly, use an artist brush and paint a thin film of CLP on the exterior of the bolt carrier.

I'll assume you know how to clean the inside of the bolt carrier as well as removing the carbon that builds up on the rear of the bolt behind the rings.

That's pretty much it. A clean, properly lubed AR is pretty darned reliable as long as you use 'in-spec' ammo. No denying they're a bugger to clean, tho.

Cliff

[stu]

Carston- The only problem with the but stock cleaning kit is that the SP1 doesn't have the space that the later non Mattel stocks have. But cleaning kits I do have, even have a chamber brush. Currently I have around 3,000 rounds of S&B etc 55gr ammo and around 700 rounds of ballistic tip that feeds reliably. So ammo isn't a problem until I have to start using the Wolf stuff. Currently I have 38 AR mags, but about 20 of them have the old black followers. I just placed an order through CDNN for 30 green followers, and hopefully they'll get here before there needed. For now, all the 30 round mags with black followers are loaded to 25 rounds.

Cliff- The HBAR has a 1 in 9 twist, but Im not sure what the SP1 has. I should look it up real soon. Much of what you posted I was told by a friend when we broke them down a few months ago, but had slipped my mind since then. One of the major problems with owning as many guns as I do is that there are tricks that work for some, but not others, and a lot of them get lost in the shuffle. :(

[tree]

Stu, glad to hear you are willing to trust the AR.

Cliff & Carston have covered it better than I could.

Cliff's guidance is virtually word for word from the military tech manual of which I have a copy.

I just wish my reloading and hobby room was set up. All of my guns are due for cleaning & or inspection/lubrication.

I do not think that you nor I will be involved in holding off the Osama guild with our trusty ARs.

The serious fighting will be in other theatres.

With that being said, regretfully, our country will likely be exposed to further terrorist acts. However, unless some idiot attempts to drive a truck bomb onto my gun club during the high power rifle match this week, I will not be in a position to engage any terrorist with my AR.

Cliff & Carston - Good prudent tips.

[Carston]

Oh and Stu, get you a copy of the Dept of the Army Part #TM 9-1005-249-10 Operators manual for the M16.

Very detailed info.

About $$5.00 coming to a Surplus Store Near You
:rolleyes:

As for the cleaning kit for the A1 stock....pick up an extra pouch for the LBV and store it there.

Carston

[jsr5]

Hey Stu don't buy anything yet, check your E-Mail if you ain't already.