What can I do to make my AR more dependable? This is a question that I am confronted with on a continual basis. My first question is always….. Is it a factory rifle or a build? Followed by what manufacturer if it is not a build. The following while not an all-inclusive list (nor does it address some of the large frame AR concerns) are things that an armorer or individual can do to a gun to make it more dependable if they are issued or stuck with a sub-standard rifle. These items are some of the more common failure areas or areas of concerns that I see with sub-standard AR’s.
- Run a set of gauges in the chamber to confirm proper headspace
- Use a gauge to check and verify a proper throat if it is a 5.56 NATO or 6.8 SPC chamber
- Use a gauge and check that the barrel extension is not clocked in the upper receiver
- Check the feedramps for burrs or “clicker” style feedramps
- Use a gauge and check the barrel for straightness
- On 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK, or suppressed guns use a gauge and verify muzzle concentricity
- Gauge the gas tube and then verify proper gas tube to gas key alignment
- If YFS fasteners are present on the gas key, replace the fasteners and gas key
- Stake the gas key with a proper tool
- Install Springco extractor and ejector springs– 16” barrels and shorter receive 5 coil extra power extractor spring- Bare minimum make sure there is an insert and o-ring for the OEM style extractor spring
- Possibly replace the bolt dependent upon many factors
- Use 3 piece gas ring assemblies– Avoid the 1 piece gas rings
- If the BCG is a Nickle Boron (NiB) coated BCG I personally would replace it
- Use a bore scope and verify proper gas block alignment
- If a low profile gas block is present, at a bare minimum apply red Loctite to the gas block set screws
- Confirm proper torque on barrel nut
- Confirm free floating handguard alignment and fastener torque- apply thread locking compound
- If firearm is equipped with an A2 style front sight post verify alignment using an alignment gauge
- Confirm torque on receiver extension castle nut and stake in place
- Possibly replace the fire control group– I’ve seen many failures of cheap mil-spec style FCG’s
- Check timing of the gun and adjust if necessary- Most factory guns use carbine buffers which are usually very insufficient as most guns are decently over gassed to put it nicely- I also use Springco buffer springs
- Verify proper installation and torque of optics- either to the rail and/or the optic mount
- On a new gun make sure to clean it to remove any excessive packing oil or grease
- LUBRICATE the gun
- Use QUALITY ammunition
Again, this is not an all-inclusive list, but it is a representation of common concern and/or failure areas that I have seen on guns that were either built sub-par, a “home” build, or have been abused. If you are familiar with the BRD Gun Works AR reliability packages you will notice that there is a decent amount of overlap between the services provided in the packages and the list above. The BRD reliability packages are designed to address and correct the common failure areas of the AR platform, and it all comes from years of experience and training in the AR platform.
If you have an AR that may fall into this category, I do hope that this gives you some insight on things to check. If all of this sounds a bit overwhelming, check out the inspection services offered at BRD Gun Works and let me be your personal armorer.
BRD Gun Works~ Performance you can afford when you can’t afford failure
