The average AR owner fires approximately 150rds per year. In an average class I run, you’ll shoot more than that by lunch.
I don’t care when folks say, “I’ve had my AR for X years and I’ve never had a problem!” It ain’t how long you’ve had it.....it’s how much/hard you’ve used it.
When folks fire 150rds scattered throughout the year, keep it cleaned and lubed in between, I would expect most of them to run. When you get them hot and dirty, you find the guns that are on the raggedy edge of reliability. Heat changes tolerances, for one thing. A gun that runs clean may not run dirty, due to tight/incorrect tolerances in critical areas.
I’ve had plenty of rifles come across my bench where I corrected issues that weren’t a problem......yet. Guys come over for me to install a muzzle device, or a trigger, or a rail. They’ve had the guns for a while and they “run just fine”. While I’ve got it, I go through it, and find a lot of issues. Castle nuts and gas keys not properly torqued and/or staked. Off-center gas tubes. Rifle upper receiver with carbine barrel/feed ramps (that will usually work, but why not fix it?!). Worn gas rings. Etc. etc. and so on.
I’m slowly building up the tool chest and acquiring the gauges and such I need to check every bitty thing. It’s a work in progress, and it ain’t cheap!
This ain’t just for AR’s. How often do you shoot your carry gun? When was the last time you replaced the recoil/extractor/sear/main spring? Manufacturer’s have a recommended maintenance schedule, just like you’ll find in the owner’s manual on your car or truck. Not just on replacing springs, but also critical parts like extractors. If you don’t have it, contact the manufacturer and get it. Own a Glock and Smyrna ain’t that far from you? Every 5,000rds drove on over there and have them rebuild it.
I don’t care when folks say, “I’ve had my AR for X years and I’ve never had a problem!” It ain’t how long you’ve had it.....it’s how much/hard you’ve used it.
When folks fire 150rds scattered throughout the year, keep it cleaned and lubed in between, I would expect most of them to run. When you get them hot and dirty, you find the guns that are on the raggedy edge of reliability. Heat changes tolerances, for one thing. A gun that runs clean may not run dirty, due to tight/incorrect tolerances in critical areas.
I’ve had plenty of rifles come across my bench where I corrected issues that weren’t a problem......yet. Guys come over for me to install a muzzle device, or a trigger, or a rail. They’ve had the guns for a while and they “run just fine”. While I’ve got it, I go through it, and find a lot of issues. Castle nuts and gas keys not properly torqued and/or staked. Off-center gas tubes. Rifle upper receiver with carbine barrel/feed ramps (that will usually work, but why not fix it?!). Worn gas rings. Etc. etc. and so on.
I’m slowly building up the tool chest and acquiring the gauges and such I need to check every bitty thing. It’s a work in progress, and it ain’t cheap!
This ain’t just for AR’s. How often do you shoot your carry gun? When was the last time you replaced the recoil/extractor/sear/main spring? Manufacturer’s have a recommended maintenance schedule, just like you’ll find in the owner’s manual on your car or truck. Not just on replacing springs, but also critical parts like extractors. If you don’t have it, contact the manufacturer and get it. Own a Glock and Smyrna ain’t that far from you? Every 5,000rds drove on over there and have them rebuild it.
