We've written a lot about the AR-15 rifle and related matters in these pages over the years. I'm sure many of my readers own one or more examples of it; it's been the single best-selling US-made firearm for several years, AFAIK.
Having the firearm is all very well, but it has to be maintained and kept in good working order. Given the pressures on firearms manufacturers from the left-wing progressive anti-gun lobby, that's hard to guarantee. They're trying to make ammunition both more expensive and more difficult to obtain; they're trying to use lawsuits and other pressures to restrict the number of manufacturers and retailers willing to make and sell such firearms; and, through the ATF, they're targeting firearms dealers and gunsmiths, trying to put them out of business for any infraction of the rules and make it more difficult for you and I to find the firearms we want.
That's why it's a good idea to have spare parts for your firearm(s) ready to hand, in case they may be needed in a hurry. Right now, there are great deals to be had on AR-15 rifles and parts from several dealers. To name just one example, Cheaper Than Dirt is offering the CMMG AR-15 lower receiver parts kit for the ridiculously low price of $29.99 (I've paid three to four times that on occasion in the past). Even though I already have spare parts, I couldn't resist a deal that good, particularly on a name-branded parts kit like that, and bought several of them. As for complete AR-15 rifles, CDNN has some available for less than $400, which is the lowest price I've been able to find anywhere. For what I think is a slightly higher quality level, Palmetto State Armory has some good Black Friday deals on its PA-15 clones. If you shop around online, you'll find several vendors offering similar weapons and parts kits at very reasonable prices.
Sadly, I suspect we're more likely than not to need such weapons in the not too distant future, given the crime rates and social unrest all around us. Take advantage of such deals while they're available, and stock up on ammunition and magazines while you're at it.
(No, I'm not getting any compensation in cash or in kind for mentioning those companies and providing those links. They're just good deals in today's market, and I like to share that sort of thing with my readers.)
Peter
12 comments:
California has been passing laws that are so burdensome that a lot of our small shops and 'kitchentop FFLs' will be disappearing. The latest one requires 24-hour high definition monitoring of the entire area with sound and storage for 1 year. There aren't enough lawyers and judges to go around to stop it, either.
In addition to complete LPKs, there are also "oops kits," essentially spares of the most common wear (and lost) small parts and springs; I've seen them in the $10-$20 range depending on manufacturer, vendor and specific contents. It's a good way to get, for instance, spare detent pins and springs without having to buy yet another trigger guard.
I have found that SGammo has the best price on Duramags in stainless steel. like 13 bucks each if you buy a 10 pack.
and I never had one fail me in any way so far.
I used the AR15 and 10 magazines and the Colt style 9mm
ones. I try to keep at least 12 magazines for each rifle
at this price, it easy to do. I don't know how many times I seen guys at the range with one or two magazines (?)
as a old grunt, you can never have too many magazines loaded on hand. dave in pa.
Bear Creek Arsenal is another good source for uppers and complete rifles for the budget minded.Their uppers usually complete with charging handle and bolt carrier for the same price other sell them without. Not affiliated, I'd just rather have an affordable back up, two is one etc.
@Anonymous at 11:04AM: Bear Creek Arsenal has a relatively poor reputation, for several reasons. See:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=bear+creek+arsenal+problems&ia=web
for some of the issues others have encountered. I wouldn't spend my money there.
God forbid you should look at Palmetto State Armory's website, they've been running some tremendous black friday deals.
AR spares minimum:
LPK with or w/o trigger set
Bolt kit (extractor, rings, all springs and insert)
Action spring x2
Buffer
Charging handle
Firing pin
Cotter pins
Bonus:
LPK complete
Spare, head-spaced, complete bolt or BCG
If you have a KP15 then add a safety, take-down pins and hammer pins as they are unique.
I highly recommend Palmetto State Armory -- I have bought several kits from them and once, when I had a problem with a trigger, they instantly rectified it at no charge. Great service and a good value in AR stuff. I will be buying more from them.
Brownells runs a Black Rifle Fri and it is good tome to buy
I will never buy from cheaper than dirt again after their price gouging shenanigans during panic buys
BF King Firearms has a whole section devoted to bulk parts -- from individual springs up to 10 packs of barrels or lower receivers.
Pro Tip - You need spares, which Peter pointed out. You also need spares for the spares because in the future re-supply will almost certainly be questionable.
And, when you get your spares, find a way to organize them so you know what you have on hand, what you have used and needs replacement. Amazon sells plastic vials (use that search term) with snap-on caps. I find the 7 dram size works well for the tiny parts (pins, spring clips, springs, etc.), 15 dram for the larger small parts (bolts, screws, larger pins, etc. and larger - 20 and 25 dram size are available. The small vials are about $10 for 25, the larger ones about $16, the biggest about $22.
If you know you have it but cannot find it it's just like never having it at all.
Don't forget springs, especially recoil springs for pistols AND extractors and extractor springs for everything.
And spares for non-gun stuff - oil, filters, cables, spark plugs, fuses, belts, etc., etc. for cars, tucks, washing machines, furnaces and so on.
Also, now is the time to buy assembly and repair tools - IMHO Magpul makes the best armorer's wrench, Real Avid makes very good small tools (they have an "AR-15 Pivot Pin Tool" for inserting the forward receiver pivot pin detent and spring - $12 and it takes a frustrating "needs 3 hands and 10 minutes" job into "quick, simple and 30 seconds" job. Don't forget tools for guns other than AR-15s, AND whatever specialty tools you might need to repair your vehicle, generator, etc. All are available now, they might not be in a year or 18 months.
Yes, you might spend a bunch of money getting equipped and prepared but if you have what you need you're still operating 1-2 years from now instread of begging for parts.
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