01-01-2014, 05:39 AM
Kyle Lamb and Mike Panone recommend changing ejector and extractor springs every 2000-4000 rounds, and inspecting your recoil spring at the same time.
If you need a new ejector spring, when you remove yours from the bolt, you can replace it with your selector detent spring, because they are one in the same. Not all ejector springs are created equally though. If you switch them, color your selector spring so that you know it's used. The more important thing is really cleaning out the ejector channel of all the brass shavings, carbon, and grime. Once enough of that crap builds up in the channel, it doesn't matter what type of unobtanium alloy your spring is, it can't compress or expand normally.
There are also extra power extractor springs on the market from Wolff. I suspect that the AR10 needs a stronger ejection port door spring, because I have had stovepipes if I fire from the port door closed. I noticed that H&K used plastic ejection port doors on their AR's, and there is a reason for that. Maybe it was easier for them to produce that way, but I'm wondering of they did it to reduce mass of the door to increase opening speed to clear the ejection pattern.
You should also visually inspect your gas rings on the bolt, as well as the bolt face, lugs, cam pin hole, and bolt surface for any cracks, pitting, or flakes.
If you need a new ejector spring, when you remove yours from the bolt, you can replace it with your selector detent spring, because they are one in the same. Not all ejector springs are created equally though. If you switch them, color your selector spring so that you know it's used. The more important thing is really cleaning out the ejector channel of all the brass shavings, carbon, and grime. Once enough of that crap builds up in the channel, it doesn't matter what type of unobtanium alloy your spring is, it can't compress or expand normally.
There are also extra power extractor springs on the market from Wolff. I suspect that the AR10 needs a stronger ejection port door spring, because I have had stovepipes if I fire from the port door closed. I noticed that H&K used plastic ejection port doors on their AR's, and there is a reason for that. Maybe it was easier for them to produce that way, but I'm wondering of they did it to reduce mass of the door to increase opening speed to clear the ejection pattern.
You should also visually inspect your gas rings on the bolt, as well as the bolt face, lugs, cam pin hole, and bolt surface for any cracks, pitting, or flakes.