Field Spare Parts

[worthen86ford]

What spare parts do y’all carry with you in the field; be it the range, hunting, etc…?

I have a 5.11 2-banger that I carry 4 loaded mags in as well as a tourniquet and quick clot bandage. Since this bag pretty much goes where ever my Grendel goes, I am thinking a small assortment of spare parts might be handy in case of a failure in the field. I have a Grendel pistol that is in the truck when I go hunting as a back-up, but my rifle is still my preferred arm. What I don’t want to happen because it has happened before is amass too many spare parts to where a new gun makes itself so I may be looking for just minimal spares here.

Here is what I was thinking:
Bolt, cam, firing pin, firing pin retainer and some assortment of a LPK. Not sure if I need a complete LPK to carry around or not. Not sure how often take down pins fail, safety selectors, etc… I figure the main components from the LPK would be trigger springs, Hammer (maybe the trigger?), maybe a bolt catch but the gun will still operate without it?

What do y’all say or do? Just remember I am wanting to keep this somewhat minimal with the purpose of just field repairs to get back running. The AR15 platform has already cost me so much and if I keep getting too many spare parts in inventory then new rifles will populate themselves.

[Redraider]

I know nothing about these thinks, but it seems to me you are already carrying all the spare parts you might need to get your rifle running again.................it's called your Grendel pistol! Maybe??

Redraider

[Crusty]

I carry a tool to adjust my gas block and a foil packet of gun oil in my grip, and I always have a Leatherman with me. Been OK with that so far because I look everything over when I clean.

[VASCAR2]

I keep a military cleaning rod/kit which breaks down pretty small in case you get a stuck case. I carry allen wrenches which come in handy. I also carry a spare extractor and spring. It’s not unheard of for the castle nut to come loose, loosing the selector detent and spring. I think it is also a good idea to have hammer and trigger pins unless your using KNS Pins. A screw driver or allen wrench that fits the grip screw is also handy. A complete spare bolt will work instead of just an extra extractor and spring.

[Crusty]

It's the take down pin detent and spring that come out if the castle nut loosens. I got tired of that PITA and now on my builds I tap that hole for a #4-40 set screw and shorten the spring so I can put them in held by the set screw one time and they're there until I want them to come out.

[VASCAR2]

Your right crusty it is the take down pin detent and spring held by the castle nut. I was thinking about the selector detent and spring are rarely lost if the grip comes loose. Added the screw driver then miss spoke about the castle nut. Old age strikes again. Lol

Tapping a hole is a good idea but have just never done it myself. My Agency issued an AR-15 to every road Trooper and it was not uncommon to get a castle nut come loose. The Armalite 16” AR-15’s did not have the castle nut staked and Department didn’t use thread locker before the rifles were issued.

[Crusty]

And if it's not your rifle then tinkering with it will generally get you into trouble. Mine belong to me and I like to futz with stuff so you'll see non-standard things on mine. I work over the selector detent and spring too so that the selector operates easier and doesn't make so much noise.

The socket setscrews can be found at Amazon: #4-40x1/8". I generally cut the spring off to subtract the length of the set screw (NOTE: edited because of defective memory) and it works fine. Make sure that the tap is started square, thread up to 1/4" deep and DON'T BREAK THE TAP.

[Kswhitetails]

>.<

Spoken like one with the t-shirt.

Good idea though.

Edit: after some Reders Digest condensed reading it turns out my Aero lower comes with this hole pre-tapped. Guess what I’ll be doing this weekend?

[worthen86ford]

I hear ya on the cleaning rod. I bought the Otis kit that comes with one after I had a Hornady ELD pull a bullet that was jammed in the lands.

I had a castle nut come loose once, but luckily did not lose anything. I’ve since started staking the castle nuts and haven’t had a problem, but I think I’ll start tapping that hole and using a set screw. Seems like it would make assembly a little easier too.

[Sticks]

Little vile of Blue locktite, one wrench (Allen, torx, hex) for every fastener on your rifle, spare bolt, cleaning kit. Beyond that in the field, you have bigger issues and should call it a day. Leave the spare parts like LPK at home.

[just_john]

If I am just going to have some fun, then just a cleaning rod, the necessary wrenches and a spare bolt ( assembled ). If it is for a "more serious occasion" then I have a tool bag with all the above plus pretty much all the tools except barrel changing tools. I have most all the smaller parts in a set of 24-holer parts boxes ( one with upper parts, one with lower parts, etc ) and they come too. I haven't had a replacement crisis but have had to help some other folks on a couple of occasions.

[The Profit Joseph Sith]

Yeah... If i pretty much do thag every time i go to the range and wnd up fixing alot of people's guns instead. So im cutting way back.

The original topic was minimalist field kits. With that in mind i got three cheap spare parts kits from PSA for $13ea. And were pretty inclusive came with every single spring on a AR. Firing pin takedowns gas rings. All detents amd roll pins.

I dont think you really need much at all.
A built bolt face
firing pin retainer
Hammer and trigger spring. Single pin (or just spend the little bit extra for the retained pin set and forget it)
Decent cleaning kit such as mil spec. (Just got my Larue RAT with the build in rod its decent (the stock is great), i like the otis rod sections alot better and are shorter but require more for rifle length)
Drivers for loose screws but you should make sure they are good before heading out.

Shouldn't need much else IR it's escaping me at the moment. Other advice was on point. Your cleaning maintenance should resolve most of the issues that would arise. Or call it a day.

[worthen86ford]

I appreciate y’alls responses. I think i’m goin to buy a complete BCG and take the bolt, firing pin and retainer for my carry around spares and have the carrier at the house. Then probably pick up a generic trigger set off a buddy who upgraded.

As far as a BCG, probably goin to order a Toolcraft based on what ive read. Unless y’all can tell me that a BCA is gtg.

Anyhow thanks for the help guys.

[diddlyv]

Spare parts ????? Seems excessive as I have 2 grendels but can see the utility of a second bolt - much quicker to replace than the extractor. Carried a M-16 for 14 years never had anything break or fall off the rifle. With years on rifle ranges the only malfunctions I ever saw were with 20 round magazines and due to the lips being bent. Generally no problems with 30 rounders as the back end of the lips were welded to a tab on the rear of the magazine making it much harder to deform. Newer 20 round mags have the 30 round design and should be incredibly reliable

[The Profit Joseph Sith]

I also forgot to mention i kinda Really like the little pin punch's that come with AK kits they are very small and light and only cost about $1 ea.