AR reliability upgrade question

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TheProf

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For an entry level AR (such as the Ruger 556), what upgrades would you recommend to bring it up to combat reliable level?

For the record, the Ruger AR 556 has been reliable thus far.

1. Opinions on getting an Fail Zero (Nickel Boron) bolt carrier group?

2. What about the extractor spring upgrade from BCM?
 
If its milspec it is combat ready. The nickle boron is a little easier to clean. Other than that doll it up as you please.People spend way too much personalizing those things but its yours to do what you wish. Put a good scope on it and shoot it.
 
Chrome lined barrel and chamber, chrome on the inside of the bolt carrier. Carrier key staked to spec in the TM. Bolt Magnetic Particle Inspected. Chamber cut for 5.56 not .223.

Mil spec extractor spring with black insert.

You don't need to spend a lot of money on gimmicks. One piece gas rings, special bolts that require extractors that have two springs aren't necessary.
 
I've no idea what specs for a "combat reliable" carbine would satisfy a civilian's criteria...the combinations and permutations are staggering.

"For the record, the Ruger AR 556 has been reliable thus far."

Just what one would expect from a mfr. with superior QC.

"1. Opinions on getting an Fail Zero (Nickel Boron) bolt carrier group?

2. What about the extractor spring upgrade from BCM?"

One of greatest attributes of the AR platform is that it can be spec'd in hundreds, if not thousands, of ways. What do you want your carbine to do for you and how much time do you want to spend returning it to "duty-ready" status after each use?

My personal advice is to personally customize it as your budget allows. But don't think that one AR is going to satisfy your thirst. More is better.:cool:

Specifically, to your questions:

1. NiB coating is somewhat expensive but worth it...lubricity and quick clean-up.
2.Unless you are using an unusual set-up or funky ammo, don't worry.

IMO, of course...
 
The criteria in mind was to have a rifle that can go through 2000 rounds without any failures of any kind. (Just to clarify... I would take it apart and clean it completely after every range session of 200 rounds. So...that would be at least 10 range sessions without any failures.)

It would also be nice (not that I would do it...since I do clean my guns after every range session) to be able to go through all 2000 rounds without cleaning. In other words, I want a rifle that is "Glock-like" in terms of reliability. Is this possible with an AR set up?
 
I clean my ARs including my 6920 which gets about 5k rounds a year through it, once a year. It's never had a malfunction that wasn't magazine or ammo related.

Well lubed is more important then clean.
 
The criteria in mind was to have a rifle that can go through 2000 rounds without any failures of any kind. (Just to clarify... I would take it apart and clean it completely after every range session of 200 rounds. So...that would be at least 10 range sessions without any failures.)

It would also be nice (not that I would do it...since I do clean my guns after every range session) to be able to go through all 2000 rounds without cleaning. In other words, I want a rifle that is "Glock-like" in terms of reliability. Is this possible with an AR set up?
Click to expand...

Very possible, and be sure you are using quality mags your AR likes. Mine runs flawlessly with PMAGs, most seem to.

And the myth that ARs have to be kept surgically clean is just that, BCM "Filthy 14" proved that a few years ago. Now, after shooting an AR I might run a boresnake down the barrel a couple times and simply wipe off the BCG with a shop towel and reapply SLIP 2000 EWL, but that's about it. Takes just a few minutes. They don't even really have to be run wet, just kinda damp :p .
 
The only thing I did to both my DPMS AR10's was to remove the extractor and smooth down the sides where it had small burrs around the retaining pin. Fixed my FTE problems.
 
things like fail zero, piston kits, etc.. these are gimmicks, essentially snake oil pushed by merchants claiming theyll make your weapon more reliable.. they wont.. what makes an AR less reliable than others are features you cannot change about weapon, like more clearance around the bolt so dirt or crud doesnt get pushed right into the chamber.. more clearance around the chamber, heavier mass components tend to add more momentum to reciprocating parts allowing them to better overcome more friction

in short, it is what it is, you can waste a lot of money trying to change it with gimmicks and snakeoil but youd just be wasting money at that point, accept it for what it is, or buy something else
 
Sounds like you are working under the assumption it is not reliable enough even though it has never had a problem. Why don't you just keep shooting it and find out how reliable it really is. It likely will meet your targets just fine assuming decent ammo and mags. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
The criteria in mind was to have a rifle that can go through 2000 rounds without any failures of any kind. (Just to clarify... I would take it apart and clean it completely after every range session of 200 rounds. So...that would be at least 10 range sessions without any failures.)

It would also be nice (not that I would do it...since I do clean my guns after every range session) to be able to go through all 2000 rounds without cleaning. In other words, I want a rifle that is "Glock-like" in terms of reliability. Is this possible with an AR set up?
Click to expand...
You present a reasonable personal criteria but then act as though you are afraid to actually
go through with it due to some unreasonable fear of a dirty gun. I suggest you put your gun through your test and fix/change what you see as failures after.
 
I've already put 800 rounds through my S&W sport and have only really cleaned it once. I keep it well lubed and its never missed a beat.

I figure I can go 1000 rounds between between complete cleanings without an issue. I just swab the bore and oil it up good between that timeframe.
 
I have three AR's that have gone through several times that amount of ammo( like four cases of Montanna Gold .224 bullets and thousands of bulk Winchester in hand-loads) with no other "mods" than adding the o-ring to the extractor spring and regular cleaning.

Only ONE broken part to date (over 20 years) and that was a cam pin.

All three rifles were just "mil-spec", nothing fancy.


To add, I also have a nice large aerosol can of CLP and each rifle gets a good "squirt" through the ejection port before a shooting session.
 
Lots of great points in this thread.

IME/IMO all nickel boron components do is remove additional funds from your wallet. If the rifle is lubricated properly the "slicker" properties of nickel boron don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

The BCM Extractor Upgrade Kit is probably the best (and cheapest) thing you can do to increase reliability in the AR platform, along with quality magazines, good ammunition, and proper lubrication.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
NP3, NIB and other coatings will make it easier to clean up. They won't make it any more reliable.

Your Ruger is a good rifle, shoot it until it fails. When it does, I'm betting it will be ammo or magazines to blame.
 
Thanks again for all the replies. I'm a newbie when it comes to black rifles.

I have heard that some simply "squirt oil" during a firing session to keep the rifle wet. Does that mean squirting oil on the bolt through the open dust cover? Or does that mean taking the bolt out completely?
 
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just pointing this out.. but all the manufacturers of all these products people so love to rant and rave over.. your fail zero crap, your piston systems, etc.. the people producing these parts and selling these products, its their job, their livelihood to make YOU the consumer as insecure as they possibly can about your own rifle, for them to make money, they have to sell you a product and they cant sell you a product unless it promses to do something and they cant sell you on that promise unless they make you think you need what it promises by making you think your stuffs broken or inadequate

so for the most part, there is no reliability upgrade, theres no pixie dust or unicorn sparkles thats going to suddenly make your rifle become what its not, but they'll go bankrupt if they cant convince you of otherwise... so the manufacturers of these components, theyre not your friends, theyre not there to help you, theyre not there to fix your weapon or improve, quite simple theyre there to make you insecure so they can screw you over

if your rifle functions fine, then leave it
 
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