Happy Grandpa needs some help.

[hps1]

Hoping to put a third generation on the firing line soon, but am about as confused as the little boy that lost his chewing gum in the chicken yard.

Started shooting HP in the '50s with an issued service grade M1. All my service rifle shooting was with the Garand. Did get to shoot 3 rounds through an M14 (they only had enough ammo for each rifle team member to fire 3 rounds but they did give us a choice of firing full or semi.... ). Our unit was never issued the '14s before I was discharged. Now, I've seen quite a few AR's on the line and know they are not to be taken lightly, but never had the urge to own one, so here's the problem.

My son just gave my 13 year old grandson a Bushmaster DCM rifle and asked me to do a little coaching. I picked up the rifle yesterday and, after careful examination, have figured out which end the bullet comes out.

So far, have read throught the manual that comes with the rifle and believe it or not, have some unanswered questions.

1) For service rifle competition, what sling should I get?

2) Best bore guide for cleaning?

3) Looks like it might be a good idea to keep a spare firing pin retaining pin
on hand. Anything else?

4) Where can I find good lubrication point recommendations?

5) I found that neither of the magazines furnished with the rifle drop free. In fact, they are downright difficult to remove. Recommendations?

6) Anything special I should be aware of?

I'm sure I don't know enough about the AR to ask everything I need to know, so feel free to jump in and bail out an old dog (hoping to learn a few new tricks).

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
hps

 

[lycanthrope]

hps,

Try surfing here:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/index.html

Lots of info.

 

[Steve Smith]

Not sure I can recommend the AR15 site except for the Comp forum, which is excellent.

To address your questions, hps1,

) For service rifle competition, what sling should I get?

Either a Turner Saddlery Biothane or a Les Tam custom leather sling. Note I didn't mention the Turner Leather...not that its bad, but the Les Tam is SO much better for the same price! Personally I like the leather. [email protected] is his email I think.

2) Best bore guide for cleaning?

The one that Tommy Haskins sells from Georgia Precision is a great one. Get his recommended length rod too and it is a slick setup...ask for details. www.georgiaprecision.com

3) Looks like it might be a good idea to keep a spare firing pin retaining pin
on hand. Anything else?

New one on me, but I have started carrying spare parts just in case. Haven't needed any, but just in case. I will have a spare rifle for Perry, but for a big match usually a spare bolt assy is the max safe bet.

4) Where can I find good lubrication point recommendations?

I'd say lube everything on the bolt assembly, and after 200 rounds you'll see where it really wears and where it never touches. Then you can just apply oil to that mainly. Put a glob of heavy grease on the recoil spring and it won't make noise on recoil. Make sure to oil the cam pin that goes through the bolt, as well as a little on the gas rings and the bolt locking lugs.

5) I found that neither of the magazines furnished with the rifle drop free. In fact, they are downright difficult to remove. Recommendations?

USGI mags should drop free either empty or full. If yours are not USGI sell them to an idiot and buy some. 30s are of little use to the HP competitor except for NTIT, but the 20s are GREAT.

6) Anything special I should be aware of?

Nope...the dang things run like swiss timepieces. Prepare to eat your hat about "poor AR reliability" as I had to do.

I'm sure I don't know enough about the AR to ask everything I need to know, so feel free to jump in and bail out an old dog (hoping to learn a few new tricks).

One thing, specific to your rifle. The trigger on the Bushy CMP gun is notorious for going out at the worst possible time, usually with about 1000 pulls on it. I'd say plan for the worst now and get a RRA trigger tuned by John Holliger. $125 to your door, I think.

Steve

 

[hps1]

Thanks fellows. I'm sure I'll have more questions as things progress.

Regards,
hps

 

[BlindRat]

hps1,
Welcome to the 21st Century!

To add to Steve's advice;
Consider a USGI Cotton Web Sling. You can find them for dirt cheap, they're easy to get into and out of, and they're infinitely adjustable. Don't even think about using a Nylon Web Sling. You will be frustrated and sorely disappointed.
If you HAVE to have leather, get a Tam sling - no other.

The Bore Guide that GPSS stocks is made by Ray-Vin - with a solvent port, they are the best! Might as go straight to the maker - for more info on the bore guide and other cool gear, check his site here; Ray-Vin Bore Guide

Spare parts? You might buy a couple of extra firing pins. Pierce a primer and you'll etch the tip of the pin and create a cycle of more pierces and more pitting. It was suggested that I buy a complete bolt/carrier in case of a problem, it's so easy to replace the whole assembly. 4 years hence, and I've yet to use it (a credit to the reliability of the design).

Lube - as AR Maestro John Holliger says "they like to run wet". Leave the carrier a bit shiny with CLP (no grease) after each cleaning and your rifle will never even hiccup.

Other advice - if you don't reload - start learning. Kids + AR = lots of ammo expended! More questions, we'll always try to steer you right!

 

[Steve Smith]

Blind Rat was 100% right...I totally spaced the web sling. Also, Ray-Vin is the maker of that bore guide, just buy it from him.

 

[hps1]

Blind Rat:
"Other advice - if you don't reload - start learning. Kids + AR = lots of ammo expended! More questions, we'll always try to steer you right!"

You are sure right on Kids + anything that shoots ....... Been there, done that w/10/22 and Mark II, thumb's still sore from loading mags.
Fortunately, been loading for 50 years and have a Dillon, so all that is left to be done is get conversion/dies and work up a load.

As to the last part of your quote above, that's what makes HP shooters so special. Started shooting HP in the '50s and have never seen a group of folks more willing to help out a fellow shooter.

By the way, BM instruction booklet left me with the impression that they were recommending way too much lubricant so I'm sure glad you pointed out same. I was planning to lube as I would an M1 and might have had some problems. Is Breakfree as good as any CLP or are there better products out there?

As for sling, I had overlooked the web sling, too. I have a bunch of M1 web slings and, as you pointed out, they are easy for the new shooter to use and adjust.

Seems that I heard the gas tube was a problem on the early 16's (due to wrong powder?) or something like that. Any preventive maintenance required on the AR in this area?

Thanks again for helping keep this 20th century shooter out of trouble.

Regards,
hps

 

[Steve Smith]

Breakfree is probably the most common AR lube, and it works fine.

Regarding your gas tube, thankfully we have continued to evolve since the first ARs popped out of the chute almost 40 years ago. Just replace it when you replace your barrel. No other maintenance is required.

Consider it to be the Toyota of firearms...just change the oil and give it gas. Surprised me too.