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Always learning
ridgleyart
Member Posts: 937 ✭✭✭✭
Seems I'm always learning things the hard way. Today I learned that the grip on an AR holds a detent pin and spring in place, I also learned that once the spring hits the floor it is gone forever. We have beautiful weather this week and wanted to do some shooting, can I safely do so without the safety selector in place?
Comments
I was about 6 when I watched Dad take the big screw at the end of the forearm off the A5. Few days later I thought I would give it a try. Couldn't push the barrel down to screw it back together.
A little helpful advice?? Maybe stop taking your new guns apart till you learn more. At least watch some youtube instructions. You can do a lot of damage to a gun if you don't know how to properly care for it. I once had a customer buy four Les Baer 1911's from me over the course of a year or so. He came in the shop one night and proudly announced that he had taken them all apart and mixed the parts up between guns. As gently as possible I explained why this was not a great idea. Not trying to be a know it all cause I learn gun stuff constantly and I have been doing this for a long time. If I wanted to learn to fly fish I would need a lot of help with that.
Nothing works except the correct part. I've been building ARs and working with M16s for over 30 years, and guess what I keep on hand?
Never attempt to do anything beyond a simple field strip of any firearm without at least a schematic of the area of the firearm you plan to work with:
A copy of the Marine Corps technical manual for the M16/M4 carbine should be at the top of your reading list.
I've been watching video and reading my books, but switching out the grip didn't seem to be something that would require instructions. Now I know, and at least it was a cheap mistake.
It's a big club of people that take apart their new firearm and render it inoperable.
I have a nephew that took a Socom 16 apart and turned it into a single shot/bolt rifle.
I got him a US M14 manual for Christmas that year.
Follow Ricci's advice and you will come out ahead
That's the way to go Mark, and I do have a copy of the Marine Corps technical manual, it was the first thing I ordered.
YEA!! Cause us experts haver never launched a spring across the room. We just happen to keep some spare parts on the floor in the corners. 🙄🙄🙄🙄
And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”
Beginning steps of a gunsmith
I had a big spring get away and break a kitchen window. No advice from here.
First couple buffer tubes that I changed I destroyed a couple of those springs. That is when I learned to have a spring kit handy like Mark has
Lots of good advise given here!! One of the first things I ever purchased for my shop was this very POWERFUL magnet that is mounted on an adjustable length telescopic handle. Has found nearly every tiny part that has flown the coop over the years!
I admit that not every part was found at the time I was looking for it, but eventually were found after I bought a replacement! 😕
Brookwood, can you bring your magnet to my place? I have quite a collection, somewhere.
Somehow years ago I assembled a STG 58 from a kit and built a FAL I've been told you can't do that but it worked great and I've shot thousands of rounds through it. Learning is a process
Yes, and the vacuum cleaner makes funny noises sometimes.
Get a magnet. Go to your local home box store and get a magnet with a handle, 8-12" wide will work. It is useful to have a round even if you don't find this particular spring.
I see the magnet was already addressed. Well it's nice to have confirmation.
Send me a PM with your name and mailing address and I'll send you a detent and a spring. I hate the idea of you having to pay up to $5 shipping for two tiny parts. When you build up your own parts supply, send the same back to me and we'll be square.
SPARE PARTS!!!!!!!!!!
I keep several complete spare parts kits on hand for AR's and Glocks.
A 100% spare parts kit consist of the following:
'Nother gun.
That way if you lose or break something you simply go to the safe for an instant replacement.
Later, after the shooting is over and the smoke has settled, Google "Brownells".