AR-15 Rifle Service and Upgrades
Keeping an AR-15 in prime condition improves shooting performance, accuracy, and reliability. Upgrades that align with your personal preferences and shooting needs maximize the rifle’s potential.
Check frequently for loose or worn parts that may need to be tightened or replaced. For example, if firing pin indentations on spent casings become shallow or inconsistent, this could indicate worn components that need replacement.
Cleaning
A well-maintained and serviced AR-15 rifle by the prosat Lone Star Gunsmithing & Cerakote in Princeton,Texas will ensure that it stays running as smoothly and reliably as possible. Many people don’t realize that a good cleaning is more than just a maintenance task that prevents gun malfunctions and rust; it is an opportunity to inspect the firearm for worn or damaged components that might need to be replaced.
A basic cleaning should include running a bore snake through the barrel and wiping down the chamber and bolt carrier group. It’s also a
good idea to clean the bolt carrier group with a cleaning rod that is appropriate for your caliber and has a tip that won’t damage the rifling.
Generally, you’ll need a cleaning kit with an appropriately sized bore snake and a brush set that includes one or more bronze brushes. You’ll also need a cleaning rod, an appropriately sized patch loop or jag, and some break-free CLP or similar cleaning oil that serves as both lubricant and cleaner.
Some accessories may require maintenance attention as well, such as G10 RailScales that can dry out and crack over time unless they are periodically refreshed with some gun oil. This is easy enough to do with a small bottle of Break-Free CLP. In addition, phosphated or parkerized parts like the bolt carrier group can be sprayed with a light coating of gun oil to keep them rust-free and lubricated as well.
Ramp Polishing
When it comes to balancing function and style for your AR-15 rifle, Cerakote finishes offer both durability and unique aesthetics. Cerakote coatings also reduce the risk of corrosion and are easy to remove when cleaning your firearm.
Often times feed ramps are rough or even “Clickers” this causes your Bolt to hang up on certain Projectiles. You can check this by running a pen tip up the ramps of your upper receiver. If it feels rough and starts to shave brass/copper shavings off you have a clicker ramp that needs to be polished.
Polishing the ramps minimizes the rough areas that shave off material as your Projectiles pass over them. If too much Brass/Copper Shavings accumulate the Bolt can fail to rotate into battery and cause malfunctions. Also this Service helps prevent Ejector Binding when the Weapon is Fouled or Hot & Decreases Brass Casing Rim Damage.
Depending on the condition of your ramps it may take a few passes to get them all smooth. It’s best to start out slow and work your way down the list of potential issues until you get everything working as it should.
Spring Upgrades
A quality AR-15 rifle requires certain upgrades for functionality, ergonomics and aesthetics. Upgrades to the upper receiver, such as enhanced takedown pins and pivot pins simplify disassembly, allowing for more convenient maintenance. Additionally, a simple upgrade to an enhanced bolt catch and release button can provide greater control during operation, especially in high-pressure situations. These components are available in durable materials, making them a wise investment.
Another essential AR-15 upgrade is a new buffer and buffer spring. This is an important upgrade because your buffer system determines how fast you can shoot your AR-15. It is a good idea to replace your buffer and buffer spring at 15,000 rounds. This is because they can be worn down, resulting in improper function and premature wear of other parts.
Other important AR-15 upgrades include ambidextrous safety selectors, extended magazine releases and muzzle devices. These are some of the best upgrades that can improve performance and make your firearm more versatile.
