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Thread: Wear in an M4?

  1. #1
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    Wear in an M4?

    What determines when an M4 is "worn out"?

    I understand less wear is always better, but does the relationship between the BCG and the upper matter, or only to the extent that excess friction to the point of failure is not created during cycling, and that the bolt is guided into the locking lucks of the barrel extension?

    What exactly are the "critical" wear areas (if any, besides the bolt/barrel extension/throat) in the M4/AR-15?

  2. #2
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    In the military world "worn out" means that the weapon is not serviceable. The way that thisis determined is by inspections and gaging. Any part that fails is replaced until everything is corrected and serviceable.

    I really can't make sense of the remainder of your paragraph.

    Quote Originally Posted by WS6 View Post
    What determines when an M4 is "worn out"?

    I understand less wear is always better, but does the relationship between the BCG and the upper matter, or only to the extent that excess friction to the point of failure is not created during cycling, and that the bolt is guided into the locking lucks of the barrel extension?

    What exactly are the "critical" wear areas (if any, besides the bolt/barrel extension/throat) in the M4/AR-15?



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  3. #3
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    I think he means besides barrels wearing out and bolts breaking, what wears out on an AR? Does the BCG moving inside the upper receiver ever wear it out to the point that either the carrier or receiver is unserviceable?

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    Quote Originally Posted by mkmckinley View Post
    I think he means besides barrels wearing out and bolts breaking, what wears out on an AR? Does the BCG moving inside the upper receiver ever wear it out to the point that either the carrier or receiver is unserviceable?
    Correct, how "Critical" is this area? It's the only other thing I can think of wearing out besides the bolt breaking, gas-key coming loose, barrel shooting out, etc.

  5. #5
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    I've never seen one worn out but someone like IG would have a lot more experience than most in this subject. I've seen ARs from the 60's that were still going strong even with the anno starting to fade. The weapons in the Philippines are all Vietnam era and they're still using them on a large scale with mostly original parts. In an arms room in the US I've seen a Mk 12 SPR built on a well worn lower stamped XM-16. I don't know how old that must be but if it still works then I'm not worried about one of my many ARs wearing out significantly.
    Last edited by mkmckinley; 12-28-11 at 07:19.

  6. #6
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    Things that wear are springs. Even parts like the trigger hammer and disconnector can wear. If you examine your upper closely and the movement of the BCG it can only wear so much.

    I have seen M16's, A1's and A2's that have had years of service put on them and continue to function. People need to get around the concept that stuff wears out. The basis of the weapon may stay the same- lower receiver, upper, extension, but anything else will at some point need replacing.



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    the area most critical would most likely be the barrel but even then, it can be replaced.

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    Depends what you consider to be the rifle, and what are just parts you expect will wear out.

    The lower receiver itself, which is legally the rifle, has a practically infinite life. In theory it should wear out at some point... but the round count would have to be extraordinary. I doubt you would do it in 100,000 rounds, although that's just a guess.

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    throat erosion is something I hear a lot about. Never had a gun shot enough with it as an issue.

    head spacing is key to be checked in guns that are re-barreled and I have read that the military armorers check it often (annual). We can all do this with a "go", "no go" gauge.

    in order of wear, I would think it would be, Springs, Cam, extractor, ejector, gas key and bolt, BCG.....barrel should last 30,000+ rounds.

    Filthy 14, a standard 16 inch Middy by BCM is over 40,000 rounds now. That gun isn't even cleaned.....hardly.

  10. #10
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    We don't use a "go" or "no go" gage. We use a "field" gage. Throat erosion is measured with a bore erosion gage.

    All weapon are to be fully inspected and gaged at least annually.

    The gas key hardly ever wears and only needs replacing when someone dicks with it or drops it. There is no standard as to when a barrel will go out. It depends on rate of fire and lots of other variables.

    Quote Originally Posted by TacMedic556 View Post
    throat erosion is something I hear a lot about. Never had a gun shot enough with it as an issue.

    head spacing is key to be checked in guns that are re-barreled and I have read that the military armorers check it often (annual). We can all do this with a "go", "no go" gauge.

    in order of wear, I would think it would be, Springs, Cam, extractor, ejector, gas key and bolt, BCG.....barrel should last 30,000+ rounds.

    Filthy 14, a standard 16 inch Middy by BCM is over 40,000 rounds now. That gun isn't even cleaned.....hardly.



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