How often to replace lower parts?

[Parson]

I recently purchased a Colt pre ban lower and it came with the original colt lower parts. I have no idea how many rounds have been through this lower. Looking for opinions on whether or not I should change out the lower parts or run it until something breaks? Thank you.

[Inkslinger]

I recently purchased a Colt pre ban lower and it came with the original colt lower parts. I have no idea how many rounds have been through this lower. Looking for opinions on whether or not I should change out the lower parts or run it until something breaks? Thank you.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. With that being said, you should always have spare parts on hand.

[SouthwestAviator]

There's still M16A1 lowers with frequent firing schedules out there with all original lower parts. I don't think any of the lower parts are under much stress. That said, I'm interested in the answer to this question as well.

Not to hijack but I'm also curious if the anti-rotation pins do anything to extend the service life of a lower.

[26 Inf]

I recently purchased a Colt pre ban lower and it came with the original colt lower parts. I have no idea how many rounds have been through this lower. Looking for opinions on whether or not I should change out the lower parts or run it until something breaks? Thank you.

The engineers say that what gets springs isn't necessarily remaining compressed, it is the number of cycles. Wear on the exterior, the receiver extension, the buffer face, and the magwell, might give you an idea of how heavily it's been used, as might the smootheness of the action and the appearance of the hammers contact surfaces. But, that would be just little more than a scientific wild-ass guess.

If it was going to be used as primary SD, and you are concerned, you might want to replace, hammer and trigger pins, hammer and trigger springs, and action spring (carbine should be 10.5 inches long).

My HD gun was built, fired enough to make me happy it worked, form 1'ed into an SBR, and now gets shot enough to confirm function and my manipulation of THAT rifle, then cleaned and put back in the safe. I doubt I will wear any parts out in my lifetime with that firing schedule.

My other stuff I shoot and every couple hundred rounds clean. When something breaks I fix it.

To me, it depends on purpose.

JMO

[Iraqgunz]

Yes, because people are lazy and don't like to change parts.

There's still M16A1 lowers with frequent firing schedules out there with all original lower parts. I don't think any of the lower parts are under much stress. That said, I'm interested in the answer to this question as well.

Not to hijack but I'm also curious if the anti-rotation pins do anything to extend the service life of a lower.

[Iraqgunz]

The main springs you should be concerned about are the hammer and trigger springs and the action spring (buffer spring). In my opinion it's cheap insurance and I would consider replacing them.

I recently purchased a Colt pre ban lower and it came with the original colt lower parts. I have no idea how many rounds have been through this lower. Looking for opinions on whether or not I should change out the lower parts or run it until something breaks? Thank you.

[mack7.62]

I used to hear it was a good idea to do a complete lower parts change out whenever you replace a worn out barrel, course that was when we figured a 6,000 round barrel life.

[vicious_cb]

Hammer spring, buffer spring and maybe the safety detent can be worn down depending on much the safety was flicked.

[twm134]

I have a lower receiver I built with a Colt LPK. I use it as a training lower and plan to replace parts as they break. I have only replaced the buffer spring a couple times. Nothing else has quit yet.

Last I checked this lower has over 40,0000 rounds on it. Different uppers of course.


I realize this isn't a good answer to your question so.... if I was worried about it I would simply acquire a complete Colt LPK, swap it out and probably never worry about it again.

[Iraqgunz]

Good point. The selector spring is usually a low stress part, but I would replace the detent.

Hammer spring, buffer spring and maybe the safety detent can be worn down depending on much the safety was flicked.