[natedog]

How prone is a mil-spec AR-15 to parts breakage? Not talking reliability here, just durability. What parts have you broken on an AR-15? Magazines included.

[Jeff White]

Nate,
You are more likely to lose parts then break them. In my 30 years experience with the M16 and AR15 I've seen just about everything that can go wrong with them. The tabs on the old triangular handguards tended to break. The spring that pops the dust cover open will wear out and break. The older buttstocks would eventually develop small cracks near the receiver from rough handling and drill.

The average shooter is more likely to lose a small part during maintenance then to break anything.

Jeff

[MiniZ]

I have tweaked many magazine lips over the years.
I don't think the mags were originally designed to be used for 10+ years-though with proper care they will last a lifetime.