ar-newbie questions

[cowmeateater]

I recently bought my first ar (a remington vtr). I really dont know much about ar's. I only bought this one because i got a good deal and figured i could sell it for more than i bought it for. First off i dont like the camo paint job and i know i can buy a black ar's. But the things that disconcern me is all the plastic. It has a plastic safety and trigger. Do all ar's use plastic? I know modern plastic is pretty tough but i like steel better. Also you cant manually close the bolt, you just have to rely on the spring to close it, i take it all ar's are this way???

Thanks

 

[IndianaBoy]

Every AR-15 I have ever handled had a metal trigger and safety switch.


Every AR relies on a spring to close the action.


If you want to change out the plastic trigger and safety switch, it is a relatively simple matter. Assuming you can find the parts.


Are you certain that the parts are plastic, and not just feeling plasticy because of the coating?

 

[kwelz]

I have never seen an AR with a plastic Trigger and safety.

In fact a Plastic Trigger would not work due to the mechanics of an AR. It would wear down very quickly where it contacts the hammer.

I have handled and worked on a couple Remington ARs and none of them had any plastic components beyond what you would find in a normal AR. Buttstock, Pistol Grip, Handguard maybe the trigger guard but I am pretty sure that was aluminum as well.

All Ars rely on the spring to close the bolt. Many, if not all, modern Rifles are like this.

 

[jpwilly]

The Remington R15 VTR is built by Bushmaster for Remington and it doesn't have the plastic parts you decribe unless your rifle is an airsoft.

 

[lvcat2004]

can we see some pics, close-ups?? Does it have an orange plastic thingie on the muzzle?

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I have never seen an AR with a plastic Trigger and safety.

+1

I don't believe such a thing exists... unless it is some sick joke!

 

[MrCleanOK]

To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a safety or trigger out there for ARs made out of plastic. Maybe the coating on your parts is throwing off your perception.

Regarding the bolt, ARs are designed such that the buffer spring closes the bolt. To charge the gun, you should pull the charging handle all the way to the rear, then quickly release it (letting the spring do all of the work to close the bolt). If you want to close the bolt without as much noise (maybe you are hunting and want to load your rifle in the field), you can ride the charging handle forward to make the bolt close slowly. Use the forward assist if needed to help the bolt fully close.

 

[cowmeateater]

must just be the coating thats throwing me off, they look and feel plastic, i know it isnt airsoft.

Now ive got another question, would it be possible to repaint the gun over the camo with out screwing everything up?

Thanks

 

[ARNETT44]

Go to Brownells web site for paint

 

[Hostile Amish]

Since the gun underneath the paint is probably steel, try to use a paint solvent to remove it. I would not suggest putting a coat of paint over a factory painting.

 

[highorder]

I only bought this one because i got a good deal and figured i could sell it for more than i bought it for.

Sounds like it isn't what you want, and if you did get a good deal, you should trade into something more your speed.

 

[MrCleanOK]

You should be able to paint over it if the gun isn't to your liking, but I'm not sure about the durability of the finish you'll be painting over. Guns with camo jobs like this are actually dipped, not painted, and I have no idea how durable the finish is.

A thin film of the desired camoflauge pattern floats on the surface of a tank of water or some other fluid, and the gun is dipped into it. I'll see if I can find a video on youtube. It's actually kind of cool.

Video: It's 5-6 minutes, and the guy isn't dipping gun, but he explains a little bit about the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxnzJIzjtfg

 

[cowmeateater]

thanks for the info