AR survival

[Texasred]

I am haunted every night by the thought of my AR's failing and lack of parts in the far off future.
What parts fail on an AR, as I often hear of bolts cracking at a measley 6,000rnds.
What should I purchase now?
What is the rnd count life expectancy on a lower receiver? Upper receiver?

PS do AKs really make over 100,000 rnds?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What parts fail on an AR, as I often hear of bolts cracking at a measley 6,000rnds.

You hear of this often? I'm guessing that what you are seeing is an internet retelling of the 2006 SOPMOD report from NDIA for M4 bolts. The M4 bolt has about 150% more stress on it than an M16 bolt. In addition, the SOPMOD program isn't known for light use. Suppressors and full-auto fire (especially together) kick pressures, heat and wear up even more.

What is the rnd count life expectancy on a lower receiver? Upper receiver?

There are receivers still in service marked XM16E1, so they will last quite a while. I know one person who ran 100k plus rounds all in full-auto through an M16 lower and finally had some issues with the fire control group pins egging out the receiver holes; but other than that... they are durable.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would have one of these http://www.rockymountaintactical.ne...category_id=c42a624d36324151b23d97a7632a9698&

and a spare bolt or two.

Or just buy a spare AR. Two is one, one is none.