AR15 dust cover E-clip.. where to acquire?

[ny32182]

Does anyone know where, or if, I can get some extra of the microscopic E clips that retain the rod for the dust cover in the upper receiver?

Got back from the range a while back and noticed the rod was backing out and the E clip gone.
It is a 9" 300blk with no comp that likely has about as much recoil as you'll get in an AR15.
Thanks

 

[C-grunt]

Look at Midway and Brownells.

 

[Zerodefect]

Do we know the size?

Any radio controlled car hobby shop has 1.5 million varieties of E clips.

 

[ny32182]

Midway/Brownells look to just have complete kits. Actually this looks interesting:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021314696?pid=723508
Sounds like it uses a spring detent which would eliminate the need for the E clip to stay in one piece.

Thanks for the tip on the RC hobby shop... I have one right down the road.

I don't know the size, but the smallest ones at Home Depot/Lowes are still several times too big.

 

[Cemetery21]

Rod measures .124 and the groove is about .112" Inside measurement of the clip is about .103" if that helps.
I can send you a couple if you don't find a source.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Ace or True Value usually have them.
The last time I needed one I found it in my carburetor parts

 

[mcb]

They are 1/8-inch low clearance C-clips. You can get a lifetime supply from McMaster or Amazon for a few dollars.

 

[ny32182]

Thanks for the info guys, and Cemetery for the specific info and offer! I do appreciate it.
I think I'll just go the mega-pack route or get a spring loaded one though. Probably spring loaded.

 

[Tirod]

One of the few items on the M16 that is fiddly and considering all the other places its staked I wonder why it wasn't. Recently bought an upper and they sent two cover assemblies, one with two clips.

The question is, since extra left over parts tend to birth another AR, what is the gestation time estimate for a port cover e clip? I'm trying to use up all the furniture I had left over already and keep a completely empty shelf. Is this a lost cause?

 

[ny32182]

Not sure how it would be staked, but a spring detent in the end of the rod should eliminate any potential issues no matter what. I'm guessing the clipped rod is an artifact of the 60's that has just worked well enough to never drive wholesale upgrade of the part.

I don't run them hard really, but in nearly 20 years of owning and shooting ARs now this is the first time I've had this happen.