Spare Bolt

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I am in the ArmyNG, and though I haven't deployed yet, I know I will soon. I am wondering, would it be wise to get a spare complete bolt-carrier assembly for my weapon? I know AR-15s/M-4s can get dirty fast, and keeping them clean while deployed is a top priority. I was thinking that with a spare bolt carrier, I could just take one out and put the other in, so my weapon remains functional, even if I am cleaning bolt parts. Plus if something breaks, like the firing pin or extractor, all I have to do is pop out the rear roll pin, pull out the bolt and put the new one in. Any soldiers or Marines on here who have deployed think this might be smart?

And also, are all AR-15/M16/M4 bolt carriers and parts interchangeable? If I got a complete Bushmaster civilian AR-15 bolt carrier assembly, would it fit in a U.S. GI Colt M-4 with burst fire?

 

[anthony-white]

I had one out of a confiscated weapon (bushmaster out of a cache) on hand just for that reason, carried it for the rest of the year I was there and never used it. I wouldn't carry one again. As far as interchangeability goes, it would drop in but I never function checked it so I'm really not 100% sure on that. I ran my weapon a little on the dry side and it ran fine when it was needed, take that for what its worth. Good luck and watch your six.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I keep a spare bolt handy. Not a bad idea, but I have a lot of other spare parts as well.

 

[Onmilo]

If the firing pin breaks a spare bolt will do you absolutely no good.
If the bolt breaks and you survive the encounter, you ain't going to take time out to fix it right then and there.
Move to the back of the pack and let the other Troopers handle the problem.