AR 15 trouble.

joleary223 · May 28th, 2008, 02:02 PM

I have a bushmaster AR 15 that has taken a dump. The buffer spring detent and spring have somehow come loose and gotten chewed up in the bolt. I'm not sure what some other parts are called so I'm looking for a complete list of parts and a diagram of their locations to help me identify the missing or broken parts.
Thanks for any help in advance.

deadeye72 · May 28th, 2008, 02:45 PM

Bushmaster -The World of Bushmaster - "The Anatomy of a Bushmaster"

Not sure if this will help, but it is pretty cool. It has a parts list on it. When you highlight a part in the list, it highlights it in the image and shows what it does.

HK Dan · May 28th, 2008, 03:19 PM

Go to Brownells.com and look at the technical drawings. The Brownells part numbers are right there and you can order very easily.

Neither part will be hideously expensive.

In the mean time--make sure your buffer tube is fully screwed in when you get the new part (that's what retains the detent), and don't over-tighten it. "Snug" is good.

When you remove the stock to replace the buffer spring retainer, make sure you don't lose your detent for the disassembly pin. That is held in by the stock on the lower right side as you look at it.

HK Dan

joleary223 · May 28th, 2008, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I got the info I needed.
Oh! and I already lost the detent for the disassembly pin, that's the part I didn't know the name for. Thanks again.

BAC · May 28th, 2008, 05:46 PM

That really sucks. Sounds like the tube itself backed out a little to let that little sucker go; I'd check your stock, too.

-B

aus71383 · May 28th, 2008, 07:03 PM

That probably happened because your castle nut was not staked. When you reassemble it (I hope nothing is damaged) be sure to stake it so this can't happen again.

Austin

joleary223 · May 28th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus71383

be sure to stake it so this can't happen again.
Austin

Explain please. I don't want to repeat the problem.

aus71383 · May 28th, 2008, 07:40 PM

When you're assembling the gun there are a couple parts that are supposed to be "staked" and not all companies do this. Basically what "staking" is - you take a dull type punch (lots of guys use a screwdriver with the end ground down) as your metal displacing device, and give it a few whacks with a hammer. Naturally you do this in a specific place to accomplish a specific purpose.
On the bolt carrier group the gas key should be staked. There should be metal from the gas key displaced (via staking) that will preclude the gas key bolts from backing out.
On the castle nut, the castle nut should be staked (once it has been properly torqued) be displacing some metal from the receiver end plate into the notches built into the castle nut for this very purpose. Be sure to displace the metal on the proper side of the castle nut - in other words, lefty loosey, righty tighty, so stake on the right side of the little notch.
There are a lot better explanations (including pictures) on ar15.com and m4carbine.net

Austin

joleary223 · May 28th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Thanks I'll check it out. I'm more up to speed with FN's than AR's, but I can be taught!

BAC · May 28th, 2008, 08:55 PM

To build off Austin's excellent description, note the displacement of metal into the notch. This is an example of proper staking.

I'll note that A1 stocks don't require this.

-B

May 28th, 2008, 02:02 PM	#1
joleary223 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 811	AR 15 trouble. I have a bushmaster AR 15 that has taken a dump. The buffer spring detent and spring have somehow come loose and gotten chewed up in the bolt. I'm not sure what some other parts are called so I'm looking for a complete list of parts and a diagram of their locations to help me identify the missing or broken parts. Thanks for any help in advance. __________________ CRIME..... LAW DEFINES, POLICE ENFORCE, CITIZENS PREVENT! FOUR BOXES KEEP US FREE: [1] SOAP [2] BALLOT [3] JURY [4] AMMO!

May 28th, 2008, 02:45 PM	#2
deadeye72 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central Mississippi Posts: 2,230	Bushmaster -The World of Bushmaster - "The Anatomy of a Bushmaster" Not sure if this will help, but it is pretty cool. It has a parts list on it. When you highlight a part in the list, it highlights it in the image and shows what it does. __________________ HK P2000 .40 BENELLI NOVA

May 28th, 2008, 03:19 PM	#3
HK Dan Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 190	Go to Brownells.com and look at the technical drawings. The Brownells part numbers are right there and you can order very easily. Neither part will be hideously expensive. In the mean time--make sure your buffer tube is fully screwed in when you get the new part (that's what retains the detent), and don't over-tighten it. "Snug" is good. When you remove the stock to replace the buffer spring retainer, make sure you don't lose your detent for the disassembly pin. That is held in by the stock on the lower right side as you look at it. HK Dan __________________ "You can't miss fast enough to win."

May 28th, 2008, 04:32 PM	#4
joleary223 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 811	Thanks for the help guys. I got the info I needed. Oh! and I already lost the detent for the disassembly pin, that's the part I didn't know the name for. Thanks again. __________________ CRIME..... LAW DEFINES, POLICE ENFORCE, CITIZENS PREVENT! FOUR BOXES KEEP US FREE: [1] SOAP [2] BALLOT [3] JURY [4] AMMO!

May 28th, 2008, 07:53 PM	#9
joleary223 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 811	Thanks I'll check it out. I'm more up to speed with FN's than AR's, but I can be taught! __________________ CRIME..... LAW DEFINES, POLICE ENFORCE, CITIZENS PREVENT! FOUR BOXES KEEP US FREE: [1] SOAP [2] BALLOT [3] JURY [4] AMMO!

May 28th, 2008, 05:46 PM	#5
BAC Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,046	That really sucks. Sounds like the tube itself backed out a little to let that little sucker go; I'd check your stock, too. -B

May 28th, 2008, 07:03 PM	#6
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,685	That probably happened because your castle nut was not staked. When you reassemble it (I hope nothing is damaged) be sure to stake it so this can't happen again. Austin

May 28th, 2008, 07:40 PM	#8
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,685	When you're assembling the gun there are a couple parts that are supposed to be "staked" and not all companies do this. Basically what "staking" is - you take a dull type punch (lots of guys use a screwdriver with the end ground down) as your metal displacing device, and give it a few whacks with a hammer. Naturally you do this in a specific place to accomplish a specific purpose. On the bolt carrier group the gas key should be staked. There should be metal from the gas key displaced (via staking) that will preclude the gas key bolts from backing out. On the castle nut, the castle nut should be staked (once it has been properly torqued) be displacing some metal from the receiver end plate into the notches built into the castle nut for this very purpose. Be sure to displace the metal on the proper side of the castle nut - in other words, lefty loosey, righty tighty, so stake on the right side of the little notch. There are a lot better explanations (including pictures) on ar15.com and m4carbine.net Austin

May 28th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#10
BAC Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,046	To build off Austin's excellent description, note the displacement of metal into the notch. This is an example of proper staking. I'll note that A1 stocks don't require this. -B

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