I have been reading the comments about Sig not supporting the 556 any more and not being able to get spare parts. I called Sig and ordered the parts from the original "spare parts kit", less the spring pin and accompanying washers.
So, if I were to put together a similar "spare parts kit" for an AR 15, what parts, keeping it to a minimum, should I be considering?

Thank you.

At a minimum I would keep a firing pin, extractor, extractor spring and gas rings on standby. I find that if I keep any more parts than that on hand I usually start building a whole new rifle

This one is pretty easy, but there are different levels. It depends on whether you are creating a field replacement kit or a "depot" level kit.

In the field (minimally):

Complete Bolt (with extractor claw, spring, ejector etc)
Firing Pin
Cam Pin
Firing Pin Retaining Pin
Extra gas rings (minimum 3 if you get the indv ones)
Lubricant

[note that if the above parts in your gun break, you will not require punches or other tools to fix/replace the broken parts-it's kind of an arbitrary line, but you have to draw that line somewhere]

For an at-home kit:

Complete BCG
Complete LKP
Crush washers for muzzle devices
Gas tube & Gas tube roll pin
Buffers (all four standard weights & A2)
Buffer Springs (mostly carbine size, might want one fixed stock spring)
Carbine buffer tube, milspec
Port door assembly
Complete charging handle assy
Complete forward assist assy

I have uppers, lowers, stocks, etc. The only thing I don't keep around are bbls and handguards (but that's only because they are expensive and because rifles tend to be built around bbl selection so I tend to buy those items when I decide what I want to build).

Prices have never been lower, buy a complete spare parts kit. Comes with a 4473.

LLD, I think you hit the nail on the head with your "in the field" suggestion.

Now where would I go about to one stop shop these parts that combines quality and price?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by the Hudge:
LLD, I think you hit the nail on the head with your "in the field" suggestion.

Now where would I go about to one stop shop these parts that combines quality and price?

Thanks.

Sons of Liberty Gun Works
https://sonsoflibertygunworks....llections/components

quote:

Originally posted by the Hudge:
Now where would I go about to one stop shop these parts that combines quality and price?

Thanks.

My shop has all the parts I need so I'm able to source them locally.

I know that doesn't help in your situation, but I also wouldn't put pressure on myself to find them all from the same source.

If you see a good deal on LPKs at one place and something else you want from another source, don't be afraid to use different sources. Lots of deals to be had right now from Primary Arms, DSG in Texas, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by the Hudge:
LLD, I think you hit the nail on the head with your "in the field" suggestion.

Now where would I go about to one stop shop these parts that combines quality and price?

Thanks.

Right now, AimSurplus has free shipping on Magpul,Spikes,BCM,Geissele and ALG products.

Primary Arms had $29 Anderson complete LPKs few days ago.

edited... Here

In the range back I have a kit that includes almost all LPK parts, a full bolt, extractor, firing pin, a bunch of small springs, a couple of buffers (more for swapping if needed than anything else) and a carbine spring.

At home I have that x 4 really.

That is part of the reason I dumped the 556 back in '09 - I figured it wasn't going to go mainstream enough and someday SIG SAUER would dump it. So I sold it and bought 1.5 x ARs.

I went thru that last year,trying to use up spare parts,made a couple rifles.
With a barrel and receiver I could make another.
That ain't happening ,way too many in the safe already.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Prices have never been lower, buy a complete spare parts kit. Comes with a 4473.

At this point in time this is actually the best answer. Having been around the m16 type platform since the early 1980's ( my first I still recall my issued rifle m16A1 by h&r sn 2216455)
Even in throughly abused military rifles very little parts breakage. Spares of all the bolt parts and trigger assembly parts should be plenty but getting those spares will probably run close to $200, when low end rifles are under 500

Sons of Liberty Gun Works is a good place as mentioned, they use and stock a lot of BCM parts (along with others). DSG is great too but I don't know who makes their in house branded parts.

The correct name isn't spare parts. It's "rifle seeds".