Posted: 12/29/2006 4:43:42 PM EDT
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Guys, I've just got home with my very first AR15, a Colt LE6920!!! YEEAH!!!! That's what I'm talking bout!!!! Anyhow, I've honestly got zero experience with an AR, I've always been a 1911 handgun guy. Before I do ANYTHING, I will buy mags, ammo, and start shooting this thing. I'm a good shot, with iron sights especially, so no worries there. I just need to get to know THIS weapon. However, with zero AR15 experience, I would like to know a few things. The FIRST mods/work/additions I will perform, will not be anything cosmetic. Rather, I want to do ANYTHING I CAN POSSIBLY DO, to make this thing as RELIABLE AS POSSIBLE. I've already bought HK mags, which looked to be of the best quality I've ever seen in an AR mag, and they work great. I'm also currently researching quality ammo, and I also keep all of my weapons CLEAN, so this all is HALF the battle (if not more). SO, what I'm looking for, is internal mods/additions/replacements, that will help make this AR as reliable as possible. I've heard guys mention a few stock parts that can be replaced, which help with reliability, so THIS is EXACTLY what I'm after. It's been a LONG time, so I need to be reminded here, of WHICH parts those might be??? Can anyone tell me what parts I can replace (or ADD maybe?) in order to pursue my quest for ultimate reliability???? Also, where to get these parts, if they are unique, or hard to find parts???? I realize many parts can be found literally ANYWHERE, but some, cannot just be purchased from Brownells/etc as easily.... Thanks for any help guys.. |
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#1 thing you can do besides using good ammo is to keep it well lubed. I like a synthetic grease such as TW28B, but just about anything will work. Pat Rogers (prolific carbine instructor) is known to spray vagisil on rifles that are in need of lube to keep them running during classes. |
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SAW offers a reliability package of modifications to make any Colt carbine as reliable as possible. Please read his web site discription for more information. He charges $200.00 for it. And you never have to do anything else unless you wish to add items. I would get a couple thousand rounds down the tube first. Then decide if that's the way you want to go. Your weapon is basicly the same as being used currently in combat without said mods or upgrades that Ken does at SAW. Good Luck and Good Shooting. BoyScout4Life... |
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Congratulations on the new 6920. Don't dick it up! I've had Ken's SAW modifications done to my carbines, but that was because one of my carbines came from him and the other was out at his shop for something else. You don't need it, but it's nice to have. DON'T - Change the bolt and carrier, unless it's to replace a semi-auto carrier with a "full-auto" Colt carrier (full circle, with shroud). Yes, it's legal to do. DON'T - Decide that somebody else's upper is better/cooler/higher-speed, etc. DON'T - Go with someone else's barrel. The 1:7 barrel is GTG. DON'T - Put a lot of shit on the carbine. Think about an Aimpoint with LaRue mount and a BUIS (Troy). Maybe you might want a light (SureFire). If you have shot a lot of carbines, you may have found the pistol grip is unsatisfactory. Think about Tango Down's replacement. I wouldn't spring for a rail until you are certain that having one will provide value to you. DO - Run good ammo. DO - Keep it properly lubricated. Colts and women perform best when very wet. |
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+1 What everyone said and congrats. Stock Colt ARs should run fine, I had 6 former pre-ban models that I didn't modify and had no problems with them in the last 35 years from SP-1, SP-2s (rifle & carbine), A2 HBAR, 6551 Sporter Target rifle and 6530 Sporter Lightweight carbine. My current two Colts, a 6721 carbine which I swapped a Denny's Guns Operator mid length gas system 16" barrel plus I'm only using a Wolff extra strength extractor spring on it's M16 BCG and my M16A2 upper which I got a Crane O-ring in the extractor (also Colt M16 BCG). I used only Colt 30 and 20 rd mags in the past but now I use D&H teflon finished mags with Magpul gen 2 followers, Wolff extra power mag springs and Magpul Ranger plates on my mostly used mags plus I have other brands like C Products SS and HK current model mags. Good luck. |
Hey Alpha, Thanks for the info (as well as everyone else). You have listed a few accessories, that I also have been looking at, and I have a couple questions. 1. WHY do some guys replace the stock extractor springs? Is this done to replace the OEM spring with a STRONGER/STIFFER spring? 2. In regards to the D&H Teflon mags. How do they compare to the HK mags (that I use).???? I am very happy with the HK mags and I've wondered if it is even possible to create a better quality mag??? 3. Does anyone recommend replacing the HK mags follower kits with the Magpull follower kit, or should I just leave them alone? IF there is a higher quality follower kit out there, I would like to use it, however, IF the HK stock follower kit is JUST AS GOOD, then I will leave it alone.. 4. Are the Magpul Ranger plates pretty much the same concept as the other Magpul item that slips over the magazines???? I can't remember the other name of them, but I know they differ from the Ranger Plates a bit, and I'm wondering what the difference is (if any)???? Thanks so much for everyones help... |
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1. Some guys will remove and replace stock extractor springs with stronger springs to improve the extraction force. New production Colts have good stock extractor springs but older models and worn out springs needs replacement either with new springs or extra power springs, just remember to change your springs when worn out. In my opinion and what I have experienced, carbines and short barreled carbines need the extra strength extractor springs, but if your carbine works fine you don't have to change it. There are also new spring material of chrome silicone which will last longer than the standard spring material. Denny of Global Tactical and other sellers at the Equipment Exchange of this same site are selling them. 2. D&H and soon C Products teflon finished Mil-Spec mags are also good quality, lighter and at a lower price than HK mags. The small down side of these mags are most guys and myself only loads them to 28 rounds so it would be easier to do a tactical load on a closed bolt condition, HK are a little longer and doesn't have the same problem, it could be easily loaded on a rifle with full 30 rounds. 3. Just leave the HK followers alone, the Magpul followers won't fit it and are only for Mil-Spec USGI 30 rd and curved 20 rd mags only. The only problems I heard with the HK followers in extreme conditions and very hard use, is that it could start to corrode, but average guys like us won't see that happen. 4. The Magpul Ranger plates are different from the original Magpul that slides on the body of the mags, the Ranger plates are attached like a mag floor plate and it replaces the stock mag floor plate, it's also a harder rubber like material than the older softer material. |
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There is a lot of good advice already posted here. My suggestion is to do nothing to your rifle but shoot it (with quality ammo) and clean it occasionally. After a few thousand rounds if there are no reliability issues, you have nothing to fix. You may discover than you want a better trigger, gasbuster charging handle, rail, or different pistol grip. However, don’t buy things because others have chosen to do so. Do them because after using your rifle (or trying others), you believe they will enhance the rifle in some fashion. |
DO - Add a Crane O-ring to the Colt extractor spring and black insert. D-fender costs more but is at least as good. DO - Take Colt Armorer Instructor Dean Caputo's M16/AR15 Operator's Diagnostic Class, often given in series with Pat Roger's Carbine Class. Take both! |
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The H&K mags should be good-go-go, assuming that you have the Gen-2 maritime mags. As stated above, the Magpul followers fit GI mag bodies. The H&K follower is anti-tilt. The downsides of the H&K mags compared to GI-type mags like the D&H are cost and weight. If you take a training class it's really nice to have 10+ mags to minimize the time you have to spend jamming them and maximize the time you can spend resting/hydrating between relays and during lunch break. For the price of 10 H&K mags you can pay for an EAG 3-day class. |
| Good choice, I spent 5 years working for their biggest competitor, the funny thing is, we all put Colt extractor springs with the "black" buffer insert into all our personal weapons. On short barrels we added a #007 o-ring to the extractor spring. They are a dime a dozen at hardware/plumbing supply stores, and do the same thing as the $7 "D-fender" o-ring. I got a hell of a discount from my employer on complete rifles, but none will compare to the quality of my Colt AR's. There is just no comparison to the other guys so-called "mil-spec" rifles, which we all know really are not. I would not change a damn thing on your 6920, it is the best you can buy for the money, right out of the box. |