Posted: 3/24/2016 11:39:13 AM EDT
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(preface) I currently own the Costa edition of the 5.56 Larue rifle, it's my only rifle currently (buy once/cry once). Admittedly, I'm not the most versed in rifle parts and accessories. I have a good idea of what everything is and where it goes from breakdown and cleaning of my rifle, but It's all been self learned. I'm trying to learn more everyday, while improving my skills as a shooter. (questions/help) Given the political climate, I'd like to ensure my ability to use this rifle for a long time and eventually pass it along to my daughters. I'm wanting to create a parts list for the rifle of all the things I could possibly need in the future and begin collecting quantities of those parts. From what I've researched on the Larue website, parts do seem to be limited in availability to mostly 7.62 and there's nothing specific to the Costa. Do they sell extra parts specific to the Costa edition? (I'd like to keep it as close to original in the future as possible in terms of parts). Am I correct in assuming that my rifle would be compatible with some of the PredatOBR parts as it was the first iteration of that design? Could anyone help me compile a list of Larue Specific parts to obtain that will likely keep it functional into the future? I know Larue has a fine warrantee, but I'd guess it does not cover things like firing pins and bolt carriers. I shoot about 250-500 rounds a month, but less here lately (unsuppressed). I appreciate anyone who's willing to help me create this list. Thank you for your time. ~TechOps |
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It's somewhat tricky to get parts that are exact to the Costa but you can come close.
I'd say the parts to get to keep it running forever would be: -14.5" extra PredatOBR barrel as well as a brake to pin and weld -complete BCG which sometimes pop up in the EE here. One just solve for $300. You can always have a spare bolt as well to include extractor and gas rings etc. -extra charging handle. Cheap and easy. -buffer and buffer spring wear out but that takes a lot of shooting as well. Unless you are shooting an incredible amount of rounds that rifle will last a very long time as it sits. |
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Quoted:
Maybe Larue should just release a 14.5" Tar +1000 on that one! originally the tobrs were going to be just that, then the qd handguard stepped in. the qd handguard doesn't make sense to me. which is easier? pulling two pins and swapping uppers for caliber/barrel change or the qd levers then barrel nut? I just don't get it. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm not sure I want to purchase a whole additional PredatAR. What they're saying is correct though. If you bought the PredatAR and sold the upper chassis, barrel, and lower (especially the lower) you would most likely come out of that making money, or at worst, breaking even. I understand it's a lot of cash up front, but if you want a spare of everything, that would be your best bet. You'd walk away with: Buffer Tube/buffer/spring complete Lower parts kit MBT Trigger complete Bolt Carrier Group charging handle polymer You would also want to pick up a spare 14.5 PredatOBR barrel with a PredatAR barrel nut, plus an extra SureFire Flash Hider & Shim kit. I would also suggest getting a couple extra spring kits from Sprinco (tacticalsprings.com--same stuff LaRue uses) and a 3 or 4 extra extractors from a reputable source. With all of that, I'd wager you've rifle would preform for decades to come. LaRue says their barrel life is "approximately" 10,000 rounds, though I remember reading a story somewhere where Pat McNamara was still getting sub MOA groups from his Stealth upper that had over 18,000 rounds through it. You'd probably in the 150,000+ round range before you'd even begin to have issues with major components like the upper receiver, but that's just my wild guess. If you shoot one or two classes a year, a few competitions, some casual range time, and maybe a little hunting, that rifle will probably still be kicking when your grand kids pick it up. Here's a really good thread on high round count ARs that would probably interest you: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/677135_High_round_count_AR_M4_s__over_100_000_rounds__and_how_they_have_handled_on_our_range.html |
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I typically just buy an extra bolt an extra extractor spring and extractor. Maybe a spare buffer and spring. Keep your Casta clean of carbon and it should run for a really long time. Eventually you can get a barrel but barring some crazy full auto firing that will be a long time. Triggers and bolt carriers usually last forever. I'd say $200 would have you set for a while.
Also on the barrel. If you have a .5 MOA rifle and if you're running a 2moa Aimpoint or a ACOG type optic you're not going to see much of an shift in accuracy over time. I wouldn't buy a barrel now unless you're really wanting to buy one. What's a .5 MOA to a .75 even to a 1 or more unless you're shooting a proper scope, ammo that's optimized for your particular rifle, and wanting to paper punch at distance. Practically speaking LaRue rifles are so accurate out of the box even when some of the accuracy degrades over time from use you're still more accurate than many other rifles. YMMV |