Gun Parts Kits and Rectifying Common Issues

Probably the vast majority of people that buy gun parts kits get them to build or customize a rifle or pistol on their own. This is why complete parts kits are often referred to as build kits.

They often contain everything you need to complete a functioning firearm, minus the frame (as that would require an FFL transfer).

Most build kits have every piece of hardware you need to assemble a functioning gun, including, in some cases, spare springs, hardware, and even magazines.

And, as you may know, guns are mechanical machines that have many parts that will eventually wear, fatigue, or fail outright.

So, in some instances it makes sense to get a parts kit just to have the spares.

With that said, these are some of the gun parts that will wear first.

Firing Pin and Springs

Firing pins usually last a long time (usually between 10,000 and 35,000 rounds), but problems with metallurgy can result in firing pins that are either too soft or too brittle.

Soft firing pins can mushroom and brittle firing pins can crack. If you’re noticing the primer gets dented but the rounds don’t fire, check the firing pin.

It is more likely to be the firing pin spring, especially if the pin is intact. Replace this spring and see if that rectifies the issue.

Recoil/Return/Buffer Springs

All semi-automatic firearms either have some sort of return spring, or a recoil spring, or a buffer spring that is responsible for cycling the action and returning the bolt/slide to battery after firing.

These are among the first springs that fatigue on any firearm. If you haven’t replaced yours between 3000 and 5000 rounds, then it’s time to consider doing so.

Gas Rings (Bolt Carrier Group)

The gas rings on your bolt carrier group (if you shoot an AR) are among the first parts that will wear on the BCG. when they wear, cycle time will suffer and reliability may become erratic.

To check to see if your BCG’s gas rings are worn, remove the carrier and place the weight of it against the bolt face. If it closes under its own weight, the gas rings are worn and need to be replaced. You can either replace the whole bolt carrier group or just the rings.

Gas Tube

On an AR-style rifle with a gas impingement system, the end of the gas tube that creates a seal against the gas key is slightly flared. This configuration helps create a tight seal. If the flared end gets pounded flat over time, the seal will be compromised and the gas tube may need to be replaced.

Takedown Pins/Roll Pins

Modern firearms, like Rock Island 1911 pistols and AR-style rifles, are largely held together with takedown pins and roll pins.

It’s not so much that they fail as they can work loose during firing and be lost. At a certain point, you won’t be able to safely fire the gun anymore if all your pins have walked loose and fallen out, and they will need to be replaced.

This even applies to pre-modern arms, for instance, most muzzleloaders, in which the barrel is secured to the stock via the aid of a wedge key which is little more than a primitive takedown pin, and which is just as suspect to being lost.

Magazine Springs

Some gun parts kits come with magazines (though not all do) in which case the kit will contain a spare magazine spring.

This is often the first part of the mag to wear out and need replacement; if your kit has a spare mag, you have two options. Either retire the old mag or replace the spring. Either works.

Extractors

Extractors sometimes break, and their springs fatigue much earlier than that. You’ll notice this happening when you start getting complete failures to extract, or, alternatively, a lot of stovepipe jams.

Replacing the extractor(s) is easy enough, but before you do, clean the gun well. Sometimes an accumulation of fouling around the chamber makes it hard for the extractor to engage.

Ejectors

Not all guns have ejectors, but if yours does and it breaks or the springs fatigue, you’ll notice a bunch of jams (stovepipes, mostly). The same goes as it does for extractors. Clean the gun, see if that fixes the problem, and if not, replace the ejectors.

Sights and Beads

Sights are not something you’re liable to lose, but in the case of some shotguns which have threaded beads, it’s possible for the bead to walk loose and get lost on the range. By the time you notice it you might be up a creek.

No worries if you have a gun parts kit with the appropriate replacement part.

On Barrel Replacements

While some low-chamber-pressure calibers (like 9mm) are unlikely to cause this problem, rifled barrels can be “shot out” which describes the condition in which the rifling wears down to the point that accuracy is affected.

The higher the chamber pressure and velocity produced by the cartridges, the shorter the lifespan of the barrel will be, but if you shoot a cartridge like .22 Swift and .22-250 Remington, you might need to replace a barrel after as few as 1000 rounds.

By the way, you can’t tell by looking at the crowning of the muzzle. You need to inspect the throat of the chamber; this is where the temperatures and pressures are highest and where the damage will be most pronounced. Just something to be aware of.

Need a New Gun Parts Kit?

Whether you’re looking for a gun parts kit to keep a few spare parts around or you intend to fully customize your own build, we have you covered.

Take a look through our online collection or get in touch with us directly at 610-250-3960 to let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll help in any way we can.