AR durability test completed

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rivethead147

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I bought an NES group buy lower in 2009 and built a 5.56mm AR-15 off of it. When I purchased it, there is always the endless debate of AR vs AK, and I love both platforms and would use both but it got me curious, just how durable is the AR design? I decided that the point to test is the gas system which is where the AR vs AK debate often leads to. So how dirty can an AR gas tube and bolt get and still work?

I decided that I would not cleaning the gas tube or bolt carrier group for two years. My thought was that if it held up that amount of time with fairly regular shooting in two years, I was hoping to accumulate an equivalent of 9 months to a year's worth of carbon build up as a result of daily shooting.

Keep in mind that I tested my build, fixed what ever I needed to before proceeding with my long term test so that any FTF, etc would be attributed to the carbon build up/gas system, not a flaw in my build.

After a little over two years of not cleaning the gas system or BCG, I have had zero malfunctions with this rifle. I am absolutely confidant in my AR, I will stake my life on it.

Hope this test helped some of you in your search for answers
 
I also believe the AR platform is very reliable, and I have not had any malfunctions with mine after having it for 3 years now (other than some bad reloads I made one time).
Can you give a little more details on how the test was conducted. For example:
How many rounds were fired, and were they generally shot rapidly?
What conditions they were fired in (hot, humid, rain, snow, etc.)
What ammo was used? If reloads were used, what powder was used?
There must have been some wear on the BCG, and it would be nice to see a picture of it.
 
I don't think that not cleaning your rifle constitutes a "durability" test. For field conditions (which I really don't know much about and they could vary) a more realistic approach is to take your rifle out and lug it along on a really long trek through woods, camp out, so it gets accidentally dropped, stepped on, soiled. Cleaning it is actually ok in the field, but try doing it when its pouring and you are sitting in a mud puddle. Use shitty milsurp ammo etc. I'm sure Army has all the procedures documented somewhere.
 
The AR platform does stand up pretty well to a great deal of adverse conditions; from the sub-zero temperature and snow drifts of Fort Drum all the way through the sand storms of Iraq the only real complaint I have is how fast the damn thing heats up. It can become damn near useless after greatly extended periods of fire; however, in the real world you most often run out of ammunition first. As far as field conditions, if you protect your weapon system, be it AK or AR, the "quality" ammunition you are given will most likely be the culprit; well, that and those terrible "G.I. mags."
 
been a little while since i've cleaned my AR. yeah, it still shoots. doesn't mean it beats anything in an anything test though--just means i'm a lazy bastard. [smile]
 
One of the gun shows some time back shot 10,000 rounds of TAP through a S&W AR, mag after mag. The gun stopped on occasion and they sprayed a good dose of CLP in it and kept shooting. It was so hot I expected it to catch fire when they sprayed it with CLP.

Not sure what the condition of the gun was when it was over but it was still shooting.

David E.
 
atilla said:
been a little while since i've cleaned my AR. yeah, it still shoots. doesn't mean it beats anything in an anything test though--just means i'm a lazy bastard. [smile]
Click to expand...

Same here. My AR's get cleaned maybe twice a year, usually the night before an NES shoot. Nothing worse than going to a shoot to find out your gun doesn't work, haha.

For normal range visits, I just squirt a little lube on the BCG and it's good to go.
 
i typically shoot through 400~500 rounds of either .223 or 5.56 per month, have shot it indoor and outdoor and in all seasons, and in varying new england weather ranging from the rare clear days in MA to the typical rainy gray and replaced with snowy gray of the winter. as for the ammo, it was mixed, anywhere from crappy surplus ammo to decent new target ammo.

lets assume middle of the road for round count, 450 rounds a month, for two years is 10,800 rounds of mixed ammo.

i posted this simply to show real world use of what kind of performance is expected out of the rifle as i have rarely found actual accounts of the rifle test, save military trials and manufacturer trials. i empirically tested it for myself and decided to post the results. if you aren't pleased with the results, please put up your own rifle, your own ammunition, own time, and own risk to damage of your rifle from lack of cleaning and either keep the results to your self or share with the world via the internet, which i have chosen to do. my test isn't a complete one, no i did not journal the use of it every day, no there is no specific methodology i followed. it was, "wonder if the gas system can take a couple years of abuse?" its one more piece of data to the ever going contention of the direct gas impingement
 
hurley431, i agree with you on the heat issue, i switched out my fore end for a CAA polymer one to reduce heat and weight, next AR build has plans for a free float barrel, hoping it will help with the heat issue

newportri, hope my previous posts clears it up for you, pm me, be happy to discuss it in length with you

thanks for anyone who checked it out so far
 
SteveCase - i have seen Larry Vickers torture test a 1911 both custom and 'off the shelf', HK USP, and Glock 21 but not an AR, do you have a link available?
 
This is one he did for DD, I think...

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, you have to make one where the gun doesn't fail. [laugh]

Stuff up any AR or AK with enough sand and rocks and they'll both stop.

-Mike
 
I figure a weapon is like a guitar.... it takes a while and a lot of playing and tweaking before a guitar becomes a good, reliable instrument. Same goes for AR's... making sure nothing comes loose, runs reliably, shoots reliably, feels comfortable, all of the pins, screws and nuts stay where they belong.

It is fun watching them beat up the gun though. I'm waiting for the barrel to snap the upper receiver in half. [laugh] " GOIN' HOT"
 
Ink said:
I figure a weapon is like a guitar.... it takes a while and a lot of playing and tweaking before a guitar becomes a good, reliable instrument. Same goes for AR's... making sure nothing comes loose, runs reliably, shoots reliably, feels comfortable, all of the pins, screws and nuts stay where they belong.
Click to expand...

A properly built AR will run straight out of the box, be reliable and not rattle loose. The key is for it to be built correctly in the first place
 
Where failure to clean gets you is when the rifle is stored in less than ideal conditions... A little water, condensation, freezing or fine sand will compound with the build up of carbon and random salts you find in crap russian ammo particularly...

A dirty rifle lubricated each range trip and kept in a low moisture "clean" environment can get REALLY dirty and work just fine.

Take that same rifle and store it in your trunk during the rainy season or winter and you will find problems...
 
Yeah, that abuse to the DD rifle nearly made me cry. Kinda like when you were a kid and saved all your money for a year or two to buy that guitar or drum kit--only to turn on the TV and see you favorite band smashing all their gear.
 

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