There’s an old saying, “Part is parts.” So all AR-15 small parts kits are pretty much the same, right? That’s the notion going around on the Internet. But is it true? Let’s get some truth today from Brownells Gun Tech™ Steve Ostrem and Mike Mihalski, founder and owner of Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW), a guy who knows a LOT about AR-15 parts. AR-15s rarely break down because a major component fails. Stoppages are usually the result of a little $2 spring breaking and bringing the whole rifle to a halt. Mike says the difference between a highly reliable AR-15 and one that’s iffy IS those small parts. Even a “mil-spec” AR-15 trigger is capable of delivering a consistent pull with a clean break, heavy hammer strike, and a positive reset – all hallmarks of a “good” trigger – IF it’s manufactured to strict tolerances. The most problematic part from the generic small parts kit is the bolt stop, which has to take the stress of stopping the bolt with all the mass and energy of the action spring behind it. Put a substandard bolt stop in your AR, and you’re headed for trouble. Inspect parts before you install them in your rifle. If a part doesn’t fit well, it’s probably out of spec. So the myth is BUSTED. Small parts kits are NOT all the same! Do yourself and your rifle a favor: get a high-quality AR-15 small parts kit, such as one from Sons of Liberty Gun Works.
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This is why I don’t use Anderson anything.
As a career long auto mechanic it never ceased to amaze me how many high end auto owners chose to go with the cheapest possible parts found . But many once big brand names anymore are just that . A name . With firearms I choose O E from the maker .
Mike is a stand up guy. Thank you for all you do SOLGW!
I did a build a while back with a CMMG lower parts kit and took it to the range and it had multiple light strikes. The range boss who was a former marine armorer broke it down but couldn`t find the problem. But once I got home I went over it with a fine tooth comb and found it to be a weak hammer spring witch I replaced with one from Brownells.
This episode you just gave, brought new enlightenment on what I should be looking for in my small parts. Thank you so very much. Sons of Liberty here I come!
The only issue I've had with LPKs is the number of detents included. I'm sure one of them is circling the ISS.
I make all my small parts out of dried play-doh. It's not a problem unless it rains
Where is Caleb?? And what is in the cups?
I never trust gun guys with tattoos. That’s a sure sign that they are closet communist.
JUST kidding! 😜🤓
This guy knows his stuff
Got anything on short stroking say an 1860/66/73 winchesters and ubertis?
Best trigger group I've found is the Rock River Arms 2-Stage National Match. It drops in, has a powerful hammer spring to take on hard Russian primers with a faster lock time than mil-spec. It's beautifully crisp at 3 to 3.5 pound, that only gets smoother better the more it's used. All Mil-spec triggers there after will feel like your dragging a dead cow across a 4-lane highway (long, rough and heavy as hell). For all other internals and springs I use genuine Colt. Buy the best, forget the rest… As to the hammer/trigger pivot pins I use KNS Precision, Inc. Non-Rotating pins with keepers (NRTHP Mod.2 – 1555 kit). This way the receiver never suffers any hole wear… ^~^
edit: my spelling is utter rubbish at the best of times… 0~o
I like to build with ambi parts kits and the only one's I've found on the market are CMMG. Still though, I prefer to toss out the hammer and trigger pins and go with KNS anti-walk, anti-rotational pins. I also dislike the standard A2 grips and swap them out with an Ergo Grip rubber grip. I like to throw in an XMR extended mag release, the Odin Works Gen1 works well and just clears the KNS bar between the pins. It would be nice if someone made LPKs that came standard for ambi use and gave the option of picking out a different grip.
Where's Caleb?
This is SUCH a valuable video and I hope that the folks watching take the information to heart.
Totally agree, the small parts can be more important than the lower, rail's, and stuff like that.
He definitely got that cup back on cue.
Terrible audio
Had two friends guns fail because of the small spring in the forward assist failing and catching on the bcg teeth
Glad someone finally speaks up to the mass about this lol. That’s why I only use cmmg LPK’s for the most part because everything from their mag catches to their springs are great in fit and finish. I’ve used SOLGW and CMC LPK’s and they’re good (better than most) but some of the parts have finishes that are a bit too thick for my liking.
I like the cmmg kits
I just made a post on my FB about this yesterday haha. I buy Schmid Tool kits exclusively 🙂
I’ve not put together a kit but think I’m about ready
My first build was a PSA small parts kit and the second build was a SOLGW kit and it is so much smoother and one of my psa springs broke
Dude was told…drink coffee at end of video…and he complied.😆
I had a saftey dtent wear in less than 4 months I went to brownells and bought a solgw and it is flawless now
Was the pivot pin comment a little jab? Lol SOLGW are kinda known for that so their upper and lowers firmest is extremely snug.
Is there a list of parts that breakage of will absolutely prevent the gun from firing semi-auto? I realize that breakage of a non-essential part like the bolt hold open can tie the gun up. I almost did not install one last night on a new receiver I purchased the other day (Better get one now while still easily legal to buy). My AK does not have one and all is good with it. Besides it does not work with my conversion .22 kit that I am using it for anyway. A pistol grip in one receiver kit just plain would not fit my new anderson receiver. I dipped into a PSA kit for a standard one it fitted perfectly.
A list of the most vital small parts would be handy and I would order them say from brownells and retrofit them to my ARs just to be sure.
Producer: *kicks in the door
OK people! Let's get started!
…..wait….. You're not Caleb.
Steve: Actually this is…….
Producer: QUIET STEVE! I'll ask the questions here.
HEY NEW GUY. Take off your hat.
SOL: *takes off hat
Producer: Sweet Jesus! PUT THE DAMN HAT BACK ON! Ok I can work with this.
Let's get started filming people!!
Semper Fi
Oh, sure, you tell me that Now…
The last build I did was on a KP-15 I ordered through Brownells. Everything went together well, except I used an ALG ACT trigger I had on another rifle I was cannibalizing for parts which had the lighter hammer spring on it. When I took it out the first round fired, but then click. Everything cycled, but out of about 10 rounds only one or two rounds fired. I knew the ammo should be fine and it was dimpling the primer, but looked kind of weak, so I packed up for the day and picked up a stouter spring from one of my local shops since I lost the original and next time out, worked like a champ.
Why does eBay come to mind?🤔
I always had good luck with Spikes Tactical and Daniel Defense LPKs, not so much with CMMG or Aero Precision. The CMMG takedown pins were a slightly smaller diameter than those from Spikes or Daniel Defense and there was a noticeable amount of play between upper and lower receivers because of it. Aero Precision mil-spec triggers were terrible. If you're using a different trigger, then probably not a big deal. Small parts from Radian Weapons and Geissele have also been great.
I bought a low cost parts kit for "Emergency" use .. If something breaks on my guns I get quality parts to replace those.. The parts kit is only to fix something for a temporary fix..