The History of the AR15
The AR15. America’s Rifle. By most industry metrics, which are for good reason vague at best, there are 25 million or more AR15-style rifles possessed by free citizens in the United States, including many built from…
Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Nunc elementum ullamcorper purus id mollis. Donec facilisis mi ultricies pellentesque mollis.
A simple search for AR15 parts will generate many results. From parts treated with titanium nitride to items that are phosphate-coated, there are options for the motivated patriot.
The AR15. America’s Rifle. By most industry metrics, which are for good reason vague at best, there are 25 million or more AR15-style rifles possessed by free citizens in the United States, including many built from…
The Bolt Carrier Group, also known as the BCG, is a critical component of the AR-15 rifle or pistol. The BCG is the “action” of the firearm. It loads a new round into the chamber, fires that round, extracts and ejects the spent casing, cocks the hammer, and repeats the process
E2 Armory’s AR15 BCGs are made up of several components:
Carrier. This is the external housing for the bolt and is attached to the gas key. It’s important to clean and check it regularly to ensure that the screws attaching it to the gas key do not come loose and also for signs of excessive wear and cracks.
Bolt. The bolt itself helps guide the round into the chamber, extracts the spent case, then ejects the spent cartridge once you’ve fired the gun. E2 Armory offers AR15 parts for sale, such as the bolt assembly and extractor.
Gas key. Also called the “bolt carrier key,” this essential BCG part funnels gas from the gas tube into the bolt carrier. It should be tight and staked to create a seal. Proper staking keeps screws from backing out. E2 Armory also offers gas keys for sale as a separate component.
Firing pin. A firing pin is a component within the BCG that strikes the primer of a cartridge, igniting it and causing a small explosion to propel the projectile forward.
Cam Pin. The Cam Pin keeps the bolt inside the BCG and keeps it in line, it keeps the firing pin in line, it “cams” the bolt into the locked position as the BCG finishes its forward movement into the battery, and it provides many more functions that are crucial to the operation of the firearm. “Battery” is a firearms term for being ready to fire.
Here at E2 Armory, we are proud to offer a range of BCGs that meet and exceed demanding military specifications. From our base nitride-coated BCG to our premiere micro-polished titanium nitride BCG, all our AR15 BCGs are HPT/MPI tested for maximum durability and reliability. Your AR15 is a lifesaving tool, its BCG should be up to that standard.
At first glance, an AR15 upper receiver seems to be an unremarkable component. A tube-like affair, most likely with a Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) rail interface and threads to mount a barrel, this component has the integral role of housing the bolt carrier group, the forward assist, and acting as a mounting point for the barrel. In addition, the upper receiver’s rail acts as an attachment point for a red dot optic or a scope.
The above-mentioned, of course, are essential to the functionality and accuracy of an AR15. Out-of-spec AR15 uppers can be a frustrating source of malfunctions at the least or a major liability in a defensive situation. Immediate action drills such as SPORTS may not even help. Flaws in an upper can be deadly.
Certainly, all components of a fighting AR15 rifle are critical, but for that reason alone, the upper receiver is more important than most. Precision manufacturing, durability, and tolerances that exceed military specifications are of utmost importance for uppers. Manufacturers like E2 Armory understand the “mission” of both armed citizens and professional users, and their components, such as the AR15 upper receiver, exceed the exacting military specifications the United States Armed Forces have published.
With the AR15 upper receiver being responsible for the safe and reliable operation and movement of the BCG, in addition to holding the barrel and an optic true, quality manufacturing of uppers is critical. Precision machined components such as the AR15 A4 upper receiver from E2 Armory play a decisive role in an AR15 rifle or pistol.
At a price point that belies the quality engineering and machining that goes into the component, AR15 uppers from E2 Armory can become part of the heart of an armed citizen’s fighting rifle.
The first AR part one will often purchase for their build project is the lower receiver. Typically since this is the regulated AR part and when purchased at retail, a background check is performed. Because of this, most customers choose to purchase their lowers first and get the bureaucratic headache out of the way so they can concentrate on acquiring the rest of the AR15 parts.
Some will argue that it’s hard to “screw up” a lower, but nothing could be further from the truth. Though unassuming, AR15 lowers such as those available from E2 Armory are foundational to the craft and construction of a citizen’s defensive rifle. Inspected to the toughest standards, E2 Armory’s lowers are guaranteed quality.
While not subject to the astounding pressures of the barrel and chamber, the AR15 lower plays a critical role, as it contains the fire control group, the magazine release, the magazine itself, the grip, and other important AR15 parts.
Lowers are also responsible for attaching to the upper receiver and the receiver extension. Attaching to the upper receiver is done via two pins. If the holes for the pins are not drilled correctly or evenly, keeping the two “halves” of the weapon together is challenging, and if fit and finish are poor, accuracy suffers. For reference, the gap between the upper and lower should be a thin line at most.
In addition, lowers provide threading for the receiver extension, aka the buffer tube to be mounted. If the threads are poor and the buffer detent hole is poorly drilled, the function of the AR15 will be severely impaired.
Thankfully, E2 Armory’s lowers exceed stringent professional and military specifications, and with a rigorous inspection process, one can be assured of a lifetime of service and performance from this AR part.
When it comes to purchasing AR15 parts, one will often focus on the flashy and “interesting” parts of the firearm first. Bolt carrier groups lower, uppers, handguards, fire control groups, and the like take up most of the time and effort of research. Often, those assembling their AR15 will treat the small AR15 parts as an afterthought, figuring that springs, gas keys, and extractors are of little importance.
That mindset could not be further from the truth. The genius of Eugene Stoner’s design for the AR15 lies in its simplicity. Unlike previous firearm designs, the AR15 strove to minimize the parts count, with a goal to simplify assembly and maintenance. Thus, each and every AR part is critical and has an important job to do in the handling and firing sequence of the AR15. The buffer detent pin keeps the buffer and spring in the buffer tube. The AR15 will be a rather odd paperweight without a sturdy and reliable charging handle. Without a proper extractor, the AR15 will be a glorified single-shot rifle. A proper gas key ensures reliable cycling of the AR15 action.
With this in mind, E2 Armory is proud to offer the same meticulous quality with our AR15 parts as we do with components such as our uppers, lowers, and BCGs. Whether it’s a gas key or a charging handle, our engineering and inspection processes ensure each AR part meets and exceeds professional and military specifications.
A small AR part may seem unimportant, but field-expedient replacement may be extraordinarily difficult and time-consuming if it fails, especially in a tense situation. The time that a citizen defender or a first responder simply does not have. The easier solution is to ensure the manufacturer produces quality and reliable AR parts.
At E2 Armory, our AR15 parts are produced and tested by personnel with decades of industry and real-world experience. They know failure is not an option, and each and every E2 Armory AR15 part reflects this ethos. Purchase with confidence, knowing an AR15 built with E2 Armory AR15 components will provide a lifetime of service for the armed citizen.
It’s been a whirlwind for the firearms industry over the past few years, and 2022 is continuing the trend. Those who already own an AR may be considering upgrades, or taking the leap and building their own AR15.
A simple Google (or Brave if you’re feeling the freedom!) search for AR15 parts will generate many results. From parts treated with titanium nitride to items that are phosphate-coated, there are options for the motivated patriot.
But, like with most things in life, there are quite a few factors at play.
So, with regards to AR15 parts, what to consider before you buy?
A modern defensive rifle like an AR15 is the culmination of decades of research and refinement. Eugene Stoner’s direct-impingement system has stood the test of time with these advances.
An AR15 rifle has a simple task, but the devil is in the details. The idea is to contain an explosive force, and propel a 5.56mm or .223 projectile downrange in the desired direction. The term “explosive force” is where the science comes in. Every AR15 part is subject either to the direct pressures of that explosive force, or the transmitted recoil. AR15 parts have a lot of work to do, repeatedly and rapidly.
Before purchasing your AR15 bolt carrier group, barrel or receiver, one must first look at the composition of the part. While there is a variety of materials out there, some benchmarks can be utilized to assist in the purchasing process.
The most durable and strongest materials should be present in the critical working components of your AR15. Parts such as the bolt carrier group, the barrel, the lower receiver, and the upper receiver take the brunt of the force. Visualizing the explosive force can help one think about the pressure being delivered while the AR15 is in operation.
A quality BCG will have the carrier machined from 8620 steel, with the bolt proper machined from 9310 steel. This should be considered the bare minimum for a reliable BCG. As a finishing touch, a quality bolt carrier group such as those from E2 Armory will sport a parkerizing or nitride finish for wear resistance.
Another critical AR15 part, of course, is the barrel. This essentially contains the explosive force of the detonating cartridge and directs the projectile downrange. A 5.56x45mm projectile subjects the chamber of the barrel to a pressure spike of around 55,000 pounds per square inch. Thus, an AR15 barrel needs to be made from some truly impressive materials. Barrel manufacturing is both a science and an art. But, there’s a standard one should look for when purchasing an AR15 barrel.
An AR15 barrel rated for duty use will be hammer-forged from a chrome-moly vanadium alloy, with the bore and chamber being chrome-lined for corrosion resistance. Military-spec barrels are all subject to this process and are more than suitable for citizen use. An alternative process treats the barrel steel in a nitride process, which actually imbues nitrogen into the steel. Nitride treatments are a newer process and barrels manufactured this way generally exceed military specifications for accuracy. However, chrome-lined barrels have shown to be more durable when subject to extreme abuse, i.e. sustained full-auto operation.
Though not subject to high pressures, the upper and lower receivers of an AR15 should be analyzed. AR15 upper and lower receivers should be forged from an aluminum alloy such as 7075 and tempered to a T6 rating.
Those found for purchase at E2 Armory meet and exceed these specifications. Lightweight, yet durable enough to withstand everyday handling and the shock of firing. These AR15 parts have a key role in the performance of your rifle, and thus should meet this standard.
Other components such as the buffer tube and handguard will often be made from 7075 T6 as well.
When purchasing AR15 parts, ensure that the components meet the standard for metallurgical makeup.
AR15 parts can be composed of quality materials, but if the essential manufacturing processes are flawed, there will be problems. Manufacturers will go to great pains to test their AR15 parts for reliability and publish those results. This is where the term “mil-spec” pops up, where military users require products to be tested according to procedure.
One thing about mil-spec is that the term means a given component meets a military specification, which may or may not fall within the acceptable performance parameters of the end-user. This is often why one will see the tagline “exceeds mil-spec” applied to certain brands of AR15 parts, such as those from E2 Armory.
Testing procedures vary based on component, but one common test is a high-pressure test, aka the HPT. The part in question is subject to pressure far greater than normal, i.e. by test-firing with a proof round. If the part shows no signs of failure or stress, it passes the test.
Following the HPT in the testing sequence is the magnetic particle inspection test. Simply put, the part in question is coated with an iron-based solution, that glows under ultraviolet light.
Then the part is put into a magnetic field, and the iron solution orients itself accordingly. Since gaps of air do not support the field, the solution drips through and shows under the light, in the form of bright lines, indicating flaws.
A quality manufacturer of AR15 parts such as E2 Armory will list that their parts are HPT/MPI tested.
Beyond composition and testing, other details must be considered, which are specific to the part in question.
For example, when purchasing a bolt carrier group, the seller will denote that it is “full-auto” or something similar. This does not mean that it turns a standard semi-automatic AR15 into a fully-automatic rifle. For that to happen, several other components are needed, which fall beyond the scope of this article. When a bolt carrier group is labeled as “full auto”, it merely means that the bolt carrier group is capable of being fitted to a fully-automatic M4 or M16 rifle. The full auto BCG is slightly longer and heavier than a semi-auto BCG. The benefit to a semi-auto AR15 is that the mass of the full-auto BCG reduces felt recoil, as well as wear. Most BCGs made at this time are of the full-auto variant. Of course, there are considerations when selecting an AR15 barrel. The biggest factors are gas system length and twist rate.
The gas system of an AR15 captures some of the gas from the firing sequence through a port in the barrel with a gas block, sends it back through a gas tube into the bolt carrier group, forcing the BCG back to cycle. Gas systems usually come in 3 configurations: carbine, mid-length, and rifle length.
Carbine length gas systems are the shortest, and since they tend to provide the AR system with the shortest dwell time, which is the delay from when the bullet passes the gas tube hole to the time the bullet exits the barrel. This system is no longer favored since it tends to run the AR harshly.
Mid-length gas systems are preferred, as they provide enough dwell time to cycle the AR15 action, and still keep the system pressure low enough to minimize excess wear.
Rifle-length gas systems usually appear in barrel lengths of 18 inches or greater, and thus one will only find them in specific setups such as designated-marksman AR15s, and retro AR15s which sport a 20-inch barrel.
Concurrently, the twist rate of the barrel must be considered. A rifle barrel has spiral grooves which impart spin into the projectile as it travels. The twist rate of an AR15 barrel, or any other firearm barrel, is denoted in inches. For example, 1:10″ means that the projectile is spun around once over a distance of 10 inches.
Spin stabilizes the projectile, ensuring more accuracy. Heavier projectiles require faster spin rates. For example, a barrel with a 1:12″ twist rate will stabilize a classic 55 grain 5.56mm M193 projectile, but will not work for the modern 77 grain Mk262 Mod 1 5.56mm round. For that heavier cartridge, a 1:7″ twist rate is required. In general, an AR15 barrel should have a 1:7″ twist rate.
Along the same lines, checking an upper receiver for M4-style feedramps should be part of the process. Extended feedramps assist in feeding the newer 5.56mm ammunition into the barrel chamber of an AR15, lessening the chance of a jam.
There’s a lot of hype and promotion behind the big brands of AR15 parts. Second Amendment social media is awash in promotions for those marques.
However, in some cases, one is merely paying for the rollmark. It’s no secret that some brands only apply the finishing touches to AR15 parts, and etch their logo on the side. Machining AR15 parts is a very exacting process, and there exists only a small number of facilities capable of producing these components.
If one is looking to shop for AR15 parts, it’s worth the time to research who the OEMs for the popular AR brands are (E2Armory.com is an excellent option). Industry secrecy makes tracing the supply chain difficult, but sometimes, one can score a nugget of useful data.
If the source of the component is from a major OE manufacturer such as AO Precision, one can be assured of the quality of the AR15 parts. The part may not be a big Tier 1 brand and may lack the go-fast finish, but the component will perform to spec, especially under duress.
To be fair, there’s a dizzying array of considerations to purchasing quality AR15 parts. Material composition, testing compliance, and technical specs can all be rather confusing. Once one drills down and ensures that the AR parts in consideration meet some basic industry benchmarks, the AR15 parts purchase process becomes a simple affair.
E2 Armory is a leading retailer for Ar15 parts based in Daytona Beach, Florida. Their AR15 parts are mil-spec, made in the USA and they offer free shipping. Check out the website for incredible prices every day www.E2Armory.com
Get first grab at new AR 15 parts, offers, and training events!