Tactical Equipment Maintenance Extending the Lifespan of Your Gear

There is always solid advice on rifle and handgun accuracy, beginning to seasoned pro advice on types of firearms, and varying degrees on the AR-15 and tactical handguns. However, maintaining the equipment should be one of the most critical overall aspects of tactical gear.

Law enforcement groups and military personnel understand the importance of keeping their gear in top shape. From boot camp and training to the higher ranks, proper equipment care is drilled into every individual. Equipment failure and malfunction lead to delays and possible harm to personnel and groups.

Tactical gear maintenance has gone far beyond the traditional gun oil and patches to the widespread adoption of predictive maintenance and management. In the 1990s, CH Waddington began implementing condition-based maintenance techniques to improve equipment availability before a breakdown.

Decades ago, the Pentagon issued a directive to promote predictive maintenance across all forms of the military. The GAO is now praising the effects of this initiative to maintain the military’s tactical gear readiness before a breakdown. From boots on the ground to generals at the Pentagon, a granular approach to predictive firearm maintenance and cleaning is finally having an effect.

AR-15 Maintenance and Cleaning

One of the most significant reasons the AR-15 is so popular is its modularity. Regardless of caliber, each part of the rifle is easily replaced with dozens of manufacturers offering an OEM component or an upgrade. Again, depending on the caliber, quality of the part, or its manufacturer, an AR-15 has a shelf life of between 25,000 and 30,000 rounds. Several components are involved in firing a single round, and most AR-15 experts advise never to buy cheap.

• Barrels will never fail in a catastrophic sense and never break down from the outside. Rather the rifling and barrel throat will erode from a combination of heat and friction. There will be a time-related effect on accuracy as the rifling weakens.
• Recoil springs compress each time as there is a rearward stroke of the bolt carrier group and then expand to drive it forward. Springs will lose compression and height over time.
• Buffer tips are hit each time the rifle cycles through to another round. The rubber tip will begin to deform and spread after a few thousand rounds, lessening the shock absorption.
• Selector detent keeps the selector lever in the same place you put it at the start of the round. Rotating from safe to fire can make the lever loose and sloppy handling.

One of the most impressive long-distance rifle packages for the AR-15

• H&K MR762A1 Long Range AR-15. This feature is one of the most impressive configurations for the AR-15. The 7.62x51mm NATO features a 16.5-inch barrel with an aggressive 1:11 twist 20+1 capacity and two-stage trigger assembly. This precision rifle configuration includes an exclusive Heckler & Koch G28 Adjustable Buttstock with an ergonomic pistol grip. A cold-forged hammer and a rifle weight range of 10 to 10.099 pounds with a LaRue Tactical tripod make this an impressive package.

Keeping an elite firearm such as the AR-15 in top shooting condition requires building a spare parts list and critical supplies in case of emergencies. The AR-15 is a closed system, meaning foreign matter cannot readily enter the action.

AR-15 Maintenance

Keeping an AR-15 in top firing condition can be a bit overwhelming for some novice shooters. However, once the shooter realizes how easy it is to break the rifle down, the fears subside considerably. The first step in good maintenance habits is either building or buying a cleaning kit. Finding an online retailer with the necessary supplies is the best option if you are a high-volume shooter.

Law enforcement, military, and competitive shooters often build their gun cleaning kits because of the frequent cleaning an AR-15 requires. Again, find an online retailer that offers AR-15-specific supplies such as a bore brush, good solvents, and lubricating oil. A novice shooter should follow step-by-step guidelines until they are entirely comfortable with the disassembly and cleaning of the AR-15.

Affordable and Competent AR-15 Configurations

Mossberg, Mauser, Smith & Wesson, and others offer well-built AR-15s for novice shooters wanting an affordable, tactical rifle.

• Smith and Wesson MP15-22 Sport is a quality rifle with plenty of exceptional options. A 16.5-inch barrel, 10+1 capacity, and black synthetic stock make this an excellent package for any shooter. This lightweight, rugged rifle is optic-ready and has a slim handguard with M-LOK. Weighing nearly 6 pounds, the S&W is a quality package from front to stock.

Tactical Handgun Maintenance

Proper preventive maintenance is vital to keep a working pistol in top shape. Ideally, any firearm should be thoroughly cleaned within 24 hours of use. Gunpowder, grime, and dirt can harden into a film of carbon and can make the firearm unsafe. Regularly cleaning a firearm increases its lifespan and can also increase its value.

• Nighthawk Shadow Hawk Commander Pistol is a dominant match grade, 9 mm pistol for the active shooter. A 4.25-inch barrel features a one-piece, machined frame with aggressive cocking serrations for competition and self-defense. A black nitride finish and lightweight aluminum trigger make this an impressive sidearm for any shooter.

Military and law enforcement personnel who rely on a tactical handgun for protection and their very lives know what it means to keep a firearm operating at its absolute best. Handguns are magnets for all types of grime and dirt. Carrying the pistol daily means the firearm is subjected to rapid changes in temperature and humidity.

Final Word

When deciding on the right AR-15 or pistol, never forget the maintenance required. Military and law enforcement officers learn firearm maintenance through constant repetition. This repetition carries over into life outside of military service to keep their firearms in top firing condition.

Learn the AR-15 to precisely know the care and timing for upkeep.

Elite tactical firearms, such as an AR-15, will provide a lifetime of dependable service if cared for properly. Take the time to learn every aspect of the firearm to retain its value.