Henderson Defence long term AR use

[hill37]

Not Grendel specific but interesting read. Covers ARs used as Rentals. Thread goes from 6/15 to 7/19. Never saw an upper break at the extension before. https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Hi...677135/?page=1

[Lemonaid]

+1 on interesting. Helps with planning what spare parts to get.

[munchie3409]

That's because most folks don't shoot any firearm that much to push every component.

Not Grendel specific but interesting read. Covers ARs used as Rentals. Thread goes from 6/15 to 7/19. Never saw an upper break at the extension before. https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Hi...677135/?page=1

[lazyengineer]

That thread is GOLD! It has some of the best data you're ever going to find. One does have to keep in mind they run guns to failure mode, and go through a staggering amount of ammo. They push guns way way WAY beyond normal expected service life, and keep them running. They do relatively little PM, other than cleaning. Parts only get replaced when worn or broken. And the gun stays in service so long as it safely keeps shooting. They replace barrels when the rifling is so gone they are keyholing at 25 yards.

A few interesting buried tidbits:

-Not all BCG's hold up the same. But the ones that last include Colt, and PSA (yes, PSA). They actually like and run PSA gear - it lasts.
-They've never had a Steyr-AUG seriously break
-They break AR Bolts all the time from wear (including the good ones). But have never had a BCG wear out from a rifle length rifle and gas-system. I thought that was pretty darned profound.
-AK receivers wear out considerably faster than AR receivers. That was interesting.
-Most piston based AR's wear out far faster than DI based AR's. I think there was one brand (HK?) that held up, but ALL of the rest were basically crap that wore out way too fast.
-Chrome plated BBL's in MG's last longer than nitride or bare. And in MG level usage, there was no measured life improvement from nitride (though in fairness, most of their related rentals are full-auto; so it wasn't clear if in Semi-auto, it made a difference)
-Apparently, you actually can wear out an A2 flash-hider
-They don't touch steel cased ammo in 5.56; only brass. Though comm'ie guns get their steel comm'ie ammo.
-If you had to buy one guy for ultimate maximum service life, the SCAR stood out (though AUG was up there too).