Need ideas...

[mrraley]

I'm looking to build a parts kit to sell to dealers that have their own repair shop.

 

One will be M-15 specific and the other will be AR-10 specific.

 

Looking at putting the parts in a divided compartment box.

 

So my question to you that are reading this is...

 

What parts should be included into this?

 

OR...

 

Should I just make it five complete lower parts kits with a few extra parts for the upper and BCG's?

[imschur]

Im stickying this as I think it will be an interesting discussion.

 

 

Is the intent to be a repair kit alone or repair and enhancement?

[98Z5V]

Complete springs and detents (safety, takedown/pivot) for the lower, with bolt rebuild kits separate (maybe). 

 

Or, Option 1 - LPK.  Springs, detents, basically everything except a trigger and pistol grip.  Lots of people use their preferred trigger and pistol grip anyway. 

 

Option 2 - the above LPK, with uper parts - Ejection port door, spring, pin and clip, as well as forward assist, pin and spring.  This would be kinda like the "overall, whole rifle" kit.

 

Option 3 - All of the above, and including the NM trigger. 

 

I honestly think bolt rebuild kits would sell well on their own, as a compliment to these packages.  Gas rings, extractor spring, ejector spring.  Maybe have an upgraded version of this that includes the actual extractor and ejector, in case somene breaks those and needs replacements.  Option 1 and Option 2 again. 

 

Maybe even a "Tune Up Kit" as another possibility - new buffer spring, extractor spring, ejector spring, with gas rings.  Those are the high-round-count wear items anyway.  <thumbsup>

 

I'm positive this will have alot of feedback, and I can't wait to see what people think. 

[FaRKle!]

A full LPK with an ALG QMS FCG is always nice as a reference level.

 

I also like the idea of the LPK without FCG and A2 grip. 

[Rsquared]

Sounds like you're more aiming for an all around repair parts kit. Not designed as much for the individual repair, but for someone who would be repairing many rifles (thus the 5 complete LPK thought). I like it. I would definitely get something like that.....even though technically I've already made up something like that for myself. Really, there's only so many parts involved, that a decent divided parts bin from Grainger (the 3 drawer steel slide-out type) serves as good storage. Then you just have to fill it with all of the parts.

 

Something like this. You can hold all of the parts that you can think of. Short of barrels, upper, lowers and stocks.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DURHAM-Large-Sliding-Drawer-Cabinet-5W885?Pid=search

 

 

I like the idea though Pat. I would definitely throw in bolt repair parts, along with lower parts. Am I close to what you were envisioning? Without maybe the steel drawer bins?

[98Z5V]

Ron, I think he's leaning towards something to send to gunsmiths, for them to keep in-house.  Repair guns that come in. 

[edgecrusher]

I'll take one! it sounds like a must have for some people on this board.....

[Rsquared]

Ron, I think he's leaning towards something to send to gunsmiths, for them to keep in-house.  Repair guns that come in. 

Yeah, that's what I was trying to get across. Sounds like we both picked up on it.

[Robocop1051]

This is my kit. It's pretty damned old, as it was a hand-me-down from my father. I have emptied and refilled it several times. It says "Lone Star" but it's a mesh of DPMS and Armalite now. I usually buy the little 3-packs of whatever I need from Brownells, then put my spares in this box.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Robocop1051

[washguy]

This is my kit. It's pretty damned old, as it was a hand-me-down from my father. I have emptied and refilled it several times. It says "Lone Star" but it's a mesh of DPMS and Armalite now. I usually buy the little 3-packs of whatever I need from Brownells, then put my spares in this box.

Robo I guess im pretty damned old cause way back when i did my ar parts shopping from them at the Dallas gun shows...they had quite an operation....I do remember their kits....at the gun shows they had a wooden bin with lil cubby holes containing all the parts you needed for an ar,,,,I even went to their warehouse in Ft. Worth one time.......:) Wash

Edited August 17, 2013 by washguy

[Robocop1051]

Wash, you don't have to guess... You are really damned old. Lol

[unforgiven]

You hit the nial on the head my brothers,but for the money a extra $10.00 bucks the ACT trigger is the bomb for low budget.And what ever pistol grip and stock for feel comfortable with.Just my 2 mags.

[imschur]

If these are going to a gunsmith a customer might be less versed in the good stuff such as triggers. A lot of folks will cheap out. I agree with Tom on the NM triggers though. I think castle nuts and sling adapters would be useful.

 

I think if the intention of these kits is for the small gunsmith the kits should be heavy on whats frequently lost, broken or damaged. Detent springs and pins,gas block roll pins, extractor springs etc. I like the idea of a socket head cap screw for pistol grips.

 

For general conversation about parts storage I use the Durham stuff. There's all sorts of variation and sizes plus they have handles. Some sizes fit in cabinets where the boxes will come out like trays. I do this at home and the office. It's not crazy expensive and it should last a life time. Just need to make sure you match the size of the cabinets and drawers.

[unforgiven]

I put socket head ccap srews on all the pistol grips .Was tired of fighting the sloted head.

[blue109]

Don't forget FSB parts. Most factory barrel assemblies with a pinned sight, and even my armalite clamp on come without post/detent/spring. If a customer walks into a shop to pick up $5 worth of parts...they will probably leave with more. I would also think a few gas tubes would be a nice touch. Those little things you may forget in the excitement of ordering the big build parts.

I have 3 shops near me that have small parts kits. Very handy since shipping usually costs as much as the item. I mortared a stupid buffer retainer pin the other day and couldn't find it for the life of me. They had one in the box, and I picked up a grip, rail covers, and some ammo that I had no need for.

[Matt.Cross]

I think all the suggestions so far are great. I would suggest that standalone systems would also sell well, like a gas system, BCG as a whole, LPKs, and such-like. Things that can by themselves bring a whole build together.

[survivalshop]

Detents & there springs are what I get asked for most of the time . I buy them in 10 pak's because i'm asked a lot for them. 

 I was asked for a buffer retainer spring the other day & didn't have one & I usually have them , but was out for some reason.

 

 A bolt kit( extractor & spring,ejector & spring ,gas rings)  ,spring kit , a lower & upper parts kits .

 

If some one needs a new trigger , hammer or,disconnector, I usually just get them a trigger system (ALG, Spike's or a custom match trigger system , if they want to spend the money & that's what its all about . Most just want to get back in action. 

[EasyEJL]

does anyone else think that you should break down the 3 parts that are 308 specific and have those and the ar15 versions separate from the rest of the LPK? that way you don't have to have separate full LPKs for the 2 variations.

[unforgiven]

Called White Oak Armament and ordered: takedown pin,detent,spring..Pivot pin,detent ,spring...Bolt catch,pin spring..Mag release assy w/spring...Buffer pin w/spring and extra selector spring $27.00 delivered.$2.00 was for shipping.For AR15 FYI

[blue109]

Anderson manufacturing has something called the oops kit. Has all the springs/pins/detents and is about $13

[Magwa]

Don;t forget the a extra firing pin and and both pins on the bolt the firing pin ,retaining pin is easily lost in a in the firld cleaning or malfunction as is the ejector retaining pin...

[mrraley]

this is the box I was looking at using for parts...

 

http://www.planomolding.com/product.php?BCCID=160&PID=1231

[98Z5V]

Those are fantastic!  I run a similar one from Plano for all my spare parts, tools, and a general range-trip armorer's toolbox.  There's a pic of the thing somewhere on this board, but I'll be damned if I can find it... 

[Rsquared]

I agree with Tom. That's perfect for all of the little parts and springs.

[98Z5V]

Pat, didn't want to go through the pain of finding that pic, so I got a few more.  I like your box layout better than mine, but they didn't have anything like yours when I was shopping.  That's a good one that you found.  Here's my junk...