SLR15 AR-15 / M-16 / M-4 AR308 Armorer Course
When: January 9-10, 2019
Where: Springfield, Missouri
We conducted a 2-day (16-hour) AR-15 / M-16 / M-4 / AR308 Armorer Course that was hosted by the Springfield MO Police Dept. This was our 5th time teaching courses at this location, and we look forward to future ones. The training room offered plenty of table space, decent lighting so people could see small parts, and a large screen and projection system that allowed us to show animated graphics of the weapons system, powerpoint detailed pics of gun parts, and especially when looking at finer detail things like machining, stress cracks & wear.
This class was a mix of Law Enforcement Officers from different areas of Missouri and Arkansas.
Rifles represented in this course were Colt, Bravo Company, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster, DPMS, DRMO M16A1, Smith and Wesson, Black Rain, Rockriver, Palmetto State Armory, and a few home built guns.
Day-1 started with going through the course manual that all students are given. Students were supplied with their own set of basic tools that are necessary to do 95% of the work on their rifles (short of restocking and rebarreling, of which wrenches and sometimes fixtures are necessary), Slip2000 "EWL" Extreme Weapons Lubricant and #725 Cleaner Degreaser, etc. A short session of nomenclature was covered, at which time covered every feature and exterior piece of the rifle to include all the hidden design features that most people are not aware of, and everyone prepped the rifles for disassembly work. Everyone was taught the procedure series of checks that we recommend.
Everyone was taught our recommended way to field strip a rifle, and whey we do it this way so as not to cause damage, premature wear or stress on anything. We covered maintenance of where and what to clean, and what needs lubrication to keep it running. We showed why not to use the firing pins as tools. We showed everyone our recommendation of how to remove fouling and why, and everyone got to use our methods.
The entire bolt carrier assembly was covered, to include inspections, maintenance, upgrades, 3 types of gas rings, and differences in finishing and machining. carrier key (gas key) installation and staking, ejector systems, etc. Everyone was introduced to the different types of gas rings. We went through what each types does, and their proper installation order.
Note: When checking bolt carrier keys (gas keys) for proper staking, several people found that they had light staking that was barely touching the screws. They put to use the MOACKS and Sully Gas Key Stakers that we had with us, and got things properly staked so they don't come loose.
We got into the lower receiver assemblies, starting with the fire control group (trigger group). We teach this in a building block format, starting with baby steps of getting things out and in, then build into how things work. Everyone learned how to install and remove things so you don't cause damage. We went through detailed inspections of all the sear engagement surfaces, spring types, single stage, and two stage trigger systems.
The last part of the day we spent on an introduction to timing, which we like to do so that it grows in peoples brains over night, in preparation of getting into great details of timing for day-2. Everyone put their rifles back together, making sure that everything worked properly before we ended the day.
Day-2 started with a review of everything that was covered on day-1, with some greater details and myths covered. We then went back into trigger groups in great details, covering single stage, 2-stage, good and bad triggers, differences and options in spring systems, diagnosing problems when semi-auto turns into burst, and showing the differences in quality of triggers that are on the market. Once done with semi-auto trigger systems, we went into select fire trigger groups covering full-auto and burst trigger groups, to include replacement and diagnosing and repairs when experiencing malfunctions.
After trigger systems, we went through the rest of the lower receivers. Everyone in this class had collapsible stocks except for one M16A1 that had an A1 stock. We covered the proper mounting & gauging, and proper castle nut staking. Everyone stripped their lower receivers, which allowed a chance for further inspections, and we went through a session on troubleshooting. Once everyone was comfortable with the entire lower receiver assembly, the were put back together, inspected, and made sure everything is in proper working order.
We then got into a session on the timing. This is where we cover proper cycling, covering what effects timing, and how & what happens when it is out or proper time, dwell time, suppressor issues, etc, and how to get things into proper timing.
There were no piston rifles present in class, but several people indicated that they had staff that used them. We went through how the piston systems work, showing how and when to make adjustments, and how to perform maintenance.
The last half of day-2 was spent on the upper receiver assembly. We covered barrel removal, mounting, gauging & inspections. Everyone was allowed to rebarrel their rifles or make adjustments. We showed why people should be picky on how barrel nuts are indexed, and why there is a torque spec. If barrel nuts are not indexed properly, it could cause stress and premature wear during cycling and excessive wear on the gas or piston system. If barrel nuts are not torqued to their minimum recommended specs, things can come loose, and if it's loosed you can lose accuracy, being loose can also be a safety issue.
Note: We covered how to mount a gas block, and how to use our gas block alignment fixtures to get the gas block in perfect index with the barrels gas port. Our gas block alignment fixture can also be used as a barrel dimpling fixture, where being able to countersink the gas block screws into the barrel so it doesn't slip out of alignment is a good thing. Dimpling barrels and countersinking gas block screws is the minimal thing that should be done, it is my personal preference to drill and pin gas blocks to the barrel, which is something we teach in our advanced armorer courses.
Only one Officer took advantage of the time & tools to remove a barrel, while others watched. We showed several wasy to fixture barrels and receivers for doing barrel work. We assisted in helping remove and disassemble this barrel. Once removed, everything was cleaned. We then showed how to properly mount barrels, to include why we use moly paste in specific areas, how to torque and why, and proper indexing and gauging.
At the end of the day everyone put their rifles back together, everything was inspected and gauged to make sure it was in proper working order. Everyone did chamber inspections, checked & gauged the four gas seals, firing pin protrusion, trigger press, and headspace.
Here is a brief overview of a few things that were covered:
History of the Weapon
Cycles of Function
General Disassembly & Assembly
Identification of Common Problems and Parts
Nomenclature
Identification of Group Components
Semi, Burst, and Full Auto Parts and Conversions
Complete Armoring Disassembly / Assembly
Barrel Replacement
Cleaning and Maintenance
Sight and Distance Considerations
Ballistic Issues
Barrel: Twist, Length, and Profiles
Gas System & Piston Systems
Parts Interchangeability, including Brands
Headspace
Firing Pin Protrusion
Trigger Systems
Chamber Inspection and Issues
Troubleshooting, diagnosis & repair
Gauging, Inspections, Stress & Interval Issues
Accessories and Customizing
Tool Options and Selection
SOP/MOD Accessories and Additions
CY6
Greg Sullivan "Sully"
SLR15 Rifles
TheDefensiveEdge.com
(763) 712-0123
When: January 9-10, 2019
Where: Springfield, Missouri
We conducted a 2-day (16-hour) AR-15 / M-16 / M-4 / AR308 Armorer Course that was hosted by the Springfield MO Police Dept. This was our 5th time teaching courses at this location, and we look forward to future ones. The training room offered plenty of table space, decent lighting so people could see small parts, and a large screen and projection system that allowed us to show animated graphics of the weapons system, powerpoint detailed pics of gun parts, and especially when looking at finer detail things like machining, stress cracks & wear.
This class was a mix of Law Enforcement Officers from different areas of Missouri and Arkansas.
Rifles represented in this course were Colt, Bravo Company, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster, DPMS, DRMO M16A1, Smith and Wesson, Black Rain, Rockriver, Palmetto State Armory, and a few home built guns.
Day-1 started with going through the course manual that all students are given. Students were supplied with their own set of basic tools that are necessary to do 95% of the work on their rifles (short of restocking and rebarreling, of which wrenches and sometimes fixtures are necessary), Slip2000 "EWL" Extreme Weapons Lubricant and #725 Cleaner Degreaser, etc. A short session of nomenclature was covered, at which time covered every feature and exterior piece of the rifle to include all the hidden design features that most people are not aware of, and everyone prepped the rifles for disassembly work. Everyone was taught the procedure series of checks that we recommend.
Everyone was taught our recommended way to field strip a rifle, and whey we do it this way so as not to cause damage, premature wear or stress on anything. We covered maintenance of where and what to clean, and what needs lubrication to keep it running. We showed why not to use the firing pins as tools. We showed everyone our recommendation of how to remove fouling and why, and everyone got to use our methods.
The entire bolt carrier assembly was covered, to include inspections, maintenance, upgrades, 3 types of gas rings, and differences in finishing and machining. carrier key (gas key) installation and staking, ejector systems, etc. Everyone was introduced to the different types of gas rings. We went through what each types does, and their proper installation order.
Note: When checking bolt carrier keys (gas keys) for proper staking, several people found that they had light staking that was barely touching the screws. They put to use the MOACKS and Sully Gas Key Stakers that we had with us, and got things properly staked so they don't come loose.
We got into the lower receiver assemblies, starting with the fire control group (trigger group). We teach this in a building block format, starting with baby steps of getting things out and in, then build into how things work. Everyone learned how to install and remove things so you don't cause damage. We went through detailed inspections of all the sear engagement surfaces, spring types, single stage, and two stage trigger systems.
The last part of the day we spent on an introduction to timing, which we like to do so that it grows in peoples brains over night, in preparation of getting into great details of timing for day-2. Everyone put their rifles back together, making sure that everything worked properly before we ended the day.
Day-2 started with a review of everything that was covered on day-1, with some greater details and myths covered. We then went back into trigger groups in great details, covering single stage, 2-stage, good and bad triggers, differences and options in spring systems, diagnosing problems when semi-auto turns into burst, and showing the differences in quality of triggers that are on the market. Once done with semi-auto trigger systems, we went into select fire trigger groups covering full-auto and burst trigger groups, to include replacement and diagnosing and repairs when experiencing malfunctions.
After trigger systems, we went through the rest of the lower receivers. Everyone in this class had collapsible stocks except for one M16A1 that had an A1 stock. We covered the proper mounting & gauging, and proper castle nut staking. Everyone stripped their lower receivers, which allowed a chance for further inspections, and we went through a session on troubleshooting. Once everyone was comfortable with the entire lower receiver assembly, the were put back together, inspected, and made sure everything is in proper working order.
We then got into a session on the timing. This is where we cover proper cycling, covering what effects timing, and how & what happens when it is out or proper time, dwell time, suppressor issues, etc, and how to get things into proper timing.
There were no piston rifles present in class, but several people indicated that they had staff that used them. We went through how the piston systems work, showing how and when to make adjustments, and how to perform maintenance.
The last half of day-2 was spent on the upper receiver assembly. We covered barrel removal, mounting, gauging & inspections. Everyone was allowed to rebarrel their rifles or make adjustments. We showed why people should be picky on how barrel nuts are indexed, and why there is a torque spec. If barrel nuts are not indexed properly, it could cause stress and premature wear during cycling and excessive wear on the gas or piston system. If barrel nuts are not torqued to their minimum recommended specs, things can come loose, and if it's loosed you can lose accuracy, being loose can also be a safety issue.
Note: We covered how to mount a gas block, and how to use our gas block alignment fixtures to get the gas block in perfect index with the barrels gas port. Our gas block alignment fixture can also be used as a barrel dimpling fixture, where being able to countersink the gas block screws into the barrel so it doesn't slip out of alignment is a good thing. Dimpling barrels and countersinking gas block screws is the minimal thing that should be done, it is my personal preference to drill and pin gas blocks to the barrel, which is something we teach in our advanced armorer courses.
Only one Officer took advantage of the time & tools to remove a barrel, while others watched. We showed several wasy to fixture barrels and receivers for doing barrel work. We assisted in helping remove and disassemble this barrel. Once removed, everything was cleaned. We then showed how to properly mount barrels, to include why we use moly paste in specific areas, how to torque and why, and proper indexing and gauging.
At the end of the day everyone put their rifles back together, everything was inspected and gauged to make sure it was in proper working order. Everyone did chamber inspections, checked & gauged the four gas seals, firing pin protrusion, trigger press, and headspace.
Here is a brief overview of a few things that were covered:
History of the Weapon
Cycles of Function
General Disassembly & Assembly
Identification of Common Problems and Parts
Nomenclature
Identification of Group Components
Semi, Burst, and Full Auto Parts and Conversions
Complete Armoring Disassembly / Assembly
Barrel Replacement
Cleaning and Maintenance
Sight and Distance Considerations
Ballistic Issues
Barrel: Twist, Length, and Profiles
Gas System & Piston Systems
Parts Interchangeability, including Brands
Headspace
Firing Pin Protrusion
Trigger Systems
Chamber Inspection and Issues
Troubleshooting, diagnosis & repair
Gauging, Inspections, Stress & Interval Issues
Accessories and Customizing
Tool Options and Selection
SOP/MOD Accessories and Additions
CY6
Greg Sullivan "Sully"
SLR15 Rifles
TheDefensiveEdge.com
(763) 712-0123