ftf cracked bolt?

[roarincreek]

my ac556 failed to fire?took apart noticed a small crack in bolt?does anyone sell bolts or does the gun have to be returned to ruger?

[Vegas SMG]

You've just discovered the down side to owning an AC556 as well as the upside.

Send you factory gun back to Ruger and they will replace your bolt under warranty. The gun must be in the same configuration as it was shipped! No aftermarket parts, barrels, etc. and they won't work on pre '86 conversions or sell any full auto parts. My take is one day they will run out of their parts supply on these guns and the owners will be SOL. For the moment you're golden. :2cents

The only other source for these parts come from post sample guns that have been cut per BATF specs and sold as parts kits. They rarely come up for sale, but they're out there once in a great while... usually for less than 1K.

Please let us know the outcome and time frame!

[CIB]

While it's at Ruger, have them make you a spare bolt, couple extractors, FPs. Things you think you will need.

P.S. Holy shit when did this forum appear?????

[roarincreek]

thanks problem is i sold the gun ,took out .22 kit that has been in it for a few yrs ,went to shoot ,and now this .always something?going to ask buyer if they want to send or should i send off?

[RoverDave]

P.S. Holy shit when did this forum appear?????

This morning. You're one of the early shoppers.

[Vegas SMG]

While it's at Ruger, have them make you a spare bolt, couple extractors, FPs. Things you think you will need. That's the big problem with Rugers IMHO... you can't buy factory new replacement parts from the factory or any other source. You can send the gun back in and they will fix or replace the broken parts for you at little to no cost but they won't sell you any additional or extra frequently broken parts.

Do you think you bought a M16 where you can order any part, (less the registered receiver), from one of dozens of distributers for short money?

[CIB]

Reason I posted the above, was a guy on firebugfab's site indicated that he had Ruger make him some spares while his gun was there. I just took him at his word that they made them for him.

ETA: What I know I bought was a Ruger AC556, I did'nt say anything about M16s now did I?

[Vegas SMG]

I've always heard that Ruger will not sell any extras, spares, etc. Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's what I've always read from other posts from people claiming to have phoned, mailed, and written requesting the same. I've also heard that they will replace the barrel with the one your gun shipped with, (by serial number), so if you obtained a post sample short barrel and replaced your GB barrel, Ruger will return your gun with the "correct" barrel as it was shipped. Again, I read this .and others backed it up but I don't have first hand knowledge. I've also heard that Ruger is completely out of the folders so they can't replace a damaged floding stick with NOS at this point in time. I've also heard that they are running low on transferable receivers so they can't be replaced if you KB one. Once more, just what I've heard.

I'd sure try to obtain all the extra parts I could buy! It can't hurt a thing and I'd sure want those extras for the day that Ruger decides not to service what they sold 20 years ago or they run out of parts to keep them going.

I'd be interested in knowing what the true Ruger policy is and I absolutely trust 100% what you say CIB. PLEASE keep use informed if you would sir. You information would clear up a lot of misinformation floating around the internet.

[JasonAC556]

EVERYTHING on the AC556 except the fire controls and receiver is interchangeable with the Mini 14 Series 181-187 (Pre Ranch). Order a bolt from Numrich or Brownells and drop it in your AC556.

I have done it before and it works. Bolts do not usually need any fitting. Check the firing pin to make sure it isn't too long. Otherwise, you are good to go.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=290870

You can also find used bolts on e-bay, gunbroker, auctionarms.......etc.

You can send it back to Ruger for repair too. They will repair it quite nicely. If you decide to send it back, call and ask to speak to Mike in the shop. Tell him you want a spare bolt and you will get one!!!

ETA

Actually, if it were my gun, I would send it back as a stripped receiver and have them build a complete new rifle on the old receiver and keep all the spare parts. The cost for a total rebuild on your stripped receiver is less than $400. Quite a bargain if you ask me.

Good Luck!!!

[Vegas SMG]

Actually, if it were my gun, I would send it back as a stripped receiver and have them build a complete new rifle on the old receiver and keep all the spare parts. The cost for a total rebuild on your stripped receiver is less than $400. Quite a bargain if you ask me.
Good Luck!!! If this is an option, I'd send the gun out, spend the money, and replace every part possible just to have all those NEW extras. That's a no brainer and good to know!

[JasonAC556]

If this is an option, I'd send the gun out, spend the money, and replace every part possible just to have all those NEW extras. That's a no brainer and good to know!

Ruger really isn't as bad a people think they are. No, they won't touch a conversion, but who will unless they made it in the first place?

You send them a modified rifle and say "I only want XYZ done!" then that is what you get. As long as you don't ask them to correct anything that has to do with any modifications, they will do it.

Don't rely on what the person answering the phone tells you, as they do not usually know. Send the rifle back with a DETAILED LETTER of what you want done and then speak to the shop foreman directly to clarify any fine points. You will be pleased with the results if you just do this.

[booger hooker]

Thanks for all the great info Jason as I've often wondered if I sent back just a stripped receiver if they'd rebuild it with a new barrel, full wood stock and everything else to make it run as I'd have all my original parts as spares. So it's $400 to complete the AC from a stripped receiver thru Ruger? That seems cheap for everything that would be needed to rebuild the AC to firing condition...sign me up!:D

[Garrett]

Send you factory gun back to Ruger and they will replace your bolt under warranty.
This is second-hand internet hearsay, so take it for what it's worth. I've heard of people sending in their factory folders, and Ruger replaced them with a full wood stock. It's rumored that they ran out of folders some years ago.

Then again, I like the "refurbish the bare receiver" thing.

[ironmonkey]

I just got my ac556 back from ruger. The selector broke on it and since I sent it in, I had them refinish it. (By the way, they did an awesome job) I have a folder and they sent it back with new wood, only reason I can tell is because the wood I had on there before was a different color. So, I dont know about them being out of folders....

[Garrett]

So, I dont know about them being out of folders....
Glad to hear that. Like I said, I saw it on the interweb, so it must be true!

[RICHARDB]

I will have to call ruger and talk with them about sending in a stripped receiver and having it built up. I have a factory 13" blued folder so it will be nice to have spare parts. I will also look into the spare parts from the mini 14 pre ranch.I have looked for the post sample parts kits and seen 1 for $600 so the factory rebuild is much cheaper as this didnt include the folding stock.
glad to have this forum addition!!

Richardb

[JasonAC556]

Well, I can tell you that if you call and tell them you want to send your stripped receiver to them for a rebuild, you will get someone on the phone that will tell you "Oh, we don't do that!"

Call them to get the shipping info and tell them you are sending them an AC556 for repairs. Ship them the receiver with a DETAILED letter stating you want to get the rifle rebuilt to new specs. Place a call to the shop foreman to tell HIM what you are doing and what you want.

Trust me, the people that answer the phone won't give you much help here. They often give conflicting info. Just get in touch with the shop foreman and all will be well.

[CIB]

FWIW, Brownell's does'nt have bolts, or firing pins.
I have'nt ever sent mine back to the factory either, it gets shot quite abit, but mostly with the Ciener kit in it.
Maybe, I'll send it in this summer, just to get some of those hard to get spares.
Vegas, no worries brother.