How many rounds can be fired in an AR-15 before problems start?

I know its no AK-47. But I love accuracy. I was wondering how many rounds can be fired continuosly untill you get a jam or you have to clean it.

[kanewtervalve]

As a rule, I always clean after every venture to the range for me. I would imagine if you are shooting clean ammo from a QUALITY AR, you could probably go a few thousand rounds without issues. I was trying to dig up an old article of a torture test on a DPMS but can't find it, I don't remeber how man rounds were fired until they were forced to clean the rifle.

[Rew]

I think the most I have ever put through mine was 800 at one range session, I was also shooting an M17s and only had 1200 rounds, BTW this was Wolf 55 grain. I ran out of ammo before either jammed. I carry a cleaning kit to the range, but more out of habit than need. Although I must admit I have forgot it at times and had to borrow Circuits cleaning rod to clear some rifles with Wolf 62 grain ammo. :(




Rew

[308]

Frist of all, there is no need to placate the AK owners on this board with a comment like *I know its no AK-47*. The fact is that the AR15 is a fine rifle. I have often thought about which rifle I would keep if I could only keep one...and it sure would not be my AK; it would most definately be my AR15 for a variety of reasons.

I have approx 3500 rounds through my 20" Colt MTHBar and it is still in perfect condition. I have never had a jam and I have shot just about every type of .223 on the market through her.

To shoot a rifle *continuously without cleaning it* may be a necessary evil in battle, but really is uncacceptable behavior for the average civilian owner...I have never done this so I cannot comment on how soon it would fail when abused to extreme.

Last year, one of the gun magazines ran 10,000 rounds through an out of the box Colt like mine, under somewhat abusive conditions, and had very little problems with the rifle.

The AR15 is a sleek, sexy, well engineered, dependable rifle that anyone should be proud to own...IMHO

[pinetop]

I was shying away from ARs for along time, kept hearing they were problem childs. Then I took the plunge and purchased a Bushy shorty with an AK brake. The AK brake fit my taste considering how much I love AKs. Now this darn Bushy eats anything I feed it ! I haven't had any problems. Low recoil, accurate, and realiable. I clean it after every range visist. About 2000 rounds, no problems.

[ads4u]

I went to the range with buddy of m9ine and his brand new bushmaster. he made it 2 shots before FTF. Clear, 2 more shots and FTF. Did NOT like the wolf ammo. Shot thw white Winchester all day long, though, the UMC, too. Another buddy has a Colt, shoots whatever he puts through it.

[fatman]

A buddy of mine just got back from Afghanistan (He is a Marine Capt.), He said last fall in one firefight with the bad guys they were a couple of hundred yards away & no one was hit by fire from their AKs; But alot of the bad guys dropped from M16A2 fire.

He said the M16A2 performed great, He also said the 14.5 inch barreled M4 carbines lose too velocity & is much harder to hit with!

[per35]

As far as the ratio of hits between the two, it might have something to do with us aiming and them hip firing ???.....never know

[Tango 1Zero]

I have a Colt upper that doesnt care for the wolf ammo.
Other than the wolf ammo in the Colt upper. My AR's run like clocks.

[SierraAV8R]

I've abused AR's while an armorer in the US Army, and I find that they stood up to my "combat intensity" tests.

Guns and Ammo did a torture test a while back. I don't recall the number of rounds fired, or the cleaning interval, but it was many thousands.