Real Parts are Getting Scarce, But I Scored Plungers

[painter777]

I've been trying over the last year to buy up NOS Real USGI spings. Ejectors, Mag Plungers, Mag catch-Safety Plungers, Plunger springs, trigger springs, Sear springs .. etc.
And I've noticed they are getting very scarce and many are Repro being passed off as NOS USGI. To be safe I just receive 2 bundles of Replacement Bolt tool pawls from nenel3 (Andre') 20 in total.

My order for just Plungers from the auction I won on GB was sent out promptly by the seller. But has hit a snag, I tracked it to Detroit but then the next day it was in Fort Wayne, IN, then left. Current tracking since Jan 10 shows it left Fort Wayne and is still in route and will arrive late. But no updates... I have a gut feeling the bubble wrap bag split apart and they rolled around the floor like bb's. I paid ~$50 for those 12 Plungers which included money order and shipping.

But I ran across a listing on the CMP with parts listing galore. I picked up Plungers from sealed bags for a total of 20 Plungers. Besides servicing my own carbines and for friends I also service the carbines owned by my Rifle club which get heavy/hard use.

I suggest you think hard and consider stocking up on the misc parts currently listed on the CMP WTS Carbine section, while they last. The seller is a member here and other forums in good standing.

Link: WTS A Few M1 Carbine Parts - CMP Forums

FWIW,

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Do the small part like plungers actually take such a beatin' during range use Charlie? I wouldn't think...I know shooting is shooting but still. You have them in need of regular replacement?

[painter777]

is 5 plungers for $12

CORRECTION:

To All:
My mistake I mixed things up.
The price Quoted is for 1 item
I.E. 1 Plunger is $12.00

Do the small part like plungers actually take such a beatin' during range use

Jim,
I've seen plenty lost when taking bolts apart or they damage the shape.
Tossed Extractors most often end up in lost Plungers.
Same with bolt lugs breaking.
Sometimes just thru years of use the Plungers tip or flat edge gets miss shaped and tends to rotate.
Chipped Extractors or weak/broken plunger springs don't have enough tension to keep it in place.
Some I've seen with the bottom stem snapped off.
Some are Repro made for commercials and aren't as hard.
Any used in a bolt that seen action in M2 model can have the coned tip flattened and not quite enough length left to set firmly on the Extractor ledge.
Also nice to have when you have multiple stand by back up bolts.

A general problem? I'd say no
But I can say the ones I've serviced at the Rifle club that see a lot of use (like a rental car) aren't handled like a owner would baby it.
Shot hard put up wet.. comes to mind.

Need many ? Guess that depends on how many carbines and bolts you own and service. And how long you plan to keep owning and servicing.

I do know after looking hard for them and seeing most listings for 1 at a time with a spring for $16.99 + shipping (more or less $ depending on the listing). I decided about a year ago to start gathering what I could.

Who knows what may happen to Internet gun/part sales in the near future.

Seems I heard the AR-15 forum was shut down because of a 'Single Complaint'.
Though I know it's up again.

We are now a Clear and Present Danger.

[W5USMC]

"5 each, Extractor Spring Plungers, NOS, $ 12.00"

So that is 5 plungers for $12? Every time I looked at that post I thought he had 5 plungers to sell at $12 each.

[Bubba-7]

"Do the small part like plungers actually take such a beatin' during range use Charlie? I wouldn't think..."
To answer this question for Charlie, most don't and should last forever. The exception is the extractor plunger. They take a beating with every round loaded. They do twist and deform, then fly out, causing the bolt to dis-assemble losing the extractor. They are easily lost, taking the bolt apart for cleaning. It is also easy to assemble the bolt with the extractor plunger not turned correctly. And it is hard to see if they are turned right. I think this is the main reason for them deforming causing the bolt to come apart.

[browningautorifle]

To answer this question for Charlie

Thanks Bubba, I have owned about 25 carbines through time from all but the one prime contractor and never had issues with any of the Gov't issue. I didn't take many carbine bolts apart for cleaning so that would be one saving grace for me, the rifles were different. I did lose one carbine extractor plunger but that was a Plainsfield back in '74. I couldn't get replacements at the time so sold it as was... I guess if you have enough carbines in one place long enough...and we really don't here.

A general problem? I'd say no

Thanks Charlie...

[DaveHH]

It's a fair bet that most carbines have never been apart down to the bolt pieces since leaving Army inventory. The common practice was to boil the bolt as an assembly if you can believe that. My nice little Winchester had the plunger in sideways and it had semi-buggered up the shape of both the plunger and extractor. Since that carbine is an original, I took a small jewelers file and dressed up both parts and reassembled correctly. You can look at the bolt and see if the plunger is in correctly. I stocked up on a few critical parts for the carbine and 45 automatic years ago. Out here in the Gulag of Calif. we have almost no place to shoot unless you are a cop, it sucks.

[painter777]

Edit to correct:

All,
I mis-quoted the items listed.
Prices quoted in that link are for 1 item each.

Sorry for any confusion on my part.

[painter777]

Dave HH,
Your becoming our resident Curmudgeon

[deldriver]

Dave HH,
Your becoming our resident Curmudgeon

Hmm, the pot calling the kettle black...interesting.