Gunsmithing Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

[GBMaryland]

Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger Questions

Planning for the very real (and unfortunate possibility) that I may end up living is MA at some point. As such, since you can own AR-15s that predate the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, I picked up a few PRE-AWB Colt HBAR Delta Elite rifles.

One was made in 1984 and the other in 1991...

The older one has a small pin trigger group, and the other a large pin group.

Question 1:

How do the triggers in these rifles stack up? Would anyone with experience here care to give me their input?

Would there be an advantage to another trigger set over the factory Colt triggers?

Question 2:

The 1984 rifle is brand spanking NIB, is it likely that I should be replacing springs, etc?

(The 1991 rifle has abot 200 rounds through it, but probably would be in the same position.)

Oddly, neither have a bayonett lug... (I would have thought 1984 HBAR would have one...)

Anything I missed, or important thoughts to consider?

GB

 

[GBMaryland]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

I should mention that I've been pondering if it's worth replacing the trigger groups with any aftermarket semi-auto triggers.

However, I lack the experience to know if Colt Delta HBARs have decent triggers compared with a standard Geissele or whomever trigger.

I'd be putting something in that would be service rifle match compliant...

 

[meangreengunner]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

I just ordered a Geissele SSA-E for my 92 SL large pin. The stock trigger feels chunky. It's a mil spec vs precision question.

 

[GBMaryland]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

Well, I just ordered two of them... So we'll see if the work that much better!

Thanks, I wasn't looking for massively expensive... But I was looking for straight forward to install.

So, what about the any of the other parts?

Is there anything I should be concerned about with a few A2s that have been sitting for 20+ years?

 

[GBMaryland]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

Anyone have any comments on these rifles sitting for 20 years?

Should I be replacing springs and such?

 

[MistWolf]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

Go shoot the rifles. 20 year old springs are like any other spring- you won't know if they're bad till you try them. Since the rifle haven't been shot much, springs are likely to still be good.

As far as I know SSA-E triggers break at less than 4.5 lbs which is the minimum allowable pull weight for service rifle matches. Try removing the GI FCGs, clean the parts, lube the sears and pins with grease, re-install and go shoot the rifle and see how that works for ya.

Once you've shot the rifles a few times, load up the mags once more and shoot them again

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Colt AR-15A2 HBAR Trigger & Maint. Questions

Steel springs don't "age", at least not at any reasonable storage temperature. Clean off any remaining lubrication, inspect for corrosion, make sure everything is clean, lube it back up, and let 'er rip.