Every gun owner must undergo safety training first to know how to properly use their firearm. Proper firearm maintenance also plays a huge part. Accidents are far more likely to happen when a gun malfunctions.
You must have a strict routine and a kit, which should include cleaning supplies and some spare parts. Don’t wait until you need a replacement part to buy one. Look for gun parts for sale by following our tips below.
Where to Find Gun Parts for Sale
Gun parts aren’t that hard to come by. The only time you’ll have a hard time looking is when you’re looking for hard-to-find and obsolete gun parts.
Still, there are three different ways you can find what you’re looking for. Check out the places where you can find gun parts below.
Gun Manufacturer
The first thing you have to check is if the manufacturer of your gun has spare parts. They should have some and aftermarket supplies.
It’s better to get your parts from the company itself so you know the parts are official. It’s also the better choice if you’re a new gun owner or you don’t want to do the research yourself.
You can give your gun model to the company, and they can then assist you in looking for a replacement part. They can also give you insights on buying and storing other parts of your gun.
Furthermore, your warranty might cover the damage to certain parts of your gun. If it does, you won’t have to look for replacement parts anymore. Of course, this doesn’t cover spare parts you want to buy for emergencies.
Altering the gun in any way might also void your warranty. It’s better that you go to the manufacturer first before exploring other options.
The only downside is this can be the more expensive route. The simplicity and reliability of your transactions make up for it, though.
Sometimes, this route isn’t available anymore, so you’ll have no choice but to check out other sources.
Local Gun Shows
What if the gun is obsolete or the manufacturer is already out of business? Buying a new gun isn’t always the solution, especially if you’ve taken a liking to the particular model.
In that case, you’ll have to look in non-official sources. Gun shows are a good starting point as you can look at the product in person.
In these events, gun dealers and private individuals come together to sell guns and other related items; some even sell other weapons like knives. You’ll have to pay an admission fee, though.
Most of the guns for sale here are modern sporting firearms. However, there’s a good chance you can spot hard-to-find gun parts for sale here.
Many collectors have display tables at such events, too. They might have the gun parts or even guns you’re looking for.
Some dealers also have obsolete guns and gun parts in their arsenal, so you only have to look. Vendors can come from anywhere, so they might bring some models and parts that are hard to come by in your area.
A gun show can have as few as 50 tables to as many as 2,000 tables. If what you’re trying to find is that elusive, you can check out the schedule of the biggest events of the year.
A gun show is also a good place to ask questions about your gun. Anyone – buyer and seller alike – will be happy to help you suggest replacement parts for your model.
Conversations are pretty easy to strike up. Even if you don’t find what you need, you’ll still walk away with tons of new information.
Online Gun Stores
If there aren’t gun shows near you or the crowd of thousands of attendees don’t allure you, you can look for gun parts for sale online. Don’t worry, online sales of guns and such are legal as long as you buy from a legal seller.
A lot of dealers who are in gun shows also have online stores. Private individuals won’t have an established store online, though. Still, the internet is a good place to start looking if you don’t want to step out of your house.
Many stores online have a wide variety of merchandise. Different types of firearms are aplenty, and you can often buy ammunition and accessories, like magazines, lasers, optics, and such in the same place.
If the gun parts you’re looking for aren’t that uncommon, you’ll likely find them online. Gun parts from JP Enterprises, for instance, are readily available online.
For rarer gun parts kits for sale, you might have to look harder. Still, a simple keyword like obsolete gun parts would give you a list of websites selling those.
However, you must have the guns shipped to the nearest Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL). They still have to do a background check on you first and complete other requirements. They can then transfer the gun to you in person.
Some private individuals sell online, but you’ll have to seek them out. Websites like Craigslist don’t allow the selling of guns, gun parts, and such on their platforms.
Some go on Facebook to sell, taking advantage of the Marketplace. eBay is also a good place to look.
You’ll likely have to meet the seller in person, though, so you won’t be able to buy parts from farther locations.
Spare Gun Parts You Must Always Have
Even if you don’t need a replacement part right now, it’s a good idea to keep some around in case you need them. That way, you can fix your gun right away and have it up and running in no time. You don’t have to wait until you get your hands on your needed parts.
If the parts are especially hard to find, then this is almost a necessary step. Take the time to find such parts now before you need them.
Don’t rely on the quality of your gun. Even the best ones are prone to damage; internal parts will break eventually. It will happen sooner the more times you use your gun.
That said, it’s convenient having the following gun parts on hand at all times.
Magazine, Magazine Springs
Many semi-automatic firearms use springs in their feeding system. When they fail or get compromised, so will your feeding. Having some in your kit will allow you to replace them as soon as needed.
For some models, though, it might be better to have spare magazines instead. Buy enough spare magazines, and then buy magazine springs so you’ll never get caught without an inoperative magazine.
Recoil Springs
If you have semi-automatic firearms, you should always have a couple or more recoil springs in your gun parts kit. It’s responsible for many central operations of a gun. This makes it one of the most common causes of malfunction, too.
It’s quite easy for recoil springs to wear out when you use your gun a lot. They often have a lifespan of about 2,000 to 3,000 rounds, but some can go upward of 10,000 rounds.
When the recoil springs weaken, you’ll notice your pistol won’t cycle as well anymore. Without it, you won’t be able to use the gun at all.
Replacement recoil springs are pretty cheap, so there’s no reason to not have some spares. Two will do, but if you have a lot of guns, consider buying more.
Ejector, Extractor
Having a spare extractor can be a lifesaver as it can break given sufficient use. They can bend or deform, affecting the extraction of the casing from the chamber.
In that sense, a spare ejector is also a good idea as it’s the part that deflects the fired casings out of the gun. Having both in good working order ensures that feeding and extraction remain efficient and effective.
Other Parts
The other gun parts to hoard depend on the gun/s you have. For rifles and shotguns, for instance, it’s also a good idea to have firing pins and firing pin springs around aside from the extractor and trigger parts. Pellet rifles would need replacement pistons and seals.
A semi-auto pistol owner would benefit from having a spare barrel lying around. Revolver owners might need a spare mainspring and cylinder release spring among others.
Simple research about your gun will let you know what spares you’ll need. Check which parts are the most susceptible to damage. Ask around in forums, gun enthusiasts, and even the manufacturer itself for recommendations about your specific gun model.
Assemble a Kit for Spare Gun Parts Now
You know by now the importance of having spare gun parts on hand. It’s time to start looking for gun parts for sale, even if you don’t need them right now. It’s a good practice to be on the lookout for great deals before you decide you need something.
Getting the best replacement parts is only the beginning. Learn how to maintain and store your gun by reading more of our guides right here. We cover all the gun tips and tricks you need!
