Smythbusters: Dropping The Hammer On An AR15 Lower
In this episode of SmythBusters, Caleb and Steve tackle the user-submitted question: Is it bad to drop the hammer on an AR-15 lower without the upper attached? Using a cutaway rifle, they demonstrate how the hammer strikes the bolt catch and transfers force to the receiver—potentially causing damage, especially with non-milspec or lower-quality parts. While high-quality components can usually withstand occasional dry firing, they agree it’s still bad practice and should be avoided when possible.
What You Will Learn
By watching this video, you'll learn whether it's harmful to drop the hammer on an AR-15 lower without the upper attached and why it's considered bad practice. You'll also gain insight into the differences between milspec and commercial parts, and how component quality affects durability.
Benefit
The benefit of watching this video is that you'll gain a clear understanding of whether dropping the hammer on an AR-15 lower can cause damage, and how to properly care for your rifle's components. You'll also learn about the importance of using high-quality parts to ensure reliability and longevity, helping you make informed decisions about your AR-15 maintenance and upgrades.
Introduction
Caleb and Steve with Brownells here! We're back with another exciting edition of Smith Busters.
Today, we're discussing a topic that's both AR-related and user-requested: Is dropping the hammer on a lower bad for your AR-15?
The Issue
Caleb: Today's video is user-requested. Someone asked if it's bad to let the hammer drop on an empty chamber, especially with the upper not even on the gun. Let's dive into it.
Steve: Sure, let's demonstrate with our cutaway AR-15. Demonstration Caleb shows a cutaway AR-15 to illustrate the issue: Caleb: The hammer smacks the bolt catch, which then transfers force to the receiver. This can potentially damage both the bolt catch and the receiver.
Common Concerns
Caleb: People often worry that this practice will break parts like the hammer, bolt catch, or even crack the receiver. In the military, it's common to hear soldiers dry fire their rifles as part of maintenance, and parts generally hold up well.
Steve: In the military, we had other concerns, like making sure the ramrod was out before shooting. But seriously, milspec parts are designed to withstand this kind of abuse.
Milspec vs. Commercial Parts
Caleb: Milspec parts have to meet strict government standards. However, not all AR-15 parts on the market are milspec, and lower-quality parts might not hold up as well.
Steve: If you're using high-quality components, like those from reputable manufacturers, they should handle occasional dry firing without issue.
Practical Advice
Caleb: Is it bad practice to let the hammer fall on an empty chamber? Yes, it is. But if you have quality components, it's not something you need to worry about too much. For example, I have a Sons of Liberty Gun Works lower with a Geissele SSA-E trigger and Forward Control Designs bolt catch. These components exceed milspec standards.
Steve: It's similar to the debate about releasing the slide on an empty chamber for 1911s. It's generally fine, but avoid it if you can.
Conclusion
Caleb: So, do we agree that dropping the hammer on quality components won't break your AR? Yes. But it's still bad practice, so avoid it if possible.
Steve: Let us know how you feel about it in the comments. Hit that like and subscribe button. If you're watching on our website, give us a call on the tech line if you have questions. Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next time on Smith Busters!
