Bolt carrier comparision, any difference?

[Dano5326]

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[Robb Jensen]

Dimensions of carriers I've never measured. I've used Colt, LMT, CMT, Bushmaster, DPMS, RRA, JP carriers in my own ARs all with great results. I've actually never had a bad carrier, that said the carrier is sort of the heart of the AR (like a camshaft is to an engine) so I think you should use a quality carrier. I've had keys wear out, broken carrier key screws and had keys shoot loose. I buy my carrier keys from Brownells and pay a little extra to get the chrome-lined keys (they clean easier). I've heard of Armalite having some out of spec carriers, but I don't know what about them was out of spec. When I buy new carriers for myself I prefer to use Colt, LMT and CMT. I've seen some really bottom feeder carriers that weren't even chrome-lined.

[RyanB]

I have found DPMS bolt carriers to be rough. I operated one that destroyed gas rings. The staking was also poor.

[Shihan]

Is the normal DPMS carrier chromed on the inside? I havent handled many DPMS weapons but took one apart this weekend and it wasnt lined.

[Robb Jensen]

All the gas keys I've seen have been chrome lined, did you mean externally chrome plated?

Well I thought I was using DPMS carrier keys, they're actually PRAIRIE RIVER ARMS

These are the two they make from Brownells. I prefer the chrome-lined ones.

704-015-008 Bolt Carrier Key $13.50

704-000-004 Bolt Carrier Key, Phosphate Outside, Chrome Lined Hole $11.75

[BravoCompanyUSA]

As stated above, some gas keys mfg skip the chrome lining on the key.
Another shortcut is many commercial keys also skip the heat treat.
And another shortcut is those chicom fasteners used to secure the key.
The end result being; soft key + soft fastener = soft stake.

[Robb Jensen]

The end result being; soft key + soft fastener = soft stake.

Which then quickly results in shooting loose, broken or damaged key or broken carrier key screws which totally sucks.

[BravoCompanyUSA]

Which then quickly results in shooting loose, broken or damaged key or broken carrier key screws which totally sucks.

+1
The most common reason for a short stroking rifle.



We have the "right" (USGI) keys and fasteners on our website. They are a BCM product.

[Boss Hogg]

Is this chromium one by DPMS GTG?

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=2102

[TY44934]

I've seen some really bottom feeder carriers that weren't even chrome-lined.

A chrome plated bore is important since the gas rings are designed to seal against a chrome-plated surface which can stand up to repeated exposure to hot high pressure gas better than an non-plated surface. In addition, a chromed surface is a lower-friction surface than bare steel.

Agree 100% that chromed carrier bore & inside of carrier-key are very desirable features for reliability and durability.

TY-44934