Ok well i thought i had my mind made up then i started hitting the search button on a few forums. I am having issues with bolts and what are the real benefits of the current offerings. Ill try to keep this limited to a few different ones but feel free to add.
These are what ive seen mentioned most:
BCM bolt group
BCM bolt group (Ion Bond Coated)
Young Mfg NM (Chrome M16)
Young Mfg NM (Chrome AR15)
LMT Enhanced
JP Tactical
So after compiling those and reading i see that there is some extra info to complicate things:
The LMT enhanced is not recomended for short barrels.
The JP sounds great but ive never seen it before “the search”. (Is this still an option from you Mr. Grant?)
The Youngs seem like they would be good but maybe because of price they get passed over sometimes.
The BCM groups seem to get very favorable reviews from most everywhere. Then i see an Ion Bonded version and wonder well that must be better right?
Then to further complicate the issue there are different weights avaliable. I get that a lower operating mass would yield a lower recoil impulse but also see how a heavier one could too. With a good spring or a extra power buffer spring i dont see where a heavy carrier would be a real benefit in peeling a round from the mag to chamber it.
Correct me if im wrong (wouldnt be the first time :rolleyes:) but adding a heavier buffer is basically like adding weight back to the carrier right? Im just trying to figure out the balance.
So can anyone explain the theory behind this to me so i can get a better idea of what im looking at? Also how does having a short barrel effect things? I plan to build a 12.5" upper and wasnt really considering the enhanced LMT but would like to know the reasoning behind why it may not work good.
This is one of those things that gets way over thought.
Buy a quality, properly tested, inspected, and staked, bolt carrier group in a milspec M16 (or “full auto” or “FA”) variety and be done. Do not put an o-ring around the extractor spring unless you are having extractor problems. Do not hard chrome it, or paint it, or cover it in whale sperm, or whatever. The phosphate finish that comes standard on them is more than fine.
All those various “enhanced” and “improved” and other “better” bolts and carriers are nothing more than transfer devices. They are designed to transfer money from your wallet to someone else’s.
I wanted a Chromed Young Mfg. FA BCG (not the NM version) only because it’s easier to clean, at $165 I could spare the extra.
I usually stick to buying LMT MPI BCG’s but sometimes they have sharp edges that need to be buffed down.
I only buy Colt BCG’s when they come free with the rest of the gun
Quick question. I saw a post somewhere where someone referred to an MPI inspected bolt and bolt carrier. Do bolt carriers get MPI tested or is this some mystical creature? Personally I have only heard of barrels and bolts being tested. Thanks.
It was at another site, but he specifically said " I would get and MPI’d bolt and preferably an MPI’d bolt carrier as well." Like I said that was a new one on me. Thanks.
Mr. Grant: I could have sworn that you said something about the JP tactical bolt carrier and that you may carry it.
I shoot suppressed some of the time so the bolt sliding easier is definatly a good thing since things get dirty fast. Thats why i was looking into the BCM Ion Bond, the chrome Young NM, and started looking into the stainless JP tactical. My standard carriers havent showed any signs of dying but this was kind of a new build why not try this situation.
On a side note what are some signs of overbuffering a rifle/carbine? Im not having issues yet but havent run the upper i may have over buffered hard. Its a midlength with a H3 buffer, RRA carrier and a Tubb flatwire spring. I also have a tubb carrier weight to tinker with if i can find a decent use.
Agree with Grant. You have a whole lot of things conspiring to keep the bolt closed and other things working to put less pressure on it. Not a good combination.
Is it prudent to keep an extra bolt carrier on hand or just an extra bolt? I know it could not hurt either way but what should one have extra of between the two?
The barrel is just a plain RRA stainless midlength. The bolt will lock back on the last round even with me adding the heaviest tubb carrier weight as well so a oversize gas port could be an issue. That may be a good candidate for a adjustable gas tube if i can find one that holds its setting and be seperate from the gas block so i can still used my fixed front sight.
Can you really tell any difference with that JB carrier and do you have the M16 or semi version? I see how the finish could be beneficial but like yall have said the others seem to work fine.
RRA and BM use oversized gas ports because they believe that their customer base is going to shoot the cheapest ammo (read under pressured) they can find. LMT & Colt for instance use smaller gas ports in their weapons as they expect their owners to shooter better quality ammo.
Can I REALLY tell the difference? Well that is really just an opinion. I like how the bolt carrier rides in my receiver (very smooth) and it is easy to clean.
Rob,
Do you just have one spare complete BCG or several? By taking a spare gun to class do you use it if you have a failure in your primary or do you try to fix primary first before resorting to secondary?
