I will be replacing my SPR’s barrel with a new LaRue one I got during their half off sale. The current bolt and barrel have 1000-1500 rounds through them. The rifle currently has a Young’s Chrome BCG, I’m looking to replace just the bolt for use with the new barrel. Who makes a reasonably price Chrome Bolt? I was looking at Aimsurplus, but I’m a bit leery of their $58 NiB bolts, as I’ve heard people having issues, and I also do not want to handicap my new barrel.
Young Manufacturing’s website is the only place I see their bolts sold by themselves, and they are charging $95 + $15 shipping, which in the current market doesn’t seem very reasonable. (Or am I the one being unreasonable?)
Afaik, the only two reputable manufactures of chrome BCGs are Young’s MFG, and Daniel Defense.
Chrome is the only material that hasn’t discolored from my suppressor use. Even NP3, while much better than NiB, has discolored to some extent (presumably that means that there is residual carbon left on it). This likely isn’t a big deal though. I’ve picked up a SIONICS bcg and I’m very happy with it. I also have a young’s bcg which I’m happy with, but ever so slightly weary of the 9310 bolt (that being said, I haven’t ever been able to find a instance of a Young’s Manufacturing Bolt that has broken).
Yes I am quite aware NiB is not chrome, but NiB bolts can be found easily and for under $55 shipped.
My friends have had issues with their NiB bolts ceasing when stored dirty and left alone for a few weeks, my chrome have never had that issue. All but one of my AR’s have chrome BCG’s (Two Youngs, One Spikes, the fourth AR is a parkerized bcg)
This is why I put chrome in two of mine a few years back. I want all my guns this easy to clean. Haven’t tried a NP3 one yet, but I have heard great things about them. I’m thinking I’ll try one of these next, but more research may be needed. In fact, the above post is the first thing bad I’ve read about the NP3. I can say I have failed to clean mine more than a few times, and even weeks later, my chrome BCG ARs function with absolute reliability. My SBR has a chrome BCG, is filthy right now from two trips to the range, and sits at my bedside. I have no doubt it will function.
If you look at NP3, you will see it has been used for many years. I might say it was actually being used before NiB, although I would have dig to find exact dates.
The original AR-15 had a chrome plated bolt and bolt carrier. The chrome plating on the bolt was dropped very early due to fatigue problems caused by the chrome plating process.
There will always be some hydrogen infusion from the chrome plating process (hydrogen embrittlement) which will always reduce the fatigue life between 22% and 55%. It is also possible that cracks in the plated surface form during the plating process and then propagate to the substrate during service.
EDIT:
The nickel boron application process reduces the potential of hydrogen embrittlement, it is not immune to it though.