I ordered a replacement bolt from Brownells manufactured by Colt.
After looking at the order details, I realized that it is marked as a .223 caliber on their website.
I understand that there is a difference between the 5.56 chamber and a .223 chamber, but is there a difference between the bolts???
The bolt is going into a Colt 6940, and I’m wondering if I need to return the bolt.
Sorry if this is a recently asked question, my search did not reveal any answers.
The bolt you ordered is fine
I could be wrong but I thinks Its in reference to the case diameter, colt makes good kit shouldn’t be a problem.
the 5.56 and .223 difference is pressures
if in doubt call brownells
The bolt is fine. There’s ONE SPEC for a Colt Bolt.
Thanks guys for all the answers.
Seems like I’m learning something new every single day about these rifles.
The reason I’m asking here is because Brownells’ customer service rep didn’t seem to know her product…ie I wasn’t confident with her answer.
You guys are the experts here…more so than the customer service rep…IMHO.
Some have it, most dont
.223 and 5.56 cases are identical…the difference is in the powder charges, 5.56 being hotter and in the chambers themselves, 5.56 being a little larger to allow dirt, carbon buildup, from extended firing, Firing real 5.56 ammo in a .223 chamber, can result in some serious problems, primers being blown out of the case, cases having rims torn off leaving the rest of the case in the chamber…It’s not a good thing…
It would make too much sense to have some one that knows what they were talking about to answer questions
yep
it was what I was getting at without d-railing the thread
I would return your order, but not for the caliber. There are much better deals on Colt products available. You can get the entire bcg from ratworx for $40 more or even order the bolt from Specialized armament for $60 less.
Actually this is incorrect. The exterior dimensions of the brass are the same, but the thickness of the shoulder is not the same (5.56 NATO has a thicker shoulder). You are correct on the majority of difference being in the actual chamber dimensions though. This is a pretty good explanation: http://weaponsman.com/?p=604.
As to the initial question; there are no dimensional differences between the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO AR-bolts - the difference is in the chamber and throat.
This!
Having talked to one of the Colt reps not to long ago I asked this same question. I was told they are the same across the board.
OP
I think it’s listed as .223 because its a standard description across the board. Just my speculation though.
Even though Brownells is a well regarded sponsor here, $170 for a Colt bolt assembly is pretty steep. amd5007 gave some good alternative sources. You might want to consider BCM bolts for $70.
That is insanity. $170??
wish I had asked here first before buying.
Return it. Brownells has a good return policy. Put the money right back on your CC.
A complete BCM bolt carrier is only 159.00 and there are a few Colt BCG’s on Gunbroker for 175.00.
Brownell’s seems to be such a good vendor…I wonder why their price on this item is so high?
It seems to me that their prices were based on market value from years ago before Colt offered their products through other vendors or via their website. In which case, Brownells was the only retailer selling the majority of Colt items and charging a premium. I guess they never reevaluated their pricing in the current market.
In my own experience, several years ago when I was building more 1911s, Brownells was the only place to source Colt parts at a reasonable price. Now even Midway sells Colt parts.