Hey Guys:
As we all know parts are hard to come by lately. I need a new bolt for my new barrel and someone has offered to sell me an FN bolt. Are these up to the quality standards of the other top makers? I noticed that on vendor websites that they were priced cheaper than the others (when they had them).
Thank you!
I’m sure others will have more to say on this topic, but to my understanding, the only FN components out there are USGI contract parts, meaning that they meet or exceed the government TDP, and are therefore among the best available from any source.
I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to buy one; especially if the price was favorable.
AC
Just make sure that you are not being duped. I have seen items listed as FN, when questioned, the seller stated that they are made by the same manufacturer that makes them for FN. Now they list as FN contract parts. If it is a real FN part then it is ex USGI, mostly seen part is A1 barrels. Just be careful and don’t get taken.
If its a bolt made from FN contracted parts it is very GTG. You cant buy a AR bolt sold by FN however and need to be cvery careful as some dubious sellers will label anythign. SOG and another seller were selling “100% FN upper” at the AZ shows in all kinds of configs that are far away from the M16 that FN makes for the GOV. Just to be a PIA I asked if the 11.5" stainless barrels were made by FN and of course they said they were.
Are they stamped “FN” on the side??? How do you know that they were made by FN?
Would you be shocked to learn that FN buys most of (if not all) of their Bolts from outside companies (in the white) and then HPT/MP tests them in house?
Also, FN does NOT sell Bolts, Receiver, BCG’s, etc to the consumer.
Now, dealers can and DO buy bolts from the same companies that FN does, but to my knowledge, the bolts are NEVER HP and only MP batch tested. They also tend to come with a 4 coil extractor spring and a blue extractor insert and no Crane O-Ring.
C4
What does HP tested mean? When you say it does not come with the crane O rings does that mean they do not come with the three gas rings?
HP (high pressure) means that the bolt was proof fired before it was MP tested. The Crane “O” ring is an extractor upgrade.
Well the guy responded today saying that the bolt was MPI tested, but not HP. In a reply I asked him about the FN marking and he has not responded yet. I have a feeling that it is. I wanted to use the bolt for my Krieger barrel on my SPRish build.
What’s the consensus guys? Is the bolt good to go?
Better yet if someone has a bolt that is HP/MPI tested with the crane O ring to sell me me that would be fantastic.
I am not sure you are tracking what I am telling you. It is impossible to buy a bolt from FN because FN does NOT sell them to dealers.
C4
For what it’s worth, the MPI test really isn’t worth much if the bolt wasn’t HP tested.
It might be just fine, but the MPI test shows if the bolt withstood the MP test without damage. That’s why HP/MPI testing is important.
OK guys thanks for the info. The bolt is marked “MPF”. Is this the real deal?
Real deal from us.gov more likely than not.
I’ve seen quite a few people selling used, refinished M16 bolts with that marking. I’d be very leary if he said it was a new bolt.
Thanks for everyones help on this one. I was fortunate to be able to score a Colt bolt last night. It’s been quite an interesting two weeks chasing barrels and bolts. I guess that’s part of the fun.
A little late but I’ll have to agree with Grant on this one.
I’m glad that you found another source.
.
.