A friend left me a Colt BCG for storage which I decided to clean before doing so.
Everything looked fine except for the bolt tail which was pitted with rust.
Any possible cycling issues that may result from the pitting?
Was this corrosion on the bolt tail under a layer of carbon?
Some yes. There wasnt too much carbon on it. Some after wiping off what looked like diluted rust.
Ouch.
I hate seeing things in that condition. 
That is down right neglect. I have some other words but some people can’t be convinced otherwise reference taking care of things.
I would let it soak in some Kroil, then scrub it with a steel tootbrush, then go over it with some steel wool. Change the gas rings, maybe hit the inside with a .17 brush.
That pretty much sums it up. I personally wouldn’t use that bolt.
I dont know how it was stored before having been turned over to me but from what I saw, it appears to have been cleaned before storage because it didnt have much carbon on it.
So it’s still re-usable after doing the above procedure??
To be on the safe side and retracting what I said above, no. The manual states that if the cluster of pitting is larger than 1/8" diameter and if the appear o be deeper than .010", then no. The big area’s of concern would be the face, lugs and cam pin hole.
The -23&P is not very lenient on bolt carrier damage inspection limits. The -23 calls out specific inspection criteria for bolt face pitting, but as far as the rest of the bolt goes, any damage around the cam pin hole or locking lugs, is cause for rejection.
As far as -23 standards goes, your bolt is unserviceable. Whether you want to risk using it, is completely up to you.
Quib,
Maybe you should post up your dunkit solution/instructions and have the mods/staff do a sticky in the FAQ.
I think that might help the “pitted bolt” situation in the future.
In Col_Crocs situation it was beyond his control,but this is becoming a common problem it seems.
I don’t think anyone here at this site is interested in that cleaning method.
ETA: Besides that, I’ve heard from other sources that those “In the know…” consider me “OCD” when it comes to weapons maintenance.
I’de consider that bolt spent. Looks pretty rough. Makes me sad to see firearms in a state of disrepair aswell.
Col- Tell your friend Bravo Co. has bolts in stock right now.
Agree,BCM bolts are GTG(GOOD TO GO)
$70 bucks and your back in the game.
Oh well…
Im a bit OCD in that area myself…never had a rusty bolt though,so I guess it pays off in the end.
… 
+1. Plus, I enjoy cleaning my guns.
Thanks everyone! I too tend to be pretty OC with cleaning. I dont like doing it but hate even more the uneasiness I feel when my weapons arent clean. – Which is why I took the BCG apart in the first place as supposed to automatically tossing it in a jar of oil.
I agree! I understand some dont clean as extensively as others but how about a “maintenance sticky” of different cleaning methods from the “just enough” to average to extensive as well as lubricating and rust prevention.
It should avoid a good half of the cleaning queries and it would provide a great resource for those new to ARs.
From this thread alone, I think it’s clear to see there are quite a few like us around the site and Im sure your method would be greatly appreciated.
Well, I go by the “Horse, Saddle, Man” procedure.
When people get going on about cleaning, I think you get the two extremes. One is the white gloves cleaning rod chucked in a drill to the shoot it until it breaks, all jocked up in my ninja suit cleaning is for wannabee’s.
It’s easy to see where the stories come from about damage to guns that someone used screw driver, flattened finish nails, wire wheels on a bench grinder, etc, etc, etc.
Then it’s easy to see and understand the stresses put on parts when there excess carbon, a slurry of the same everywhere in the weapon.
There’s so many ways of cleaning the AR based weapon, if you took 10 minutes when you get home to go over it, that’s no that bad. Not alot to ask to take care of an investment in a tool that can be anything from a toy to a life saving instrument. At the very least, you paid alot of money for it and what’s the point of abusing it-that’s my opinion. I would bet that so many people balk about cleaning it and within an hour of being home are jacking off on the computer eating Frito’s.
Just yesterday, two G17’s and two AR’s, so freaking dirty, they wouldn’t work any longer, even with lube.
Bottom line, you decide on how you want to treat your weapon and equipment and how you want it to work, or not for you.
Mark