Anybody have any opinions on the Smith Enterprise chrome plated bolts? According to the product description on the Brownells website they are MPI. The price is a little high but with my discount it’s only about $87. Still a little high but considering the way prices are right now maybe not.
its never seemed like a good idea to have such a high-wear part plated to me. i got a chromed carrier in my match gun, but i went phosphate for the bolt
Is that because chrome can flake off? People have said that, but I’ve never heard of it happening, even anecdotally? You always here that it can, not that it did.
A lot of pistols are hard chromed, especially the gamer guns that run tight tolerances.
Seems like a god idea, should help with scaping carbon off?
Isn’t everything in a AK chromed?
i dont know about AKs. i also have only heard that chrome CAN flake off. i think that comes from seeing rusty chromed bumpers on peoples’ dads’ trucks flaking. i haven’t done any research on the chroming process in gun parts (i will, now that the question has come up), but ive gathered that it’s not the same as chroming wheels and bumpers and shit. i think it’s an actual fusion of metals, so it’ll wear through rather than chip off. i’ve sort of seen this in my carrier- the chrome has gotten thin around the front sides of the carrier, and i suspect it will eventually just wear through and show the duller steel underneath.
i guess my concern is uneven wear between barrel extension and on the lugs… once the chrome wears through, seems like the steel underneath will wear faster than the chrome around it, and the barrel extension will wear faster than the bolt. as i said, haven’t done any research, just the thoughts ive had.
Valid point! Thanks! Was actually considering getting a chrome bolt myself.
The only part chromed on an AK47 is the operating rod (piston) and not the bolt or the carrier portion. That can vary slightly but on the 1500+ in my various armories that is the usual rule. I say buy it, run it hard and then write up a little T&E for us.
When I was in the service I saw dozens upon dozens of chromed bolts and carriers come through our shop. This was in the mid 80”s. We had to trash the carriers because they were not “tactical”. The bolts were ok to leave in. Anyway I don’t recall any with the chrome coming off.
I’m more concerned with the quality of the bolt. Not if it’s chromed or not. I will probably buy it and try it out.
what other option is really left at this point?
$160 DPMS?
$250 BCM?
no thanks!
those smith & young groups look better every day. at least you can get them for retail.
by the way that blue falcon shit on the tos EE and gunbroker is really getting to me. i didn’t used to have a problem with it, but i have builds i cant finish now and its starting to get aggravating
i didnt think the panic would be this bad on the parts side of things. shows how little i know.
whats blue falcon?
buddy fucker
…if it wasn’t for greed more people could get the kit at a reasonable price.
The only part of the bolt on an AK that is chromed is the piston head. Silver does not equal chrome, it means raw, unfinished steel.
Ah yes, the Blue Falcon. The “superhero” that everyone loves to hate.
Well after pussy footing around I took to long to order and they are now out.
Oh well.
been there!
These were available a week ago:
http://www.newriverarms.net/store.php?Bolt_Carriers-pg1-cid38.html
The youngs are available from his site. I ordered a NM M16 and it was sent out within a week. I believe he is making and selling them so there is never to much of a wait.
the two ive ordered post-obamanation have shipped next day and arrived within a week. its a fantastic backup system in trying times to have a slightly more expensive, less known product that nobody buys from… hah.
kinda like lancer mags
I did notice that Travis had a Young National Match carrier in his carbine in the Magpul DVD. I wonder if he used a Young bolt also.
I find that statement a bit odd… Aren’t most bores and chambers chromed? I think you could argue they get as much or more wear that the bolt.
no, actually most arent… but the good ones are. barrels and chambers only make contact with the brass cartridge or copper jacketed bullet, they dont move and bang around into other crap, and dont have corners to wear down, etc.
but i was only commenting what comes to mind- i could be way off.