AR BCG questions

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9mmepiphany

9mmepiphany

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I'm finally putting together my spare AR lower and I'm down to deciding on which Bolt Carrier Group to get. This is going to be a training carbine and might eventually evolve into a 3-gun one...no, I'm not going with an adjustable gas block at this time

I've been asking questions (yes, I read the stickied thread) and looking at websites and I'm overwhelmed by the options. It took me long enough to get through the stock and uppers already

I recently ordered a complete upper from BCM, but passed on the BCG; for what they wanted for it, I could have gotten a melonited one from Rubber City Armory. I'm familiar with BCM, DD, LMT, Noveske...etc, but I'm running across a lot of names I'm not familiar with (Spikes, WMD, AIM, Rainier...etc) and also names from companies I didn't even know made a BCG (DSA; I thought they only made FAL parts).

So, I'm asking a couple of different questions:

1. I've learned that the BCG and the barrel are places you don't want to go cheap
1a. Are there BCGs I should avoid?
1b. Are there ones that are more hit-n-miss?
1c. Are there specific great values out there?

2. Is it worth paying extra for coatings?

Thanks for any help, I'll post pictures when I get it all together
 
All you need is a true Mil Spec carrier group, or semi-auto but otherwise mil spec group. BCM and LMT are always safe bets for vendors / manufacturers.
 
Mil-spec is the floor for quality, the minimum standard. Research to make sure the BCG chosen meets or exceeds it. Most of the companies you mention are such. My personal favorite is BCM, not because they are somehow magical and clearly superior, but because they meet/exceed spec and I've had good luck running them and had no problems with the company delivering. I know nothing of the coatings, having used standard M-16 carriers in all mine.
 
It's very hard to beat BCM's standard phosphate BCG, they do it right. I have two and a Daniel Defense. And a premium PSA which isn't bad either. Spikes should be quite good too (but I have no experience with one, just good reports from people I trust).
 
I am a relative newbie when it comes to ARs so weigh my comments appropriately. Almost everything in my first build came from Palmetto State Armory ("PSA"), including the BCG. This was before they started selling the "bargain priced" P-Tac line. The BCG is plain looking but it's run 100% so far on the range. I maybe have 100 rounds through it so it's not exactly a torture test.

I'm slowly working on my second build; I thought I would make this one a little less generic and wanted one of the plated BCGs. PSA has one on sale for $169 but a friend recommended West Fork Armory-I checked the website and found that they sell a nickel boron BCG for $125! I ordered one and am waiting for it to show up so that I can run it.
 
1. I've learned that the BCG and the barrel are places you don't want to go cheap
1a. Are there BCGs I should avoid?
1b. Are there ones that are more hit-n-miss?
1c. Are there specific great values out there?

2. Is it worth paying extra for coatings?
Click to expand...

1. Very true.

1a. Yes. Mystery bolt carriers. These would be carriers that the manufacturer doesn't explicitly state the materials they are made from or what processes are performed after being made. Or carriers that are stated to contain inferior materials or skimped processes, such as high pressure testing, magnetic particle testing, etc.

1b. Yes. The aforementioned mystery meat.

1c. No idea. I haven't shopped for a while.

2. Only you can decide that. My understanding is that Nickel-Boron coatings and similar, NP3, chrome, etc., can reduce cleaning time and the lubrication required. Since you say this rifle will see some training courses and possibly some form of competition, it might not hurt. Anything that reduces between stage maintenance can't be bad.

My top picks would be:

Uncoated: BCM, DD, LMT, Colt*

Coated: WMD, Spike's, Young**

*not one of their older semi auto carriers.
**for competition only.
 
I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend or not spend but I have a Fail Zero BCG and it's awesome, cleaning is a breeze even with DI.
 
I don't have any with coatings. I don't doubt they speed up cleaning, I just wouldn't pay much extra for the coatings as I am not convinced they improve reliability. If you look at the way the BC moves in the receiver, it only actually contacts the receiver at the 4 rails, which if you clean and rub to a pristine polish, that should be all you need.

I think any full auto chrome lined BCG with staked gas keys should be fine. Also make sure the firing pin is "shrouded" which it is pretty rare to see non-shrouded these days, but I bet some bargain brands out there don't shroud. Then as long as the bolt itself is HP/MPI tested it should be GTG.
 
Aren't Colt BCGs made by CMT? Bravo has them for $130.

Just my 2 cents

M
 
The BCM and Spike's Tactical have a good rep on the net, FWIW.

Last year I got a plain milspec BCG from AIM Surplus for <$100, shipped. Works great!
 
Just go with a mil spec, and be sure that the boot is made of milspec steel. WMD is a high quality special Nib-X carrier, and all of the brands you mentioned are fine. Id buy a full auto BCG for not to much more because it contains more material and is heavier.

Just my input.
 
I've been quite happy with my NP3 coated carrier. Theoretically it should reduce the likelihood of fouling related stoppages and its easier to clean. You can't just wipe off the bolt with a dry rag as some claim but it's definitely more resistant to carbon buildup which is also easier to remove.
 
Crunchy Frog said:
I am a relative newbie when it comes to ARs so weigh my comments appropriately. Almost everything in my first build came from Palmetto State Armory ("PSA"), including the BCG. This was before they started selling the "bargain priced" P-Tac line. The BCG is plain looking but it's run 100% so far on the range. I maybe have 100 rounds through it so it's not exactly a torture test.

I'm slowly working on my second build; I thought I would make this one a little less generic and wanted one of the plated BCGs. PSA has one on sale for $169 but a friend recommended West Fork Armory-I checked the website and found that they sell a nickel boron BCG for $125! I ordered one and am waiting for it to show up so that I can run it.
Click to expand...
I have one of the P-Tac BCG's from PSA. I've run it pretty hard with great results.
PSA runs them on sale for $79.99- Hard to beat that deal!
 
Thanks for all the help, insight and sharing of experience

I decided to partner the BCM BCG with the BCM ELW KMR upper that I bought...since it is my first build.

I'm interested in trying some of the others mentioned and will likely do that by putting together a upper for my old school Armalite M15T
 
I believe Micro Best makes a lot of the BCG's out there. People just put their names on them. They have been a DOD contractor for a long time.

John
 
chrome,np3.any of those coated bcg's are good.easier to clean.sending the upper receiver while unassembled,to rbar for an np3 coating inside will greatly reduce wear,improve bolt speed,and make it easier to keep clean.if you live in a cold climate,np3 coated parts won't freeze up because of cold.
 
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