LMT enhanced bcg right for my build?

[swampcrawler]

Ok guys, my first build is coming along nicely so far.

Already have:
Spikes stripped lower
DD lpk
AR gold trigger
Vltor a5 buffer system with e mod stock

Will have:
Vltor MUR upper
NOVESKE LW 18 inch barrel w/intermediate gas
Jp flash hider
Some kind of lightweight keymod rail
And a trijicon accupoint 1-4

The rifle will be primarily a range/coyote/pig gun, but I'd like for it to be usable in a carbine class or 3 gun match in the future.

Im seeing lots of good things about the lmt enhanced bcg but I also see some folks saying that it may not function well on 14.5 inch midlength guns or 18 inch rifle length systems.

Does anyone know if it will work well with my setup or should I just go with bcm/colt/spikes or one of the other enhanced bolts such as Young or Sharps?

 

[Tirod]

Been around for a while: http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=539470

Compare the alleged life of the enhanced bolts to the actual life in real world conditions: http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=539470

I don't see why you'd need to delay the opening of the bolt since the barrel is set up with an optimized gas port location. It will be just as easy to tune switching buffers and the total expense won't be as high.

A milspec BCG with Crane extractor upgrade is used on a lot of weapons in the military, they don't seem to have issues needing expensive carriers with more gas ports or aftermarket cam pin machining. But - they always use NATO power level ammo, and it's designed to be consistent with the weapons used. We read a lot of posts with issues because of cheap import or reject ammo causing malfunctions, and that is the source of so many changes in civilian guns to get it to operate. These guys didn't need bigger ports, or different buffers, they needed to dial an adjustable port up or down for the different gas pressures .223 and 5.56 have. The military doesn't.

Port placement is dwell timing, port size is pressure. More can be done there than needing to spend money on enhancements the military hasn't seen fit to adopt. it goes to some of these things sell because they can, not because you need them. If you like the bolt and want one, buy it, but in terms of scientifically proven merit, there is no evidence. Just a consensus of opinion among owners justifying their expense.

Pretty typical on the internet.

 

[Driftertank]

I've been told by a local gunshop owner that a rather large armed response force near where i live switched to LMT enhanced bolts a couple years ago, and went away from them because they had a relatively high failure rate in duty use. Since it is totally 3rd party hearsay and i have no corroborating evidence, i won't say who allegedly was involved in this trial.

I was looking into enhanced options after a bolt broke on my AR build earlier this year. After a bit of research and some trial and error, I've come to the conclusion that the best option is to go with a milspec bolt from a reputable company with a good warranty.....and buy spares.

I use a Rainier Arms NiB BCG in mine (because it has a lifetime warranty and their office is only a couple hours away. I've also built with Spikes, and hear a LOT of good things about Bravo Company.

 

[Jackal]

When a decent mil-spec bcg can run 10,000+ rounds without failure, I see little need to purchase anything else... Welcome to the world of "tactical" marketing.

 

[jakk280rem]

Your rifle doesn't need the added expense of a fancy bolt group. The low firing rate of a hunting rifle combined with the low pressure and low temperature of an 18" barrel means a proper milspec bcg will last a long time.

 

[Jackal]

...........

 

[signkutter]

Like has been posted, the LMT E BCG is an uneeded expense on an 18" barrel that has the proper port location anyway.

I do use an LMT E BCG on my MK18 and my 11.5 barreled AR's. When i run them suppressed the LMT E BCG helps cut down gas-face and along with an adjustable gas block on the 11.5 gun , it makes shooting suppressed a smooth gas-faceless experience

 

[C-grunt]

The LMT E-BCG does indeed have a use. Its for SBRs and suppressors. Its used to bleed off extra gas. In your build it might actually reduce reliability. With an 18inch Noveske gassed barrel and a Vltor A5 (which buffer you running?) your rifle will shoot super smooth.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What C-Grunt said. The LMT Enhanced BCG is meant for SBRs. The third hole is to bleed off excess gas pressure faster. It may not a good choice for an 18" barrel with intermediate gas.

 

[signkutter]

The main thing the LMT E BCG provides is increased lock time via a modified cam pin slot in the Bolt carrier. The extra holes help a bit but they aren't what sets the LMT E BCG apart from conventional bcgs