Putting together an ar15, what kind of bolt?

[SpringfieldArmoryXD]

Like the title says, looking to put together an ar15. Wondering what type of bolt carrier group I should get. I watched this video that says you should look for something that is HP/MP tested, staked, and shot peened. Is there anything else you should look for in a bolt carrier group? thanks

Here is the video I saw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vexve_uCZbE

 

[Girodin]

I would get a BCM bolt carrier group. BCM has a very good reputation. This is what I would get:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...Auto-M16-p/bcm bolt carrier group auto mp.htm

Here is a little BCM "propaganda." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_4CskJJxvY

 

[snakeman]

model 1 sales has good bolts and carriers as well

 

[jakk280rem]

First things first i'd get a m16 bolt. after that i would make sure the bolt was made the same way and out of rhetorically same stuff as a mil-spec bolt. there are a bunch of companies that make them that way.

 

[WinThePennant]

Get the full-auto bolt (aka M16 bolt) from Bravo Company (BCM), and don't look back. There are other good ones out there, but BCM is quite good and reasonably priced.

 

[BCMjUnKiE]

BCM or LT Enterprise is what I run.

 

[walking arsenal]

What's so special about an M-16 bolt?

 

[WinThePennant]

What's so special about an M-16 bolt?

That's a good question. I've read and heard that full-auto/M16 bolts are built to higher specs.

 

[gotigers]

The M16 carrier has a smaller cutout so it has more mass. Some like the extra mass to smooth out recoil.

BCM, Young, CMT, PSA have good BCGs. I know I am missing a few.

Edit: I have S&W, young, PSA and a CMT. 2 are full auto and 2 semi. All but the young are mp stamped. Young is just as good. All work great.

Edit: I am talking about the carrier regarding the cut out.

 

[Captains1911]

BCM would be my choice (and has been)

 

[Ramone]

I like the M-16 or 'full auto' bolt for the extra weight- it does seem to cycle a bit smoother.

I also like NiB 'Chrome' bolts- they don't clean *that* much easier, but it's easier to clean well when you can see the spots you are missing.

I consider an 'Extra Power' Extractor Spring & O-ring to be a plus, but wouldn't lose sleep over it.

 

[walking arsenal]

The M16 carrier has a smaller cutout so it has more mass.

Wait a minute. A cutout? You guys don't mean the bolt. You're talking about the bolt carrier, right?

 

[Quentin]

Yes, the AR-15 bolt carrier is cut back and weighs about 1/2 oz less than the M16 carrier. A little googling and you'll find pictures of both kinds.

 

[taliv]

I've read and heard that full-auto/M16 bolts are built to higher specs.

they are the same.
the carriers as mentioned above are different. the reason is because the part that trips the auto sear was removed from AR15 carriers so you serfs can't convert your semiauto to full auto.

another difference is the shrouded firing pin. this should match your hammer. it is a small safety precaution, where if your rifle attempts to "double" because the sear is worn or disconnector fails, when the hammer follows the carrier home, the notched hammers can catch the ring on the rear of the firing pin, preventing the bolt from going into battery.

the added weight of the m16 carrier can be useful with shorter gas systems.

 

[walking arsenal]

Yes, the AR-15 bolt carrier is cut back and weighs about 1/2 oz less than the M16 carrier. A little googling and you'll find pictures of both kinds.

I've seen those a know the difference but everyone kept saying bolt so I was a little confused.

Ugh. Nomenclature.

 

[juk]

I have a Stag upper with a Stag bolt carrier group and have no complaints with it. It is not an m16 bolt and carrier. That said, it still works very well. On my next build I will get a BCM bolt and carrier. For the money, they may be about the best deal on a quality bolt carrier group out there.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The FA carrier is 11 grams heavier than the SA carrier.

You want a carrier that is made from 8620 steel, shot peened, heat treated and phosphate coated. The Bolt should be made from C158 steel, heat treated, then HPT-MPI tested.

 

[AlexanderA]

another difference is the shrouded firing pin. this should match your hammer. it is a small safety precaution, where if your rifle attempts to "double" because the sear is worn or disconnector fails, when the hammer follows the carrier home, the notched hammers can catch the ring on the rear of the firing pin, preventing the bolt from going into battery.

The notched hammers and "unshrouded" (beveled) bolt carriers tend not to be used much any more. If you have such a combination, you must use a small-diameter firing pin, or else the gun will jam.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

BCM or DD if you want affordable or Colt if you want to spend the extra cash-----have used all with zero problems

 

[dsm007]

I recently purchased a core 15 M16 BCG for $128 shipped but had a %7 sales tax because I am in Florida,looks to be a good product. http://www.core15.com/products/part..._color_plus.tpl&product_id=116&category_id=23

.223/5.56
Magnetic Particle Inspected Bolt (MPI)
Mil-spec Carpenter158® steel bolt
M16 Chrome Lined 8620 Steel Carrier
Chrome Lined Gas Key
Gas Key Hardened to USGI Specs
Gas Key Grade 8 Hardened Fasteners
Mil-spec Staked Gas Key
Tool Steel Extractor Upgrade
Extractor Spring
M16 Profile

 

[MachIVshooter]

The M16 carrier has a smaller cutout so it has more mass. Some like the extra mass to smooth out recoil.

This.

It is a noticeable improvement on pistol or carbine length gas systems. On mid or rifle length, not so much.

I went with a $165 DD M16 BCG in my 7.5" pistol, and I'm very happy with it.


As for the picture above comparing BCGs, there is one missing. Some AR-15s, like Armalite, use an "enhanced" carrier, with a cutout larger than M16, but less than the typical AR-15.

 

[gotigers]

The Young i bought yesterday is between the enhanced and M16. I has a bit more material than the enhanced pictured above. It also has a shrouded firing pin.

Good thread. Very informative.

 

[HOOfan_1]

When I built mine, I was after Daniel Defense and BCM...both were out of stock for weeks on end. I finally found a Daniel Defense in stock at Ranier Arms. This was about 6 months before the election. The way the election has gone...I don't expect the stock situation to get much better.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Young i bought yesterday is between the enhanced and M16. I has a bit more material than the enhanced pictured above. It also has a shrouded firing pin.

It would still be considered an enhanced carrier. There's no spec for the amount of metal there, just that it's more than an SP-1 type but less than M-16.

Usually, the enhanced cutout is milled to where it does not come past the leading edge of the rear take down pin block.

 

[jakk280rem]

Same situation with BCM. Been out of stock for a while now. My cousin has3 failzero bcg in stock. I might go with one of those unless BCM gets some before next week.