What do you do with bad AR BCG?

[BSA1]

Is there a reform school for bad AR BCG's?

I have unknown brand Parked .223 / 5.56 BCG. Bolt is stamped MPI. BCG came as part of complete upper package. I have been using it with a 1 x 9 .223 Wylde 16" barrel with lackluster results.

A couple of weeks ago I brought a Aero Precision Black Nitride MPI/HPI tested BCG for my current build #3. Since I still need a few more parts for it until I can shoot it I decided to try the Aero Precision BCG with the Wylde barrel. What a difference. Groups have tightened up considerably. I am happy with the improvement.

So now I am trying to figure out what to do with the Parked BCG. The Aero Precision BCG is going to stay with the .223 Wylde barrel so I will probably put it in build #3 temporarily so I can use for testing after I complete the build.

Will a BCG that performs poorly in one AR deliver better accuracy in another one? The .223 Wylde is 1 x 9 and build #3 is 5.56 1x 9. Same twist just different chambers. Or should this BCG be confined to the parts drawer for use only as a back-up if the others have a problem?

 

[Robbins290]

maybe keep the firing pin, firing pin retaining pin and bolt head for spares

 

[IndianaBoy]

maybe keep the firing pin, firing pin retaining pin and bolt head for spares

If he is having accuracy issues, it would be more likely to arise because of problems with the bolt than with the bolt carrier.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I would just keep the whole thing for a spare if you feel like you need some spare parts on hand for just in case.


Otherwise I would sell it.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

If you assemble uppers and use a BevBlock, take the BCG apart and use it to steady the upper in the BevBlock

 

[HankC]

I can't see how BCG affect accuracy and group size unless headspace. ARs typically don't need to concern headspace when everything in spec, but may show the effect if borderline already. Have you tried the BCG in another rifle? Different ammo makes difference on group size as well.

 

[ilbob]

sell on ebay?

 

[BSA1]

I can't see how BCG affect accuracy and group size unless headspace. ARs typically don't need to concern headspace when everything in spec, but may show the effect if borderline already. Have you tried the BCG in another rifle? Different ammo makes difference on group size as well.

I have not tried the BCG in another AR. I am going to test it in AR #3 once I finish building it. I plan on leaving the Aero Precision BCG with the 223 Wylde barrel.

The reason for my question is whether I should be figuring on buying another BCG for AR #3 and confining the parked one to the parts box as a backup. It seems highly unlikely I will ever need a spare but... (plus I really like the Black Nitride finish).

 

[303 hunter]

Where did you buy the upper package from?

 

[BSA1]

JSE Surplus.

 

[tarosean]

wastebin

 

[Hokie_PhD]

wastebin

That’s a waste
Give it to someone. Personally, I’d take it. I’d even pay for shipping.

As I posted earlier it can be used with the BeVBlock to stabilize an upper that someone is working on. So having a spare torn down just for that purpose should be nice.

 

[pert near]

AR shooters are an interesting group of shooters. Some really want their rifles to shoot as accurately as a bolt action & many achieve it. On the other hand, there are those that enjoy the plinking & rapid fire joy of a semi-auto rifle. The later are often negatively characterized as "mag-dumpers". To each his own & what they enjoy.

If your BCG is functioning & safe, sell it with no worries to a member of the second type to use in his budget AR with open-sights. Or save it & collect enough parts to build a "mag-dumper" for yourself!

 

[BSA1]

AR shooters are an interesting group of shooters. Some really want their rifles to shoot as accurately as a bolt action & many achieve it. On the other hand, there are those that enjoy the plinking & rapid fire joy of a semi-auto rifle. The later are often negatively characterized as "mag-dumpers". To each his own & what they enjoy.

Why can't I have both in the same gun?

As far as accuracy I want a dime size group at 25 yards and no flyers. If I can't get tight groups at 25 then I certainly will not get good groups at 100.

Obviously ammo plays a major role in achieving this but when ammo that gives me that small of group in one AR fails to deliver in another has me reviewing everything to determine the cause of the problem.

Since a "mag dump" is simply pulling the trigger faster I don't see why accuracy has to suffer.

 

[BSA1]

As I posted earlier it can be used with the BeVBlock to stabilize an upper that someone is working on. So having a spare torn down just for that purpose should be nice.

Wastebin is out of the question.

Hokie good suggestion. As I plan on buying a Bev Block it will be useful for any future builds and gun maintenance. And it can still serve as backup in the unlikely event it is needed.

 

[pert near]

Why can't I have both in the same gun?

As far as accuracy I want a dime size group at 25 yards and no flyers. If I can't get tight groups at 25 then I certainly will not get good groups at 100.

Obviously ammo plays a major role in achieving this but when ammo that gives me that small of group in one AR fails to deliver in another has me reviewing everything to determine the cause of the problem.

Since a "mag dump" is simply pulling the trigger faster I don't see why accuracy has to suffer.

No doubt you can have a very accurate rifle & still enjoy "mag-dumps". It all depends on how often you want to get your rifle's chamber red hot & erode the throat away & jeopardize your accuracy. Like I said, to each his own.

 

[Everready73]

Were you maybe using different ammo when you tried the new BCG? Have you tested the same ammo back to back with both bcg's in the same upper?

 

[BSA1]

Yep. Actually three brands of ammo and three different reloads.

To paraphase the late Humorist Will Rogers "I only know what I read see in on the newspaper target."

I am going to give it one more chance to deliver good accuracy using 1 x 9 barrel with 5.56 chamber before I sentence it to life in a parts drawer. The jury is still out on how well I like the .223 Wylde.

 

[Schlegel]

Not an expert, but with my curiosity I'd be tempted to switch the bolts between carriers next time i was shooting, just to see if the difference follows them.