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Posted: 3/13/2010 5:49:10 PM EDT
| Does the bolt carrier group really matter much in terms of brand? I want to build a top quality rifle, but would like to know which parts I can go away from the "name" brands and hopefully shave some money off the cost. Thanks |
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IMO yes it matters.
There are people out there manufacturing whatever they want and calling crap milspec. Top quality and shaving costs don’t really go together well. Do you need a $250 BCG vs. a $130 BCM BCG, not for most applications. Your face and probably at least one hand are right beside the BCG in operation. A reputable name brand is your best chance of getting a quality part. |
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Good evening BurtSaun1049, all.
CMT complete bolt carrier groups are offered at weaponparts.com for $99 each and $10 shipping. Heard good things about CMT's quality. I personally own a Rock River Arms and a Del-Ton bolt group(s) in my two builds and see great quality in both. And for what it's worth you are on the Rodeo Drive of AR-15 web-sites. To just admit that you are trying to save money will get you many dirty looks around here. Best of luck and here's to safe and happy shooting. 
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Quoted:
Good evening BurtSaun1049, all. CMT complete bolt carrier groups are offered at weaponparts.com for $99 each and $10 shipping. Heard good things about CMT's quality. I personally own a Rock River Arms and a Del-Ton bolt group(s) in my two builds and see great quality in both. And for what it's worth you are on the Rodeo Drive of AR-15 web-sites. To just admit that you are trying to save money will get you many dirty looks around here. Best of luck and here's to safe and happy shooting. If you actually belonged to other AR15 websites you would know how rediculous that statement is  I'm guessing you don't spend much time on Lightfighter or M4C.....
The BCG is the heart of the rifle. If you were going to skimp anywhere it shouldn't be here. With BCGs from Bravo Company MFG at around $140.00 there is no real need to skimp. It will have all the proper specs for a BCG. |
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The BCG is the heart of the rifle. If you were going to skimp anywhere it shouldn't be here. With BCGs from Bravo Company MFG at around $140.00 there is no real need to skimp. It will have all the proper specs for a BCG.
Bought the BCM M16 BCG for $140 for my first build last December and it is working like a champ. GTG!!! Cheers, 
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Quoted:
Does the bolt carrier group really matter much in terms of brand? I want to build a top quality rifle, but would like to know which parts I can go away from the "name" brands and hopefully shave some money off the cost. Thanks I would not try to "shave some money" off the parts that make the rifle work. Shave your money from the grips, HG's, sites, and optics. Always stick with name brands when talking receivers, barrels, LPK's, AND BCG. Have fun with your build. 
Note: You can save a little by steering clear of "gimmick" parts, and options you just do not need in a semi-auto rifle. Examples of "gimmick" parts - Chrome bolt or carrier , Tin coated carrier, etc. Options you do not need - Chrome lined barrels, M4 feed ramps, etc. |
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Buy a GOOD BCG and save money somewhere else on your rifle. The BCG is the most important part other than perhaps the barrel itself.
With that said you don't need a "match" carrier or one of the sexy coatings. BCM is generally considered the standard of the industry for quality. They are selling for $140 right now on BCM's website, which has a link at the top of this page. Other awesome BCG's are Spikes, Colt, LMT and a select few others. I would insist on it featuring the following specs: Chrome lined Properly staked High pressure tested MP Inspected I also recommend you go with an M16 (Auto) carrier, since AR rifles were designed to use the heavier BC. Recoup your $40 difference between this and a no-name carrier by buying a cheaper lower or stock or whatever else. This is REALLY NOT the place to save a buck. |
| I'm afraid I used a poor choice of words. By "skimping" I was really talking a $20-$30 difference; I wasn't at all talking about getting some UTG-esque crap part that is a sad excuse for a part. I've used RRA exclusively, and have been very impressed with their quality, especially after using that awesome 2 stage trigger. That's a different subject altogether. So, back to my original question: is it safe for me to surmise that it's worth the extra $30 or so bucks for a chromed BCG to aid with cleaning time/durability? |
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Quoted:
I'm afraid I used a poor choice of words. By "skimping" I was really talking a $20-$30 difference; I wasn't at all talking about getting some UTG-esque crap part that is a sad excuse for a part. I've used RRA exclusively, and have been very impressed with their quality, especially after using that awesome 2 stage trigger. That's a different subject altogether. So, back to my original question: is it safe for me to surmise that it's worth the extra $30 or so bucks for a chromed BCG to aid with cleaning time/durability? I wouldn't pay a dime extra for a chrome BCG. I would, however, want a chrome lined BCG, with all proper materials, assembly and testing per TDP. For me that means Colt or BCM. BCM is the better value of the two. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm afraid I used a poor choice of words. By "skimping" I was really talking a $20-$30 difference; I wasn't at all talking about getting some UTG-esque crap part that is a sad excuse for a part. I've used RRA exclusively, and have been very impressed with their quality, especially after using that awesome 2 stage trigger. That's a different subject altogether. So, back to my original question: is it safe for me to surmise that it's worth the extra $30 or so bucks for a chromed BCG to aid with cleaning time/durability? I wouldn't pay a dime extra for a chrome BCG. I would, however, want a chrome lined BCG, with all proper materials, assembly and testing per TDP. For me that means Colt or BCM. BCM is the better value of the two. Nor would I. Chromed bcgs don't add to the durability to a bolt & there isn't much cleaning time to a parked bcg to begin with. |
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