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Posted: 3/20/2013 5:43:53 AM EDT
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Bought a complete BCG from Boise Tactical for $210. Back in the middle of Feb. They shipped it out about 2 weeks ago and I got it last week. Turns out it isn't chrome lined. Eg. Where the bolt goes into the carrier or in the gas key. It is staked amazingly well and is really nice quality. I asked them why it wasn't chrome lined and they said back that they never posted that it was. I was under the impression that Chrome lining a BCG was like putting tires on a car before you sell it. Kind of an implied service at this point. They also said that they don't usually ship to individual people but usually make these bolts for manufacturers. Hinting that these bolts are used by a large number of manufacturers. Seeing as it isn't chrome lined how on earth can this be true?
My question is... Is the BCG okay to use if it isn't chrome lined? Should I trust it? Im not that concerned so much because they have a lifetime warranty and will replace it if it fails. What is your take on my situation? |
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Me and a buddy of mine ordered a pair of BCGs from Boise in January. We got the Micro slicked bcg, and not the shiney one with their logo. In about 120rds, my buddy's bolt exploded. I had sold mine to someone else, and got a Youngs, but he got screwed. They are going to give him a new bolt, but just watch out.
The bolt that failed was not MPI or HP tested. They claim the replacement will be, but I still dont trust it. Off brand crap in my opinion. |
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The bolt is a concern for me. Was thinking about using it until it breaks, getting it replaced by Boise and then buying a 158 carpenter steel bolt. Then use the one I get back from boise as a back up bolt that gets kept in my miad grip.
How bad is it for a forged upper to have a bolt explode inside of it? haha Seriously though... thats a real question. |
| I went ahead and requested a refund for both of mine. I don't want to chance it. Granted, it could happend with any bcg. I don't want to risk it breaking apart and having to purchase so many parts again, and just be back to the beginning. Yes, they have a lifetime warranty, but will they cover anything else that breaks on your gun. |
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Quoted:
Even if no damage occurred to your rifle, and you weren't harmed I still want it go bang when I expect it to. An extra $100 would have been worth that to me. Not bashing. You asked  NO NO... Thats fine, I came in here and asked because I wanted to know the serious no BS answer. I appreciate your opinion. Wasn't really thinking when I asked if it was bad if it blew up. I know that would be bad. I don't shoot that much, maybe once a month and might put 60 rounds through it a month when I do shoot. I wish I didn't have to chance it, but I have to be done spending money on my AR at this point. I guess my real question should be... Can I get away with using it for a year until I have money to upgrade? Just a poor college student here trying to finish grad school with 0 debt. Figure thats the best way to start living the American dream the quickest. Finish with 0 debt, and when I start making money, then upgrade. |
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Why not sell it on Gun Broker or here in the EE and then use those funds to purchase a 'quality' BCG. "Quality" being any brand that actually meets milspec as far as materials, MPI & HPT aren't 1005 needed if the proper materials were used in construction but it's a good thing to pay for. ETA: As for the chrome lining on the inside of the carrier & gas key, well think of it like a car; the piston (bolt) will operate just fine with smooth cylinder(carrier) walls and proper lubrication. The problem happens when you introduce dirt and powder residue to the cylinder walls (carrier). These particles will act like sand and wear the cylinder walls. The chrome lining is harder and smoother than the steel and will withstand this abuse FAR longer. I would NEVER accept an unlined carrier unless the price was significantly below normal. Additionally, I would NEVER shoot an 8620 Bolt. This is 100% the wrong metal to be used and WILL shatter or prematurely wear out of spec and result in case blowout. 8620 will either be too hard or too soft of a metal depending on the hardness is was finalized at. Too hard and it WILL shatter the lugs; too soft and the lugs will wear very quickly and headspacing will increase quickly out of spec and a case failure will occur. |
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Quoted:
Why not sell it on Gun Broker or here in the EE and then use those funds to purchase a 'quality' BCG. "Quality" being any brand that actually meets milspec as far as materials, MPI & HPT aren't 1005 needed if the proper materials were used in construction but it's a good thing to pay for. ETA: As for the chrome lining on the inside of the carrier & gas key, well think of it like a car; the piston (bolt) will operate just fine with smooth cylinder(carrier) walls and proper lubrication. The problem happens when you introduce dirt and powder residue to the cylinder walls (carrier). These particles will act like sand and wear the cylinder walls. The chrome lining is harder and smoother than the steel and will withstand this abuse FAR longer. I would NEVER accept an unlined carrier unless the price was significantly below normal. Additionally, I would NEVER shoot an 8620 Bolt. This is 100% the wrong metal to be used and WILL shatter or prematurely wear out of spec and result in case blowout. 8620 will either be too hard or too soft of a metal depending on the hardness is was finalized at. Too hard and it WILL shatter the lugs; too soft and the lugs will wear very quickly and headspacing will increase quickly out of spec and a case failure will occur. Gotta say, I hope your wrong about it shattering. Its going with me this sunday to the range. haha. Ill post back here and let you guys know I dont have shrapnel through my sinus cavity. For now it has to do. But at least now I know that it should in no way, shape or form, be a permanent BCG in my AR. At the very least I have to upgade the bolt. Which wont be that expense right.... about 50 bucks for a 158 bolt right? |
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I don't mean to say it will harm you if it shatters, I mean I guess it could, but I doubt it.... Look at the others on here that have had their 8620 bolts shatter. I just mean to say that an 8620 is simply a problem waiting to happen, ie "Not a matter of if, more a matter of when." |
| Im kind of a stickler for keeping my guns clean. Being that poor college student, I dont have the money to replace a part because I was negligent of cleaning it. Even in my handguns, I know they will go for a very long time without being cleaned. But I keep them clean as a whistle. |
| Ohh boy, I bought one of these in EARLY FEBRUARY.... Still haven't got it. And now I'm worrying..... I'm pretty much in the same mind set as the guy livn the dream Here on the 8620 bolt. I figured on low round counts and cleaning well would get me by, but you got me rethinking that. Honestly I bought it on a whim and now (having still not received it) I might regret that..... |
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Quoted:
Ohh boy, I bought one of these in EARLY FEBRUARY.... Still haven't got it. And now I'm worrying..... I'm pretty much in the same mind set as the guy livn the dream Here on the 8620 bolt. I figured on low round counts and cleaning well would get me by, but you got me rethinking that. Honestly I bought it on a whim and now (having still not received it) I might regret that..... You will get it. I bought it in early February too. I received it last Friday and it will get to you. They originally told me it would ship 2 days after they got them in, and they didnt ship it until 4 days after they got them in. I was up really really high on their list. So have no worries, it will get there. But hey its machined really well. Staked really nicely, everything yells quality minus the no chrome lining and the 8620 bolt, which are important but i think it will be adequate for a while. |
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*UPDATE*
Went to the range today, 0 problems with the bolt or the carrier. It actually did a very nice job. The brass was flipping straight out to the side instead of at a forward angle like a friends does. Probably because of the FA vs SA carrier. The carrier has 0 wear after the trip to the range. I only sent around 100 rounds through it, but it ran perfectly. The bolt has 0 wear on it as well. I know its still early and I havent had a chance to put enough rounds through it to know that its reliable, but the bolt didnt break or explode, and it got cleaned when it got home so chrome lining isn't necessary. As AR15ers we need to let people know that as long as you keep things really clean, the chrome lining is a luxury. Just glad the 8620 bolt didn't shatter into my face. It did very well, im happy with me Bolt and Carrier, and it will work until I have the money to pay for a nice Nickel Boron/ Chrome/ TiN BCG |
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