AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/9/2012 8:04:14 AM EDT
|
I've got an ar that has a little less than 8,000rds thru it. I'm assuming its coming close to replacing the bolt.
Should I replace the entire BCG.. or just the bolt? FTR, nothing is wrong with the BCG or bolt, just worried about failure down the road. |
|
I've owned a couple AR15 rifles that probably had well over 15k apiece before I sold them, never had bolt problems except gas rings a couple times, never even changed extractors on these. As you get to the shorter gas systems like a carbine (or pistol) the bolts seem to take quite a bit more of a beating. If yours is a carbine, I'd at least have a complete spare bolt available, or go ahead and install it, keep the old one as your spare.
Again, opinions are like a––holes, we all have one. All bolts WILL break if used long enough, a rifle bolt will last much longer. The carrier should last indefinitely, but an inspection of the gas key and gas key screws are good practice as you clean the weapon. Many times even a carbine bolt will go 10k+, many times they will not. Your bolt is the hardest working part in the AR, and they are prone to failure. ––––––- > Also, a lot rides on if this is a range gun, or one that could be used for defense. Which gas system do yo have? Is this gun run hard? Is it properly lubed? All these should affect the bolts life. HTH 
|
|
Quoted:
I've got an ar that has a little less than 8,000rds thru it. I'm assuming its coming close to replacing the bolt. Should I replace the entire BCG.. or just the bolt? FTR, nothing is wrong with the BCG or bolt, just worried about failure down the road. +1 You should have a spare bolt assembly, not the entire BCG, if you have extra budget get the complete BCG. It's up to you if you would like to replace the bolt assembly only (not the bolt carrier) now at 8K rounds, but I usually replace my bolt no later than 10K rounds, I have several bolts that lasted longer than that. Always bring your spare bolt assembly with you when you go shooting. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Im not the origenal OP, but does anybody worry about headspaceing the new BCG after changeing it out or is it GTG.? AR headspace is set via the barrel extension. Drop in the new bolt and go. I would personally check headspace on any new BCG that I assemble from other vendors and such, you never know what specs people were working off of. |
|
Quoted:
Think about way back in the 60's and 70's, Vietnam, they fired way more than 8000 rounds, and they didn't carry an extra bolt with them. And those were the early problem prone rifles. Don't worry about your bolt! I agree if this is a rifle length gas rifle, but carbines are much harder on bolts. I posted this on another thread, bolts do break. Again, look at pages 45-50 for the most info that applies. Crane Report on SOPMOD The OP has not replied back on what AR he is referring to, Carbine, middy, or rifle? |
AR Sponsor