Best economy Bolt Carrier Group?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best economy Bolt Carrier Group?

Posted: 5/4/2017 8:31:34 PM EDT

I'm currently contemplating putting together an AR-15 pistol in .300 Blk for a "car gun." I'm looking at the PSA 8.5" upper combined with one of their pistol lowers. I want a reliable weapon (it's for SD, after all) but don't want to bankrupt myself in the process.

I'm looking at some options on bolt carrier groups in the $80 - $100 range, but don't know the relative merits of different finishes. One of the cheapest is a PSA full-auto bolt with phosphate coating Here

Primary Arms has a nitride finished BCG for the same price: Here

AIM Surplus has a nickel-boron finished BCG, also for the same price: Here

They also have a black nitrided BCG for slightly less: Here

My question is, what are the relative merits of phosphate vs nitride vs nickel-boron finished BCGs? The black nitrided AIM BCG looks very good, but it's appearance is somewhat moot hiding behind a closed ejection port cover!

As always, appreciate your expertise!

Posted: 5/4/2017 8:44:25 PM EDT

[#1]

PSA premium bcg is rock solid. I have 3, zero issues.
AIM Surplus is gtg also.

As far as coatings, I like phosphate. I do have 2 now in nitride, too new to comment. Seem to be gtg also.

Check out Toolcraft also. Another rock solid choice.

Eta: nitride in principle should wear longer. I have not worn out a phosphate coated bcg yet.

I have one with ~6 k on it.

Some say nickel boron are easier to clean. I'm no too sure???

Posted: 5/4/2017 8:48:37 PM EDT

[#2]

RTB nickel boron

Posted: 5/4/2017 8:56:50 PM EDT

[#3]

Sons of liberty gun works, bcg on sale for $130

Posted: 5/4/2017 9:21:54 PM EDT

[#4]

In that price range, PSA Premium. No fancy stuff, but great quality for the cost.

Posted: 5/4/2017 9:57:36 PM EDT

[#5]

Another vote for psa, they are good for the price.

Posted: 5/4/2017 11:38:35 PM EDT

[#6]

I like Toolcraft

http://www.wcarmory.com/gun-parts/bcg-s

or

http://www.monmouthreloading.com/shop/ar15-toolcraft-black-nitride-bcg/

I am also liking Right to Bear. Watch for their Deal of the Day and they are regularly on sale for less than $75.

https://www.righttobear.com/Phosphate-Bolt-Carrier-Group-158-MPI-p/ph158.htm

or

https://www.righttobear.com/Complete-M16-Bolt-Carrier-Group-Black-Nitride-p/sbnm16.htm

Posted: 5/5/2017 1:17:29 AM EDT

[#7]

Great info, all! Just what I was looking for! I've heard from other sources about Toolcraft BCGs, so I took Rkangel777's advice and ordered one with confidence. As a bonus, got a charging handle for a buck less than I'd found on Primary Arms, too!

Posted: 5/5/2017 1:18:40 AM EDT

[#8]

I own several PSA premiums and have nothing but good to say about them, they are great value and a great product.

Posted: 5/5/2017 1:48:46 AM EDT

[#9]

Toolcraft, PSA.

Posted: 5/7/2017 2:29:45 PM EDT

[#10]

PSA and Aim are my go to BCGs.

Posted: 5/7/2017 7:12:19 PM EDT

[#11]

I recommend toolcraft exo nib hands down. I have a few and they are perfect. In my truck 300blk pistol I have a aim exo bcg and it's been great but the toolcraft is finished much nicer for similar money. I may be one of the few but I have a couple early psa premium bcg's via mid 2012 and they work great but have not been wearing well and the staking and tooling marks make them mediocre at best. Both have been replaced with toolcraft.

Posted: 5/7/2017 7:21:27 PM EDT

[#12]

I replaced all my PSA and AIM bolts but they are good quality. Had phosphate, nitride and nib from AIM and just the phosphate PSA but all g2g.

I too love the Toolcraft bolts they are great quality. With the nitride version barely above $70 no reason to go elsewhere.

I've got an EXO, nitride and phosphate from them in addition to a Fail Zero and BCM BCG.

They're top notch

Posted: 5/9/2017 3:40:16 PM EDT

[#13]

Toolcraft phosphate from WCArmory

Posted: 5/9/2017 7:29:15 PM EDT

[#14]

I have a few different versions of AIM's, they all have worked problem free and clean up easily.

Posted: 5/9/2017 7:48:15 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a few different versions of AIM's, they all have worked problem free and clean up easily.

View Quote

This is my experience as well. When you consider that their BCG's have free shipping, it is hard justifying the risk of something only slightly less expensive.

Posted: 5/9/2017 11:50:08 PM EDT

[#16]

All of mine (now) have Aim nitride BCG's with no issues. I used to have 2 Aim NiB, but one of them had the coating chip at the bolt lugs, and both tarnished quickly. I do not trust "coatings", thus why I love nitride and ONLY use nitride BCG's now.

Posted: 5/10/2017 11:33:51 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
All of mine (now) have Aim nitride BCG's with no issues. I used to have 2 Aim NiB, but one of them had the coating chip at the bolt lugs, and both tarnished quickly. I do not trust "coatings", thus why I love nitride and ONLY use nitride BCG's now.

View Quote

My AIM chipped also on the rails.

Try a Nib from a company like FZ or WMD

Posted: 5/10/2017 12:21:41 PM EDT

[#18]

Tough to beat psa premium bcg and 10 pmags on sale now for $129

Posted: 5/10/2017 12:27:56 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tough to beat psa premium bcg and 10 pmags on sale now for $129

View Quote

NO LIE ^^^

Posted: 5/10/2017 1:14:01 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

NO LIE ^^^

View Quote

I agree 110%

Posted: 5/10/2017 1:22:09 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tough to beat psa premium bcg and 10 pmags on sale now for $129

View Quote

Ain't that the truth. Placed my order this morning.

Posted: 5/10/2017 9:47:49 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tough to beat psa premium bcg and 10 pmags on sale now for $129

View Quote

Thanks for the info, just put my order in tonight!

Posted: 5/11/2017 1:50:05 PM EDT

[#23]

Today PSA has Magpul D-60 and PSA Premium BCG for $129

Sell Magpul D-60 for $100 and have a $30 BCG

Posted: 5/12/2017 5:42:28 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tough to beat psa premium bcg and 10 pmags on sale now for $129

View Quote

Wow, a couple of years ago this would have been unheard of.

Posted: 5/15/2017 3:08:12 PM EDT

[#25]

BTW PSA BCGs are made by Toolcraft. My PSA NiB BCG has about 500 rounds on it with no issues, coating is holding up and wipes clean with a rag.

Posted: 5/15/2017 6:22:16 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
BTW PSA BCGs are made by Toolcraft. My PSA NiB BCG has about 500 rounds on it with no issues, coating is holding up and wipes clean with a rag.

View Quote

I think only the carriers are made my Toolcraft. And even this is probably only true of some of their lines since they seem to have a "varying levels of quality at varying price tiers" business model. It's a lot more important the bolt was made from good materials and heat treated properly.

Posted: 5/15/2017 8:34:57 PM EDT

[#27]

Premium carriers from PSA are TC. Bolt manufacturer is undisclosed.

Posted: 5/17/2017 11:16:43 AM EDT

[#28]

I would go with a NIB BCG. The surface is smoother than the Nitride making it easier to clean, I have always been able to wipe mine clean without any solvents. The NiB will cycle smoother causing less heat, wear and noise.

I have the AIM lightweight NiB BCG and think it is fantastic. Still need to get an adjustable gas block.

Posted: 5/17/2017 2:49:21 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
The surface is smoother than the Nitride making it easier to clean, The NiB will cycle smoother causing less heat, wear and noise.

View Quote

I question whether it's "smoother" than J.P. Enterprises QPQ LMOS carrier.

I've had damn near every carrier finish available and I've yet to find a carrier that's as "slick" as the J.P.

Posted: 5/17/2017 4:57:12 PM EDT

[#30]

I wouldn't do cheap and NIB, lots of reports of the NIB peeling off.

AIM, PSA Premium and Toolcraft are all good.

Personally I have an Anderson (with the logo) and IMO it is nice, only had a few hundred rounds thru the rifle but I have had 0 issues with it. Second rifle has a phosphate AIM, same deal with 0 issues and my third is going to mostly be WMD NIB... rifle isn't together yet.

Posted: 5/17/2017 9:57:27 PM EDT

[#31]

Aero Precision has a spring sale going on until midnight tonight.

http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&pw=55963&ctc=j2trnisi8v00zk8a02gtd&mi=13601&url=https%3A%2F%2Faeroprecisionusa.com%2Far15-556-bolt-carrier-group.html

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best economy Bolt Carrier Group?

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