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Posted: 4/2/2026 12:52:16 PM EDT
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I need to buy another Bolt Carrier Group; Its been a while since I bought the last one. I have read a few articles about the type of steel it should have, the old gas key staking overview, which lugs on the bolt should be radius, single gas ring vs the three gas rings, ect... My only real requirement is the whole BCG takes normal sized parts; No super skinny firing pins that require bolts with micro firing pin holes, no cam pins that require to modify the carrier so they can fit/move and any other "improvements". Is there a one stop shop where I can get the "go to" BCG? If not, what are the things to look for? Thanks! |
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Originally Posted By Raoul_Duke70: BCM or Colt Originally Posted By Raoul_Duke70: BCM or Colt +1, No need to look any further. Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Damn hard to go wrong HERE $195 & worth every penny! |
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Originally Posted By KILLERB6: $G |
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Originally Posted By spyderboy03: This. However, I do want to try either a Surefure OBC or the Griffin Armament enhanced with longer cam path. Attached File LW LABC is another one. I like mine a lot. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/499242/IMG_8753_jpeg-3740674.JPG LW LABC is another one. I like mine a lot. |
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Originally Posted By spyderboy03: What is that? I can't find anything on google... Originally Posted By spyderboy03: Originally Posted By bluedog82: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/499242/IMG_8753_jpeg-3740674.JPG LW LABC is another one. I like mine a lot. THIS (IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN) |
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Originally Posted By spyderboy03: What is that? I can't find anything on google... Correct! Should have spelled it out. |
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| I probably don't shoot enough but the PSA bcg in my 10.5 super safe rig has been 100% fine. So has my microbest, and the other 3 PSA's, and then I just keep 2 tool craft bcgs in a doggy bag in case I ever have a failure. Idk I just feel like there's maybe too much thought put into BCGs lately? Or I don't shoot enough rifle (only about 1500 rds/ yr) for it to matter to me. |
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Damn hard to go wrong HERE This. Look no further. |
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PA, USA
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No one needs to spend $400 on a BCG |
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JP bolt for the bolt whether for precision or high volume fire for me. It is stronger than milspec due to some extra material in a couple spots. It is the only bolt so consistent a premium barrel maker does not need your bolt to match the bolt to the barrel for minimum headspace, they just headspace it to ANY JP bolt because they are ALL exactly the same, to less than 0.001" in headspace. DLC coating makes it easy to clean, corrosion resistant, and does not hurt the perfectly heat treated 9310 bolt hardness. For carrier... it is not as critical, but a full hardchrome Microbest or DLC Microbest is hard to beat. Personally, for an FRT build, I think the full hard chrome Microbest carrier is the best overall choice. For my premium semi-auto precision builds that are not seeing FRT use I also use JP carriers out of convenience, but they are just nitrided stainless with a milspec gas key. Not the best choice for high volume fire but the best machined and smoothest operation you will find. A stainless carrier is fine because you dont need high hardness in a carrier. Strength and durability at non full auto fire rates will outlast the barrel, thermo fit upper, and bolt I will replace together anyway. The stainless is easy to machine to very close tolerances and once nitrided I have not found anything to run smoother or be any easier to clean. Is hard chromed 8620 going to hold up better on your FRT auto rifle build? Sure. But for a precision build, a JP carrier is the easy button... if you have plenty of cash to drop If price is a concern, just get a chrome lined or full chrome Microbest with a HPT/MPI C158 bolt. Everything else is really just marketing and OCD relief. |
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Never buy anything from Paul Leitner-Wise. He is a scammer of the highest degree with a sordid, shit history. Might as well be buying Bark River Knives, Sig MIM parts labeled "Made in America," or suits from Wayne LaPierre. OP, there are two very simple answers: 1. Standard BCG: BCM/Colt/DD/SOLGW (all of equivalent quality). 2. Best possible: Geissele REBCG if your gun is gassed properly, or LMT EBCG if you're overgassed or running suppressed. Don't buy off-brand, and don't buy names that are "made in the same factory" as the real brands (i.e., Toolcraft). You never know the full details, like if the springs themselves are mil-spec or higher (even if the metals used and testing appear to be). |
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Originally Posted By bigfatOTMs: Never buy anything from Paul Leitner-Wise. He is a scammer of the highest degree with a sordid, shit history. Might as well be buying Bark River Knives, Sig MIM parts labeled "Made in America," or suits from Wayne LaPierre. OP, there are two very simple answers: 1. Standard BCG: BCM/Colt/DD/SOLGW (all of equivalent quality). 2. Best possible: Geissele REBCG if your gun is gassed properly, or LMT EBCG if you're overgassed or running suppressed. Don't buy off-brand, and don't buy names that are "made in the same factory" as the real brands (i.e., Toolcraft). You never know the full details, like if the springs themselves are mil-spec or higher (even if the metals used and testing appear to be). Ironically I’ve been very impressed with my LABC. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: Ironically I’ve been very impressed with my LABC. Originally Posted By bluedog82: Originally Posted By bigfatOTMs: Never buy anything from Paul Leitner-Wise. He is a scammer of the highest degree with a sordid, shit history. Might as well be buying Bark River Knives, Sig MIM parts labeled "Made in America," or suits from Wayne LaPierre. OP, there are two very simple answers: 1. Standard BCG: BCM/Colt/DD/SOLGW (all of equivalent quality). 2. Best possible: Geissele REBCG if your gun is gassed properly, or LMT EBCG if you're overgassed or running suppressed. Don't buy off-brand, and don't buy names that are "made in the same factory" as the real brands (i.e., Toolcraft). You never know the full details, like if the springs themselves are mil-spec or higher (even if the metals used and testing appear to be). Ironically I’ve been very impressed with my LABC. In the words of Samuel L Jackson, “sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I wouldn’t know because I won’t eat the filthy motherfucker”. Paul Leitner-Wise proved over and over that he’s not to be trusted. I choose not to do business with those types of people. |
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Originally Posted By DevL: JP bolt for the bolt whether for precision or high volume fire for me. If price is a concern, just get a chrome lined or full chrome Microbest with a HPT/MPI C158 bolt. Everything else is really just marketing and OCD relief. Excellent advice. I don't believe "go-to" and "best" bolt carrier groups have the same criteria. I prefer "good enough for what it's for" and take it from there. |
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This looks good https://arftac.com/microbest-ar15-5-56-c158-mpi-all-chrome-bolt-carrier-group-premium/ |
Life member of CRPA. FPC contributor.
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My best rifle uses a white oak spr barrel with JP bolt in a psa dream carrier. If I get another White oak barrel I’ll use a JP bolt again |
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I have more than a few, less than lots. My observations. A well made, properly staked set up will run more rounds than most will come close to firing if kept lubricated. Toolcraft = good to go, no failures in overgassed, suppressed SBRs Geissle = slickest finish to clean and overly built. If $ no option,would run 100%. It is, so I run them in my #1&2 rifles. Griffin = seems like a pretty damn nice BCG. Slick to clean, runs well. No complaints. #2 behind Geissle in this comparison. Stag = not sure who makes them, but look generic but run really well. Aero = same as Stag, nicer machining. Have a few other brands and honestly have not had BCG trouble so… and for the haters, my Stag is a lefty and has probably 7-8k on it with no so much as a queef. |
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I’ll be the oddball I’ve got 10’s of thousands of rounds on my V7 Ti BCGs. (Have like 5 or 6 of them) They’re light as shit and they have never failed once. DLC coated, insanely easy to clean. Bolts are GTG. Immense weight saving. I like my KAC KS-1 and KS-3 BCGs too for their bomb-proof reliability but they’re more traditional without fancy coatings. |
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Originally Posted By Brahmzy: I’ll be the oddball I’ve got 10’s of thousands of rounds on my V7 Ti BCGs. (Have like 5 or 6 of them) They’re light as shit and they have never failed once. DLC coated, insanely easy to clean. Bolts are GTG. Immense weight saving. I like my KAC KS-1 and KS-3 BCGs too for their bomb-proof reliability but they’re more traditional without fancy coatings. I'll second this. The V7 titanium BCG is one of the nicest I've owned. I also really like the JP FMOS16 (full mass, M16 profile)...but most builds get an AO Precision, Microbest, BCM or Colt BCG. Functionally, the Surefire OBC works great now that FRTs are so prevalent..but there are a bunch of other BCGs with modified cam paths and other enhancements to improve the shooting experience (Griffin, VKTR, KAK) that I have not tried. |
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Originally Posted By Raoul_Duke70: BCM or Colt +1, can't go wrong with either one. I prefer Colt since there are several million of them out there in Uncle Sams possession that have been chugging along like a sewing machine for over half a century. |
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