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Posted: 8/13/2013 10:44:08 AM EDT
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I was rumaging thru my parts stash, and found this bolt. I don't remember where I got it from - but it doesn't look like any others I have. It is marked MP C, The rear of the bolts Lugs are bevelled , and it looks like they were manufactured that way as there isn't much wear to the finish and there seems to be plenty of the phosphate finish left on the rear bevelled areas. The bevell on the lugs is uniform on all of them, and the angle of the bevel seems to be the same as those little angled "cuts" commonly seen on the body of the bolt by the lugs. Is this a prototype that they didn't continue - or anyone have any ideas? More importantly - Is it safe to use??
Thanks!, Dave http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k609/CL-10/MPCBoltwbeveledlugs_zps7720d532.jpg http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k609/CL-10/MPCBoltbeveledlugs1_zps38d03776.jpg |
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I would not use anything used bolt of questionable origin without checking the headspace with the barrel you are thingking about using.
The bolt lugs look worn uneven to me, not machined that way on purpose, and the finish on the rest of the bolt suggests it has been used extensively. |
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Quoted:
I would not use anything used bolt of questionable origin without checking the headspace with the barrel you are thingking about using. The bolt lugs look worn uneven to me, not machined that way on purpose, and the finish on the rest of the bolt suggests it has been used extensively.  
The bevel on the rear of the lugs is a process in the machining. There are some that have it, some that not, some more than others. |
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I just looked at three of my bolts and none look like that, they have square corners where yours have that bevel. Two of them are 2013 with one being a colt and the other from 1994 and the bolt would have come from bushmaster The angle cuts at the base of the lugs are a trait of Colt bolts from the very start of production with the model 601 in 1959, and persisted for a number of years. Current Colt bolts aren't done that way. But if rumor is correct Colt doesn't make their own bolts anymore. 
Went to grab my camera and it's battery pack is dead, so this is the best I can do with my potatocam. Bolt in the carrier is 70's production Colt, the one beside it is 60's. I know the image is bad, but both have the lugs angled. One considerably less than the other. |
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The angle cuts at the base of the lugs are a trait of Colt bolts from the very start of production with the model 601 in 1959, and persisted for a number of years. Current Colt bolts aren't done that way. But if rumor is correct Colt doesn't make their own bolts anymore. http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8073/3ghc.jpg Went to grab my camera and it's battery pack is dead, so this is the best I can do with my potatocam. Bolt in the carrier is 70's production Colt, the one beside it is 60's. I know the image is bad, but both have the lugs angled. One considerably less than the other. AND, the rumor is Colt manufactures absolutely NOTHING, they don't even assemble their rifles. 
These are photos from a RECENT tour of Colt, take a DAMN good look at the first photo.... 
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So the moral of your story would be that rumors are seldom correct. Despite the hostility I register in your words, thank you for the pictures. They are quite neat to look at. If I came off too strong, Sorry. It's just everyone seems to try and beat down Colt. And we see posts on this forum over and over again about "(Insert Name) builds/machines this for Colt. BTW, if you look closely, the lower receivers are M-16/M4 |
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Thanks for all of the help! I do have the Forster 5.56 Headspace gages, and check even my new builds just for my own peace of mind even though there has never been a problem yet. It's not difficult to do -- so why not? I was just concerned with the integrity of this bolt - were the lugs machined this way or are they excessively worn and a potential future issue. From the responces, it looks like I'm not the only one who has one like this, so looks like it's a keeper for a future build
Thanks, Dave |
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