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Posted: 8/10/2014 1:38:43 PM EDT
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The day the reliabolt was announced on thefirearmblog.com I went and ordered one. Since then I've shot about 600-700 rounds using the bolt in a 14.5" colt barreled carbine. I then decided to really test the bolt and put it in the rifle I shoot the most - my MK18 SBR.
The bolt will not work reliably in that gun. Especially suppressed. Here's what happens: Low powered steel cased ammo almost works 100%. Brass cased ammo is ejected almost "forward" of the gun, ejecting at 1 or 2 o' clock positions. Sometimes the brass will eject at 3 o' clock, but it won't go very far at all. Numerous stovepipe jams. A fresh round will either be fully chambered or on it's way into the chamber and an empty casing is sticking out of the ejection port with the reliabolt resting on it. The MK18 is flawless with the factory DD bolt or any other bolt I put in it. The reliabolt's gas rings seem good and fit snugly in the bolt carrier. The factory DD bolt fits looser than the reliabolt does (it has a lot of use on it). What do you guys think? Extractor or ejector? It seems the rifle is overgassed and the bolt carrier is closing on an empty casing before it can leave the rifle. Ammo is not the issue, I've tried over 7 different brands and both 223 and 5.56 spec ammo. Again, steel cased runs almost 100% but not quite. I'm going to put the reliabolt back in a 14.5 or 16" carbine and see if it is now causing problems in those guns as well. |
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Extractor tension, most likely. The stovepipe indicates the bolt lost control of the case too early. The reason it works with the lower power ammo is that the reduced velocity of the bolt doesn't allow the inertia of the case to yank itself off the bolt face. K. I'm gonna do some unscientific tests of the extractor real quick. I got some brand new Sprinco springs sitting here I can replace it with. If that's the case, I'm surprised it's doing that in under 1k rounds. Given, it took a suppressed SBR to do it but still... "reliablolt". Reliable is in the name. 
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| I am running two reliablots. I haven't had as high round counts as you as I bought them both when they went on sale a month or so ago. I did however change out the extractor on both of them to the BCM extra power/strength extractor before I even dropped them in my BCG. I am using them in a 7.5" pistol Adams Arms piston upper and a the other in an MK18 Mod 0(immitation 10.5) upper. I have only put about 40-70 rounds through each but I have had no reliability issues as of yet, which isn't saying too much at this point. I was having major issues on a Spikes NiB bcg I dropped in to my 7.5 earlier(almost exactly what you are describing) which is why I switched over to just using the BCM extractor upgrade kits. The 3 pack lasted me up until these last two Reliabolts I picked up. Gonna have to order some more just for peace of mind and future builds. |
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K. I'm gonna do some unscientific tests of the extractor real quick. I got some brand new Sprinco springs sitting here I can replace it with. If that's the case, I'm surprised it's doing that in under 1k rounds. Given, it took a suppressed SBR to do it but still... "reliablolt". Reliable is in the name. Quoted:
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Extractor tension, most likely. The stovepipe indicates the bolt lost control of the case too early. The reason it works with the lower power ammo is that the reduced velocity of the bolt doesn't allow the inertia of the case to yank itself off the bolt face. K. I'm gonna do some unscientific tests of the extractor real quick. I got some brand new Sprinco springs sitting here I can replace it with. If that's the case, I'm surprised it's doing that in under 1k rounds. Given, it took a suppressed SBR to do it but still... "reliablolt". Reliable is in the name. A suppressed SBR is about as violent as it gets. |
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Just checked extractor and ejector. Both have crap tension. Especially the ejector. The DD factory bolt will throw a round when you let go of it. The reliabolt lightly tips the round over. I'll replace with Sprinco springs and go from there.
Most revolutionary bolt evarrrr!! I'll update in the next few days when I get to shoot it. |
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A suppressed SBR is about as violent as it gets. Quoted:
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Extractor tension, most likely. The stovepipe indicates the bolt lost control of the case too early. The reason it works with the lower power ammo is that the reduced velocity of the bolt doesn't allow the inertia of the case to yank itself off the bolt face. K. I'm gonna do some unscientific tests of the extractor real quick. I got some brand new Sprinco springs sitting here I can replace it with. If that's the case, I'm surprised it's doing that in under 1k rounds. Given, it took a suppressed SBR to do it but still... "reliablolt". Reliable is in the name. A suppressed SBR is about as violent as it gets. Oh yeah. With the factory bolt I run Sprinco +10% buffer springs and an H3 buffer when suppressed. It will run that way unsuppressed as well (DD oversized gas port). If there was such thing as an H4 I bet it would run with that. ETA: Before the reliabolt the MK18 is 101%. About 4500 rounds through it with very few malfunctions. Only ones I can recall is when I first got it and I was running the H buffer it shipped with. |
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Just checked extractor and ejector. Both have crap tension. Especially the ejector. The DD factory bolt will throw a round when you let go of it. The reliabolt lightly tips the round over. I'll replace with Sprinco springs and go from there. Most revolutionary bolt evarrrr!! I'll update in the next few days when I get to shoot it. If it was working fine, why did you change it?!? 
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If it was working fine, why did you change it?!? Quoted:
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Just checked extractor and ejector. Both have crap tension. Especially the ejector. The DD factory bolt will throw a round when you let go of it. The reliabolt lightly tips the round over. I'll replace with Sprinco springs and go from there. Most revolutionary bolt evarrrr!! I'll update in the next few days when I get to shoot it. If it was working fine, why did you change it?!? Testing before doing a YouTube review. I wanted to get 1-2k rounds downrange with the bolt. |
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Testing before doing a YouTube review. I wanted to get 1-2k rounds downrange with the bolt. Quoted:
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Just checked extractor and ejector. Both have crap tension. Especially the ejector. The DD factory bolt will throw a round when you let go of it. The reliabolt lightly tips the round over. I'll replace with Sprinco springs and go from there. Most revolutionary bolt evarrrr!! I'll update in the next few days when I get to shoot it. If it was working fine, why did you change it?!? Testing before doing a YouTube review. I wanted to get 1-2k rounds downrange with the bolt. Ah. As long as it was in the name of science. 
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Your carrier speed may be faster with the tight fitting gas rings of the Relia-bolt causing the malfunctions. When I broke down the Relia-bolt, the lack of an extractor spring insert was a concern of mine. But does not phase me, since I'm swapping the ejector and extractor springs for Tactical Springs (Sprinco USA), and adding a extractor spring insert. I blueprinted my Relia-bolt, and the only difference was the shape of the front of the lugs.
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? |
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Your carrier speed may be faster with the tight fitting gas rings of the Relia-bolt causing the malfunctions. When I broke down the Relia-bolt, the lack of an extractor spring insert was a concern of mine. But does not phase me, since I'm swapping the ejector and extractor springs for Tactical Springs (Sprinco USA), and adding a extractor spring insert. I blueprinted my Relia-bolt, and the only difference was the shape of the front of the lugs. http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Bolt_zps63cccc88.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Extractor_zpsf84b1ea7.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/GasRing_zps6e3d1095.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Ejector_zpsb2e604e2.png I have no other way of slowing it down. It's running an H3 buffer, +10% buffer spring, and full profile M16 carrier. Any other bolt works in the rifle. I am now almost 100% sure it was the extractor and ejector springs. They have very poor tension right now. They're replaced with Sprinco springs and I'll test fire it in a day or two and report my findings. |
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Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? Quoted:
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. |
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Dude the parts are modular. If you feel the need check the headspace and go. There isnt enough wear to amount to anything at 700rds. |
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Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? Quoted:
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? Yes.
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No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. Quoted:
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. How much do they wear, generally? |
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No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. Quoted:
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with.
Oh dear Jesus. You using silly putty bolts? 
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Quoted: I am now almost 100% sure it was the extractor and ejector springs. They have very poor tension right now. They're replaced with Sprinco springs and I'll test fire it in a day or two and report my findings. Do you know what your barrel's gas port diameter is? I figure you already are aware of Crane using 0.070" for the Mk.18's port. Since you run your weapon suppressed, it may be worth checking with Alan at Tactical Springs (Sprinco USA) to see what he thinks about using their Red (Extra Power) action spring instead of the Blue (Enhanced Power) action spring. HP White Laboratory was the one who independently tested the Relia-bolt for SRC, and achieved a 7,000 round count without a weapon malfunction. But, I do not know what the test variables for the setup were. Lastly with the blueprints I posted; check your bolt, extractor, ejector, and gas rings to their measurements with a caliper to verify all measurements are within specification. |
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I have no other way of slowing it down. It's running an H3 buffer, +10% buffer spring, and full profile M16 carrier. Any other bolt works in the rifle. I am now almost 100% sure it was the extractor and ejector springs. They have very poor tension right now. They're replaced with Sprinco springs and I'll test fire it in a day or two and report my findings. Quoted:
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Your carrier speed may be faster with the tight fitting gas rings of the Relia-bolt causing the malfunctions. When I broke down the Relia-bolt, the lack of an extractor spring insert was a concern of mine. But does not phase me, since I'm swapping the ejector and extractor springs for Tactical Springs (Sprinco USA), and adding a extractor spring insert. I blueprinted my Relia-bolt, and the only difference was the shape of the front of the lugs. http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Bolt_zps63cccc88.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Extractor_zpsf84b1ea7.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/GasRing_zps6e3d1095.png http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/Ejector_zpsb2e604e2.png I have no other way of slowing it down. It's running an H3 buffer, +10% buffer spring, and full profile M16 carrier. Any other bolt works in the rifle. I am now almost 100% sure it was the extractor and ejector springs. They have very poor tension right now. They're replaced with Sprinco springs and I'll test fire it in a day or two and report my findings. Adjustable gas block. I have been contemplating it since I stuck an H3 in my MK 18. Don't tell the clone crew
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No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. Quoted:
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Why did you put a used bolt that had 700 rounds on one upper into a different used upper? That's not kosher any way you swing it. Why not? So by this logic, if an AR15 bolt fails you need to throw away the entire upper since no other bolt can go in that rifle? No...new bolts can be put in used barrels but not used bolts in used barrels. As the bolt wears it mates to the barrel extension it is wearing with. Used/Used is fine. Check headspace. If it's good, then you are good to go. There is no true, significant "mating" between a bolt and barrel extension. |
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Change the thread title. That's not a "Sharp's Relia-bolt fail" . That's a "Dysfunction not upgrading the bolt's internals correctly for MK18 use" fail. NSW CRANE used a COTS kit on the BCGs of their MK18 uppers. It's not fair to Sharps to out their product as a "fail" due to it not being installed/configured/modified per SOPMOD practices.  |
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I have no other way of slowing it down. It's running an H3 buffer, +10% buffer spring, and full profile M16 carrier. Any other bolt works in the rifle. I am now almost 100% sure it was the extractor and ejector springs. They have very poor tension right now. They're replaced with Sprinco springs and I'll test fire it in a day or two and report my findings. You do have other ways to slow it down, like an LMT enhanced Carrier. You could also go to a Vltor A5 tube and weight system. |
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