Toolcraft Nitride C158 is what I run in my LMT from SpiceTac. I think it was $80.

Can I ask what your experience is with Nickel Boron coating?

Not hold up well? I ask because I bought my first one (Fail Zero's Exo NB)
and I am planning to use it in my current build. If they don't hold up, then I'll
get another Colt or Toolcraft nitride instead for this build.

I've sunk quiet a bit into this build and want quality parts. If I have to ditch
this NB BCG I got, I will. I've never used a Nickel Boron before.

I have never had one fail to work.  However, I have had them chip away the coating on the bolt lugs, and especially inside the carrier where the bolt rotates.  Since NIB is a thicker coating, not a surface treatment like Nitride and Phosphate, when it chips away critical dimensions can be impacted.  Again, never had a failure induced by this, but saw enough wear in these two areas over time to realize I don’t need it, it’s a fad.  I primarily use PSA premiums now which are phosphate and chrome lined, like Mil-Spec.  You can see wear on the chrome lining over time, but I haven’t had any chip and peel.

I did read up on Nickel Born and agree, initially if was a "plating" so to speak. Not anymore
AFAIK.

This new coating is somewhat different. I'm no metallurgist or chemical engineer,
but it seems as there has been advancement in the "Exo-Nickel Boron" treatment;

Here is some info I had read from the company that created it. I also read DOD info.

COATINGS

Extreme magnification reveals the unique columnar grain structure of the EXO coating. The body of the nodules provides a large surface area to dissipate heat, while their convex tips minimize the contact area that can generate friction. While EXO is typically applied at a thickness between 10 and 100 microns, coating thicknesses as high as 800 microns are possible, depending on the application. Regardless of the depth of the coating, the surface of the component remains remarkably smooth and uniform.

UCT’S EXCLUSIVE EXO TECHNOLOGY
EXO Technology creates a competitive advantage for all kinds of components, because treated parts run dramatically longer and more accurately with less maintenance. Further, EXO greatly enhances heat dissipation, so treated products run far cooler than non-treated parts.

The EXO process is permanent, lasting for the entire lifespan of treated parts. A patented, nodular nickel-boron (NiB) surface treatment, EXO nucleates on the surface atoms of metals, becoming part of the metal rather than merely applied to the outside. In addition, the treated surface becomes harder than the substrate itself, eliminating the cost, weight and degradation problems of conventional hardened metals.

BENEFITS…
Replaces multiple coatings with one process, streamlining manufacturing
Provides total coverage and may not require final matching
Lower environmental compliance costs than hard chrome, anodizing and parkerizing
Not an exotic material or process
Repeatable, scalable, transferable technology
Can be applied to steel alloys
EXO Technology is featured in firearms, weapons and support systems used by the U.S. military and law enforcement and security agencies; for engine, powertrain, propulsion and wear components in the automotive, aerospace and maritime industries; in industrial pumping, mining and drilling applications. EXO Technology is appropriate for virtually any application where reduced friction, extended service life, enhanced performance and lower maintenance are desirable.

How does UCT’s EXO coating compare to conventional coatings?

UCT technology applies a nickel-boron (Ni-B) family of coatings to metal alloy surfaces. The properties of these coatings make them suitable for applications requiring high wear resistance, friction reduction, uniformity of dimensions on complex geometry, strong adhesion to substrates, and inherent solid lubrication. Corrosion inhibition is an added feature. Benefits include increased life cycle and decreased maintenance costs. The application process is non-line-of-sight, low temperature, industrially attractive, scalable, transferable, repeatable, and available now.

SUPERIOR FINISHING AND PLATING
The surface finishing techniques developed by UCT Coatings utilize an autocatalytic deposition process by submersion of the part in a liquid bath.  The processing parameters and chemistry used by UCT Coatings are proprietary and patented. UCT Coatings processes are able to achieve optimized levels of boron, between 5-6 weight %, in the coating. This fact, combined with a much improved microstructure compared to other Ni-B coatings, sets UCT apart from its competitors, including all other Ni-B coating suppliers.

Plating of UCT coatings is not a line-of-sight technology, compared to many other plating technologies. All surfaces exposed to the plating bath are coated with an even thickness including inside and outside corners and blind holes, ensuring uniformity of properties on all surfaces. The rate of plating deposition is well-known (0.0008 in/hr, 20 microns/hr) and well-controlled, providing a high production throughput rate. The entire coating process can be scaled and automated as needed to accommodate most sized parts. Post-plating processes may include a variety of surface finishing techniques. A precipitation hardening cycle transforms the as-plated amorphous nickel-boron plating to crystalline nickel boride (Ni3B) resulting in an increase in hardness typically >1300 Knoop. The choice to use the coating in the amorphous or crystalline state is driven by the criteria of the application. Additions to the Ni3B coating can alter and enhance properties in severe and very demanding applications. The application development process, which is always performed in close collaboration between the customer and UCT engineers, defines the criteria for success and the specific plating process for a component.

Components coated with UCT Coatings surface finishing technologies can be stripped and re-coated to restore critical dimensions and functionality, saving components that are expensive and/or difficult to fabricate.  Similarly, designs that incorporate other coatings can usually be stripped of those coatings and UCT Coatings Ni-B surface finishing applied to boost performance.

NiB is great most of the time.  Until it isnt.

Who made that one?  Not all NiB is equal.

The top picture is mine.  It was WMD.  The others were collected from other people having similar issues, I don't know what brand they were.

I agree - not all NiB is equal - but even TOP manufacturers/coating specialists have seen bad batches.  I have zero interest in this anymore as (i believe) it provides zero real world benefit.

Phosphate/Chrome lined, or Nitride for me.

Any feedback on the DLC Diamond Like Coating BCGs?   https://primeweaponry.com/products/dlc-bolt-carrier-group

Agreed, I have 2 WMD NIBs that have worked very well for me, but I'll go with nitride and or hard chrome in the future as I believe both to be a superior coating.

I won't use a phosphate BCG unless cloning or otherwise caring about keeping it "mil spec" , nitride is a better finish all around for the same price.

The "color" of this EXO-NiB coating results in a different color of typical
NiB coatings.

It's left a very dark chrome like color. I have a Glock slide that's NiB coated.

The color is very different. The one that's not EXO coated is brighter chrome
like color.

The EXO-NiB is dark grey, like a black chrome color.

I don't think all NiB are created equal. That's why I went with
the Fail Zero BCG. It's EXO-NiB> I'm hoping it is what the (UCT, Inc)
says it is. It is a patented tech they developed and DOD seems to like it
on their spendy weapons, Naval propulsion systems and the like.

I think I'm gonna stick with the Fail Zero BCG I got on my spendy build
that's underway. Hopefully, it is what they say it is. DOD seems to think so.

a guy can pick up a lightly used colt or fn on the ee for $100.

I have Colt and LMT bolt carriers, and one Young chrome plated.
Colt and LMT (1 "enhanced") bolts. Two Krieger barrels came with bolts, not sure whose.
That Young carrier is something.

I paid $114 for the EXO-NiB shipped to my door (bought from EE).

I do have a extra PSA BCG and have (2) new spare Colt 6920's in the safe that
I could switch out BCG's for my new build if desired. I'm gonna give the
EXO-NiB a try. AFAIK, Fail Zero BCG's is the only BCG that has EXO at present.

The company that patented EXO (UCT. Inc) owns Fail Zero from what I can tell.

That EXO sounds like the real deal, let us know.

Just was told the Krieger barrels come with JP bolts, so they are good.

this.

DLC is a great coating. Better than NIB bit I wouldn't buy from the place you linked. Cryptic coating sells toolcraft dlc ones but they are expensive. I believe Armorally had dlc toolcraft for a really good price

As far as coatings go I prefer just standard phosphate (if it ain't broke why fix it), but ifi was going to get a coated BCG DLC, NP3, and nitride would be the ones to look into imo

BTW, the company that had the best price on the EXO-NiB (Fail Zero) was Granite Ridge on EE.

This.

That said, I do have one of them fancy FDE BCM groups

Where does it say these are Toolcraft?
They dont look like my toolcraft carriers.

It was confirmed in a different thread by Ed Avila.  I will try to do a quick search to find the thread.  I saw his confirmation with my own eyes or I likely would have bought somewhere else.

Toolcraft has made Carriers for a lot of different companies over the last few years.

I was searching trying to find the thread about whether the AR15.com store BCGs are Toolcraft.  I found this thread and @Tigwelder1971 mentioned that they had MIM extractors.

MIM Extractors

Is this something you guys consider when buying a BCG?

BCM resells BCG's. Laser engraving is not a value added process. More for the look at me crowd.

It isnt always about looks.  Most of them actually "believe" they are better.

shark arms usually had Colt BCGs for 125

Coating application aside, it's pretty hard to screw up a bolt carrier, although there were bad examples floating around during the 2013 panic.

Bolts are easier to screw up but problems with them are still not all that common.  Bad heat treats are pretty rare.   You might see poor dimensions on the cam pin hole, or exceptionally crap quality gas rings.   Might have poor quality/incorrect ejector or extractor springs and extractor spring inserts.

FPNI

In a build now. Tool craft over bcm or spikes?

I’m more concerned on performance. No need for young or something like that but am open to mid tier or whatever you would call it just under that

BCM is normal compared to DD. They want $185 for a regular bcg.

$169 is $200? That's like saying a $60 Toolcraft is $100.

A Spikes is $149 and a SOLGW is $159. Difference being, these are individually tested. Nobody is testing the Toolcraft you get.

Ahhhh thanks for that

You want 'Frigging works of precision art' get a JP BCG.

Thats the one thing that kinda bugs me about buying TC, Got to be careful who you get it from.

You can also get 6% cash back through AJ with PSA, something I just learned tonight. Makes your BCG just that much cheaper.

LINK

Aero makes a great BCG and can usually be had for under $100. They are fantastic

1B1B6=clue me in where to find these, please sir.

WC Armory  Currently out of stock but they carry them all the time.

I'm running a nitride Aero BCG that I bought from Granite Ridge last year for $99. I've got 500 rounds downrange with it so far (240 rounds of 55g Tula, 150 rounds of Federal XM193, and the rest is American Eagle 55g .223). Works well, nice and slick, cleans up easily, and hardly any wear at all. Cycles really silky smooth.

anybody have any experience with the JP Rifles full-mass BCG?