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Posted: 7/6/2003 8:46:45 AM EDT
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Thinking of changing the carrier in my Colt M4gery to a chrome one. I know the old saying, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I think the chrome carrier would look awesome. Anybody go chrome? Would I have problems with the new carrier and my old bolt? I say "old bolt" but the whole rifle has only had about 800 rounds through it. Does Colt make a chrome carrier? I guess as long as it's mil-spec it shouldn't matter right? 800 rounds through it. |
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The first M16s had chromed carriers, but they caused problems with the chrome flaking off and wearing the upper receivers. The Army pulled all of the chrome carriers and declared that rifles with chrome carriers are not deployable (this is still in force, BTW). If you DO decide to go with a chrome carrier, the ONLY one I would consider is the one MSTN sells. But, personally, I wouldn't spend that much money on a cosmetic item... -Troy |
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You are right, it is merely a cosmetic touch, but it does have a very high "cool" factor. But, how much do you want to spend for "cool". I would think that a chrome carrier would last much longer than a regular one. I thought I read somewhere that spec op guys where using chrome carriers and bolts. |
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I have both Chromed and NON-Chromed carriers and I can tell you this: 1. The Chromed carriers clean faster (noticeably faster) 2. I like them more 3. (spend the extra $ on a good brand like Smith or Les Baer [stay away from no-name manufacturers] IF the chrome is not done right it can flake off and there are some companies that offer a purely cosmetic plating that will flake off in short order. I got one of those bolt carriers with an upper I bought and I threw it out it was flaking off like paint. |
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Quoted: I would think that a chrome carrier would last much longer than a regular one. An AR bolt carrier is probably the component of the rifle that will last the longest. The two wear points (the side rails, and the cylinder wall where the bolt rings contact the carrier) are both quite a bit tougher than the parts they make contact with. I thought I read somewhere that spec op guys where using chrome carriers and bolts. In general, that is not true, but as an exception, the few troops who have been issued Crane SPRs have the above-mentioned chromed carriers. -Troy |
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I actually have a Chrome Smith carrier and I got the cheaper Les BAer bolt and cam pin for it. I switched to a DPMS Chrome extractor which is mil-spec and holds the std spring and blue buffer. Yeah it's all chrome. I have 2 non-chromed carriers 1 DPMS and 1 no-name mil-spec and I can't really tell the difference between DPMS and the no-name mil-spec. The Les Baer Carrier is different than most it is marketed as improved and it probably is but I don't like the improved parts (the LEs BAER extractor is an example it is modified to take a heavier spring and no longer holds the spring captive so I got rid of mine- field strip it in the field and you will probably end up with a lost extractor spring. I fired my rifle and didn't clean it for a week and the BC/B just wiped clean with a paper towel and FP10. If I fire a STD BC/B and immediately break it down I will have to use the firing pin to scrape carbon off the bolt and have a lot more trouble cleaning the rest of the parts. (really I'm lazy and thats the #1 reason for me liking the Chrome carrier.) |
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I checked out Smith's web site and their chrome carrier/bolt are pretty expensive. I didn't see any on MSTN's site. Les Baer's is a little more reasonable, but I don't want to have to start making changes to it right away. I'll have to check out DPMS and see what they have. You see them all the time on EBAY, but I think I'll pass on that crap. |
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I have a Smith Enterprises chrome NM bolt/carrier combo. It is fantastic. It shows no wear after 2000 rounds and it cleans up VERY easily. Don't be scared off by alleged flaking of the carrier. Get a high quality carrier (like smith) and you will not experience any difficulty. (Anyhow, flaking is pretty obvious and easy to see: e.g.-shiny chrome flakes in a black upper. IF, and I mean IF, it were to happen, you could return your carrier to smith for a free replacement). |
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Even the cheapo carrier I had with the flaking jewelry plate or whatever it was didn't cause any damage to the upper. You can easilly tell because the metal is not even close to the color of chrome. It's hard to explain but it is very easy to see. And it won't happen with a decent carrier made by anyone with a name like Smith or Les Baer. |
| Almost all my rifles have chrome carriers. Young, Baer, and Smith are the best. They look cool and clean easily. You can mix and match other manufacturers bolts (chrome and non-chrome) into these carriers with no problems. I have never seen any "flaking chrome" with mine. |
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Quoted: I have both Chromed and NON-Chromed carriers and I can tell you this: 1. The Chromed carriers clean faster (noticeably faster) 2. I like them more 3. (spend the extra $ on a good brand like Smith or Les Baer [stay away from no-name manufacturers] IF the chrome is not done right it can flake off and there are some companies that offer a purely cosmetic plating that will flake off in short order. I got one of those bolt carriers with an upper I bought and I threw it out it was flaking off like paint. Send it to[url]www.trippresearch.com[/url] quickly as he's changing bisiness focus to 1911 Mags |
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Quoted: Would DPMS chrome carriers qualify as quality products? They are probably manufactured by someone else though. Aquired a DPMS chrome carrier a few months ago, as part of a project to build up an early M16 clone. A few more tool marks than on my Colt carriers, but perfectly functional, with the imprtant dimentions right. Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of chrome, except on the inner surfaces where all carriers have them, but the DPMS unit is perfectly usable if you want chrome at a price that isn't highway robbery[:D] |
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