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Posted: 9/5/2002 11:34:01 AM EDT
| I am building my first AR and I am wondering what brand of bolt carrier every one would recommend. If I understand it right a carrier from a M16 would be looked upon as having parts to a machine gun. I have an A2 type upper and I will be using a Rock Island lower. Thanks |
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Realistically speaking, most every one you'll find these days (assuming they're new) will be about as good as any others. Colt, Bushmaster, FN, whatever. There are only a few actual makers anyway, and they mark them with the identifying marks of the buying companies. Two of my rifles have Bushmaster bolts and carriers, and the third has an FN bolt and carrier. They're practically identical in every respect and I don't think any of them are any worse than the others. CJ |
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Last I heard, carriers were being made by 3 companies. Olympic is making their own as of recent times. Everyone else gets them from the other 2 companies and no doubt from Olympic. There can be differences in finish and some chroming. If you get a carrier from one of the top 5 or 10 manufacturers, you will do fine. Price is more of the overriding concern now days. mark |
This is true and Colt mills off the LL trip in the bottom of there bolt carriers. Not an issue if you never intend on getting a Link. Why pay Colt prices???? |
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GI- True Colt has been doing that since the mid to late 80's and those are called "blue label" carriers and are not worth paying a premium for. It is not a full circle, but a half circle and some say because they have less mass and such that they are not reliable. But Colt Green Label carriers from SP1's do command a premium because they are very good and desired carriers. |
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I have noticed that all carriers and bolts are not created equal. When I got my RRA upper I noticed how cleanly made the bolt carrier was, the bearing surface where the hammer rides on the carrier was mirror polished and possibly chromed on my RRA carrier. The key seemed to be very well made and the hole where the gas tube enters was beveled and perfect. The other bolt and carrier that I bought off of a friend very fine machine marks where the hammer rides on the carrier. I saw this with my BM years ago too. The key was not as perfect and the gas hole had what looked like a flat spot but was cosmetic and just on the outside circumference. Im sure that both will work just fine and I have no reservations of using the lesser carrier in a new upper but its nice to see the small touches. |
More importantly tell us why and what is the difference between each when you have used them. Did one not last as logn as the other, FTF's? Not trying to be a jerk in asking, but share your knowledge in the usage of each. Sincerely, Mark Buda Triple Break Products [email protected] http://www.TripleBreakProducts.com (603) 424-0923 FAX: (603) 429-0479 |
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I like the improved design of the LBC and Young units. They are slightly larger in diameter in the forward sections where they contact the ID of the upper. Loss "slop" between the carrier and the upper means better alignment of the bolt during lock-up and theoretically improved shot to shot accuracy. LBC & YM carriers are also ribbed to provide additional bearing surface and better load distribution on the bore of the upper receiver. This feature is patented by Young and licensed to LBC. I believe that Young actually makes the carriers and bolts for LBC, but have no proof of that. They both have the same patent number engraved on them. They are virtually identical except the laser engraved logos. My most accurate rifles have YM Co. carriers installed with the LBC close behind. I also like the LBC & Young carriers because they have the shrouded hammer ramp like the M16 GI carriers. This provides more protection for the firing pin shoulder from damage from a semi-auto hammer notch. I am not concerned about the hammer following the carrier should the disconnector fail to hold the hammer back. As far as run-of-the-mill GI parts go, Armalite, BM and DPMS each make compliant parts. Machining is good, phosphate finishes are good, internal chrome is good, and they seem to last a long time without failure or excessive wear. I have experience with parts from each of these manufacturers and have experienced no problems during 100K rounds of operation over the last 12 years. I have one particular BM bolt and carrier assembly with exactly 31,250 rounds of semi-auto fire past it and have never had to replace any of its parts. That's decent reliability! Cosmetically, the Armalite carrier is a bit nicer than the BM or DPMS parts. Machining is cleaner, sharp edges are broken more cleanly, and the finish is more uniform. To address RAY-VIN's point below....... all my LBC & YM carriers have FA notches and dust cover recesses. Never seen any without these features. Could be an optional configuration I'm not aware of. |
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I just read in SSUSA that the Young bolt carriers do not have the forward assist serrations and the recess for the ejection port cover. Can't put that in a service rifle! Les Baer and Young have more bearing surface, but looking inside my uppers I see no signs of wear after years of use with issue carriers, which are all Bushwackers. |
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Hi Russ4777, Your comments are well thought out. I think more from lot'so'fire SA or FA. My expierence is you could add easily RRA and Olympic to your list. I would order the list differently for FA and someone who shoots a lot of SA, but as they say, it is just one mans opinion. mark |
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