I need a Bolt Carrier Group...is there really a difference?

[Target]

I am in need of a BCG , 5.56.
I'm looking online at various vendors and there are too many choices. 931o steel vs Carpenter 158 , Phosphate vs Nitride....
I'm not spending the money for a boron or shiny bcg, a black one is fine.
There are a couple of vendors with them for $69.99 .

Is there a quality difference between C158 and 9310?
Phosphate vs Nitride?

PSA, RightToBear are the two vendors im looking at.
Toolcraft, AO, RTB house brand ( milsurp) , PSA ( who knows, I read the "premiums" were Toolcraft)

I guess as long as its MPT & HPI inspected, Im good to go . (?)

 

[Podmonkey]

Pretty much the last thing you said. Make sure the gas key is properly staked also.
Other than that it's just flavors of the same thing.
A fully chromed BCG will be easier to clean.
Nitride is billed as doing everything that chrome does but cheaper and supposedly has an advantage in that it's a treatment as supposed to a layer upon the metal like chrome plating. Phosphate is the standard finish. There for corrosion protection and nothing else.
For the NYGF build I had wanted a chromed Daniel Defense BCG but none were in stock anywhere at the time so I ended up with a Sionics BCG. It's a standard milspec BCG with an NP3 finish. NP3 is just a nickel plating with teflon mixed in.

Bolt Carrier Group- NP3 Coated Carrier, Bolt and Cam Pin - SIONICS Weapon Systems

I can say that carbon simply does not build up or stick to it. A dry rag wipes the carbon right off with no effort. Its seen over 6k rounds now, going strong.

As far as 9310 vs C158........ eh.
9310 is billed as being the better steel, Carpenter 158 is what is milspec'd. It's a wear item, keep a spare handy and don't worry about it too much.
With your price spec just get a standard BCG from a reputable manufacturer and you with be fine.

 

[Target]

I read an article by Faxon ( manufacturer of barrels and other parts) and they claim that 9310 steel is better than Carpenter 158.
C158 is MilSpec and at the time. a good steel. 9310 is newer and 7% better.
Faxon has a good reputation for barrels. so I will take their word on this.

 

[Podmonkey]

I read an article by Faxon ( manufacturer of barrels and other parts) and they claim that 9310 steel is better than Carpenter 158.
C158 is MilSpec and at the time. a good steel. 9310 is newer and 7% better.
Faxon has a good reputation for barrels. so I will take their word on this.

Supposedly 9310 has a finicky heat treat that is easier to botch.

@Target, was just reading about the Toolcraft BCG. They are a military supplier and well regarded. Just get that one for $90. You'll be GTG. Get an extra bolt too.

 

[Vapor]

Mpi , hpt, and staked. Beyond that it doesn't matter.


The psa bolts are supposedly toolcrafts.

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

Mostly, you're paying for how retarded it is to clean the thing. I just picked up a Cryptic, but nearly any would be fine and I'd be just as happy. Spend as you see fit.



For finer detail as to features and metals, this one is very much worth the watch:

 

[Acer-m14]

make sure its not neutered too .. just in case

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Buy the $70. If you get tired of cleaning them send it to me and buy another.

I run phosphate mil-spec stuff. Sometimes the 9310 bolt. Nitride if the price is the same.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I run a phosphate m16 carrier with a chrome bolt, both from Spikes Tactical.

 

[Saltwater60]

If you need it fast I would not buy from PSA.

 

[Target]

I ordered a nitride Toolcraft from WCArmory.@ $66.95+ 7.95 priority shipping.
It shipped this morning.
I paid using two gift cards ( one was my Black Pack rebate), the other didnt clear as I did not activate it properly.
He shipped before being fully paid.
Trusting fellow.
I must have an honest phone voice for him to do so.

 

[FrankenCub]

Hah...mine was a freebie. My nephew found it behind a workbench at an apartment he lived in. I pulled it apart for a cleaning and inspection and have been running it ever since. The only thing I know about it is it's black. Other than that I don't care, it works as should.

 

[Saltwater60]

I ordered a nitride Toolcraft from WCArmory.@ $66.95+ 7.95 priority shipping.
It shipped this morning.
I paid using two gift cards ( one was my Black Pack rebate), the other didnt clear as I did not activate it properly.
He shipped before being fully paid.
Trusting fellow.
I must have an honest phone voice for him to do so.

Wow that’s a good company. I’ll keep this in mind.