testtest

Very controversial topic

So the internet scuttlebutt is that Sionics and SOLGW ( possibly BCM too) are using Microbest BCGs, upgrading the springs and performing full QC protocols on them. As we know almost no companies actually manufacture their own BCGs and there is a surprisingly small number of companies actually making them. And usually they don't make their own bolts. Toolcraft for instance doesn't make the bolts in their BCGs.

So what I was hoping was that someone here had some experience with Microbest since I can actually buy a Microbest considerably cheaper than a SOLGW or BCM. The difference being the springs and the extra QC protocols. Which I have a drawer full of Sprinco extractor and ejector springs.
 
Bassbob said:
AR-15/5.56/223/300BLK. Probably Phosphate and Chrome lined. I won't be buying any more NIB. NP3 is intriguing but the guys who supposedly know say stick with phosphate, chrome lined.
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Nitride is the way to go over phosphate or chrome. NP3 is very good depending on brand. DLC is so-so. Phosphate doesn't give a lube free bcg like Nitride and NP3 does. I don't use any lube in any NP3 recoil parts regardless of springs (the buffer is gtg in most cases depending on exterior). I have 2 that I haven't cleaned in over 3k rounds (recoil components only).
 
Bassbob said:
So the internet scuttlebutt is that Sionics and SOLGW ( possibly BCM too) are using Microbest BCGs, upgrading the springs and performing full QC protocols on them. As we know almost no companies actually manufacture their own BCGs and there is a surprisingly small number of companies actually making them. And usually they don't make their own bolts. Toolcraft for instance doesn't make the bolts in their BCGs.

So what I was hoping was that someone here had some experience with Microbest since I can actually buy a Microbest considerably cheaper than a SOLGW or BCM. The difference being the springs and the extra QC protocols. Which I have a drawer full of Sprinco extractor and ejector springs.
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Never heard of microbest? Which doesn't mean much
 
TEXASforLIFE said:
Nitride is the way to go over phosphate or chrome. NP3 is very good depending on brand. DLC is so-so. Phosphate doesn't give a lube free bcg like Nitride and NP3 does. I don't use any lube in any NP3 recoil parts regardless of springs (the buffer is gtg in most cases depending on exterior). I have 2 that I haven't cleaned in over 3k rounds (recoil components only).
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Due to it's tendency to impart brittleness ( the nitridization process that is) it's sub par for the bolt. On carriers it's a great coating and negates the need to chrome line, but I feel more comfortable with a chrome lined carrier and gas key.
 
Bassbob said:
Due to it's tendency to impart brittleness ( the nitridization process that is) it's sub par for the bolt. On carriers it's a great coating and negates the need to chrome line, but I feel more comfortable with a chrome lined carrier and gas key.
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bolt type isn't an issue with me as carrier only is what i look for. phos bolt works just as well and i use them in various carriers. sometimes in hp bolts you don't get choices as i use 5 different bolts faces in ar's from .378 to .540".
 
Bassbob said:
Actually most manufacturers ( including Colt and their gold spring as well as Alan Duggar at Sprinco) prefer the insert over the doughnut. The doughnut is for when the spring is so bad it starts failing. And if the doughnuts aren't Viton, they won't last.
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those are the only type of doughnuts i use and would suggest. i like the doughnuts over the springs as you can tune your extractor easier when there's 2 or 3 in there.
 
TEXASforLIFE said:
those are the only type of doughnuts i use and would suggest. i like the doughnuts over the springs as you can tune your extractor easier when there's 2 or 3 in there.
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With a Sprinco 5 coil spring or a Colt gold spring you don't need a donut. In fact the donut makes it VERY difficult to push the extractor down hard enough to get the pin in. It also dents the brass and insures if you ride the charging handle even a little bit the extractor is not going to go over the lip of the casing. It has to slam down. Not really a big deal if you don't reload and don't ride the charging handle, which I don't, but with just the little black insert and the stronger 5 coil Sprinco spring you are not going to experience any failures for a long time. Some tests have ran over 15k rounds on one of those springs. When the spring ( any extractor spring for that matter) gets weak the little O ring will get you back in business. In fact that is the exact reason those o rings were used in the first place.
 
I’ve used Fail Zeros for a few builds, the. Got a PSA NiB carrier for a lot less and couldn’t tell the difference.

Shrug. I’ve never had a truly catastrophic bolt/BCG failure, just a couple of busted extractors, and had a cheap (Model 1 sales, iirc, no idea of mfg) bcg’s gas key loosen due to improperly staked screws.
 
HansGruber said:
I’ve used Fail Zeros for a few builds, the. Got a PSA NiB carrier for a lot less and couldn’t tell the difference.

Shrug. I’ve never had a truly catastrophic bolt/BCG failure, just a couple of busted extractors, and had a cheap (Model 1 sales, iirc, no idea of mfg) bcg’s gas key loosen due to improperly staked screws.
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My buddy had a rifle built for him and he has a FZ in it. No problems. SOTAR did a physical of one and there were issues, but as he says, that is an example of one.

Some of the things he does to check out a BCG are things you can do even without all his fancy gauges. He literally checks everything, free bore size, bolt tail run size, firing pin protrusion, headspace, bolt diameter, cam pin fitment, bolt tail diameter, bore scope inspection, gas key. Literally no stone unturned. He has designed and manufactured tools and gauges for all this. And many manufacturers now use his stuff for QC. Including SOLGW.

One of the things you can check on your BCG is the gas key. Visual inspection of the screws and staking ( Grade 8 fasteners and not YFS screws) and torque value. Take a Fat Wrench and set it to 30 inch lbs. Then turn the screws counter clockwise. If it loosens a screw it is under torqued.
 
I shoot my couple of AR's a few times every year but apparently not enough to have the bolt/bcg problems many here are talking about. My bolts/bcg are all original. I guess now that I've said this and after reading this thread I'll have a catastrophic failure next time I take one of them to the range. 🙄

I have however, after 39 years of some pretty heavy use at times, worn out the barrel and the bolt of my first new shotgun, my 870 Wingmaster, a gorgeous shotgun. I was looking a little while back for a new bolt assembly but it was unavailable everywhere. So I did a little filing smoothing out the metal burr under the locking arm where it was worn and digging into the metal and it's working again. It might just be easier to but a new 870 than find a new bolt assembly.
 
Bear007 said:
I shoot my couple of AR's a few times every year but apparently not enough to have the bolt/bcg problems many here are talking about. My bolts/bcg are all original. I guess now that I've said this and after reading this thread I'll have a catastrophic failure next time I take one of them to the range. 🙄

I have however, after 39 years of some pretty heavy use at times, worn out the barrel and the bolt of my first new shotgun, my 870 Wingmaster, a gorgeous shotgun. I was looking a little while back for a new bolt assembly but it was unavailable everywhere. So I did a little filing smoothing out the metal burr under the locking arm where it was worn and digging into the metal and it's working again. It might just be easier to but a new 870 than find a new bolt assembly.
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The thing about these tests and these manufacturers is they are attempting to build rifles with the goal of building life saving tools that will not fail when you need them. That is the entire philosophy behind companies like BCM and others. The average AR owner will never experience problems even with their $60 no name BCG. These companies though are building rifles that professionals will use and rely on. And as far as Chad, he examines things with zero regard for company recognition or price. If you watch his reviews you will find very expensive BCGs that are inefficient and sometimes have catastrophic failure and you find cheap BCGs that pass his tests with flying colors. He is totally honest about the whole thing which is why people trust him.
 
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