Rainier Arms New Bolt Carrier

[UWone77]

The guys at Rainier Arms (http://www.rainierarms.com) just contacted me the other day asking for opinions on their new Bolt Carriers. The Standard and Thunder Bolt Carriers are the traditional "round" carrier rather than the faceted as indicated in the picture. It's more cosmetic to me, but it's my understanding that they will offer both option in the future. Thoughts?


Specifications for the Carrier (not bolt):

Material is AISI 8620 (UNS G86200)
Heat Treat:
Stress relieve followed by carburize (0.8%-1.0% C.P.)
Hardness- HR15N 89-91: .0010” -.0015” effective case depth.
Finish MIL-STD-171 1.2.2.2 .0002-.0003” to indicated areas. (inside dia’s to accept bolt)
Finish Phosphate coating per MIL-DTL-16232, type M, Class 2 except as noted.


http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/20130816_190804_zpsb2fa1f81.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/20130816_190804_zpsb2fa1f81.jpg.html)

[zero7one]

I love the look of it, however, I have not shot these BCG's. If they function the same or better, I would definitely buy one.

[Computalotapus]

I feel the same. I like to buck the norm. These are something I will probably use in the next build just to be different. If it works it works if it doesn't then I can always go back to normal. But I'm pretty sure they did the trials on the product before putting it to market.

[tac40]

Very nice. Looking forward for a review.

[MoxyDave]

As long as the mass remains identical and the contact surfaces are the same, they could make it an octogon for all I care. Options are great!

[Eric]

The contact surfaces (rails) appear to be different that a typical USGI one. In fact, I don't see any actual rails, so I assume the external dimensions are pushed out to where the rails would be.

[Mrgunsngear]

I like it. I doubt Rainier Arms would put out anything that's not extensively tested and more options are always a good thing to me.

[Chainring]

I love the custom look of the faceted - would definitely buy that over the round. Rainier is gradually becoming my favorite place to shop.

[UWone77]

Faceted vs their Standard Carrier

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/RainierFaceted_zps77f875cb.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/RainierFaceted_zps77f875cb.jpg.html)

[M. Gale]

MIM'd gas keys? I'm surprised a million heads haven't exploded by now.... [BD]

[tact]

MIM'd gas keys? I'm surprised a million heads haven't exploded by now.... [BD]

It seems to be more accepted now as more companies are moving to adopt the practice.

[M. Gale]

It seems to be more accepted now as more companies are moving to adopt the practice.

I personally have nothing against the process as long as it is done correctly. The only question that comes to mind for me in a gas key application is whether or not the material structure is strong enough to accept staking of the fasteners without encouraging a crack.

ETA: I believe these bolt carriers are manufactured by Y/M. Dan Young, as do I, believes that an anaerobic thread locker is an acceptable and equal substitute for staking. I wouldn't care if they were not staked as long as they were assembled with a thread locking agent.