Help with BCG selection

[RobSWVA]

I'm sure this has been covered quite a few times, but maybe a new thread can help some others as well as myself. Plan on picking up a BCG in the next couple/few weeks as the last purchase for my build. Just wanted to get some opinions on a couple things from you guys, as I know that ya'll have more experience with different brands and types of BCG's.

So I am trying to find a fair balance between cost and quality first of all. There are a ton of options out there, so what do you think are some good manufacturers to make a shortlist out of without breaking the wallet?

secondly, compared to most of you guys I will be a light to moderate shooter, so is the NiB worth the extra expense for me? I dont mind shelling out a few more bucks at all, but no point in doing so if it would be considered a waste.

thanks for ya'll's help on pointing me in the right direction, and any further considerations you think I should add to these two questions will be welcomed as well.

[okdonk]

BCM is always my first choice. 2nd is the UCWRG premium BCG.

[DutyUse]

FN, CMT, Colt, DD & LMT originally produced BCGs are all gtg.

I've never had the chance to run NiB personally as quality Phosphate BCGs have served me well and have a proven track record.. However I want to get my hands on RA nickel boron at some point.

Currently running a Fathom Arms enhanced nitride BCG in one upper and really liking it.

Like Okdonk said before me, can't go wrong on a BCM..





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[GOST]

I've got one NiB coated BCG and the only advantage it has over a phosphate coated one is that it cleans easier. The NiB does not hold lube in place as well as my phosphate coated BCG's. They say the NiB needs less lube, but I like to lube my BCG's to death. So if paying more for less cleaning is worth it is your call.

I love BCM, but think their BCG's are over priced. Not saying that the BCM BCG's are not good, but other good BCG's can be had for less. CMT makes a good BCG. I know they used to make Noveske's, not sure if they still do.

Aim Surplus has very well priced BCG's. I've never used one of theirs though, but they get good reviews. If you're wanting a BCM though I believe that Rainier Arms has the best price $169.

http://www.rainierarms.com/bcm-bolt-...roup-full-auto

[UWone77]

I love BCM, but think their BCG's are over priced. Not saying that the BCM BCG's are not good, but other good BCG's can be had for less. CMT makes a good BCG. I know they used to make Noveske's, not sure if they still do.

Well... overpriced compared to what though?

How many others are actually selling milspec carrier with C158 Bolts that are HPT/MPI'ed?

I see a lot of others selling 9310 bolts, cutting corners here and there, and because of this market we're in, everyone is undercutting each other to the $79.99 BCG. Heck, a couple of dealers got 8620 bolts dumped on them without their knowledge and they disintegrated after 20 rounds.

As always, your budget determines your gear. BCG's I like:

BCM
LMT
DD
Rainier

I also like the looks of Fathom's new Nitride standard BCG.

[alamo5000]

Well... overpriced compared to what though?

How many others are actually selling milspec carrier with C158 Bolts that are HPT/MPI'ed?

I see a lot of others selling 9310 bolts, cutting corners here and there, and because of this market we're in, everyone is undercutting each other to the $79.99 BCG. Heck, a couple of dealers got 8620 bolts dumped on them without their knowledge and they disintegrated after 20 rounds.

I don't know a lot of specific brands, or how much of the price is really 'brand' and how much is really 'product' but at the end of the day it's better to err on the side of quality. The proverbial extra 20 or 30 bucks will in the end be worth the wait.

It scares me more to get a piece of crap than it does to pay extra for someone to stand behind what they sell.

[GOST]

Well... overpriced compared to what though?

How many others are actually selling milspec carrier with C158 Bolts that are HPT/MPI'ed?

I think BCM BCG's are great quality, but I've had very similar BCG's for less. My opinion is based on what you can get CMT/Stag BCG's for. The ones I've had have been under $120 and are milspec. Noveske bolts may not be HPT but I've seen them between $140 and $150 lately. I just remember paying a lot less for the BCM BCG's I've had.

[RobSWVA]

I've got one NiB coated BCG and the only advantage it has over a phosphate coated one is that it cleans easier. The NiB does not hold lube in place as well as my phosphate coated BCG's. They say the NiB needs less lube, but I like to lube my BCG's to death. So if paying more for less cleaning is worth it is your call.

I love BCM, but think their BCG's are over priced. Not saying that the BCM BCG's are not good, but other good BCG's can be had for less. CMT makes a good BCG. I know they used to make Noveske's, not sure if they still do.

Aim Surplus has very well priced BCG's. I've never used one of theirs though, but they get good reviews. If you're wanting a BCM though I believe that Rainier Arms has the best price $169.

http://www.rainierarms.com/bcm-bolt-...roup-full-auto

yeah, I have a few options bookmarked in my browser, and CMT is one of em

[BoilerUp]

In my opinion, you have to decide if you are comfortable paying a premium for a BCG that you KNOW is top quality (and risk paying more than you really needed to) or if you are comfortable saving some money and getting a BCG that is probably high quality and will meet your needs just as well, but leaves you with a bit of doubt as the product is less well known.

If I just wanted to pay once and never look back, then I agree that the BCM is safe bet. I'd also put Daniel Defense, Colt and LMT in that category (I'd probably purchase the DD, personally). My SHTF carbine is LMT.

Now, if this is a fun gun and you're not likely to be trusting your life to its reliability and money is tight, then you have a few other options. I think the v2 nitride from AIM looks like a smoking deal: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...up&groupid=723

If you are patient, Rainier typically runs specials on their BCGs once or twice a year (I picked one up for $99 about a year ago)

And the Palmetto Premium series should be just fine (stick with their Premium line) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...category/4453/

Also, I think some of the members here can vouch for the Ares Armor BCGs: http://aresarmor.com/store/Item/nick..._carrier_group

And I wouldn't lose any sleep running an AeroPrecision BCG but wouldn't pay list price (they run sales frequently...I'd say it's attractive at $100): http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/sto...il.aspx?pid=74

All my BCG's are phosphate but my next purchase will be a nitride treated BCG. I've come to the conclusion (opinion) that this is superior to NiB and expect it to improve the durability of the BCG as well as make it easier to clean. My next BCG purchase will likely be the VooDoo with integral gas key and nitride ("LifeCoat") treatment, but I'm also putting it in a rifle that will be a range and perhaps a hunting rifle.

If you do go with a lower cost option, just compare the specs to the BCM/DD/Colt BCGs of the world. Several of the lower cost options are to the same specs and the cost difference is driven in part by the QC process (random spot checks instead of individual inspections). Of course, some of the difference is driven by brand.

At the end of the day, it's a value judgement and those are different for each of us which is why the market can support so many suppliers.

[RobSWVA]

In my opinion, you have to decide if you are comfortable paying a premium for a BCG that you KNOW is top quality (and risk paying more than you really needed to) or if you are comfortable saving some money and getting a BCG that is probably high quality and will meet your needs just as well, but leaves you with a bit of doubt as the product is less well known.

If I just wanted to pay once and never look back, then I agree that the BCM is safe bet. I'd also put Daniel Defense, Colt and LMT in that category (I'd probably purchase the DD, personally). My SHTF carbine is LMT.

Now, if this is a fun gun and you're not likely to be trusting your life to its reliability and money is tight, then you have a few other options. I think the v2 nitride from AIM looks like a smoking deal: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...up&groupid=723

If you are patient, Rainier typically runs specials on their BCGs once or twice a year (I picked one up for $99 about a year ago)

And the Palmetto Premium series should be just fine (stick with their Premium line) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...category/4453/

Also, I think some of the members here can vouch for the Ares Armor BCGs: http://aresarmor.com/store/Item/nick..._carrier_group

And I wouldn't lose any sleep running an AeroPrecision BCG but wouldn't pay list price (they run sales frequently...I'd say it's attractive at $100): http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/sto...il.aspx?pid=74

All my BCG's are phosphate but my next purchase will be a nitride treated BCG. I've come to the conclusion (opinion) that this is superior to NiB and expect it to improve the durability of the BCG as well as make it easier to clean. My next BCG purchase will likely be the VooDoo with integral gas key and nitride ("LifeCoat") treatment, but I'm also putting it in a rifle that will be a range and perhaps a hunting rifle.

If you do go with a lower cost option, just compare the specs to the BCM/DD/Colt BCGs of the world. Several of the lower cost options are to the same specs and the cost difference is driven in part by the QC process (random spot checks instead of individual inspections). Of course, some of the difference is driven by brand.

At the end of the day, it's a value judgement and those are different for each of us which is why the market can support so many suppliers.

Well, I'm not trying to go bottom dollar and expect the best thing on the market. I dont mind to pay for a good BCG, I'm just looking at balancing the cost and quality versus paying for a name. I've been expecting to put out around 150, which should put me well within the ballpark of quite a few decent manfacturers

[Tyrannosaur]

Check out Fathom Arms enhanced BCG, I was very impressed and as you will read in other threads about the customer service.

[alamo5000]

I am far from an expert in this area but I am using a rainier arms phosphate BCG. I have had zero problems with it. I know people say Nib is easier to clean and that might be true to some extent. But if you use modern cleaning stuff like Seal1, Froglube, or a few others it is just better in my opinion. This is an outside variable but a very important one.

Mine actually repels carbon and can be wiped off with a paper towel after use. If you use traditional cleaning methods then a NiB might have some minor advantages. If you use the new stuff you can use whatever you want in the way of BCG.

My main suggestions would be to buy something from a reputable manufacturer as well as something with a total bad ass look to it. :)

[RobSWVA]

I am far from an expert in this area but I am using a rainier arms phosphate BCG. I have had zero problems with it. I know people say Nib is easier to clean and that might be true to some extent. But if you use modern cleaning stuff like Seal1, Froglube, or a few others it is just better in my opinion. This is an outside variable but a very important one.

Mine actually repels carbon and can be wiped off with a paper towel after use. If you use traditional cleaning methods then a NiB might have some minor advantages. If you use the new stuff you can use whatever you want in the way of BCG.

My main suggestions would be to buy something from a reputable manufacturer as well as something with a total bad ass look to it. :)

yeah, I have already treated it with froglube while its sitting around waiting to be finished and fired, so will probably stick with the toad juice for a while. plus after ordering their clamshell kit, then a 4oz tub of paste, I won a froglube tube kit in a FB giveaway, so I've got plenty to use up, lol.

[Former11B]

I am far from an expert in this area but I am using a rainier arms phosphate BCG. I have had zero problems with it. I know people say Nib is easier to clean and that might be true to some extent. But if you use modern cleaning stuff like Seal1, Froglube, or a few others it is just better in my opinion. This is an outside variable but a very important one.

Mine actually repels carbon and can be wiped off with a paper towel after use. If you use traditional cleaning methods then a NiB might have some minor advantages. If you use the new stuff you can use whatever you want in the way of BCG.

My main suggestions would be to buy something from a reputable manufacturer as well as something with a total bad ass look to it. :)

A good lubricant is important, but a surface like NiB is way easier to clean after suppressed shooting than a phosphate one, even when using Frog Lube. The NiB finish tarnishes/stains quickly with heat and fouling....I think a lot of people have it in mind they'll stay that new color forever. It won't if you shoot it. But it will still function the same. I'd never used a NiB BCG so I put up the $180 to test and see how it performed

[RaceBannon42]

I've got a couple Fail Zero bcgs that seem pretty good so far.