Fathom Arms Enhanced BCG

[Pyzik]

I was lucky enough to get this BCG on loan from a fellow WEVO member, DutyUse.

I wasn't able to put as many rounds through as expected. However, the short time spent with it left impressions.

The Looks:
Lets just get this out of the way right off the bat. It's a great looking bolt carrier group. Probably the best looking in the price range.


Fathom Arms BCG by David Pyzik, on Flickr


Fathom Arms by David Pyzik, on Flickr

Performance:
I used the BCG without cleaning or lube for the duration of my use. I experienced no issues.
The Nitride finish really helps the BCG glide in the rifle.

I put 139 slow rounds through a 16" midlength with a carbine weight buffer. A few different brands of ammo, steel and brass.

• Wolf 55gr - 40 Rounds
• PMC Bronze 55gr - 40 Rounds
• Federal XM193 55gr - 20 rounds
• TulAmmo 55gr - 39 rounds

Ejection was weak for a portion of the shooting with TulAmmo and PMC. None caused failures however. I can't say this was related to the BCG as I have experienced weak ejection with PMC before.

I don't have an exact round count (total) for the BCG but it is starting to show some finish wear. This could be attributed to the lack of lube used (previously to my use).

Overall:
I am in need of an additional BCG and am considering a Fathom Arms. I would have no doubts picking one up that it would work perfectly.



Troy by David Pyzik, on Flickr

[DutyUse]

Going to merge my previous posts regarding the testing on this same beater Enhanced BCG. Excellent review & photos Mr. Pyzik!

Repost from March 27th 2015


I've literally had problems, if you could call it that, photoing buildup on my E-Nitride BCG as what little there is comes off as I handle the BCG. Here's what I could document after a 240 rd burn.

Here's what it looked like after I pulled it from the carbine that day. My gloves are accidentally wearing most of it now.







Repost from April 3rd 2015:



Finally found some Tula steel case locally. Not normally my favorite ammo, but wanted to shoot a couple hundred through the Fathom E-BCG before I posted my final thoughts. I expect it to chew it up flawlessly, which will push it over 1,000 lube-free rounds.



I had 1,240~ rounds on this BCG before I sent it to Pyzik. 1240+139 = 1,379 rounds NO lube, NO clean.

Next in line for TNE is Velocity2006

[Joelski]

This one is my front runner to finish up my 300 Blk SBR build. Nice to see it's a good performer. Are you proofing it for SHTF gun? Looks like it's making the grade!

[titanse05]

Nice review. Only thing that I think you need to revise is that the BCG is black nitride treated not melonited. I believe that there is a difference between these treatments.

I have one of these bad boys in my safe for my first SBR build that is awaiting a stamp. It is such a nice BCG and I'm sure it will perform as advertised.

[Pyzik]

Nice review. Only thing that I think you need to revise is that the BCG is black nitride treated not melonited. I believe that there is a difference between these treatments.

I have one of these bad boys in my safe for my first SBR build that is awaiting a stamp. It is such a nice BCG and I'm sure it will perform as advertised.

Thanks for the heads up. Since Fathom uses the term Nitride I will change it.
I am fairly certain they are the one in the same. However there are variations of Melonite/Nitride; Q, QP and QPQ.
Which of these the BCG is finished to is not known to me.

[DutyUse]

"• Finish: Black Nitride. This advanced low friction coating minimizes the need for lubricants, as well as being very resistant to wear. Most recognize Nitride as “Melonite” or “Isonite”. This is a salt bath nitrocarbonite coating, that has proven to be very good for hard use parts."