OK, that's awesome.
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Hello, I'm mtdawg169 and I'm a parts snob.
- Thread starter mtdawg169
- Start date
That's funny.
Specifying "combloc" is like saying, I only shoot Colts. AKs have the same issues with subpar manufacturing.
I'll ask one... I bought some Wilson Combat BCGs a while back when they were on sale for $99. I figure they had to be quality. Was I wrong?
(Assuming you know anything about their particular parts, which I recognize can be a stretch.)
(Assuming you know anything about their particular parts, which I recognize can be a stretch.)
No idea. Sorry man.
ETA: as far as bolt carrier groups go, I think that SOLGW offers the best value on the market for a no frills, guaranteed good to go, BCG. I mean, I love me some BCM, but the SOLGW is a better value.
And if you just absolutely must have a coated BCG, the NP3 coated group from Sionics, hands down.
I used to look at the TDP as the end all be all when I first started assembling my own. Then as I began to tinker and understand more and more, it changed for me. After all, it is a 50 year old document that has been out in the wild for some 20 years thanks to Crane. Materials have changed, innovation made duplication possible, and the ever persistent enthusiast in many folks just like us have adapted and made certain aspects/parts better. That change I spoke of earlier is now what I consider "knowns". I know that certain parts when adhering to those specs will work and work well and I use them as a basis for what I want my next rifle to become.
We could extrapolate data all day on a myriad of things and no two people will have the same opinion of perfect gas port size for whatever length barrel offering, it's the nature of the beast. Just like chamber/bore tolerances would be gtg for some and not for others. I see the words custom on here and I myself tend to think customized to one's liking by the addition of certain parts, not with respect to major changes in the function and tolerances of the rifle. That would be blueprinting in my mind, choosing from or correctly measuring, sizing, logging and mating the individual parts to form the perfect unison of a rifle. That in itself takes great care, knowledge and the machinist touch that quite frankly myself and most probably either don't have the time, skill, or tools/machinery to do or do it well.
All I can do is suggest as MTD has done is purchase "known" (there's that word again) quality parts that dimensionally are accurate so as to ensure that you don't run into tolerance stack/clearance issues down the road. Many times the correct material is more appropriate based on the needs of shooter. Things such as intended accuracy may denote using a stainless blank that is cut rifled vs a mandrel rifled barrel made to the 11595e specifications (commonly though incorrectly nicknamed 4150) and is chrome lined. For most a 4140 barrel, even unlined would last most folks a lifetime. That .1% difference in carbon and the addition of vanadium was done primarily to harden the barrel and increase its tolerance to the heat of sustained automatic fire iirc. While it doesn't sound like much, in battle that could be the difference between life or death and it may buy you an extra 3000 rounds before the rifle is rendered unserviceable.
Bolts are another sore subject for me. If I had to put my ass on the line, I'd want C158. Why? Because it is a known. I've seen C158 bolts shear a lug at 6k rounds or so and seen some with over 20k rounds in them and were still working fine. But because of the history with the material and the averages it has proven to currently (and still) be the best option imho. Does that make a 9310 alloy bolt bad? Nope, but the data and history over prolonged use in multiple fronts isn't there. Sure, I have one in my plinker and it hasn't missed a beat but it wouldn't be my goto if the poo hits the fan. Another thing many put a ton of thought into is HPT and MPI. I WILL NOT purchase a bolt that wasn't at least MPI'd in batch. I also wouldn't take a bolt that wasn't proof tested into battle if given the choice. For the average user though, MPI (especially individually) inspected bolts I would consider good enough for the masses. It's been estimated that a single proof test reduces the life expectancy of a bolt by some 30-40% or so. It isn't needed for a plinker imho, but it doesn't hurt either. I however don't use it as a disqualifier on whether I purchase a bolt or not from a reputable dealer when it's a good deal. Always have spares.
On to PSA...always the fun topic. They're like the girl you take home but won't tell your buddies about. I've had 3 complete uppers from them now and 5 or 6 barrels I've used in builds. All but 3 used their FN manufactured line of barrels and they've been fantastic both accuracy and fitment wise with no issues. 2 of the remaining were premium and 1 was a freedom line. Of all those, 1 of the premium line had a slight cant in the fsb that I had to dial additional windage into the rear which eventually made me donate it. The freedom I have had no problems with and has been about as accurate as all the other barrels. I've used their premium bolts without problems with staking or the gas key leaking thus far, no issues with the rings either but I don't have more than several thousand on the higher round count bcg's so I can't give a more detailed opinion. 1 complete upper the barrel nut was not torqued to spec, nor was the FF correctly aligned with the upper which should have been a dead giveaway to their QC guys. That said, their pricing now is not the deal it once was. Some may think they've gone up to compete with the bigger names but in comparison of the past 6 years of my purchases with them, they really haven't changed much in all honesty though I tend to only purchase a "deal". I honestly think there was a 3 fold strategy to their selling of products. 1)Saturate the market to get the name 2)make money on lump purchases and not so much on single ticket items 3)capitalize on locality of manufacturers by negotiating a good deal on quality overruns. There QC has lacked no doubt, but in my experience it isn't usually with the parts themselves but with the assembly. As always YMMV.
My whole hearted suggestion is unless you are a capable and knowledgeable tinkerer, stick to the big names who have an almost spotless record and source known quality components. First and foremost, have a plan of what you want the rifle to be and what you're expecting out of so that you don't come away disappointed. Understand how barrel & gas length, port diameter, buffer & carrier weights can affect characteristics of the rifle, etc.
We could extrapolate data all day on a myriad of things and no two people will have the same opinion of perfect gas port size for whatever length barrel offering, it's the nature of the beast. Just like chamber/bore tolerances would be gtg for some and not for others. I see the words custom on here and I myself tend to think customized to one's liking by the addition of certain parts, not with respect to major changes in the function and tolerances of the rifle. That would be blueprinting in my mind, choosing from or correctly measuring, sizing, logging and mating the individual parts to form the perfect unison of a rifle. That in itself takes great care, knowledge and the machinist touch that quite frankly myself and most probably either don't have the time, skill, or tools/machinery to do or do it well.
All I can do is suggest as MTD has done is purchase "known" (there's that word again) quality parts that dimensionally are accurate so as to ensure that you don't run into tolerance stack/clearance issues down the road. Many times the correct material is more appropriate based on the needs of shooter. Things such as intended accuracy may denote using a stainless blank that is cut rifled vs a mandrel rifled barrel made to the 11595e specifications (commonly though incorrectly nicknamed 4150) and is chrome lined. For most a 4140 barrel, even unlined would last most folks a lifetime. That .1% difference in carbon and the addition of vanadium was done primarily to harden the barrel and increase its tolerance to the heat of sustained automatic fire iirc. While it doesn't sound like much, in battle that could be the difference between life or death and it may buy you an extra 3000 rounds before the rifle is rendered unserviceable.
Bolts are another sore subject for me. If I had to put my ass on the line, I'd want C158. Why? Because it is a known. I've seen C158 bolts shear a lug at 6k rounds or so and seen some with over 20k rounds in them and were still working fine. But because of the history with the material and the averages it has proven to currently (and still) be the best option imho. Does that make a 9310 alloy bolt bad? Nope, but the data and history over prolonged use in multiple fronts isn't there. Sure, I have one in my plinker and it hasn't missed a beat but it wouldn't be my goto if the poo hits the fan. Another thing many put a ton of thought into is HPT and MPI. I WILL NOT purchase a bolt that wasn't at least MPI'd in batch. I also wouldn't take a bolt that wasn't proof tested into battle if given the choice. For the average user though, MPI (especially individually) inspected bolts I would consider good enough for the masses. It's been estimated that a single proof test reduces the life expectancy of a bolt by some 30-40% or so. It isn't needed for a plinker imho, but it doesn't hurt either. I however don't use it as a disqualifier on whether I purchase a bolt or not from a reputable dealer when it's a good deal. Always have spares.
On to PSA...always the fun topic. They're like the girl you take home but won't tell your buddies about. I've had 3 complete uppers from them now and 5 or 6 barrels I've used in builds. All but 3 used their FN manufactured line of barrels and they've been fantastic both accuracy and fitment wise with no issues. 2 of the remaining were premium and 1 was a freedom line. Of all those, 1 of the premium line had a slight cant in the fsb that I had to dial additional windage into the rear which eventually made me donate it. The freedom I have had no problems with and has been about as accurate as all the other barrels. I've used their premium bolts without problems with staking or the gas key leaking thus far, no issues with the rings either but I don't have more than several thousand on the higher round count bcg's so I can't give a more detailed opinion. 1 complete upper the barrel nut was not torqued to spec, nor was the FF correctly aligned with the upper which should have been a dead giveaway to their QC guys. That said, their pricing now is not the deal it once was. Some may think they've gone up to compete with the bigger names but in comparison of the past 6 years of my purchases with them, they really haven't changed much in all honesty though I tend to only purchase a "deal". I honestly think there was a 3 fold strategy to their selling of products. 1)Saturate the market to get the name 2)make money on lump purchases and not so much on single ticket items 3)capitalize on locality of manufacturers by negotiating a good deal on quality overruns. There QC has lacked no doubt, but in my experience it isn't usually with the parts themselves but with the assembly. As always YMMV.
My whole hearted suggestion is unless you are a capable and knowledgeable tinkerer, stick to the big names who have an almost spotless record and source known quality components. First and foremost, have a plan of what you want the rifle to be and what you're expecting out of so that you don't come away disappointed. Understand how barrel & gas length, port diameter, buffer & carrier weights can affect characteristics of the rifle, etc.
Your first mistake was barfcom ...
And yes, anything can break. In fact, some things are destined to sooner or later. That's why they have a service life.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118...__and_how_they_have_handled_on_our_range.html
Speaking of which, that thread above is actually pretty damn entertaining. The OP pulls no punches and has been truthful to a fault thus far, but hey he is running s business and it's about the bottom dollar. It has many a fan boy's panties in a wad. I suggest anyone who is remotely interested to read it. It helped put my mind at ease on several parts I considered using or had in the past. Once you get deeper in you start seeing the results for PSA even which was entertaining.
Speaking of which, that thread above is actually pretty damn entertaining. The OP pulls no punches and has been truthful to a fault thus far, but hey he is running s business and it's about the bottom dollar. It has many a fan boy's panties in a wad. I suggest anyone who is remotely interested to read it. It helped put my mind at ease on several parts I considered using or had in the past. Once you get deeper in you start seeing the results for PSA even which was entertaining.
