AR-bolts: what's the good, bad and ugly on different makes?

Skans · February 5, 2013, 10:32 AM

Are there any genuine differences between all the AR bolts out there? Which ones are good; not good - what to look for in a used bolt?

(I'm not concerned with the Bolt Carrier, just the bolt.)

madcratebuilder · February 5, 2013, 10:48 AM

The bolt should be made from C158 steel. Many shooter like to see MPI and HPT testing. I don't have problems with untested bolts as long as they are from a reputable supplier.

Technosavant · February 5, 2013, 11:16 AM

Yeah, Carpenter 158 is the steel to look for. If possible, individual HPT and MPI (High Pressure Testing and Magnetic Particle Inspection) are also preferable.

As for a used bolt, I'd be extremely cautious and would prefer a new one.

Quentin2 · February 5, 2013, 02:34 PM

I also would be concerned about the bolt carrier (unless you already have good ones). There are at least four styles out there and the worst (for example, the Ruger SR-556 carrier) do not shroud the firing pin. Others use improper screws to secure the carrier key and/or don't have the carrier key staked properly.

Skans · February 5, 2013, 03:22 PM

I have a perfect condition, top quality chrome M16 Bolt Carrier that I bought about 16 years ago when I wanted to put an A2 upper on my Colt SP1 Carbine. The carrier key has been staked properly. Because I used the Colt Bolt, when I took the larger barrel and A2 upper off to return the SP1 Carbine to original, I no longer have a bolt to go with the bolt carrier.

cryogenic419 · February 5, 2013, 05:43 PM

I had always heard to not swap bolts around.

New bolt with new barrel is OK
New bolt with old barrel is OK
Old bolt with new barrel is bad
Old bolt with a different old barrel is bad

I am sure there are gauges you can check everything with but...if it were my gun and my safety on the line I'd go with new.

Mrgunsngear · February 5, 2013, 08:04 PM

Plouffedaddy's guide to AR BCGs---the good, the bad, the ugly & untrue rumors

The video above should answer any question you have. You're welcome

Skans · February 6, 2013, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the helpful information.

pat701 · February 6, 2013, 01:15 PM

Get a FA BCG

Quentin2 · February 6, 2013, 05:39 PM

Very informative video (as usual), plouffedaddy!

Skans · February 7, 2013, 08:43 AM

Great video!

Mrgunsngear · February 7, 2013, 09:50 AM

Thank you gentlemen.

Gunnutfn49 · February 17, 2013, 12:44 PM

Im running three dsa bolt carriers that were new, and are running with three dsa complete uppers (16 inch and 20 inch) and have yet to run into any problems with them. (approximately 500 rounds per rifle).

February 5, 2013, 10:32 AM	#1
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	AR-bolts: what's the good, bad and ugly on different makes? Are there any genuine differences between all the AR bolts out there? Which ones are good; not good - what to look for in a used bolt? (I'm not concerned with the Bolt Carrier, just the bolt.)

February 5, 2013, 08:04 PM	#7
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	Plouffedaddy's guide to AR BCGs---the good, the bad, the ugly & untrue rumors The video above should answer any question you have. You're welcome __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

February 7, 2013, 09:50 AM	#12
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	Thank you gentlemen. __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

February 17, 2013, 12:44 PM	#13
Gunnutfn49 Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Location: PR of Kalifornia Posts: 77	Im running three dsa bolt carriers that were new, and are running with three dsa complete uppers (16 inch and 20 inch) and have yet to run into any problems with them. (approximately 500 rounds per rifle). __________________ "...and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death, and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."-Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan ...What he meant to add was, "unless, of course, all responsible citizens are armed to the teeth."

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February 5, 2013, 10:48 AM	#2
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	The bolt should be made from C158 steel. Many shooter like to see MPI and HPT testing. I don't have problems with untested bolts as long as they are from a reputable supplier.

February 5, 2013, 11:16 AM	#3
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	Yeah, Carpenter 158 is the steel to look for. If possible, individual HPT and MPI (High Pressure Testing and Magnetic Particle Inspection) are also preferable. As for a used bolt, I'd be extremely cautious and would prefer a new one.

February 5, 2013, 02:34 PM	#4
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I also would be concerned about the bolt carrier (unless you already have good ones). There are at least four styles out there and the worst (for example, the Ruger SR-556 carrier) do not shroud the firing pin. Others use improper screws to secure the carrier key and/or don't have the carrier key staked properly.

February 5, 2013, 03:22 PM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I have a perfect condition, top quality chrome M16 Bolt Carrier that I bought about 16 years ago when I wanted to put an A2 upper on my Colt SP1 Carbine. The carrier key has been staked properly. Because I used the Colt Bolt, when I took the larger barrel and A2 upper off to return the SP1 Carbine to original, I no longer have a bolt to go with the bolt carrier.

February 5, 2013, 05:43 PM	#6
cryogenic419 Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 569	I had always heard to not swap bolts around. New bolt with new barrel is OK New bolt with old barrel is OK Old bolt with new barrel is bad Old bolt with a different old barrel is bad I am sure there are gauges you can check everything with but...if it were my gun and my safety on the line I'd go with new.

February 6, 2013, 08:55 AM	#8
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Thanks for the helpful information.

February 6, 2013, 01:15 PM	#9
pat701 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: South west Missouri Posts: 315	Get a FA BCG

February 6, 2013, 05:39 PM	#10
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	Very informative video (as usual), plouffedaddy!

February 7, 2013, 08:43 AM	#11
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Great video!