BCG Recommendations

[Nis14]

[hunterb]

Barrel is the heart of the rifle, not the BCG. What kind of barrel did you get? Length? Twist? Stainless steel or carbon steel? If not SS, is it chrome lined?
Is this going to be a precision shooting build? Range plinker? Home defense?

IMO, any toolcraft BCG will be great and inexpensive. I would get NIB coating for ease of cleaning.

The"best" BCG's in my opinion are JP Enterprises with their high pressure bolt. Only worth it for a serious precision build or if you're shooting 3gun etc I feel.

[mtenenhaus]

i've been told that Toolcraft, JP, LMT, Sharps and BCM are all very well thought of. Truthfully i never had a problem with the PSA Brand (Carpenter, MSI). The nitride treatments do seem to make them easier to clean.

[FeuerFrei]

My years old FailZero runs great with the ACT/ALG trigger. Super slick combo.

FailZero and WMD have both gotten the slick finish down to perfection. They are not "me too" manufacturers/coaters.

[jimmykan]

For direct impingement ARs, I have used Aero Precision, BCM, Toolcraft, JP, PSA, and other no-name BCGs (some of which I suspect were contract manufactured by Toolcraft).

Most were okay, no problems with normal range use.

BCM's were exactly mil-spec in both construction and testing.

For ones that sucked, it showed: I chose them based on low price, then problems arose (e.g. an AR-308 bolt that showed galling on the lugs after only 50-ish rounds), and the company soon went out of business.

I bought a JP High Pressure AR-308 bolt, to prevent pierced primers in a 6.5 Creedmoor upper. Has a reduced-diameter firing pin, don't know what else is different, but it works good.

There are newer finishes like Nitride/Melonite/QPQ, Nickel Boron (NiB), etc that are supposed to eliminate the need to chrome line the internal bore of the bolt carrier and gas key. But Parkerized exterior and chrome-lined interior is the tried and true finish.

[SVT-40]

You don't need to over pay for quality. AIM Surplus has great parts at great prices.

https://aimsurplus.com/parts/ar-parts/bolts/

[instaramen]

Toolcraft, they are OEM for many companies and supply parts for the military as well. They don't cost an arm and leg as well.

[AbeVigoda]

Send it and get a Lantac Enhanced in NIB

[Dave Hoback]

Oh goodness. You’re only about the 8-KAJILLIONTH person to ask this question on a forum, lol!

You are going to find many, many different opinions on this. And that is all they are....OPINIONS! The above post is correct. There is indeed absolutely NO reason to spend big money on a BCG. You simply need to look for a couple points of quality. Make certain the components are made of quality steel. You want to see 8620 for the carrier & either 158 or 9310 for the bolt. A couple, like Sharps, use S7 for the bolt is is also OK. Titanium is also used for components, but that is $$$. Make certain the gas key is properly staked. HP/MP testing is good, but certainly doesn’t mean it’s a “magical” component. Made in USA or Germany is a tell of quality. Use an M16(Full Auto) carrier. I recommend staying away from the ultra expensive “gimmick” BCGs. Any of the carriers talking about longer dwell time to reduce over gassing yadda-yadda, “and all for the LOW LOW price of $300!” Gimme a break! No question these are good components. But simply not necessary. And CERTAINLY not worth $300. I wouldn't even(and never have) spent $200 on a BCG! The BCG is one of the components that can really tip the total cost of an AR build. Much the same as FF handguards & triggers.

I have used Azimuth Enhanced BCGs since 2014, in many builds. They are super high quality, run like champ and I never pay over $130. (Usually around $100)

Toolcraft are very good. One of the better deals. And they work. Still haven’t seen the hoard of failures anyway.

[send it_hit]

I run BCM bolt carriers in 2 rifles and have had no issues. Toolcraft is hard to beat, for price and performance. Most BCG's are pretty decent, I've run a Palmetto BCG with no issue as well.

[billkohatsu]

Colt for mil-spec heritage
LMT, KAC or JP for enhancements over mil-spec (comes at a steep cost)
Daniel, BCM or Aero for name brand and warranty
Toolcraft or AO Precision for value
Palmetto for low price
Geissele or Surefire for enhanced bolts (although durability is unknown due to recent release)

All are valid choices depending on your budget.

[jonnyt16]

Don't overthink it. BCM or Colt. 100% milspec. Done.

[BMWguy206]

Hey guys! If you have the time, please check out this YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaUOYvlDrZh5LWILrVDUM4w/videos

The gunsmith does "BCG Physicals" and you'll be very surprised on what he finds on the different kinds of BCGs.

[oak18]

I’ll go against the grain and say go with a phosphate/chrome lined finish for whatever brand you pick. I much refer my phosphate carriers over my nitride carrier. Lubricant stays where you put it much better. Nitride dries up due to run off and lube being flung out of the ejection port and all over the inside of the upper receiver. Thicker lube/grease negates the ease of cleaning on nitride finished BCG’s.

[The War Wagon]

BCM, DD, Rainier (I just got one of their nickel/boron BCG's).


If this is your ONLY rifle, do NOT cheap out on the BCG.