jetspeedz
03-10-17, 15:29
As part of my 2017 reviews, I'm going to discuss the Trace Creek Outfitters lower parts kit components with Nickel Boron coating. A lower parts kit is essential for a functioning rifle. There are lots of standard kits out there and even more individual parts from different manufacturers to confuse beginners and overwhelm experts. Regardless of your skill level or familiarity with the AR15 platform, these parts are required, so let us dive in. The standard Mil-Spec manganese phosphate finish also referred to as “parkerized” finish, is what you will find from the majority of manufacturers on these lower parts components. I wanted to review something different and unique, so the Trace Creek Outfitters lower parts components with Nickel Boron (NiB) coating fit the bill.
The coating debate on AR components will always have different camps debating the adoption of using nonstandard finishes. There is no doubt, there is room for improvement in design and finish. Mil-Spec standards are improved on as time passes and technology advances, they are the bare minimum requirements and not the ceiling. Nickel Boron is a great alternative finish which comes at a very reasonable premium. It has become more widely adopted by the firearms industry as a standard over time. The major advantage of NiB coating over the standard parkerized finish is the wear resistance and lubrication of the coating. Cleaning a NiB coated component is much easier than parkerized, due to the smaller ridges in the coating at the surface. Think of ridges as waves in the ocean, the bigger the waves, the more surface area under the wave to attract carbon fouling as compared to smaller waves. NiB waves are smaller in size than a parkerized finish, so cleanup is easier. Similarly NiB is far superior compared to a parkerized finish in corrosion resistance. Harsh environments near the sea with lots of humidity is where NiB outshines the parkerized finish. With these benefits you can see why NiB coating is catching on quickly in AR components.
From my other reviews you know the coefficient of friction of NiB is as low as 0.08-.2 due to the high points of the coating. NiB has an inherent problem with these high points wearing down over time and losing its lubricating properties. Since these lower parts components are not put through the rigor like a bolt carrier group, it is not a huge concern. I'm more interested in keeping my AR clean and doing it quickly without too much elbow grease. If you are like me, I enjoy taking my rifle apart and cleaning everything down to a new state after every range session, so the less time I have to scrub the better. Eventually, wear and tear, regardless of coating type, will require some components being replaced if the operator does not take care of their firearm. Don't skip out on key lubrication points. Personally I like to add a drop or two on some of these moving components to help keep things running smooth like the take down and pivot pins, magazine release and bolt catch to name a few. Proper maintenance is key and NiB coated components are no exception.
I have taken some images with my Stereo Scope to show the difference between NiB coating and the standard parkerized finish. While I could zoom even closer with the eyepiece view, the camera does not cooperate well. There is clear difference between NiB coating and parkerized finish on a standard take down pin. You can see how rough the parkerized finish is compared to the smother NiB coating. I also have some NP3 coating images for comparisons in my other review.
These lower kit parts are manufactured in the USA and are true to Mil-Spec. Each component has a different Mil-Spec standard and some components are stamped with the Mil-Spec part number. The manufacturer has been in business since the 90's. Rich, the owner of Trace Creek Outfitters, receives these components fully coated, after they are shipped directly from the manufacturer to an external facility setup to properly coat these components with NiB. In addition to the NP3 lower parts kit, Rich has informed me he will be switching manufacturers this summer to offer Robar NP3 coated lower parts kit, and possibly FailZero coated lower parts kit. These kits are slated to cost slightly more than the current NiB kit, likely priced around $85-$95. If you are not familiar with the different coatings, I suggest you look into it further.
The lower parts kit components from Trace Creek Outfitters fit as expected. There was no fitment issue given these are Mil-Spec components. In fact I felt as if it was slightly easier to install some of the pins due to the nature of the slippery NiB coating. The finish on these parts is vibrant silver which you would expect from NiB. Granted not all NiB coating appears to have the same shade of silver, it is clear these components were all coated in the same factory since they all match. These components are smooth to the touch, it felt slippery with no visible oil or added lubrication. Aesthetically they provide a distinct look, which easily sets your firearm apart at the range. This NiB lower parts kit, for a small premium price of a meal at a chain restaurant, can be had compared to the standard lower parts kit you find everywhere. I can’t wait to see the NP3 coated offering Rich will be providing later this year. If you are in the market for a unique look and an easy to clean lower parts kit than look no further.
https://youtu.be/iDX7Q0c-waQ
http://i.imgur.com/9t7E77L.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VwXHb4W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hm5GlFD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FbSa02l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nSEqKEB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QFKI9v2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/owp3LH1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xCKKz2J.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t3OyHlX.png
http://i.imgur.com/hUoMaFK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/r2jl1MU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xJsQFxE.png
http://i.imgur.com/fqQKeBc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9j1w7oS.jpg
The coating debate on AR components will always have different camps debating the adoption of using nonstandard finishes. There is no doubt, there is room for improvement in design and finish. Mil-Spec standards are improved on as time passes and technology advances, they are the bare minimum requirements and not the ceiling. Nickel Boron is a great alternative finish which comes at a very reasonable premium. It has become more widely adopted by the firearms industry as a standard over time. The major advantage of NiB coating over the standard parkerized finish is the wear resistance and lubrication of the coating. Cleaning a NiB coated component is much easier than parkerized, due to the smaller ridges in the coating at the surface. Think of ridges as waves in the ocean, the bigger the waves, the more surface area under the wave to attract carbon fouling as compared to smaller waves. NiB waves are smaller in size than a parkerized finish, so cleanup is easier. Similarly NiB is far superior compared to a parkerized finish in corrosion resistance. Harsh environments near the sea with lots of humidity is where NiB outshines the parkerized finish. With these benefits you can see why NiB coating is catching on quickly in AR components.
From my other reviews you know the coefficient of friction of NiB is as low as 0.08-.2 due to the high points of the coating. NiB has an inherent problem with these high points wearing down over time and losing its lubricating properties. Since these lower parts components are not put through the rigor like a bolt carrier group, it is not a huge concern. I'm more interested in keeping my AR clean and doing it quickly without too much elbow grease. If you are like me, I enjoy taking my rifle apart and cleaning everything down to a new state after every range session, so the less time I have to scrub the better. Eventually, wear and tear, regardless of coating type, will require some components being replaced if the operator does not take care of their firearm. Don't skip out on key lubrication points. Personally I like to add a drop or two on some of these moving components to help keep things running smooth like the take down and pivot pins, magazine release and bolt catch to name a few. Proper maintenance is key and NiB coated components are no exception.
I have taken some images with my Stereo Scope to show the difference between NiB coating and the standard parkerized finish. While I could zoom even closer with the eyepiece view, the camera does not cooperate well. There is clear difference between NiB coating and parkerized finish on a standard take down pin. You can see how rough the parkerized finish is compared to the smother NiB coating. I also have some NP3 coating images for comparisons in my other review.
These lower kit parts are manufactured in the USA and are true to Mil-Spec. Each component has a different Mil-Spec standard and some components are stamped with the Mil-Spec part number. The manufacturer has been in business since the 90's. Rich, the owner of Trace Creek Outfitters, receives these components fully coated, after they are shipped directly from the manufacturer to an external facility setup to properly coat these components with NiB. In addition to the NP3 lower parts kit, Rich has informed me he will be switching manufacturers this summer to offer Robar NP3 coated lower parts kit, and possibly FailZero coated lower parts kit. These kits are slated to cost slightly more than the current NiB kit, likely priced around $85-$95. If you are not familiar with the different coatings, I suggest you look into it further.
The lower parts kit components from Trace Creek Outfitters fit as expected. There was no fitment issue given these are Mil-Spec components. In fact I felt as if it was slightly easier to install some of the pins due to the nature of the slippery NiB coating. The finish on these parts is vibrant silver which you would expect from NiB. Granted not all NiB coating appears to have the same shade of silver, it is clear these components were all coated in the same factory since they all match. These components are smooth to the touch, it felt slippery with no visible oil or added lubrication. Aesthetically they provide a distinct look, which easily sets your firearm apart at the range. This NiB lower parts kit, for a small premium price of a meal at a chain restaurant, can be had compared to the standard lower parts kit you find everywhere. I can’t wait to see the NP3 coated offering Rich will be providing later this year. If you are in the market for a unique look and an easy to clean lower parts kit than look no further.
https://youtu.be/iDX7Q0c-waQ
http://i.imgur.com/9t7E77L.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VwXHb4W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hm5GlFD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FbSa02l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nSEqKEB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QFKI9v2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/owp3LH1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xCKKz2J.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t3OyHlX.png
http://i.imgur.com/hUoMaFK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/r2jl1MU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xJsQFxE.png
http://i.imgur.com/fqQKeBc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9j1w7oS.jpg