AIM BCG

[SP101]

I have been lurking for a few weeks to see what BCG that AR-15 builders here like to use. I see a lot like BCM and DD. I like to use misc. BCM parts when building an AR but usually use TOOLCRAFT BCG's. A gunsmith friend told me to check out the Nitride BCG made by AIM. He said it is the same, or better than the other high $$$ BCG's out there. Opinions? Thank You.

https://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGH4N3

[03scgt]

I bought one of their nitride 308 bcg's awhile back when I decided building my own 308 was a good idea.In under 100 rounds the bolt had chipped a corner off at one of the locking lugs.After contacting Aim they had no problem taking care of me and sending me out a new one once they got mine back.I sold the new bcg and the rifle shortly after to buy an sr25 so I have no idea if it was just a fluke or not.I don't know who makes them for aim ,but I'm pretty sure the experience would keep me away from trying one again.

[JasonB1]

Looks like a black nitride Toolcraft is $110...

$20 isn't a lot to get known quality versus guessing.

http://www.crypticcoatings.com/coated-bolt-carrier-group/

[Singlestack Wonder]

Why buy anything but a BCM, DD, LMT, Colt, or other tier one company's big? When one spends time on this forum and then states they see a lot of BCM and DD here, that's a clue.

[JasonB1]

The only reason I went Colt over Toolcraft/Cryptic was T/C appeared to be out of stock at the time. Nothing gained in popping $50 more for a dot of white paint when both are .mil suppliers with ALL the boxes checked off.:rolleyes:

[SP101]

Why buy anything but a BCM, DD, LMT, Colt, or other tier one company's big? When one spends time on this forum and then states they see a lot of BCM and DD here, that's a clue.

Yes, that's true about seeing all of the other BCG's. I was just "ASKING" for opinions on the AIM BCG.


Looks like a black nitride Toolcraft is $110...

$20 isn't a lot to get known quality versus guessing.

http://www.crypticcoatings.com/coated-bolt-carrier-group/

Thank you Jason. I just ordered one and it should be here sometime next week.

[abso]

AIM surplus is a lottery. I've seen higher QC from PSA's Premium BCGs compared to AIMs.

[Singlestack Wonder]

Yes, that's true about seeing all of the other BCG's. I was just "ASKING" for opinions on the AIM BCG.
Ok.....aim = low end junk.....

[SP101]

Thank You to all that replied in a positive way.
After this AR build my next AR will use this BCG.

https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/ar-15/ar-by-part-type/sharp-rifle-co-223-5-56-xtreme-performance-bolt-carrier-group-complete-xpb-diamon-like-carbon-coating.html

[js8588]

Thank You to all that replied in a positive way.
After this AR build my next AR will use this BCG.

https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/ar-15/ar-by-part-type/sharp-rifle-co-223-5-56-xtreme-performance-bolt-carrier-group-complete-xpb-diamon-like-carbon-coating.html

DLC seems to be the future in BCG coatings. I like it.

[pinzgauer]

Thank You to all that replied in a positive way.
After this AR build my next AR will use this BCG.

https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/ar-15/ar-by-part-type/sharp-rifle-co-223-5-56-xtreme-performance-bolt-carrier-group-complete-xpb-diamon-like-carbon-coating.html
Huh? That was your conclusion from the input?

For that money I'd just buy LMT, and if you want to go cheaper just got a toolcraft with whatever coating you want.

[justin_247]

Thank You to all that replied in a positive way.
After this AR build my next AR will use this BCG.

https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/ar-15/ar-by-part-type/sharp-rifle-co-223-5-56-xtreme-performance-bolt-carrier-group-complete-xpb-diamon-like-carbon-coating.html

So, instead of purchasing a cheap, possibly low-end part, you're going to purchase an overly expensive, potentially not even that high-end of a part? Why not these? Centurion, Sionics, Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense are all proven.

https://www.centurionarms.com/product-p/bcg-c4.htm

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/bolt-carrier-group-components/130-bolt-carrier-group-np3-coated-carrier-bolt-and-cam-pin.html

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm-bolt-carrier-group-auto-mp.htm

https://www.armsunlimited.com/Colt-M16-AR15-Complete-Bolt-Carrier-Group-Assembly-p/sp64028.htm

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-carrier-groups/m16-5-56-bolt-carrier-group-prod27650.aspx

[AR-556]

I have done several AR builds in the last 7-8 years using a PSA BCG and have YET to have ANY problems. :cool:
If you want a BCG that is the BEST ever built and money is NO object, buy a COLT BCG! When I was an 11B (1984-1992) I was issued an H&R M16A1 in BT. The company armorer stated that it still had the original COLT BCG from 1969! That's impressive!

http://palmettostatearmory.com/palmetto-state-armory-5-56-premium-full-auto-bolt-carrier-group-8779.html

https://www.whiteknightsupply.com/products/colt-5-56-bolt-carrier-group?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=40735268557&gclid=Cj0KCQjw24nNBRChARIsALldLD0_fOSAKo3PgKjXzbrVa0QJaMty8qS8PKWQ2DP8O78T1Fx-C5muGmUaAuIxEALw_wcB

[Feline]

Avoid AIM, especially when high end BCGs are readily available. Look no further than Sionics, DD, LMT, Colt, BCM.

[georgeib]

I have done several AR builds in the last 7-8 years using a PSA BCG and have YET to have ANY problems. :cool:


I'm curious how many rounds you have through your PSA BCGs, as I've heard both good and not so good things about them. Seems like it would be easy to build a thousand rifles with low end parts and have zero problems if you never shoot them. I always wonder at people who claim that they've put 200 rounds through their XXX brand budget rifle and then claim it's as good as anything else.

[JasonB1]

Not sure on round counts, but I have a few PSA premium BCG's that get used for 3 gun, deer hunting, and practice so they are far from safe queens and yet to have an issue.

I would not trust their PTAC line of groups and not sure on their Freedom line either. At the time I bought the Colt group instead of the Toolcraft(thought it was out of stock) PSA had Freedom groups that seemed to be full spec (MPI, HPT, etc.) for $90ish which was typically the on sale price of the equally spec'd premium groups(can't recall if the premiums were out of stock or full prices at the time) or I would have likely went that route again.

Only 2 failures I have had with a BCG were from one of the Illinois parts houses(1995...assume a burr inside the carrier fouled a set of gas rings, after that it chugged along) and a late 90s J&T Distributing cracked an extractor within a few hundred rounds, although it was on Czech S&B steel case stuff and the replacement worked fine.

[Ned Christiansen]

I have an AIM lightweight carrier. I am not one to mess with lighter or heavier BCG components but it came my way and as an experiment I used and am using it-- it's fine. Their bolt, I don't have, but the carrier appears well made and has been working just fine.

Obviously they are getting it made for them by someone else, could well be made by the same place making them for some of the more accepted-as-OK brands..... anyway I doubt that whoever is making them for AIM is making them only for AIM. Not saying their line of AR parts are the greatest or equal to (name the name). BUT they are my go-to place for surplus ammo and such like. Transactions are always simple and fast, prices are good.

[phixion]

I have an AIM lightweight carrier. I am not one to mess with lighter or heavier BCG components but it came my way and as an experiment I used and am using it-- it's fine. Their bolt, I don't have, but the carrier appears well made and has been working just fine.

Obviously they are getting it made for them by someone else, could well be made by the same place making them for some of the more accepted-as-OK brands..... anyway I doubt that whoever is making them for AIM is making them only for AIM. Not saying their line of AR parts are the greatest or equal to (name the name). BUT they are my go-to place for surplus ammo and such like. Transactions are always simple and fast, prices are good.

Direct quote from an AIM employee: "correct, we do not machine or coat anything in house, in fact we buy them complete from the same companies that the big guys do, in fact most of our parts are the exact same thing as the big companies."

[nolt]

"most of our parts are the exact same thing as the big companies."

batch test alert! :D

[26 Inf]

Direct quote from an AIM employee: "correct, we do not machine or coat anything in house, in fact we buy them complete from the same companies that the big guys do, in fact most of our parts are the exact same thing as the big companies."

So, by that, the choices are essentially pay the jobber 60.00 per unit and:

1) mark up 100% ($120.00 retail) with a target of 50 units sold for a gross profit of 3,000.00 over COGS.

The 3,000.00 can be used to cover all operating expenses such as laser engraving a way cool/recognizable logo on the item, and advertising, plus paying premium wages to your workforce (lol - I'd like to a company that did that versus padding owner/shareholder pockets and paying the employees as little as they can get away with)

2) mark up 50% ($90.00 retail) with a target of 100 units sold for the same gross profit as example one.

That is overly simplified, but that is the basic decision making process on how to set price, etc. You just have to decide which model you want to pursue.

If the BCG has:

Bolt of Carpenter 158 steel, heat-treated, shot peened, MPI and HPT
Carrier made of 8620, interior surfaces chrome lined
Carrier key made of 4130, interior chrome lined
Carrier key attached with grade fasteners, properly staked

You are probably good to go, regardless of business model your chosen mfgr adheres to.

[TomMcC]

For what it's worth, I've been using an AIM C158 bolt (just the bolt) in my 3gun rifle and so far it's been good. Probably a couple thou on it.

[phixion]

If the BCG has:

Bolt of Carpenter 158 steel, heat-treated, shot peened, MPI and HPT
Carrier made of 8620, interior surfaces chrome lined
Carrier key made of 4130, interior chrome lined
Carrier key attached with grade fasteners, properly staked

You are probably good to go, regardless of business model your chosen mfgr adheres to.

This.

[Mercs]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170829/424b50bd5ba9abe4a53206fb21833e47.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170829/7ee569330f55482a9045414433668628.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170829/928b327f8f6fb62046c66764d37021d9.jpg
Sionics all the way. Wet or dry, it will eject and chamber rounds with authority. Piles the brass up nice and neat for you also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[26 Inf]

That is pretty. Boudoir Bolt Pictures.

Is that the standard or NP3? Both seem to be reasonably priced.

hjhj

[Mercs]

Thanks I tried to capture the fine craftsmanship as best I could. It is the NP3 coated model and well worth the money imo


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[abso]

Meh. I've uploaded an album to show more of what I've experienced with my Aim Surplus BCG. The BCG doesn't cycle (on one of my rifles) on a full magazine due to friction between the ammo and the bcg. It is also a complete carbon magnet. I've never been able to get rid of the carbon on the BCG, it basically stains it and I only put about 100 rounds through it. You could probably use a dremel with a polishing bit to fix this, but I prefer parts that are in spec and don't require work. I'd rather have parts that work 100% of the time. Get something like BCM/Sionics/Colt/Toolcraft/etc. Like I said, even PSA premium is likely better. This is a XAIMNiBBCGV2 purchased in 2014.

For clarity, this is after cleaning. No carbon was coming off after lots of elbow grease.
Albumb
http://imgur.com/a/TtArI

You're not getting this carbon off with just paper towls or q-tips. Maybe a razor blade would work.
https://i.imgur.com/WnRI7sN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fKOBTeM.jpg