PDA

View Full Version : Educate me please....question about SBR and BCG.



MovinMan
11-01-11, 08:54
I have an 11.5 inch SBR I recently put together that I am having gassing problems with.

I am using an 11.5 inch Noveske barrel, H2 buffer and the only extra BCG I had laying around...an LMT Enhanced Bolt Carrier with their Enhanced bolt as well.

The gun runs fine either suppressed or non suppressed except it will not lock back on the last round.

I pulled a Young NM BCG out of another rifle and it works fine.

I swap the bolt out of the LMT Enhanced carrier with a standard bolt (in place of the LMT Enhanced bolt) and it runs fine.

So obviously the bolt is the problem. Its my understanding that the LMT Enhanced bolt was meant to run with a 14.5 inch barrel anyways.

So here is my question, the BCG is one that I had pulled from a 14.5 Noveske that I sold. I had around 500 rounds fired through it at the time. I have a brand new MPI tested bolt that I bought from BCM that I tried in the LMT carrier that runs fine.

Is there a problem throwing a new bolt in the mix now and with that carrier? It doesnt seem like 500 rounds would be enough to create any wear patterns that would cause excessive wear problems with a new bolt.....but I figured I would check opinions here before i went out and ran it hard with the new bolt.


Or would I be better off just buying a new standard BCG?

I was just trying to save a few bucks and use parts I already have but if I need to Ill just scrap the idea and buy a new bolt.

Iraqgunz
11-01-11, 09:40
All you need is to add an H3 buffer and possibly a blue Springco spring and you should be good to go. My BCM 11.5 did the same thing and once I added an H3 and Springco I was good to go.

markm
11-01-11, 09:52
I'd ditch that bolt anyway... Even if you up the buffer system.

MovinMan
11-01-11, 10:36
I'd ditch that bolt anyway... Even if you up the buffer system.

I was thinking that. So no problems throwing a new bolt in a bolt carrier with about 500 rounds through it?

munch520
11-01-11, 10:40
I have heard great things/plan on getting an enhanced carrier for my suppressed build but does anyone use and like their enhanced bolts? Non-standard extractors make me nervous :fie:

MovinMan
11-01-11, 10:42
The BCG ran fine in my 14.5 inch gun.....never a problem. But I did only have 500 rounds through it, not exactly a torture test.

munch520
11-01-11, 10:46
The BCG ran fine in my 14.5 inch gun.....never a problem. But I did only have 500 rounds through it, not exactly a torture test.

I wouldn't see a problem with it, just run the standard checks after its re-assembled.

Todd.K
11-01-11, 11:00
The enhanced carrier was designed for 14.5"-16" carbine gas barrels.

MovinMan
11-01-11, 11:18
The enhanced carrier was designed for 14.5"-16" carbine gas barrels.


So why does the bolt affect function? The carrier works perfect with a different bolt.

Todd.K
11-01-11, 11:47
Not sure, I'm just going off what I know of the enhanced carrier and what LMT recommends it be used in.

Iraqgunz
11-01-11, 11:48
I don't believe the bolt does. I believe it was a fluke. In any case I believe that if you simply put an H3 in and a Springco spring you will be good to go.

Of you can install an A5.


So why does the bolt affect function? The carrier works perfect with a different bolt.

munch520
11-01-11, 11:55
So why does the bolt affect function? The carrier works perfect with a different bolt.

No idea, I thought the enhanced bolts only differences were pertaining to the improved extractor. Looks like an e3 bolt to me...

credit to MilitaryMorons:
http://i6.tinypic.com/4ife7pi.jpg

MovinMan
11-01-11, 12:43
I don't believe the bolt does. I believe it was a fluke. In any case I believe that if you simply put an H3 in and a Springco spring you will be good to go.

Of you can install an A5.


OK, thanks for the info guys.

Looks like an H3 and new spring are in order. Ill get them ordered today and report back when I test them out.

C4IGrant
11-01-11, 13:05
The enhanced carrier was designed for 14.5"-16" carbine gas barrels.

I think this has more to do with the bolt than the carrier. The carrier is designed to help 14.5" and BELOW guns.

The enhanced bolt needs to be used with 14.5" and ABOVE lengths.


I have been running an enhanced carrier in my 10.5 forever.

To the OP, get rid of the enhanced bolt for your SBR.




C4

NoveskeFan
11-01-11, 13:16
HIJACK: I am currently building my SBR...the lower anyway. Going with a Noveske 10.5" MK18 upper. Is it pretty common to need the heavier buffer and spring?

MovinMan
11-01-11, 13:20
OK, help me understand this real quick.

An H3 buffer is the heaviest right? So wouldnt a heavier buffer cause it to short stroke...... exacerbating the problem? Or does a heavy buffer add to reciprocating mass and allow the bolt to travel further back against the buffer spring?


Anyways, heres a crappy cell phone pic of the culprit.

http://images51.fotki.com/v628/photos/2/25033/1861530/SBR2-vi.jpg

http://images44.fotki.com/v220/photos/2/25033/1861530/SBR-vi.jpg

MovinMan
11-01-11, 13:23
I think this has more to do with the bolt than the carrier. The carrier is designed to help 14.5" and BELOW guns.

The enhanced bolt needs to be used with 14.5" and ABOVE lengths.


I have been running an enhanced carrier in my 10.5 forever.

To the OP, get rid of the enhanced bolt for your SBR.




C4

Weren't you the gent that had that big long thread about suppressed SBR's? I figured you'd have some experience with it.

Iraqgunz
11-01-11, 13:53
I believe that if you read that thread, Grant used only the carrier and not the bolt. I may be wrong.

In any case I have made my recommendation. It's up to you to drink the water or look for another well.


Weren't you the gent that had that big long thread about suppressed SBR's? I figured you'd have some experience with it.

C4IGrant
11-01-11, 13:57
Weren't you the gent that had that big long thread about suppressed SBR's? I figured you'd have some experience with it.

Yep.



C4

MovinMan
11-01-11, 14:07
I believe that if you read that thread, Grant used only the carrier and not the bolt. I may be wrong.

In any case I have made my recommendation. It's up to you to drink the water or look for another well.

No, I gocha....I appreciate the input. Im just trying to understand the mechanical function of it a bit better.

It would seem to me a heavier buffer would make it short stroke no?

Eric D.
11-01-11, 15:58
That's usually what happens. I don't have an explanation for why the enhanced bolt is the problem.

The buffer's primary function is to "dead blow" the carrier to prevent bolt bounce. It has a secondary function of adding to reciprocating mass and slowing carrier velocity. This issue has come up a few times where the bolt isn't being locked back but it doesn't appear to be a short stroke. Its my guess that the buffer/bcg elastically impacts the receiver extension, sending the carrier forward faster than it would be otherwise and the bolt passes the bolt catch before the mag follower pushes it up enough.

A heavier buffer will slow the carrier down and the heavier spring will absorb more energy.


It would seem to me a heavier buffer would make it short stroke no?

MovinMan
11-01-11, 16:30
Ahhhhh.......that makes sense.

So the BCG is bouncing off the the buffer when the spring is compressed too fast and the bolt catch doesnt have time to pop up and grab it before its slammed back forward.

Sounds right to me.

I would imagine a slower cycling system is easier on parts and felt recoil anyways....as long as it operates properly.

davidjinks
11-02-11, 08:20
OP

You said that when you took the enhanced bolt out the problem went away, right?

But when you put it back in, the problem came back?

If that's the case, I would stop using the enhanced bolt and go with a standard bolt. I believe C4 already stated this. Going to a heavier buffer and spring may prolong the solution to the problem.

J Krammes
11-02-11, 10:31
OK, help me understand this real quick.

An H3 buffer is the heaviest right? So wouldnt a heavier buffer cause it to short stroke...... exacerbating the problem? Or does a heavy buffer add to reciprocating mass and allow the bolt to travel further back against the buffer spring?




In your situation an H3 should not cause a short stroke. It will keep the bolt closed a bit longer allowing the pressure to drop a bit before unlocking (dwell time). With an SBR and suppressor you are dumping alot of gas into the gun making the BCG most likely out run the mag spring. The H3 will slow down the carrier speed too. I had to go to an H3 in my 10.5" AR for a similar issue. I have not tryed the blue spring yet. I will eventually go to an A5.

Jk

MovinMan
11-02-11, 14:58
OP

You said that when you took the enhanced bolt out the problem went away, right?

But when you put it back in, the problem came back?

If that's the case, I would stop using the enhanced bolt and go with a standard bolt. I believe C4 already stated this. Going to a heavier buffer and spring may prolong the solution to the problem.

Actually, I think I am going to do both, lose the bolt and switch to an H3. I want to heaviest buffer I can use without short stroking it anyways.

Again, thanks for the feedback guys.