|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I have read about NiB carriers getting stuck in the reciever after be fired and stowed away in the safe, something to do with carbon build up
I've done various tests on my own with NiB BCGs vs. phosphate. All else being equal (lots of lube on both, as it should be) the NiB absolutely has less friction.
Time after time, repeatably, using adj. gas, and various A5 buffers, I can get any of my rifles to shoot a certain way (very soft, yet still maintain fast cycle rate.) I've then immediately thrown in a soaking wet BCM or other phosphate carrier and had issues (not cycling properly/locking back on the last round etc.) I would have to increase gas and possibly change buffers to get the phosphate carrier to cycle properly - basically converting the rifle back to more of a wide open gas, normal buffer, default setup. Then it functioned just fine - no better, no worse.
I've tried this probably 3 times with the same results. The NiB carrier (with lube) lets you tweak stuff you normally can't with a phosphate carrier. I think that's why a lot of 3gun products are polished and/or use various coatings etc. They allow some further room for adjustment because there's less friction.
I had my AR10 carrier NiB'd and that made a huge difference in how my 308 cycles. That heavy 308 carrier felt like I was dragging a ball and chain through sand (exaggeration) when I'd pull it back and forth through the upper just using gravity. Now it feels completely different. It just slides back and forth with little effort and I was able to turn the gas way down on it and still have it function reliably when dirty/full of carbon, in the cold.
So IMO there's absolutely no question as to there being less friction with NiB on a carrier. It is not a replacement for lube, but both complement each other greatly. I'd never run without lube no matter what the marketing guys say.
And that right there is what got NiB it's bad name - it was marketed, and still is, as a "replacement" for lube. That killed it for a lot of people right there (myself included), because they know they're FOS. I'm sure you can run without lube to a point. Why would you want to? Do they really think heavy, moving, dissimilar metal objects scraping/crashing into each other under high heat over and over without lube is a good idea?
I have one of each, both perform very well, if I had to choose one I think the NiB carriers seem to feel a little smoother, but both have been awesome ( I run them well lubed regardless.)
IMHO the primary benefit advanced coatings offer is reduced carrier friction, noticeably less than even lubed phosphate.
Your common 16" mids and 14.5" carbines with carbine/H1 buffers and stock action springs will hardly see a functional benefit from a low-friction carrier. Neither will an overgassed setup. However, a 14.5" middy or something tuned to be soft-shooting could use that extra edge to keep it operating with weaker ammo or when very dirty.
The advanced coatings win here. You could achieve close to that level of low friction (for free) by polishing the rails and bearing surfaces, but the con is poor lube retention on those surfaces and therefore less corrosion resistance. The one thing you have to watch out for is tolerances - most coatings add thickness, which may cause problems such as a tight bolt in the carrier or tight carrier in the upper.
FWIW FireClean sticks to NiB, so you can have your cake and eat it, too![]()
Last edited by bruin; 03-27-13 at 16:10. Reason: Brahmzy beat me to it - I agree completely
One thing I've always wondered about is whether or not the polishing done before coatings is the biggest benefit in the whole equation.
Sent from my iPhone on tapatalk
Sounds like a one these coated BCG could be useful if a person shoots a lot of weaker Russian ammo? No hi-jack intended.
One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine.
I have had my AR for 2 months and cannot seem to stop stripping it and lubing and stripping and putting it back just to do it again tomorrow. I find it somewhat relaxing and each time I feel more familiar with it.
Can it be done too many times?
Will I wear it down just from taking it down so much?
I use a mix of STP, Mobil 1, and a special ingredient suggested by a Vet...
Are there better cheaper options than leftover motor oil?
I also noticed in the cleaning your rifle thread that a bore snake was not mentioned... are they bad for the barrel?
Thank you for any replies.
"I prefer dangerous freedom to peaceful slavery." -Thomas Jefferson
Bookmarks