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Thread: bolt carrier markings

  1. #21
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    Toolcraft stamps their carriers with their cage code. Their bolts should be etched with MPI.
    My LMT carriers are unmarked and their bolt markings vary; I've even had LMT bolts with BM etched onto them. These are legit LMT bolts from a known good online distributor. Others have had BF, BP and I think FP.
    Spikes' will have their carriers laser etched with their spider(newer ones from 08 or 09 and up) and their bolts will be laser etched MPI/HP. Spikes' older BCGs were made by Rock River. You can identify those by their lateral line "staking". It isn't really a staking, more a witness mark so that you can verify when it starts to rotate.
    I can't remember my CMT BCG having any markings? I didn't have it long as the host rifle was crap and was sold soon after purchase.
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  2. #22
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    Oh yes, forgot about Toolcraft. I believe it's 1B1B6 and some BCM carriers are marked 342X6.

    The LMT ones aren't an enigma really. They generally have 2 letter codes on them like AJ, AY, etc... I thought they had MP markings on them. But, I can't remember since I rarely use them due to lack of availability. CMT bolts are marked faintly with the letters CM on the bolt. The carriers are not marked to my knowledge.

    Quote Originally Posted by jwperry View Post
    Toolcraft stamps their carriers with their cage code. Their bolts should be etched with MPI.
    My LMT carriers are unmarked and their bolt markings vary; I've even had LMT bolts with BM etched onto them. These are legit LMT bolts from a known good online distributor. Others have had BF, BP and I think FP.
    Spikes' will have their carriers laser etched with their spider(newer ones from 08 or 09 and up) and their bolts will be laser etched MPI/HP. Spikes' older BCGs were made by Rock River. You can identify those by their lateral line "staking". It isn't really a staking, more a witness mark so that you can verify when it starts to rotate.
    I can't remember my CMT BCG having any markings? I didn't have it long as the host rifle was crap and was sold soon after purchase.



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  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    If it was made by FN then it's not a Colt BCG. There was some debate as to how those FN items made it to the streets since they are not allowed to sell certain items commercially.
    Duh, I knew that! It was an FN M16 BCG that I ended up putting in a Colt, hence the mix-up (post edited, sorry for the confusion). Not sure, but I am guessing that FN suppliers sold excess/over-runs/etc. with the proof mark ground off to remove any evidence that they were designated for FN, as to not get caught violating the Colt/FN non-compete agreement.

    Bottom line for the OP is that if you see a carrier in the wild without any markings (ala LMT) or with the markings ground off (ala some FNs), it isn't an automatic red-flag that it's a sub-par BCG.

  4. #24
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    I don't think they would do that and risk getting slammed by the government. The money that they would make wouldn't be worth the risk.

    Quote Originally Posted by freefly View Post
    Duh, I knew that! It was an FN M16 BCG that I ended up putting in a Colt, hence the mix-up (post edited, sorry for the confusion). Not sure, but I am guessing that FN suppliers sold excess/over-runs/etc. with the proof mark ground off to remove any evidence that they were designated for FN, as to not get caught violating the Colt/FN non-compete agreement.

    Bottom line for the OP is that if you see a carrier in the wild without any markings (ala LMT) or with the markings ground off (ala some FNs), it isn't an automatic red-flag that it's a sub-par BCG.



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  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Oh yes, forgot about Toolcraft. I believe it's 1B1B6 and some BCM carriers are marked 342X6.

    The LMT ones aren't an enigma really. They generally have 2 letter codes on them like AJ, AY, etc... I thought they had MP markings on them. But, I can't remember since I rarely use them due to lack of availability. CMT bolts are marked faintly with the letters CM on the bolt. The carriers are not marked to my knowledge.
    I have 4 or so LMT bolts at my house, I can check to see if they are MP marked when I get home from work.
    You dig your grave with your fork.

  6. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    FN carriers (at least those I have seen) are marked with an F. The bolts are marked MP F with an underscore under the F. DPMS carriers are marked with a D or two small dots.
    I have on that is clearly marked FN, but the one I mentioned earlier with the "ground off" proof mark has a very faint "F" (only) that you can see. I think it may just be a difference is their suppliers, but who knows...

  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    I don't think they would do that and risk getting slammed by the government. The money that they would make wouldn't be worth the risk.
    They (FN) probably had little control on what their suppliers did with over-runs and/or returned lots. The government could care less I would imagine. Colt's legal team on the other had probably has a different stance on the matter!

    It may have been a non-sanctioned maneuver by one or more individuals working for an FN supplier that “acquired” a large batch/lot of BCGs and proceeded to grind off the proof marks to help mitigate the evidence trail. Would be interesting to know the real story...
    Last edited by freefly; 03-31-13 at 03:45.

  8. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    The LMT ones aren't an enigma really. They generally have 2 letter codes on them like AJ, AY, etc... I thought they had MP markings on them. But, I can't remember since I rarely use them due to lack of availability. CMT bolts are marked faintly with the letters CM on the bolt. The carriers are not marked to my knowledge.
    The two I have here are marked "MP"

  9. #29
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    I guess you misunderstood. FN cannot provide any parts other than barrels (AFAIK) to anyone outside of the military. They are still under contract producing M16A4's and soon M4A1 carbines.

    Again, I may be wrong but that is my understanding.

    Quote Originally Posted by freefly View Post
    They (FN) probably had little control on what their suppliers did with over-runs and/or returned lots. The government could care less I would imagine. Colt's legal team on the other had probably has a different stance on the matter!

    It may have been a non-sanctioned maneuver by one or more individuals working for an FN supplier that “acquired” a large batch/lot of BCGs and proceeded to grind off the proof marks to help mitigate the evidence trail. Would be interesting to know the real story...



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  10. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Check the various threads Del-ton bolts where the locking lugs virtually disappeared during some type of shooting malfunction. One was even attempted to be passed off and sent back to BCM.

    From what I saw the bolt markings were the same or similar.
    hmm i will have to check that out. the delton i got has never had a malfunction and its lasted me a couple years and only recently have i begun to understand more about ARs so i may still deal with delton in the future or i may just keep this one where its at and buy hire quality for my next AR projects. im more inclined to buy higher quality for my other AR projects since i got the time and the money will come eventually.
    Last edited by K_K; 03-31-13 at 12:46.
    The sword sang on the barren heath,
    The sickle in the fruitful field:
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