Seasoning the Bolt Carrier?

[bamashooter]

No, not salt and pepper, not Lawry’s, not tobasco...

I’m talking about treating the bolt carrier with lube to make it buttery smooth...

Just purchased a new BCM MCMR and my LGS (a big tactical guy), said a couple of “teams guys” he knows showed him a trick to seasoning the Bolt Carrier. They strip it down, remove the pin, bolt, etc. then put it into a small tin tray, cover it in your fave lube. then set it out into the sun for an entire day. The LGS owner said he’s done this with every Bolt Carrier since and had has insane results. Said it’s like a Teflon coating.. he equated it to seasoning an iron skillet, but impregnating the carrier with high end lube. Said his BCGs action like butter afterwards. And that it lasts for 20,000 rds.

Thoughts? Is this a thing? Go easy on me, I’m just getting back into ARs.

What are the expected gains and results? Though I was never a "team" guy, I played with many as a member of the Navy / Army and as a govt civilian. Never heard of or witnessed this or anything close to this. I reckon if smoothness is your goal and the hope is the smoothness pays dividends beyond expectations of a quality carrier, then you might want to check out a shiny nickel boron carrier. Mine is smooth as glass but I prefer something that likes and holds lube.

[Five_Point_Five_Six]

I’m not saying you are wrong, but the lightweight barrel versus the heavier mill spec barrel debate was a decision I came to before discussing it with my local gun shop. When looking at their in stock items, I consulted with a few friends of mine and reviewed a few videos from chisel chest type tactical guys on YouTube. However the biggest weight I gave on this was from a very good friend of mine who spent 10 years as a full-time swat Operator for a large metropolitan police force. He’s also the guy who did research on their SBRs, ammunition, and has been a FA instructor for decades. This friend also owns several SBRs and said that in his experience that lighter weight barrels can sometimes develop accuracy issues once the barrel becomes overheated during rapidfire situations. This was qualified with the, “it’s not very likely to happen”, But with the recommendation it was better to go with the beefier barrel. I am sure the lightweight barrel from BCM is superb and more than adequate.

I’ve always felt that over the years I’ve known quite a bit about firearms, I’ve been shooting for 40 years, and have owned ARs for 30 years. I carry a handgun and use an AR daily at work, but my friend’s Gun credentials make me look like a kindergartner. I also know there is a ton of experience and knowledge here on this forum, and I don’t want to disrespect that as well. But don’t judge the local gun shop folks too harshly, because they simply agreed with me when I asked for the heavier barrel version.

As to the seasoning of the barrel, I’m Not sure how, but the oil IS absorbing in...? And like I said, you all could be right, and I’m wasting my time. But I’m having fun with it.

Sounds like you have all the answers. Carry on.

[Trihonda]

I had fun putting this together. Who knows if it helped. Didn’t hurt. I’m no Spielberg, so no apologies on the lack of cinematic excellence.

[Wake27]

OK, update. I’m doing this. I’m also making a video of the process, and results. But for those advocating this is dumb because the BCG won’t absorb, I can tell you that I coated the BCG with two kinds of lubricant (Hoppes and Amsoil MP), and after 3 hours in the sun, the BCG was dry. I’ve reapplied oil, and will keep doing so periodically through the day.

Also, this isn’t a ton of effort, so if it ends up being dumb, oh well, I got to play with gun parts and gun oil, so no big loss...

First thing I’d recommend is some decent lube.


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[Trihonda]

First thing I’d recommend is some decent lube.


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Ha, that's fair... at the time of shooting my big video, I couldn't find my supply of Break-Free CLP. It's what we use at work, and what I gravitate to. The Amsoil MP stuff is pretty nice IMHO, but I usually use it on knives...

[Defaultmp3]

Ha, that's fair... at the time of shooting my big video, I couldn't find my supply of Break-Free CLP. It's what we use at work, and what I gravitate to. The Amsoil MP stuff is pretty nice IMHO, but I usually use it on knives...

Break-Free isn't considered a good firearms lube, either. That being said, the lube wars are also pretty overblown.

[JoshNC]

It’s a bolt group. Lube it with ALG Go Juice or Slip 2000 and go shoot your rifle. This “seasoning” you’re doing is a silly exercise in exercising. What could you possibly hope to gain?

[MegademiC]

Break-Free isn't considered a good firearms lube, either. That being said, the lube wars are also pretty overblown.

This. Clp works. I moved to motor oil, then slip.

Slip smokes less, stays longer, and cleans easier... but unless your gun malfunctions(Health concerns as well), it doesnt matter.

A lot of stuff works, I found one that does what I want. Simple as that.

[Trihonda]

Break-Free isn't considered a good firearms lube, either. That being said, the lube wars are also pretty overblown.

It’s a bolt group. Lube it with ALG Go Juice or Slip 2000 and go shoot your rifle. This “seasoning” you’re doing is a silly exercise in exercising. What could you possibly hope to gain?

Well, I did mention that I'm relatively new here, and new to the finer points of all the recent gun-geek-dom. 20 years ago I was reading G&A cover to cover, etc.. I knew all the ins and outs and the latest kits to buy, etc... I still carry guns every day, shoot regularly, but I don't live, breathe and sleep guns these days. I don't know what I don't know.. Which is WHY I'm here.

[26 Inf]

I had fun putting this together. Who knows if it helped. Didn’t hurt. I’m no Spielberg, so no apologies on the lack of cinematic excellence.

That was actually better than most of the youtube videos I've watched - you got in and out in 2:36, some fools take 16:00 to unbox an LPK.

I think you did suffer from some anticipatory bias, though. I doubt the sky will fall.