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Thread: Best brand/source for bolt only, no carrier?

  1. #1
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    Best brand/source for bolt only, no carrier?

    What is the best brand and source for a mil-spec Carpenter 158 phosphate 5.56 bolt by itself, not a complete BCG?

    I did not post this in the where-to-get-it thread as I think it may entail more discussion.
    Last edited by Disciple; 05-19-23 at 16:09. Reason: typo
    "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

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    SOLGW, BCM, Colt are solid choices. Between those three flip a quarter.
    You won't outvote the corruption.
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    Best brand/source for bolt only, no carrier?

    I’d probably pick up a few of these while they are on sale.

    https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts/...ly-nitride-mp/

    I don’t know about best, but for bolts only, some of the best options are more limited. IE: Sionics

    I now see this isn’t C158 but 9310 so doesn’t fit your stated requirements.
    Last edited by HKGuns; 05-14-23 at 18:01.

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    Quote Originally Posted by prepare View Post
    SOLGW, BCM, Colt are solid choices. Between those three flip a quarter.
    Which vendor has the best price?


    Quote Originally Posted by HKGuns View Post
    I’d probably pick up a few of these while they are on sale.

    https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts/...ly-nitride-mp/
    Have you used that one?

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    Best brand/source for bolt only, no carrier?

    Quote Originally Posted by Disciple View Post
    Which vendor has the best price?




    Have you used that one?
    Yep. I had one as a spare and used it in a more recent build. Not a lot of rounds down that particular barrel however.

    If you are stuck with C158 I’d probably wait until these are in stock and maybe use one of those in the interim and toss it in your spares bin when you can find a good C158 in stock.

    Pickings seem pretty slim for C158 bolts only, that are actually in stock. Good or bad quality.

    https://sonsoflibertygw.com/shop/solgwbolt556158c/
    Last edited by HKGuns; 05-14-23 at 18:08.

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    Quote Originally Posted by HKGuns View Post
    Pickings seem pretty slim for C158 bolts only, that are actually in stock. Good or bad quality.
    I'll keep an eye on the SOLGW page. I am under the impression that C158/phosphate is a safer bet for "duty grade." I remember reading that the critical bores in nitride carriers are incorrect more often, presumably because they were manufactured with allowance for hard chrome (not applicable here but still a point of reference), and that 9310 bolts are more likely to have heat treatment issues than C158. I am open to the existence of a known-good nitride 9310 bolt.
    Last edited by Disciple; 05-14-23 at 18:54.

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    I should have read more before posting.

    Quote Originally Posted by lysander View Post
    Carpenter 158 is a proprietary alloy, and only available from Carpenter Technology. If you want some, you probably have to get a few tons of it. AISI 9310 is non-proprietary and available from many different foundries, in smaller quantities, and probably a lot cheaper. Many AR bolt manufacturers make bolts from 9310, and they work just fine and last just as long, but they will never be "proven" until somebody with really deep pockets reaches into those pockets and funds a serious test of the two bolts. And, the only folks with pockets that deep have no incentive to conduct such a test, because they have something that works, either 158 or 9310.
    Damn, I even posted in that thread. My memory is not what I wish it were.
    Last edited by Disciple; 05-14-23 at 19:27.

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    Quote Originally Posted by constructor View Post
    Any nitride/melonite treated bolt is inferior to a bolt that has been properly heat treated.
    So I guess for the moment 9310 is in but nitride is out. lol

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    Well, you could grab one from us.
    https://blackrivertactical.com/WP/BR...MPI-p469551782

    Quote Originally Posted by Disciple View Post
    What is the best brand and source for a mil-spec Carpenter 158 phosphate 5.56 bolt by itself, not a complete BCG?
    Black River Tactical
    BRT OPTIMUM Hammer Forged Chrome Lined Barrels - 11.5", 12.5", 14.5", 16"
    BRT EZTUNE Preset Gas Tubes - PISTOL, CAR, MID, RIFLE
    BRT Bolt Carrier Groups M4A1, M16 CHROME
    BRT Covert Comps 5.56, 6X, 7.62

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