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Thread: Who actually makes the bolt in the BCG?

  1. #1
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    Who actually makes the bolt in the BCG?

    Question for those in the know:
    As title asks - who actually makes the bolt?

    Recall reading that a "batch" of 158 carpenter steel costs something in the range of $500.000, based on which I assume only a limited amount of manufacturers actually have the means to purchase and manufacture the bolt.

    And what about the carriers and other parts?

    Is there some magic castle in the sky that machines all the bolts (and carriers), which then "fall" to earth for all the manufacturers to put their finishing touches on (gas key, staking, HP/MPT etc etc).

    Based on this info, aren't all BCG's more or less identical in origin, but the parts/testing used during final assembly is where it all happens?

    Or am I completely misguided and misinformed?

    (by the way - this is not a question why or not HP/MPT is redundant..... )
    Per Ardua ad Astra.
    STS - gone but not forgotten.

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    There's probably just a few manufacturers... the question would likely be to the customer.... "what do you want done to the bolts and how do you want them marked?"

    Then the bolts that fail a QC check probably go to the bottom feeder companies... etc.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    So it would be safe to assume that there's virtually no or little difference between a BCM, DD or even Colt BCG - other than the logo....
    Is the info about the carpenter steel correct, or just another internet fish wives tale?
    Per Ardua ad Astra.
    STS - gone but not forgotten.

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    Quote Originally Posted by polydeuces View Post
    So it would be safe to assume that there's virtually no or little difference between a BCM, DD or even Colt BCG - other than the logo....
    Is the info about the carpenter steel correct, or just another internet fish wives tale?
    No. I've noticed that the COLT finish on my Colt bolts is tougher. I'd run any of those bolts though.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    Quote Originally Posted by polydeuces View Post
    So it would be safe to assume that there's virtually no or little difference between a BCM, DD or even Colt BCG - other than the logo....
    Is the info about the carpenter steel correct, or just another internet fish wives tale?
    I have been lead to believe that there are variances allowed in the TDP IF the manufacturer can prove that the material they are using is equal to or better than what the spec calls for.

    So I think Colt differs in some areas and is why their products are better (in certain areas) than other companies. I imagine this is why they would sooner NOT compete in a contract than have to share their knowledge with a competitor (assuming that it is a multi-award contract and everyone has to share the TDP).



    C4

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    I don't quite think you understand what ordering metal means. There is many variables to look at, such as density, truness, quality etc. Just because you buy type "A" such and such type of material, doesn't mean it will be quality. You will find this out if you ever have to deal with buying stainless etc stock metal.

    B: the logistics. It may cost 500$ to buy, but can cost an additional 1k to ship. Metal is heavy, especially SOLID metal.

    Also, provider means a lot, as this goes back to my original ordeal. Quality. Ordering from a shit provider means you will most likely get shit as a result. Bolt makers don't skimp, they generally buy from top end providers, and pay a premium on metal, due to the fact it was all made in top tier company locations.

    Also, shipping. Sure you can buy a massive rod (they generally come in rods, but heck, you can buy square solid as well, just expect a massive amount of cost to machine the square metal down to round), you have to take into matter of the rod being bent, which is generally what happens when ordered from a dealer. If the OD isn't enough, there is no way to true it to straight flat. IE the smallest defect in curvature can basically make your buy go from hopefull, to holy crap I just wasted all that money, plus leaving you stick with a massive rod, or many chunks of metal. This leads me to the other part, and that's when buying bulk almost no company cuts it down without a decent cost, into sized pieces. This is the worst thing to do, as if it's not true, it can ruin many, MANY pieces. Remember, when a bolt MFG takes a massive rod and cuts it down, they can make trueness per bolt cut on the actual rod, thus eliminating as much out of wack metal as possible. All things to think of.

    IMO, if a company can't get metal, they can't get it. If you can get something, it's most likely metal a company has skipped on. And last, having a company that makes bolts themselves make custom bolts just seems bas-awkards, as if it was beneficial they would already be making them, themselves.

    Just my 2 cents.
    From TOS ... "buy the shit out of that thing, all the mil spec is just nonsense."

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    Quote Originally Posted by discreet View Post
    And last, having a company that makes bolts themselves make custom bolts just seems bas-awkards, as if it was beneficial they would already be making them, themselves.

    Just my 2 cents.

    I'm kind of confused by your last statement. Just for clarification, do you think the KAC E3 bolt is not beneficial?

    Or do you mean something like asking DPMS to make a 9310 bolt is stupid?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dsm2nr View Post
    I'm kind of confused by your last statement. Just for clarification, do you think the KAC E3 bolt is not beneficial?

    Or do you mean something like asking DPMS to make a 9310 bolt is stupid?
    As for the KAC E3 bolt, no clue, never used one. What I said had no meaning about whether something is good or not.

    I meant contracting a company to make a slew of bolts for you seemed rather strange, and IMO many companies would probably just sell their own stock of bolts, rather than just make some for someone. Generally a company uses their own distributors and sources for metal, to assure their reputation isn't ruined due to some variable that could arise from someone else sourcing the metal for them.

    And asking a company like DPMS? hell yea that's stupid. LOL. It's DPMS. I wouldn't ever have any such company custom one, when they can't even build their own brand ones right.

    I did slightly mis-read the OPS original post though, as I was reading the article on my phone, and not on my larger screen. I see now he wasn't talking about buying stock and having someone do something, so in that case, my post is pretty much meaningless anyways.
    From TOS ... "buy the shit out of that thing, all the mil spec is just nonsense."

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    Removed by Suwannee.
    Last edited by Suwannee Tim; 12-31-11 at 06:17.

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    Quote Originally Posted by discreet View Post
    As for the KAC E3 bolt, no clue, never used one. What I said had no meaning about whether something is good or not.

    I meant contracting a company to make a slew of bolts for you seemed rather strange, and IMO many companies would probably just sell their own stock of bolts, rather than just make some for someone. Generally a company uses their own distributors and sources for metal, to assure their reputation isn't ruined due to some variable that could arise from someone else sourcing the metal for them.

    And asking a company like DPMS? hell yea that's stupid. LOL. It's DPMS. I wouldn't ever have any such company custom one, when they can't even build their own brand ones right.

    I did slightly mis-read the OPS original post though, as I was reading the article on my phone, and not on my larger screen. I see now he wasn't talking about buying stock and having someone do something, so in that case, my post is pretty much meaningless anyways.
    Thanks for the clarification. And DPMS was just an extreme example.

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