The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: billt on February 20, 2018, 11:01:49 AM
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Got a question for you AR guys. With all other things equal, (Buffer tube, and buffer tube spring), is running an M-16 bolt carrier group easier on the gun than an AR-15 bolt carrier group is? What I mean is, I swapped out the stock AR-15 bolt carrier group from one of my Bushmaster M-4's, and installed a Nickel Boron Coated M-16 bolt carrier group from Aries Armor. The gun runs fine. Both feeds and ejects beautifully. I'm thinking with the added mass of the M-16 BCG, it will be somewhat easier on the gun because it will slow down the cycle time.
Am I right or wrong? I'm asking because I have another BCM M-16 BCG I'm thinking of putting in my other Bushmaster 20" rifle. I figure since I have the thing, why not use it? I bought it for an "emergency" spare. But I figure I'll run it and keep the original as a spare. I would rather not start switching buffer tubes and springs. Especially since what I've got already in there is working fine. What do you guys think? This is the M-4, and the 20" rifle I want to put the BCM M-16 BCG in.
(https://i.imgur.com/EayE1to.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/K6tqZbk.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/C6aDure.jpg?2)
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They were originally designed to use M16 BCGs so unless they changed something else besides the BCG I would go ahead and use them.
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BillT, you're correct, the M-16 bolt is heavier and slows the cyclic rate which in turn makes for less wear on the rifle.
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Here's an article about bolt carriers that compares the M16 style and what came in my Colt. I also have the original style solid firing pin retainers shown here in both of my ARs. They don't bend like the cotter pin style does. If one side of the end piece breaks off the retainer the rifle remains functional. http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/bolt-carrier-assembly-heart-ar-15/
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I run M16 carriers in my ARs....just be sure that if you have an AR15 carrier that the firing pin is shrouded (you can't see the edge of the rear of the firing pin), so that on recoil, the hammer is cocked by the carrier and not the firing pin... my early Colt beat up the firing pin pretty severely