Is an AR 15 bcg change ok

[opelboy]

I have a bushmaster predator that I have had for a long time that I shoot suppressed. I hunt groundhogs with it so it rides around in the back of the Jeep for weeks between cleaning. When I do clean it it’s dirty and the bolt is a little rusty where the black coating is wore off. I heard years ago that you can’t change out the bolt carrier group because they wear into a groove and a new one won’t work right. Is this a myth or is there some truth to it? I was thinking about switching to nickel boron or some other finish. It has less than 2k rounds on it

 

[Kadams1563]

That seems like a crock of shit.

People are putting 50k rounds through guns and changing BCG’s to the latest and greatest.

 

[nn8734]

Never heard of that but it’s best to check with the manufacturer if you have specific technical concerns.

I’ve changed out BCGs on all my ARs at various points over the years and never had any problems. I do check headspace with go and no-go gauges with any new barrel or bolt.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

Think about all the military BCG's that have gotten mixed around over the last 60 years.

 

[101stinfantry]

Here is a general rule to follow, though it really only pertains to weapons that see a high round count. The carrier can be changed whenever. On bolts, new bolt with used barrel, typically you won't put a used bolt from another gun, into a different gun w/o checking headspace.

 

[rangerlong]

You could just get a new carrier with a better coating and continue to use your existing bolt, assuming your bolt and gas rings are good.

 

[opelboy]

Thanks for the info, my gut feeling was what you guys are telling me but I just wanted to see what other people have experienced before I pull the trigger on a new bolt...?