Lightwieght AR bolt carrier???/

[9mmJ]

Got an email from AIM Surplus about their new light weight bolt carrier. I have never thought about the weight of the bolt group.

What is the advantage of a lighter bolt??? Or is this some snake oil??


http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...098cf-17908349

[Irving]

Faster action and less wear I think.

[nisils14]

A low mass bolt carrier follows the idea of lesser reciprocating mass, which in terms in the performance of a AR platform can help reduce recoil pulses associated with the action as it cycles. Reduced gas flow is needed to properly cycle a low mass system. This is typically acheived with a adjustable gas block or reduced gas port diameter on the barrel.

[Tim K]

Set up correctly, a low mass carrier in combination with an appropriate spring and buffer and an adjustable gas block can yield a rifle that feels exactly like a bolt gun. Done right, the results are amazing.

Changing to a low mass BCG without touching anything else might well compromise performance and reliability.

[Irving]

Feel like a bolt gun in what sense? Would you mind expanding on that part?

[ray1970]

Feel like a bolt gun in what sense? Would you mind expanding on that part?

You missed his thread about spotting hits through the scope?

[KS63]

For the price it's worth picking one up. Low mass or not.

[MarkCO]

A properly tuned gun runs better. Low mass has less reciprocating mass and thus less recoil impulse. It "can" cycle faster or slower based on the load and the tune. However, adjustable gas is NOT necessary. That is a band aid to compensate for too much gas. It is all a system. If you do not have the right parts, a low mass carrier will just wear parts faster (accelerate bolt fatigue, cam pin path wear etc.). If you have a decent comp and are willing to adjust your load, you can get amazing results, in fact much better than just a gas tune. If you are Mil-Spec and plinking, not worth the effort.

The one in your link, not worth it at all. The rails have not been increased to maintain the proper normal force.

[9mmJ]

A properly tuned gun runs better. Low mass has less reciprocating mass and thus less recoil impulse. It "can" cycle faster or slower based on the load and the tune. However, adjustable gas is NOT necessary. That is a band aid to compensate for too much gas. It is all a system. If you do not have the right parts, a low mass carrier will just wear parts faster (accelerate bolt fatigue, cam pin path wear etc.). If you have a decent comp and are willing to adjust your load, you can get amazing results, in fact much better than just a gas tune. If you are Mil-Spec and plinking, not worth the effort.

The one in your link, not worth it at all. The rails have not been increased to maintain the proper normal force.

Great info. Thank you!

[Tim K]

Feel like a bolt gun in what sense? Would you mind expanding on that part?

The recoil cycle feels like a bolt gun. On a well set up AR, the cycling of the bolt is virtually undetectable. It's a single recoil impulse just like a bolt rifle. On an average AR, you get the initial recoil, then the mass of the bolt banging around. It messes with your ability to see where your bullets are impacting on the target. A well tuned AR is quite a revelation. If you're not running high magnification optics, I don't think it matters.