Broken Bolt Carrier survey

[EricCartmann]

Originally Posted by nikon777

A bushmaster bolt that took a crap at 1200 rounds. Some how I aint surprised.

Actually it was a Bushmaster M16 bolt, and the guy did say he bought it used, it crapped out about 1200 rounds for him in Full Auto.

Now in general, Bushmaster do not ship full auto M16 bolts with their rifles. If you go semi auto, your bolt life increases 2-3 times. Also Bushmaster has excellent customer service, so if you do get premature wear, they will make it right. All Bolts are prone to failure, that is the design flaw of the AR.

[nikon777]

Yeah I'm just giving you guys a hard time. No telling how many rounds it had prior to the failure.

[mvician]

Originally Posted by EricCartmann

Actually it was a Bushmaster M16 bolt

Now in general, Bushmaster do not ship full auto M16 bolts with their rifles. If you go semi auto, your bolt life increases 2-3 times.

All Bolts are prone to failure, that is the design flaw of the AR.

A bolt is a bolt, no difference in them between AR15 and M16, the carrier is what is different

[EricCartmann]

Originally Posted by mvician

A bolt is a bolt, no difference in them between AR15 and M16, the carrier is what is different

that's right

Most people buy the carrier complete, and we all get "Bolt" and "Bolt Carrier Group" mixed up sometimes.

[Eric911]

I managed to crack an ealy OA bolt in half, at the cam pin hole.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally Posted by nikon777

why wouldn't you want your rifle as reliable as possible? You obviously don't plan to use yours for self defense.

Thats like saying adding an intake to your SVT will help HP and fuel economy, but most people only do it to be cool. Why wouldn't you want more horse power and better fuel economy?

+1 Excellent post. You get what you pay for.
Pat

[ARin]

never witnessed, seen or even really anecdotally heard of carrier failure ever.

BOLT failure on the other hand, while i have not had a bolt fail personally...i have seen many fail at classes, or brought into the shop for repair. Bolt lug and cam pin hole primarily.

Henderson Defense AR15's will most likely be carrying a LIFETIME bolt breakage replacement guarantee here in the near future. We are considering including a lifetime LPK parts guarantee also.

We are still a few months off from turning out HDI factory AR's in quantity, but they will be TOP quality, and we are having our parts manufactured to our own rigorous specs.

[AZXD]

I'm just curious if anyone can provide evidence of a failure that cannot be attributed to neglect ???

[Chuckles]

Well, I bought a used bolt/carrier assembly with a 20inch A2 barrel assy (Colt mfg) many years ago. About three thousand rounds later, while cleaning and inspecting, I found a radial crack where the cam pin fits into the bolt head. It was where the ridge forms a 'belt' around the bolt.

[IamCPTSpalding]

Originally Posted by Chuckles

Well, I bought a used bolt/carrier assembly with a 20inch A2 barrel assy (Colt mfg) many years ago. About three thousand rounds later, while cleaning and inspecting, I found a radial crack where the cam pin fits into the bolt head. It was where the ridge forms a 'belt' around the bolt.

While serving, during weapons cleaning after range days, and after assaults (if given the time), your inspection of your weapon included LOOKING at your bolt. If you found your bolt to have any deformations/cracks/broken locking lugs you were to report it, and get a replacement from the armorer. Anyway, in our Company, only 1 bolt was ever replaced due to a "ridge" that formed at the cam pin hole. Good luck, or grace, or just quality steel kept our weapons rocking. You can't make a machine failure proof, but proper preventative maintenance (cleaning) will definitely help.
Point being, I'm sure there has been a bolt failure out there, maybe even gas rings worn to the hilt, but the carrier itself is a hard thing to beat down.

Anyway, cool discussion. Hope we can get some pics!!!