AR Bolt Carrier Group Buyers Guide

AR Bolt Carrier Group Buyers Guide

AR BCG

As you have undoubtedly noticed by now, every single part of the AR platform has been redesigned, reworked and reinvented to ad infinitum. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the rifle and its variants have been so popular with gun enthusiasts over the decades. Its modularity is infinite and the customization possibilities are endless.

While every part on the AR is important to its function, perhaps the Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) is one of the hardest working components in the system. The major parts of the BCG include the bolt, bolt carrier, and firing pin, which along with its smaller parts contribute to a smooth shooting, accurate and dependable firearm. What’s not to like?

Back in the day, there weren’t many BCG options available for AR owners. You basically had them in your choice of parkerized or phosphate coated and in semi- or full-auto configurations. Nowadays, they can be had in every sort of high tech coating in a rainbow of colors, profiles, calibers and weights. Some AR shooters prefer certain BCGs for functionality reasons such as tuning for less recoil or a faster shooting gun. Others may just like the look of a certain BCG. The beauty of it is that now AR users have more choices than ever before.

The following guide includes close to 40 BCG’s in a wide selection of calibers, but believe us when we say that there are many more models out there. Some of the BCG’s in this guide are the latest in cutting edge innovation and some are old classics. Take a look to see which ones pique your interest.

1 .Make: Bravo Company USA
Model: BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) – Auto
Finish: Parkerized
MSRP: $169
URL: bravocompanyusa.com

2. Make: Noveske
Model: RCA 5.56 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group – M16
Finish: Black Nitride
MSRP: $195
URL: noveske.com

3. Make: V Seven Weapon Systems
Model: V Seven Titanium BCG
Finish: Nickel Boron
MSRP: $359
URL: vsevenweaponsystems.com

4. Make: 2A Armament
Model: AR15 Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier
Finish: Ion Bond Black
MSRP: $439
URL: 2a-arms.com

5. Make: 2A Armament
Model: AR15 Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier
Finish: Bead Blast Matte
MSRP: $439
URL: 2a-arms.com

6. Make: Phase 5 Weapon Systems
Model: BCG-M16
Finish: Black Phosphate
MSRP: $140
URL: phase5wsi.com

7. Make: Phase 5 Weapon Systems
Model: M16 BCG-EN
Finish: Electroless Nickel Plated
MSRP: $140
URL: phase5wsi.com

8. Make: Bootleg Inc.
Model: Bootleg Four Position Adjustable Carrier
Details: 4 Setting Adjustable Vent System
MSRP: $180
URL: bootleginc.com

9. Make: Shooting Innovations
Model: LMB – Low Mass BCG
Finish: Red
MSRP: $170
URL: shootinginnovationsllc.com

10. Make: Shooting Innovations
Model: LMB – Low Mass BCG
Finish: Silver
MSRP: $170
URL: shootinginnovationsllc.com

11. Make: Iron City Rifleworks
Model: Eclipse Enhanced (BCG) G2 Competition
Finish: Eclipse (PVD)
MSRP: $290
URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

12. Make: Iron City Rifleworks
Model: EVO S1 Drop-In
Finish: NiB (EXO)
MSRP: $240
URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

13. Make: F-1 Firearms
Model: 5.56 Durabolt Rose Gold
Finish: Rose Gold (PVD) TICN
MSRP: $325
URL: f-1firearms.com

14. Make: F-1 Firearms
Model: 5.56 low Mass Durabolt DLC
Finish: DLC (CVD)
MSRP: $375
URL: f-1firearms.com

15. Make: Young Manufacturing
Model: YM SLC Super Light Carrier Complete
Finish: Chrome
MSRP: $239
URL: youngmanufacturing.net 

16. Make: Young Manufacturing
Model: National Match Bolt Carrier Group – LEFT HANDSemi-Auto
Finish: Chrome
MSRP: $245
URL: rainierarms.com

17. Make: Young Manufacturing
Model: National Match Bolt Carrier Group – LEFT HANDFull Auto
Finish: Chrome
MSRP: $245
URL: rainierarms.com

18. Make: Stag Arms
Model: 5.56/.223 LEFT HANDBolt Carrier Assembly
Finish: Manganese Phosphate
MSRP: $160
URL: stagarms.com

19. Make: Lantac USA
Model: Enhanced BCG Full Auto Style
Finish: NiB (UCT EXO)
MSRP: $285
URL: lantac-usa.com

20. Make: Adams Arms
Model: VDI LifeCoat DI Integral Low Mass BCG
Finish: LifeCoat treatment
MSRP: $250
URL: adamsarms.net

21. Make: Lead Star Arms
Model: 9mm PCC BCG
Details: 8620 Steel
MSRP: $184
URL: leadstararms.com

22. Make: JP Enterprises
Model: JP Enhanced 9mm AR Bolt
Details: 416SS construction
MSRP: $250
URL: jprifles.com

23. Make: Iron City Rifleworks
Model: Redmohawk 9mm PCG
Finish: C4V
MSRP: $250
URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

24. Make: Iron City Rifleworks
Model: Redmohawk 9mm PCG
Finish: Eclipse (PVD)
MSRP: $250
URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

.22LR

25. Make: 2A Armament
Model: AR 22LR Conversion Bolt Carrier
Details: AR-5 drop-in conversion to .22LR
MSRP: $272
URL: 2a-arms.com

.45 ACP

26. Make: Quarter Circle 10
Model: .45 ACP Glock Style Bolt Assembly
Finish: QPQ Nitride treated
MSRP: $265
URL: quartercircle10.com

9mm

27. Make: Quarter Circle 10
Model: 9MM Universal Bolt Assembly
Finish: QPQ Nitride treated
MSRP: $235
URL: quartercircle10.com

28. Make: Faxon Firearms
Model: Faxon Gen 2 9mm PCC Blowback Full-Mass BCG
Finish: Salt Bath Nitride
MSRP: $165
URL: faxonfirearms.com

29. Make: F-1 Firearms
Model: 7.62 DuraBolt Black (DLC)
Finish: DLC (CVD)
MSRP: $375
URL: f-1firearms.com

30. Make: F-1 Firearms
Model: 7.62 DuraBolt Rose Gold
Finish: Rose Gold (PVD) TICN
MSRP: $375
URL: f-1firearms.com

31. Make: V Seven Weapon Systems
Model: V Seven Titanium BCG 308DPMS/SR-25
Finish: Nickel Boron
MSRP: $459
URL: vsevenweaponsystems.com

32. Make: JP Enterprises
Model: JP Variable Mass Operating System BCG w/ High Pressure EnhancedBolt
Finish: QPQ Black
MSRP: $521
URL: jprifles.com

33. Make: JP Enterprises
Model: JP Full Mass Operating System BCG w/ High Pressure EnhancedBolt
Finish: QPQ Black
MSRP: $481
URL: jprifles.com

.458 SOCOM

34. Make: Iron City Rifleworks
Model: EVO S1 Drop-In BCG 458SOCOM
Finish: EVO (NiB)
MSRP: $260
URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

.224 Valkyrie / 6.8 SPC II

35. Make: Stag Arms
Model: .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC II Bolt Carrier Assembly
Finish: Manganese Phosphate
MSRP: $130
URL: stagarms.com

.308 Win / 7.62mm NATO

36. Make: KAK Industry
Model: LR-308 BCG Double Ejector
Finish: Nitride
MSRP: $180
URL: kakindustry.com

37. Make: Rise Armament
Model: .308 Bolt Carrier Group
Finish: Black Nitride
MSRP: $269
URL: risearmament.com

38. Make: DPMS
Model: DPMS 308 BCG
Finish: Black Phosphated
MSRP: $290
URL: rainierarms.com

Text by Martin Anders / Images by Michael Grey