Chrome Bolt interchange in piston AR

[retrorichard]

All,

I have an osprey defense piston setup in my delton AR (before folks jump in to say that pistons are crap, I have not had any major issues with it, and I have other DI ARs).

It currently has a phosphate delton bolt in a phosphate piston bolt carrier. I have an extra complete chrome plated BCG sitting around. I would like to put the chromed bolt into the piston carrier.

Aside from measuring headspace (and taking off the gas rings), any issues with this?

 

[BradMacc82]

I couldn't say, I have a Stag Model 8L (piston) and it's a one piece BCG (they eliminated the gas key), a pic would help.


ETA: My bolt, minus the gas rings is the same as a D.I. bolt, but there is a spring inside the BCG to allow for lock/unlock.

 

[sailskidrive]

You may want to consider sending your piston BCG out to be NiB coated instead....

 

[BradMacc82]

You may want to consider sending your piston BCG out to be NiB coated instead....

^This.


And whatever you do, don't send it to Clandestine, he said he'd coat my BCG for me, it looks the same as factory, but for some reason it does smell like it was dunked in a porta-potty...

 

[clandestine]

Heres how to fix it:



Remove BCG, Gas Block, and Piston.

Install D.I. BCG, Pinned Gas Block, and Gas Tube.

 

[clandestine]

^This.


And whatever you do, don't send it to Clandestine, he said he'd coat my BCG for me, it looks the same as factory, but for some reason it does smell like it was dunked in a porta-potty...

I told you that was a secret coating. Now I have to start all over.

 

[jrumann59]

^This.


And whatever you do, don't send it to Clandestine, he said he'd coat my BCG for me, it looks the same as factory, but for some reason it does smell like it was dunked in a porta-potty...

At least it wasn't coated in something the consistency of snot, please tell me it was snot?

 

[BradMacc82]

I told you that was a secret coating. Now I have to start all over.

I'll get you some Taco-Bell...

 

[Kingjamez]

To answer your question with out belittleing you: It depends.

How many rounds do you have through it. Genereally, I like to keep barrels and bolts together if they have high mileage. If not, then yea you can change out for the chrome bolt. I like the NiB idea though, that's what I would do... Send the whole bolt and carrier in for a nice upgrade.

-Jim

 

[Uncle Krunkle]

Why would you need to take off the gas rings? My LWRC has gas rings on it's bolt. I assumed I could mix that bolt in with my Daniel Defense upper. What are the issues with measuring headspacing?

 

[BradMacc82]

Uncle Krunkle - not every piston set-up is the same, your LWRC has gas rings, my Stag doesn't - I'm not familiar with Osprey's design, so I can't say anything there.

 

[smores]

And people wonder why AR-15 lovers hate piston ARs...

 

[Kingjamez]

And people wonder why AR-15 lovers hate piston ARs...

What's that? The osprey uses a standard AR bolt, with or without gas rings, doesn't matter.

-Jim

 

[BradMacc82]

And people wonder why AR-15 lovers hate piston ARs...

No, it should be apparent by now... (from a piston ar owner)


View attachment 60267

 

[Uncle Krunkle]

Wow. I really don't get the DI vs Piston thing. But the Glock was lampooned when it debuted.

But I guess I was really being prodded for asking if a regular AR bolt would work in my piston AR. I asked that because I don't understand headspace, which the OP mentioned. MDshooters should be a place to encourage questions being asked, not ridiculed for doing so.

 

[BradMacc82]

I don't take it personally - to me the whole piston vs. D.I. is more of a 'if it ain't broke, why fix it?' deal.

I enjoy my D.I. ar, and I enjoy my piston ar.

I just got to deal with some good natured jokes because of my piston ar.

 

[clandestine]

Wow. I really don't get the DI vs Piston thing. I guess some people like to think that they're "right" and anyone that doesn't agree with them is wrong and a fool for not agreeing with them.

But I guess I was really being prodded for asking if a regular AR bolt would work in my piston AR. I asked that because I don't understand headspace, which the OP mentioned. MDshooters should be a place to encourage questions being asked, not ridiculed for doing so.

Dont be that guy. Hes no fun.

Pistons get a bad rap because every company does it different and they are an attempt to sell people on old tales of the AR that are no longer valid today.

Having a STANDARD makes the AR such a fantastic rifle because you know when tou need parts almost anything will fit. Tith Piston AR' sno one has a standard. Break a part and you have one source for parts. Break a D.I. AR and you have a thousand sources.

 

[clandestine]

I don't take it personally - to me the whole piston vs. D.I. is more of a 'if it ain't broke, why fix it?' deal.

I enjoy my D.I. ar, and I enjoy my piston ar.

I just got to deal with some good natured jokes because of my piston ar.

I like you, I like you alot.

 

[retrorichard]

Okay, my osprey kit used my original AR bolt minus the gas rings from my rifle.

But I guess I will send it out to Nib coat it. It looks like WMD will do it for about $100.00

Also, the carrier for the osprey kit is one piece as well.

I will shoot an e-mail to Scott's to see what their pricing is/turnaround time.

 

[BradMacc82]

One of my brief moments of clarity again.

Clandestine - your a good guy, funny as hell at times too. But I'll still never bend over around you...