The Importance of a Good Bolt Carrier Group Finish

As you might already know, there's a wide variety of firearm finishes on the market. From common solid shades to intricate multi-colored patterns, you can do just about anything you want to your favorite defensive tool. These coatings enhance the aesthetics of a weapon by giving it personality and uniqueness, but most also add increased performance capabilities. External firearm finishes can have some very protective qualities, but people often seem to neglect what's inside. Since the bolt carrier group is key to the operation of any AR-15 rifle, getting it coated in a quality finish is an excellent idea and should provide one or more of the following benefits.

Less Friction Between Moving Parts

One of the few drawbacks of the AR-15 design is its tight tolerances. When enough carbon accumulates on the BCG, the gun could jam during a crucial moment. Sand, dirt, mud, gravel, and other natural grime can also cause the same serious issue. Some BCG finishes are designed to repel performance degrading buildup so that the firearm remains operable in less than ideal conditions. Such coatings are naturally slicker and require very little lubrication. Reliability with minimal maintenance is the most important feature of any weapon system.

Enhanced Corrosion Resistance

Just like the frame or receiver of a weapon, the internals are subject to corrosion after being exposed to moisture. Soldiers, law enforcement officials, hunters, competitive shooters, and civilians exercising the Second Amendment may find themselves experiencing harsh weather conditions on occasion or very frequently in their daily lives. Although unlikely, the BCG of an AR-15 can rust and eventually fail. Coatings that are durable and prevent water penetration may prolong the lifespan of a firearm by many years.

Lowered Risk of Scratching or Flaking

Poorly done BCG coatings can chip away with use. The particles of the finish that are left behind can stick in the receiver walls, chamber, or other sensitive areas to cause catastrophic failures that endanger the shooter and others in the vicinity. A proper finish will experience minimal wearing instead of flaking over time.

Easy Cleaning

If you shoot, you clean. That's just how things work. If you shoot your AR-15 very regularly, you're going to have to do more detailed cleanings more often than your average gun owner. Cleaning an AR-15 properly can be very time-consuming if it's filthy, and most people would prefer to spend that time at the range.

Many quality BCG finishes repel carbon so that it doesn't cake on. With common cleaning materials and a simple wipe of a rag, all that grime should easily slide off. You won't have to waste time scraping, brushing, or inhaling all kinds of harmful solvent fumes to keep your weapon operable.

Good Looks

Most gun owners are concerned with aesthetics to some extent. If you want your AR-15 looking as good as it functions, there are plenty of finishes more eye-catching than your standard matte black. Most will also boost the performance of your carbine, so you're killing two birds with one stone.

If you're looking for a finish that offers all of the above and more, TR-Enabling's proprietary Obsidian coating is exactly what you need. When you see it for the first time, you'll immediately notice the glossy black appearance that makes Obsidian stand out from the rest.

The gorgeous, high-end look is just the tip of the iceberg. With a friction coefficient of .06, Obsidian surpasses just about every other coating available when it comes to self-lubrication. That means the rifle will continue to run after firing thousands of rounds non-stop. The finish is only .0005" thick, and it adds very little bulk to the BCG. That's important because thicker coatings can affect the tolerances of the parts and decrease functionality.

Another awesome feature of Obsidian is its extreme hardness. With a Rockwell scale rating of 70, Obsidian will last much longer than most other finishes because it suffers far less wear with use. For a high-performance coating that won't fail you when you need it most, get your BCG treated with Obsidian.

The Benefits of Nickel-Teflon Coating

The coating process is accomplished by introducing the components to be plated into a plating bath. Sodium hypophosphate is used to initiate a reduction reaction that deposits nickel with a small amount of phosphorous. The phosphorus forms a thin film on the nickel to increase corrosion resistance and hardness. Teflon is introduced into the bath along with surfactants and other chemicals to facilitate the deposition of Teflon with the nickel. Approximately 25 volume percent of the Teflon is incorporated into the nickel matrix. This process applies a consistent coating thickness for objects of any shape.

One of the benefits of using a nickel-Teflon coating is that it provides a uniform thickness with accurate dimensions. This eliminates the need for polishing or grinding after the plating process. Highly precise deposition reduces the cost of materials and labor. Nickel-Teflon coating may be applied to meet strict tolerances. The electroless nickel plating process requires very little time to complete and therefore, allows assembly to be expedited. In addition, once the coating exhibits significant wear, it can be stripped and reapplied. This will continue to preserve the components and save on the cost of replacement parts.

Nickel-Teflon coating AR-15 parts provides many benefits. The lubricating action of the coating reduces friction to greatly extend the life expectancy of an AR-15. Nickel-Teflon coating the internal parts will also provide exceptionally smooth action. It allows the rifle to be fired for extended periods of time between cleanings. Less dirt and powder residue accumulate in the AR-15 because there is no oily surface for it to cling to. The coating makes cleaning much simpler. Dirt and residue are easily wiped away with a soft cloth. It provides much lower maintenance as well. Oiling the AR-15 with nickel-Teflon coating is optional.

Once the oil dissipates, there is no noticeable difference in performance. Nickel-Teflon is the most corrosion resistant coating available. It prevents rust and corrosion from chemicals and other contaminants. The high longevity of the coating ensures extended protection. The coating will not peel or flake.

Choosing AR-15 Optics

The AR-15 is a versatile rifle available in a variety of configurations. With the hundreds of options, magnifications, features and configurations available from different manufacturers choosing optics can be challenging. The most important thing to consider when choosing optics is the type of shooting you’ll be undertaking. Whether your purpose is hunting, target practice or self-defense, there are optics designed for every level of shooting.

Things to consider when looking for AR-15 optics:

• Magnification
• Size of Objective Lens
• Eye Relief
• Field of Vision
• Reticule
• Magnification
• Weight

A sight or scope can significantly improve the accuracy of your shooting. A scope is much simpler to use than iron sights since all that is required is lining the target up in the crosshairs. Most scopes also have magnification that allows greater precision. When comparing scopes, there are a number of attributes that are useful in determining the performance.

The magnification designates the multiplier by which an image is enlarged. For example, a 2X magnification makes the target appear twice as large. Low powered scopes don’t provide high magnification but are less susceptible to shaking. High powered scopes have a smaller field of vision, are more susceptible to shaking and may have a dimmer image but offer greater magnification.

The objective diameter controls the amount of light collected to form an image. As magnification increases, the field of vision grows smaller and the image becomes dimmer. Higher magnification scopes often employ a larger diameter objective lens to collect more light. Lens diameters usually range between 30 and 40 mm but are available as larger as 50 mm. A larger diameter lens adds more weight and height and is usually more expensive.

Eye relief is another important characteristic. This is the distance the eye must be positioned from the ocular lens to view the full field of vision. The eye relief usually ranges between 1 and 4 inches. A larger distance lowers the odds of the eye being struck when the rifle recoils after firing.

The field of vision is defined as the number of feet visible through the scope along the horizontal of the image from a distance of 100 yards. The field of vision decreases with increasing magnification and increases with decreasing magnification. A 3X scope will typically have a field of vision of approximately 30 feet while a 9X scope may be about 14 feet.

The reticule is the crosshairs visible within the scope that are used to align the rifle with the target. There are many types of reticules, the simplest of which is an intersecting horizontal and vertical line.

Scopes are designed with various characteristics that allow them to be more effective for one type of shooting or another. For instance, some scopes allow better visibility of moving targets while others are designed for stationary objects. One of the primary factors that determine the type of scope needed is the distance you will be shooting. Once you determine the range, you will easily be able to determine the type of scope you need.

The most commonly used close range optics are red dot sights. These are non-magnified sights used for shooting at 100 yards or less but can be extended with a magnifier. Red dot optics allow faster and easier sighting. The size of the red dot may vary. A larger dot is preferable for close range shooting while smaller dots provide better accuracy.

AR-15 mid-range optics are usually fixed magnification between 1X and 4X and are optimized for distances of around 400 yards. They substantially improve the speed of lining up targets. Mid-Range scopes are less expensive than either close range or long range scopes. Long range scopes are extremely accurate with magnification of 9X to 16X. This allows them to be used for small targets at long distances. One of the advantages of using the long range scope is that the magnification can be decreased so that it can be used for mid-range targets.

Another aspect to consider when choosing AR-15 optics is weight. Most scopes weigh between 12 and 20 ounces. Scopes with larger lenses will weigh more. If you’re planning to carry your AR-15 for an extended distance, the extra weight of the scope makes a substantial difference. You may want to limit the weight if you expect to carry the scope on a hunting trip.

Ultimately, selecting the right optic for your AR-15 is going to come down to personal preference, practical application, and the range of the target you will be firing at. Make sure that you are comfortable with your optics and make sure you get enough range time to understand the benefits and limitations of the optics that you have selected.

Tools for Working on AR-15

Building an AR-15 is quite simple when you have the right tools. While it’s possible to assemble an entire AR-15 with minimal tools, you’ll save yourself time and money by using the right ones. Building your own AR-15 is not only fun, it is economical and allows you to customize it the way that you want. You can choose any combination of parts you wish to assemble a weapon that meets your specific needs.

Things that will help with your build

• A good, solid work surface - it provides a stable area for assembly and stay organized
• An AR-15 lower receiver vise block - fits inside lower receiver magwell to hold the lower receiver securely in the bench vise.
• A set of pin punches with 3/32 inch, 1/8 inch and 5/32 inch punches
• Roll pin holders - to hold the roll pin when you begin tapping it in place
• A castle nut wrench - to tighten the castle nut on the lower receiver extension
• Torque wrench - to tighten the castle nut down to its 40 in. lbs. specification

The lower parts kit contains many small parts and a designated work area will help prevent losing any parts. It also provides a place to mount a bench vise, which you will need to hold the lower receiver in place so that your hands are free for assembly.

While standard drive pin punches can be used, roll pin punches are highly recommended because they are designed specifically for rolls pins. Roll pin punches have a small raised bump on the end that fits directly into the roll pin to center it and prevent it from collapsing. A bolt catch pin punch is necessary to help drive the bolt catch pin straight and avoid damaging the surrounding metal.

When installing the trigger guard roll pin, you will either need a roll pin pusher or a block of wood. The lower receiver has two tabs where the trigger guard is installed. If they are not supported properly while tapping the roll pin in place, they can easily break.

A roll pin pusher pushes the pin in rather than exposing the tabs to danger from striking the pins. Alternatively, you can use a block of wood to support the tabs while tapping the trigger guard roll pin place.

You’ll find that a pair of needle nosed pliers or a multi-tool is helpful for holding detents while installing them. A pivot pin detent installation tool, designed specifically for this purpose, is another option and can be purchased at most gunsmith shops.

You’ll need a set of hex wrenches to assemble the pivot pin if you don’t have the pivot pin detent installation tool. To install the pistol grip screw, a 3 inch long flat head screw driver will be needed. When installing the magazine catch, a small diameter punch can be used to depress the magazine release button.

When selecting a hammer or mallet, it’s best to choose one that is small and light weight. This will improve accuracy when tapping the roll pins in place. Brass hammers are recommended to prevent marring the lower receiver in the event the hammer slips and you strike the surface.

Painter’s tape or electrical tape can be used to guard the lower receiver against scratches while installing the catch assembly. Additional tools will be needed for the upper receiver, but many of these will also be used for that assembly process.

Buying an 80% Lower Receiver to Build an AR-15

In firearm terminology, a receiver refers to the part of the weapon that constitutes the frame or body. As far as the law is concerned, the receiver is actually what is defined as the actual weapon itself, and it is the part of the firearm that is subject to regulation and control. An 80% receiver refers to a receiver that is incomplete. Since they are not functioning firearms, 80% receivers are often not subject to the same regulations and controls that fully functioning firearms are.

Accordingly, it is possible, depending on local laws, to buy, sell or otherwise transfer the ownership of 80% receivers without the legal constraints that would otherwise affect the transfer. For guns like the AR-15, which are often subject to heightened controls, 80% receivers provide the market with an inventive way to trade. However, given the nature of AR-15 80% lower receivers, it is necessary to assemble the lower receiver into a functional piece to create a fully operational firearm.

Legal Status of 80% Receivers

Unlike with fully functional firearms, 80% lower receivers for AR-15s do not require a Federal Firearms License, or FFL, to trade. As such, it is possible to buy and sell 80% receivers without an FFL. Since it requires specialized tools, knowledge and skill to complete an 80% lower receiver into a full functional AR-15, the ATF does not consider it to be a firearm.

However, local, state and federal laws concerning the manufacturing and possession of firearms still apply. While there are differences throughout the United States depending on jurisdiction, the general rule is that if it is legal for you to possess an AR-15, it is legal to possess and ultimately complete an 80% lower receiver for an AR-15. In most places, it only falls under the law as a firearm once it is assembled into a 100% receiver.

Assembling an 80% Receiver

It is necessary to complete a variety of tasks using various tools to assemble an 80% lower receiver for an AR-15. To succeed, most people require some knowledge and experience of using these tools and working with metal. While there are many different variants, most require such tasks as drilling holes, removing material in the area of the fire control group, and coating if so desired. Commonly needed tools include drill presses and manual mills. Additionally, it is necessary to build the gun around the receiver once the receiver is complete. However, many consider the AR-15 to be one of the easiest to assemble in this way.

Advantages of 80% Receivers for Consumers

One of the biggest advantages to buying an 80% lower receiver for an AR-15 is that it does not require that the holder of an FFL be part of the transaction, and gun consumers are able to purchase the 80% receiver without restriction. While this method of acquiring an AR-15 requires some work, many owners who finished their guns in this way feel a special kind of pride from building their own firearm. As long as it legal for you to possess the actual firearm, it is legal for you to manufacture the gun for personal use, which gives you the freedom to choose the process of how you acquire your firearm.

If you are considering gun ownership, an 80% receiver represents an interesting, nonstandard, but often legal way of acquiring an AR-15. This method is especially attractive if you have a do-it-yourself attitude and the gumption to take on the task of craftsmanship on your own.

AR-15 Stock Options: Mil-spec vs Commercial Buffer Tubes

Most AR-15 owners know what the buffer spring is and what it does - it helps absorb the kick created by a round firing and forcing the bolt carrier group back and loading another round. Whether you are in combat, hunting, or target shooting you will want to be familiar with the type of buffer tube on your AR-15. This can prove especially helpful if you are looking for a new stock as it will be necessary to match it to the corresponding buffer tube. While they are similar in function, there are some differences between the mil-spec and commercial buffer tubes that you should understand in order to make an informed decision.

Reason For Variation

There is a simple reason for the variation of buffer tubes. The mil-spec variation is more expensive to manufacture, so the commercial buffer tube is available for those who want a cheaper alternative. While similar in appearance, there are a few subtle differences that dictate the type of stock necessary for your weapon.

Mil-Spec Manufacturing Process

The mil-spec is unique in that the threads located at the front are larger than the diameter of the actual tube. To make the product, the threads are lathed with the use of a large tube. When complete, the rest of the tube is reduced down to the appropriate diameter. Due to this intricacy, it takes longer and costs more to purchase mil-spec buffer tubes.

Commercial Manufacturing Process

The commercial manufacturing process is more direct in that it begins by using a tube that matches the diameter of the final tube. Just as any thread, the commercial tube is then lathed into the front end. This process takes far less time than the mil-spec alternative, making the final product far less expensive.

Summing Up The Differences

When observing the commercial tube and mil-spec tube side by side, the differences can be hard to pinpoint, and that is because they may be slight and difficult to observe. However, just a small variation in diameter makes for an entire different experience when it comes to firing the weapon. The primary physical differences between the two types of buffers are:

• Product diameter
• Thread diameter to tube diameter ratio

It used to be that the main cosmetic differences were the number of adjustment holes for the stock as well as commercial tubes being slightly slanted at the end. The end of a mil-spec buffer tube is flat and many manufacturers of commercial tubes have gone in that direction to make them look similar. While you can buy a new buffer assembly if you want to switch from one to the other, it can be expensive when you combine that with a new stock.