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.