So I was surfing the net and noticed AIM Surplus had new BCGs. Anyone tried these yet? Any advantage of the Lighweight models or just all marketing? Looks nice.......

 

Lightweight Nitride

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGN3LW&name=Light+Weight+AIM+AR+.223%2f5.56+Nitride+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723

 

Lightweight NiB

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGNIBLW&name=Light+Weight+AIM+AR+.223%2f5.56+NiB+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723

 

Evolution 3.0 Nitide

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGN3E3&name=AIM+Evolution+3.0+AR%2fM16+.223%2f5.56+Nitride+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723

 

Evolution 3.0 NiB

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGNIBE3&name=AIM+Evolution+3.0+AR%2fM16+.223%2f5.56+NiB+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723

 

 

I have not tried either of their bolt groups.

 

There are definitely advantages to light weight bolt carriers, but mostly in competition rifles with other tuned components. I wouldn't use them in a general purpose or self defense rifle without careful consideration and extensive testing.

 

And I say that as someone who owns competition rifles with light weigh carriers.

 

The evolution is kinda cool, I'm tempted to snag one and try it out.

I bought a few of their lightweight ones last week.  They're 3oz lighter than a standard carrier and cost a lot less than other offerings.  One will be going into my .458S upper as I want to reduce as much reciprocating weight as possible.  The only issues I saw with their BCGs (I ordered three) were machining marks.  They were not pretty but don't affect function so I don't care personally but I know there are people who complain about mill marks on non-bearing surfaces.

Well the thinking is I'm buying new so it should look like new but it's all the same after a couple of hundred rounds.

Also their packing methods are a bit lacking but for the prices they are charging "u get what u pay for"?!?!

 

 

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I needed a new BCG for a fun gun, the specs looked good and the price was right so I ordered one of the AIM NiB Evo 3.0 BCGs.

 

It arrived today and luckily I have a range day for work tomorrow - so I am going to shoot the shit out of it.

 

I will report back how it runs.

I did a little more detailed breakdown of the BCGs and I believe their product information is incorrect. They say their extractors are machined 4140. The exterior of the extractor shows signs of being cast. On the underside, there's a casting/mold imprint too. I don't care as much since I didn't buy these for the bolts but rather for the carriers but I would be interested to see if the BCG HE gets has a cast extractor as well.

What am I looking for?

 

I got the NiB version, it's very clean with no machine marks. I wonder if the Nickel Boron hides all the tool/machining/cast marks?

What am I looking for?

 

I got the NiB version, it's very clean with no machine marks. I wonder if the Nickel Boron hides all the tool/machining/cast marks?

NiB highlights machining marks so the shop that made the evo line must be doing a better job of polishing and/or running the right feed/speed and keeping their tooling sharp.

 

Please excuse the cell phone pictures!

 

 

AIM on the left, my house brand (which I know for a fact is machined). Note the texture on the AIM unit characteristic of casting.

 

 

AIM on the left again. In addition to the surface texture, there's that "1" which indicates mold number when casting so if there's a problem with the parts, they can trace it back to the casting and inspect it.

Got one. But I dont see any MPI marking. CSR said they are not marked to save costs but are indeed MPI .... ?

Got one. But I dont see any MPI marking. CSR said they are not marked to save costs but are indeed MPI .... ?

 

It's not as if someone couldn't mark MPI on a non MPI bolt, plus some people who MPI things do it by sample in a batch, not each individual bolt. And then there is the question of what threshold they consider pass fail. I can MPI every bolt in the world and say "it's good" and someone else could judge it bad.

Mine is going back. Tried it in three guns. None would lock back on an empty mag.

Mine is going back. Tried it in three guns. None would lock back on an empty mag.

Well that sucks. My lightweights have been running fine but I'm running just their carriers with my house brand or Tromix bolts. Did yours drop in without issue or were they binding?

Dropped in with no issues. The guns ran fine except for not locking back on an empty.

Dropped in with no issues. The guns ran fine except for not locking back on an empty.

Would they lock back if hand cycled?

Dropped in with no issues. The guns ran fine except for not locking back on an empty.

 

are you sure it wasn't a fine motor skills issue?

Yeah. I wasn't under stress and everyone knows that fine motor skills are only degraded under stress

haha

are you sure it wasn't a fine motor skills issue?

I read the other thread earlier and this post made me literally laugh out loud.

NiB highlights machining marks so the shop that made the evo line must be doing a better job of polishing and/or running the right feed/speed and keeping their tooling sharp.

 

Please excuse the cell phone pictures!

 

 

AIM on the left, my house brand (which I know for a fact is machined). Note the texture on the AIM unit characteristic of casting.

 

 

AIM on the left again. In addition to the surface texture, there's that "1" which indicates mold number when casting so if there's a problem with the parts, they can trace it back to the casting and inspect it.

Did you bring this up to their CSR? If it's true maybe they need to update their product description as needed. Not to say they are intentionally doing it but here's a chance for them to rectify it. It won't stop me from using them but still accurate info is always better for them and the customers. Who knows maybe some discounts are in order lol.

 

 

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Would they lock back if hand cycled?

Yeah, nonissues there. I tried multiple mags too - PMag (gen 1-3), ARC mags, and GI.

 

I already received my RA# and will be sending it back today. Their CS was quick and attentive. Hopefully the replacement BCG runs.

 

If not, I'm going to Ty at MWPX.

Did you bring this up to their CSR? If it's true maybe they need to update their product description as needed. Not to say they are intentionally doing it but here's a chance for them to rectify it. It won't stop me from using them but still accurate info is always better for them and the customers. Who knows maybe some discounts are in order lol.

 

 

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I did not. I know it's happened a couple times because the machine shop made a change without notifying them but they source BCGs from multiple shops so it might have happened again.

I did not. I know it's happened a couple times because the machine shop made a change without notifying them but they source BCGs from multiple shops so it might have happened again.

Do you also source hardware from AIM surplus as well? I didn't realize you are one of the vendors on this site. How did you end up on NJGF anyways? I'm just curious if you don't mind sharing..

Do you also source hardware from AIM surplus as well? I didn't realize you are one of the vendors on this site. How did you end up on NJGF anyways? I'm just curious if you don't mind sharing..

I don't usually but most lightweight carriers are a lot more expensive so I figured I'd check it out. These three went into shop/personal builds though.

 

I ended up here because Maks went to Calguns to try to get his money from Gpal. He and I talked and the rest is history.

Do you also source hardware from AIM surplus as well? I didn't realize you are one of the vendors on this site. How did you end up on NJGF anyways? I'm just curious if you don't mind sharing..

Yes, Ty has been a member and vendor here for sometime. He has been selling pinned 15 round PMAGS to us for years as well as other components and sharing his knowledge and expertise.

I don't usually but most lightweight carriers are a lot more expensive so I figured I'd check it out. These three went into shop/personal builds though.

 

I ended up here because Maks went to Calguns to try to get his money from Gpal. He and I talked and the rest is history.

I'm glad you're here.

Always good to have another member/vendor to talk shop with. Glad to have u here

I'm glad you're here.

 

 

Always good to have another member/vendor to talk shop with. Glad to have u here

 

 

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Thanks, it's been a great time being here!

Yeah, nonissues there. I tried multiple mags too - PMag (gen 1-3), ARC mags, and GI.

 

I already received my RA# and will be sending it back today. Their CS was quick and attentive. Hopefully the replacement BCG runs.

 

If not, I'm going to Ty at MWPX.

I love when you have a problem with a product and instead of an issue they give you an "okie dokie artichokie" and a RMA number. Although I guess this is a good reason why I stick with very few companies for AR internals