I'm aware of the lubricity of PTFE. Also be aware that some of the processes to plate the BCG's with these materials can make them brittle, and prone to premature failure.

 

 

With all due respect, I dont think this is proven or an established fact.  If you have reports or research on this, I would be grateful for the info...

I'm traveling at the moment, bear with me, I just read something about this the other day regarding plating techniques and brittleness. It was in an industry newsletter (not firearms related) somewhere, I'll dig it up when I have a moment.

 

I also read a pretty extensive thread on AR15.com About some real world data on high round count AR's. I believe it was Henderson Defense in Vegas.

One of the interesting things mentioned was a higher failure rate of the plated BCG's, but I honestly don't remember which coating was the most problematic. Maybe Nickle Boron, but not 100% sure.

High Exposure suggested an upper form Primary Arms (Troy). Taht comes with flip up sights and a free float rail. To me, that is a lot of value for the cash. It should cover all of your requirements and then some.

 

Let me know when you want to build a precision SPR. I'll help you spend the kid's college fund.

Lol I'll make sure I contact you when I do one of those!

 

For the BCM upper I am looking at, mid length now, is the barrel that comes with that fine for my needs do you feel?

Lol I'll make sure I contact you when I do one of those!

 

For the BCM upper I am looking at, mid length now, is the barrel that comes with that fine for my needs do you feel?

You mean barrel quality?  The quality is fine, for your purposes.  Should shoot between 1-2 MOA with decent ammo and last thousands of rounds.  Just keep the bore lightly oiled, if it sits a while.

 

Keep in mind, with the BCM, you still have to buy handguards, a BCG and charging handle.  For that amount, I *personally* would go with the the suggestion High Exposure gave you.  IT also comes with a BCG, free float handguard, muzzle device and flip up sights.  All for $530. Much more bang for your buck...

 

http://www.primaryarms.com/troy-industries-16-556-upper-w-13-m-lok-rail-and-flip-sights/p/supr-bf1-16bt-00-m/

Yea barrel quality is what I meant. I'll check out that upper posted, I was pretty set on the "look" I was going with this AR (I know that's corny) but I'll check it out and see what I can do to make it how I would want. I'm planning for this build to be finish by Christmas or even a little after because things I may need for this might be some Christmas ideas

This is one of the articles in recent memory regarding plating causing materials to become brittle.

Seems to be mostly process related, too much current, improper cleaning of the substrate material, chemical issues, and anode placement within the bath. Can make the coatings, and/or the substrate material brittle.

http://nhml.com/electroless-nickel-plating/

 

There are a couple of more articles I have in mind. I'll add to this as I remember them.

You mean barrel quality?  The quality is fine, for your purposes.  Should shoot between 1-2 MOA with decent ammo and last thousands of rounds.  Just keep the bore lightly oiled, if it sits a while.

 

Keep in mind, with the BCM, you still have to buy handguards, a BCG and charging handle.  For that amount, I *personally* would go with the the suggestion High Exposure gave you.  IT also comes with a BCG, free float handguard, muzzle device and flip up sights.  All for $530. Much more bang for your buck...

 

http://www.primaryarms.com/troy-industries-16-556-upper-w-13-m-lok-rail-and-flip-sights/p/supr-bf1-16bt-00-m/

Actually, according to the description it comes with a flash suppressor. Would more than likely need to replace that.

Actually, according to the description it comes with a flash suppressor. Would more than likely need to replace that.

 

True, but at that price, he can unscrew the FH and just screw on a thread protector, and still be way ahead. For that matter, sell the FH on arfcom for, like, $30, lol.

This is one of the articles in recent memory regarding plating causing materials to become brittle.

Seems to be mostly process related, too much current, improper cleaning of the substrate material, chemical issues, and anode placement within the bath. Can make the coatings, and/or the substrate material brittle.

http://nhml.com/electroless-nickel-plating/

 

There are a couple of more articles I have in mind. I'll add to this as I remember them.

I read the link but didnt see anything relating to the substrate metal being damaged by the coating process.  The only thing I got was in regards to the actual nickel plating:

 

"Tensile stress in a coating always diminishes tensile strength and since the coating is brittle, cracking can occur. Tensile cracks ruin the corrosion resistance and flakes may break away. Coating performance can be excellent if the stress is compressive."

 

Just to add, NP3 and Nickel Boron are distinctly different coatings.  NiBoron is sort of like chrome plating.  It's hard and subject to peeling or flaking upon failure.  NP3 tends to break down into much finer particles.  The Robar site has a comparison study of the two coatings:

 

https://robarguns.com/blog/2013/08/23/np3-vs-nickel-boron/

Yep, that's not the specific article I'm thinking about. Still trying to remember where I read this. Industry article I read awhile back (I'm in the molecular structure and materials analysis industry). I'll find it.