What Bolt to Get?

[pajasonc]

I have a alexander arms 18" lite barrel and a PSA light upper I am going to have a friend(who is a gunsmith) install it in. Question is what bolt should I get. I am looking at the maxim and the alexander arms hard use bolt. Maxim is cheaper and seems to have a good rep but not sure how well it will work with my barrel. Question is will either work fine? Any other bolts I should consider. The group buy bolt looks interesting but don't know when they will actually arrive. thanks

[Rickc]

I have a alexander arms 18" lite barrel and a PSA light upper I am going to have a friend(who is a gunsmith) install it in. Question is what bolt should I get. I am looking at the maxim and the alexander arms hard use bolt. Maxim is cheaper and seems to have a good rep but not sure how well it will work with my barrel. Question is will either work fine? Any other bolts I should consider. The group buy bolt looks interesting but don't know when they will actually arrive. thanks

I have only bought barrels with a bolt already matched for headspace to that barrel. Always wondered if that were really necessary. For sure i would drop a go/no go set of gauges in there before i shot it.

You have an AA barrel then i would get an AA BOLT

[The Profit Joseph Sith]

I think the JP rifles bolt should be considered but i think it's currently sold out. Supposed to have very tight tolerances +/-.0005" (compared to others) and I'm kinda intrigued by the chromium nitride finish. They typically make VERY nice stuff.

[VASCAR2]

The Maxim 6.5 Grendel bolt get good reviews. I bought a Bolt and carrier group from Precision Firearms for my Faxon build. A Friend has used PF bolt plus just bought a 6.5 Grendel bolt and carrier group from Odin Works. The Odin Works 6.5 BCG (very nice BCG) can be purchased from Odin directly or Joebobsoutfitters. There are several vendors who source their bolts directly from Alexander Arms (J&T Distributing used to). JSE Surplus 6.5 Grendel bolt discription is the same as AA. JP bolts 6.5 Grendel bolts get good reviews.

[LRRPF52]

I've had nothing but solid results with no failures with AA and PF bolts. I see and hear a lot of great things about the JP bolts, but have no hands-on with them yet. JP recently introduced a new, beefier extractor.

I really like the AA hard use bolts with whatever alloy they use, and the surface deposition treatment, and balanced lug design.

[Rickc]

My JP bolt came with my JP 18" lightweight barrel

So far.all good

[pajasonc]

I talked to alexander arms and the lead time on the bolt is 6 weeks! Rest of the gun is ready to roll. I know the alexander arms bolts are supposed to be 2.81 inches anyone know if any other bolts currently being produced are the same length. Really hate to wait 6 weeks to shoot the gun!

[mdram]

fyi

from http://www.maximfirearms.com/online-...-grendel-bolt/

Head spaced to Satern, Lilja, Precision Firearms, and Proof Research Barrels.

[pajasonc]

fyi

from http://www.maximfirearms.com/online-...-grendel-bolt/

Head spaced to Satern, Lilja, Precision Firearms, and Proof Research Barrels.

I know the bolt depth on the maxim bolts is the same just wondering if the overall length is the same as the alexander arms bolt. LRRPF52 has mentioned is several threads that many of the other makers bolts are 2.80 not the 2.81 length leading to problems with cratered firing pins.

[mdram]

have you emailed any of the manufacturers?

[pajasonc]

have you emailed any of the manufacturers?

I emailed maxim waiting to hear back from them

[Slappy]

Precision Firearms

[Commander184]

I just ordered a maxim bolt from lilja and it is 2.81 and .036 bolt face depth. No extraction issues and no failures or pierced primers

[pajasonc]

Precision Firearms

I ordered the precision firearms bolt. he had them in stock and is pretty close to me. I believe, not positive, that the precision firearms bolt is just a maxim firearms bolt.

[sneaky one]

Hop into the group buy. Nothing to lose, it's same steel & specs as an AA bolt. I'm in for 2. Lehigh will back them with a satisfaction guarantee- if it does not fit- they replace it.

I have 3 Grendel uppers, yet only 2 bolts. 4 M-16 style carriers - fully legal, not the auto units-.- I have swapped all the components around to shoot thru all 3 Grrr uppers, never a problem at all. Yes all the group sizes were the same same.

I purchased 3 -5.56 bolts from forum members here also- all work just fine- swapped all the parts around 1 day at the gravel pit outdoor range. Between 4 uppers, and carriers.

Headspacing seems to not be an issue!?

AR's are designed this way- in a battlefield worse case scenario--- any fallen soldiers gun can be used to keep yours up & running. No matter what part is broken, or needed.

Stoner was a genius. Bill A., is also.