[bulls-I]

I just received one of their 6.8 enhanced bolts that I ordered in December. It has clearly been fired. There is carbon fowling and signs of wear as well as a lot of small nicks. It seems to have more wear then I would expect from one test fire. Are they all like this?

 

[paulosantos]

Re: LMT Enhanced Bolt!?!?!

I just received one of their 6.8 enhanced bolts that I ordered in December. It has clearly been fired. There is carbon fowling and signs of wear as well as a lot of small nicks. It seems to have more wear then I would expect from one test fire. Are they all like this?

Mine was also dirty. I think they fire it more than once. Mine has thousands of rounds through it with no problems. I'd try it out. If something happens to it, they will replace it anyway.

 

[BillBond]

Re: LMT Enhanced Bolt!?!?!

They test fire each and every bolt several times at the factory,
and do not clean any of it off at all.
The chromed bolts come much cleaner than the regular ones.

8)

ETA: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LMT-Bolt-Carrier-Auto-M16-p/bcg-lmt-m16.htm

A qoute from the middle of the page:

" Specific to the LMT Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs); they ALL come extensively test fired from the factory. As such, every single real LMT BCG on the market will have significant brass, significant carbon, and significant powder residue on the group. "

 

[bulls-I]

Re: LMT Enhanced Bolt!?!?!

Here are some pics. Maybe I'm just being picky, but when compared with the Young Manufacturing carrier I got, the quality of finish of this bolt does not reflect the $160 I spent on it. I don't want to bash LMT; I've heard nothing but good things about their products, but I think I may have a bad one. Let me know what you think.

 

[dark1]

found this on a sight selling there bolts

Please Note:

LMT's branded product line was developed primarily for the US Government / Professional Market. The civilian market is a secondary benefactor to this program. As such the QC standards and priorities (and features) are very different than that of a commercial market AR15 manufacturer. To the very overwhelming majority of shooters, this is a huge plus in the LMT column. It makes their product and extremely attractive option for a civilian shooter looking for a higher standard of product.

With the primary focus being a quality standard for GI sales, there are some noteworthy differences in the product as you receive it. Specific to the LMT Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs); they ALL come extensively test fired from the factory. As such, every single real LMT BCG on the market will have significant brass, significant carbon, and significant powder residue on the group. Regarding the utility of the BCG (everything LMT builds is focused on utility); this is a very very good thing.

 

[BillBond]

Well that bolt looks worse than any of mine.
It is more than just dirty and would also bug me if it were mine.

8)

 

[kamojo]

I agree...that's a little excessive even for extensively tested. But it's "LMT" so why are questioning your purchase :lol:

 

[bulls-I]

found this on a sight selling there bolts

Please Note:

LMT's branded product line was developed primarily for the US Government / Professional Market. The civilian market is a secondary benefactor to this program. As such the QC standards and priorities (and features) are very different than that of a commercial market AR15 manufacturer. To the very overwhelming majority of shooters, this is a huge plus in the LMT column. It makes their product and extremely attractive option for a civilian shooter looking for a higher standard of product.

With the primary focus being a quality standard for GI sales, there are some noteworthy differences in the product as you receive it. Specific to the LMT Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs); they ALL come extensively test fired from the factory. As such, every single real LMT BCG on the market will have significant brass, significant carbon, and significant powder residue on the group. Regarding the utility of the BCG (everything LMT builds is focused on utility); this is a very very good thing.

To me this sounds like an excuse for poor QC. This bolt was significantly more expensive than other standard bolts, and I expect to see that in the finish. The bolt I received looks like its been kicked around the shop floor and does not reflect a "higher standard of product". While it would probably function, I think that the numerous nicks and grooves (not just residue and brass) would effect performance to some degree. At almost 3 times the price of a standard MP tested bolt, I think the quality control should be pretty damn good .

Having said that, even the best companies will have one occasionally slip through the cracks. I emailed LMT and they responded very quickly to say that they will exchange the bolt. From what I have read, LMT has a good reputation for producing quality products, and I anticipate that the replacement bolt will show that.

 

[snort]

Lots of stress risers on the lugs there (all the nicks). I'd not want to shoot it extensively with those.

 

[paulosantos]

I'd contact LMT. That doesn't look right.

 

[bulls-I]

On a side note, I noticed that the locking lug opposite the extractor is machined down. Does anyone know why? I've never seen that before.

 

[mogunr]

Mine didn't look anything like that. I'd be wanting a replacement for $160. I'm sure LMT will make it right.

 

[BillBond]

On a side note, I noticed that the locking lug opposite the extractor is machined down. Does anyone know why? I've never seen that before.

That lug looks OK, that is part of what makes it an enhanced bolt.
I remember reading about that, something like it will even out the load on the bolt.

8)

 

[THellURider]

I know LMT is milspec, but there's been quite a few LMT aesthetic quality issues brought up over the last year or so. That said, their product generally works.

I had a LMT enhanced bolt in one of my 5.56 uppers and never had any problems with it.

 

[Clint]

On a side note, I noticed that the locking lug opposite the extractor is machined down. Does anyone know why? I've never seen that before.

That lug looks OK, that is part of what makes it an enhanced bolt.
I remember reading about that, something like it will even out the load on the bolt.

8)

The theory is since the extractor lug does no work, in order to keep stresses balanced, the opposite lug shouldn't do any work either. Keeping stresses balanced extents bolt life. Armalite patented this on the AR10, but I believe they do it by machining the rear locking surface. I can only guess that LMT machines the lug in this strange way to sidestep the patent. Machining the lug this way makes it much more flexible and also prevents it from doing any work.

 

[constructor]

isn't that the old design? seems like the new design has an arc cut cross the middle of the lugs now.
Maybe one of their employees decided to upgrade his old design nicked up bolt with a new one :lol:

 

[Eliminator]

Here are two brand new (test fired only) LMT 68 bolts I've purchased recently. Both came as part of complete carrier groups. I bought the one on the right about three months ago from a dealer who had several in stock but they had been sitting on his shelf for about a year. The one on the left was backordered and was delivered today. I thought the pics may be interesting if nothing else.

Looks like at some point (maybe early?) they were using an engraving pen followed by an indelible
marker instead of stampings.

The "ears" on the extractor differ slightly.

For what it's worth,
E

Oops. I'll get bigger pics!

Fixed.