What are the opinions about BCG finishes? Do you prefer Nitride or Phosphate? And why?
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i look at it like this
Phosphate
nitride
Nickle boron
chrome
im not sure which is better on the bottom 2, nickel boron or chrome, but I know i prefer to buy the nickel boron because it is so much slicker to me. which just helps when i clean and lube my rifle.
getting back to your original question, its the same logic i apply for my NiBo bcg’s. the Nitride is slicker so it should run better in my opinion. As far as durability goes, both should last quite a long time. the difference in metallurgy is that the Phosphate is a coating that goes on to the bcg’s surface and the Nitride when applied actually bonds into the metals porous surface, bonding into the bcg itself some. To me that means the nitride would be a better finish on the bcg, and a slicker one to boot. That’s not to say neither would wear away as all would, it just depends on the amount of abuse you put them through. by saying i think the nitride is more durable, i mean i think you’d have a longer life using it versus using the phosphated bcg.
All that to say the usgi’s milspec is phosphated, and if its good enough for the usa military, then it should be good enough for us weekend operators right?
and there you have it.
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Nitride or NiBo for me.
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Chrome BCG, except for the extractor which I like to be phosphate so it retains grip and isn’t slick.
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School of the American Rifle did a video on this. Chrome was best, phosphate with chrome lining second, then on down the line. He was especially hard on shiny finishes like TiN or PVD. He really goes through the details, and even if you don’t like the answer, it’s pretty well supported.
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I saw that video and decided Phosphate was the way to go, but many people use Nitride! These two kits I ordered from PSA have Nitride BCGs, and I was seeking more opinions before I listed the BCGs from these kits for sale and ordered Phosphate BCGs.
I’ve got about every type other than hard chrome or TiN, and find that they all work, pretty much, though I don’t have nearly the collection of pin gauges he does to test efficiency. As he says in the video, it’s not that nitride is inherently bad, it’s that it can be bad if made poorly. Notwithstanding that’s a truism about any manufactured product, I believe his intent in saying that is that poor QC manufacturers are more likely to use nitride because it’s cheap. A well manufactured nitride BCG is fine, so maybe a “be careful” is in order to make sure you’re not buying garbage.
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that’s a huge problem with the video is he is comparing different manufacturers at the same time of the coating… same bcg with different coatings is what you need, and i happen to have a nitride psa bcg, phosphate psa bcg, a NiB psa bcg, and phosphate chrome lined psa bcg… my experience, closely matches what @GamecockOperator says, at the end of the day it really is just about being easier to clean and how dirty it can seem to get before cycling issues
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All true points. If it works, then it’s working. SOTAR videos tend to talk about “efficiency” more than function, which is a subtle difference. A BCG might work fine, but inefficiently. Too much or little gas going places means you have to tweak other parts or settings to have the firearm function correctly. So if you can manage it, get the best QC and toleranced parts you can. Though, again, that’s good advice for anything you buy.
I check headspace and gas key torque on every BCG I buy. The first because bad headspace can cause major function and safety issues. The second because I had a key come loose once and it was so badly jammed up I nearly broke out a hacksaw to get the damn rifle disassembled. The upper was ruined with gouges and marks from me beating on it. Maybe one day I’ll but a larger set of gauges, but not today.
thanks for the video… that was MOST educational. i’m surprised on what he finds and im surprised how he feels about some of the coatings. seriously thanks for the video. i like his stuff and bookmarked him so i can watch more of the videos he has.
I agree brad about how its probably better as a be careful instead… I know many of PSA’s bcg’s are nitrided, and i’d hardly call them someone who’d produce garbage or something out of spec intentionally. thus I know where the bcg’s come from and i trust them inherently to produce a quality product.
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Sotar is one of my go to people for advice on anything ar related. He has some opinions which not everyone shares but he doesn’t ever state something as a fact of it isn’t true. He is super knowledgeable and def a great resource for the whole gun community. We need more people like him. Willing to take the time to explain things.
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@rockymountainjeep was the first to post a link to him in my recollection. I appreciated such.
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yeah i agree with you Kriscbt, i like him and his reviews a lot. i didnt quite agree with everything he had to say about the bolt carrier coatings, but everything else was spot on to me. I say this because i am a big fan of Nickle Boron coatings and he really hated on them. I’m not sure i agree with the reasons either. I’ve never had any issues with my nickle boron bolt carriers… now i’m not sure about all of my bolts, i may have a selection of bolts, that may not all be nickel boron, some may be chrome, some may be phosphated, some may be nitrided… i’ll have to look as i go with each. As for Nitrided bolts, it seemed like his major complaint was the carriers, and not having had the carrier chrome lined, which i beleive all of mine ar, regardless of their coatings.
rufus you’re correct i believe. Thanks to @rockymountainjeep for sharing this knowledge of him as ive rally been learning alot from the videos.
What about DLC. I don’t have one but i’m just saying
Welcome to the PSA community 
@Nik7.Hd
My preference is a nitride finish. Nitride is more resistant to corrosion and wear than phosphate coating. It also provides a smoother surface, which makes it easier to clean and reduces friction, improving the reliability and longevity of the weapon. Overall, a nitride finish provides better performance and durability than a phosphate finish.
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The chrome plated carrier group is better in corrosive or high wear environments (salt, high humidity, wind blown sand). Nitrogen infused parts are fine if you are not carrying a rifle as part of your job and will save you a few dollars. Chrome plating produces toxic waste that our anti-industrial jobs government is banning by the EPA permitting process
glocks are nitride… most people who carry for their job carry a pistol… probably a glock
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I like melonite/qpq, because it’s just nitride²
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i see what you did thar… lolz
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