APOD Firearms

Spikes Lightweight BCG

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  • Shotgun Jeremy

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    lightbcg_zpsba7705a8.jpg


    I saw this today first in a facebook ad. I was sure it had to be a joke trying to reel me in to get a nice computer virus, so then I google searched it. Sure enough-this is a real thing!! I can't imagine why you would want to put so many weak spots on the one part of the gun that takes the most stress. To me-it's like drilling the crap out of your frame rails of any diesel truck.

    Does anyone have one of these, had one of these, or know of how they perform? It really just seems like a show piece to go with one of those skeleton lowers.
     

    Dawico

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    It looks like a custom competition piece. I am going to assume your rifle and ammo have to be tuned to run properly with it.

    It reminds me of custom race guns with their slides lightened.
     

    TXARGUY

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    I saw where a guy did his entire AR this way using various sized hole saws and drill bits a few weeks ago. Was ugly as hell but weighed in lighter than I'd ever seen one weigh before.

    EDIT: Not the one I was looking for but found some pics of the idea. This guy could really use one of those BCGs.

    my8edaqe.jpg


    vu5agu8e.jpg
     
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    Vaquero

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    I wonder if it cycles properly with standard springs and ammo?
    Looks like it'd require some tuning.
     

    rsayloriii

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    Round holes can effectively lighten the piece without affecting the strength. It only works with round holes though because the stress is evenly distributed around the hole. A square hole, for example, will have high stress in the corners. Of course, there is a point where you remove to much material and it weakens it too much. On the bolt carrier, I'd be worried about loosing too much mass.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
     

    Dawico

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    I saw where a guy did his entire AR this way using various sized hole saws and drill bits a few weeks ago. Was ugly as hell but weighed in lighter than I'd ever seen one weigh before.

    EDIT: Not the one I was looking for but found some pics of the idea. This guy could really use one of those BCGs.

    my8edaqe.jpg


    vu5agu8e.jpg

    I wonder if that thing whistles when the operator is operating.
     

    XinTX

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    I too wonder how that would cycle. AR pistols don't like light carriers or buffers. They TEND to cycle better with the FA carrier and/or a heavy buffer.

    On top of all that, it kidna looks like poo.
     

    Saltyag2010

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    I too wonder how that would cycle. AR pistols don't like light carriers or buffers. They TEND to cycle better with the FA carrier and/or a heavy buffer.

    On top of all that, it kidna looks like poo.
    higher mass helps slow the cycle rate and reduce stress on your gun. Lower weight bcg=higher stresses. This part is probably just for those 3gun ars with rifle length adjustable gas blocks. Longer gas systems slow the cycle rate and require lighter buffers.
    I didn't build an ar cool enough for one of these
     

    benenglish

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    This part is probably just for those 3gun ars with rifle length adjustable gas blocks. Longer gas systems slow the cycle rate and require lighter buffers.
    I'm betting you're right. I'm not a 3gun guy but, in other contexts, there are times when lightweight parts, quicker cycling, and less mass bouncing around create a subjectively superior "feel" to the way a piece of machinery operates.

    I remember a couple of guys at the last Hicksville who commented that my Britarms pistol didn't move at all when it was fired. Well, it's not supposed to. The balance, bore axis location, and ultra-light moving parts combine to create exactly that result. It's completely useless as a field piece but, oh, my, it is a joy on the range.
     

    Saltyag2010

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    I'm betting you're right. I'm not a 3gun guy but, in other contexts, there are times when lightweight parts, quicker cycling, and less mass bouncing around create a subjectively superior "feel" to the way a piece of machinery operates.

    I remember a couple of guys at the last Hicksville who commented that my Britarms pistol didn't move at all when it was fired. Well, it's not supposed to. The balance, bore axis location, and ultra-light moving parts combine to create exactly that result. It's completely useless as a field piece but, oh, my, it is a joy on the range.
    Agreed but the product from spikes won't benefit an out of the box ar because it was made for a very particular ar build type. With the right set up this could be the cats ass but it a standard carbine it could cause more harm than good.
    The britarms pistol is an amazing piece. I've got to get to a range day and see it.
     

    AaronP220

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    I think it would work well in pistols and SBRs where you don't get a huge drink of gas and need less cycling mass for reliable function. This would probably be ideal in a less than 10" SBR and an adjustable gas block to really dial in the gas and get the bolt speeds down. The dimples in the solid end will help with heat dispersion. There's a lot more surface area there.
     
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