AR 15 bolt face pitting?

mark k

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My Armalite AR15 bolt face is getting pitted. It's in the shape of the primer around the fireing pin. I have owned this since new and have only put about 600 rounds through it (mostly WWB). Any thoughts as to why this is happening?
 
Highly unlikely that the face is pitting, more that your not cleaning it as thoroughly as it could be.

High pressure gases and carbon etc leek out in that area when the round is fired, it can form ridges that you think are pitting.

If it is pitting you may have not cleaned it as well as you should have, and calcium salts are building up and eating away at it...
unlikely in short term with Canadian environment, but much more possible in some more unpleasant areasin short time spans.
 
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It's definitly pitted. I'm pretty good about keeping my arms clean. They never go more than a couple days after use without a thurough cleaning and they get a light wipedownwhen the get home in before the big clean. I'll post a pic in the next day or two.
 
Dude that is not normal... I think it has to do with the material used (QC) seeing the circular pattern of the pitting. Corrosive gaz shooting between the primer pocket and the primer, exiting from the back ?

My benchmark is a m16 bolt that has over 15 000 rounds (yes on the same bolt)
And that saw a cycle of bad storage for 5 years exposed to the element.
The gas affected parts up to the rings are pitted but the bolt face is pristine.
 
I have seen that on 1911's where the brass had been reloaded many, many times. The primer/pocket fit was loose enough to allow gas to blow by, eroding a circular pattern around the primer. Just like those pics.
 
I see bolts like that on C7s from time to time. I saw it on a .357 Deset Eagle too, which has the same locking system basically. All the guns in question fired reliably and safely with the pitting you have shown.

I think its quite odd that this level of pitting would occur after 600 rds. I would be curious to see how it headspaces too.

Best bet is to talk to armalight. They have a pretty good warranty.



I wouldnt worry about it too much in the meantime. There is a significant ammount of metal there.
 
A quick call and email to Wofgang @ Wolverine has a replacement enroute on them. I'm pretty sure any warranty was expired. I'm glad I bought it from them. That's service.
 
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