Fail Zero upper vs Spike's billet upper?

S

semi_problomatic

New member
Looking for a good BCG and came across Fail Zero. A Fail Zero treated upper and BCG would be $394, while a Spikes billet upper is $225 and a BCM BCG would be $139...so $364...ish, probably more since I have to pay 2 S&H fee's. A failzero BCG alone is $250. And the upper also comes with a treated charging handle.

http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4257&cPath=136#googlebase

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/upper-receiver-spikes-billet-flat-top-multi-cal-p-406.html

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...Auto-M16-p/bcm bolt carrier group auto mp.htm

FailZero sounds too good to be true... Never have to lube your AR? Anybody have any experience? Opinions... Painful experiences I can learn from at your expense?
 
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I'm a die-hard Spikes fan...but I found this doing a Google search on Fail Zero:


"Well, after running the FailZero bolt completely dry, the carbon soot tends to cake on faster and harder. Yea, it's easier to clean than your other variety, but I would still recommend lubricating your BCG no matter what they advertise.

Here is why...

Heat disappation
Helps prevent surfaces from touching (aka lubrication)
Assist in sealing of the bolt/piston rings
Corrosion prevention (aluminum doesn't rust, it oxidizes)
Suspend tiny shavings of foreign or indigenous debris as a result of normal wear and tear, which in turns helps evacuate/disperse contaminant build up in one area.

Also, with the carbon soot still suspended in your lubricant, it makes cleaning easier because much of it isn't stuck on the BCG itself. Another thing to note is that even though your BCG can take the abuse with no lubrication, it does not mean your Upper Receiver can, too. Remember that it's aluminum and much more susceptible to wear."

I can't comment from experience but the threads I have read on Fail Zero all seem to be positive
 
I'm wondering if a $140 upper can compare with the spikes billet. I like that its been treated, And I guess that would be better than dropping the BCG into an untreated upper... But they give no specs on the upper.
 
I'm wondering if a $140 upper can compare with the spikes billet.
Click to expand...

Sure. Without the slightest doubt, the $140 forged upper will be functionally no different than the billet upper.

Billet receivers on ARs are nothing more than decorative; they lend no extra strength and provide no other benefit beyond looking really cool.

Personally, I'd just get whatever forged upper you can find at a decent price (and isn't from one of the precious few makers with a bad rep- the vast majority of AR receivers out there are just fine) and put the money into the barrel and bolt carrier group (and since you're looking at the BCM BCG, it sounds like you have that part covered... good choice).
 
Deleted. Read stiffer as stronger. Billet apparently offers no advantages over forged other than cosmetic. And weight, I guess...if you want your gun heavier.
 
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Both uppers you are looking at are out of stock. I contacted Spikes last week as I want to purchase a Spikes upper. I was told 6-8 weeks before they have any in stock.There seems to be a shortage of uppers at this time, at least from my perspective. Everyone I have ran across that I thought about buying has been out of stock, I'm not much on gimmicks so the fail zero don't peak my interest. I think its just nickle boron coated but I am not 100% sure.
 
Spikes sells their bolt with the same treatment. Not sure if its a gimmick vs marketing. I doubt I'd ever run my bolt dry, but the option is nice after seeing colts lock up when inadequately lubed.
 
I run fail zero BCGs in 2 of my ARs. They work, but they're not a miracle cure. I keep mine lubricated as I would with a standard BCG. The biggest advantage is cleaning. That said, I've never had a failure of any kind with either AR they're in so maybe it's the fail zero? I doubt it (probably proper lubrication and maintenance), but maybe.
 
I really can't see running a semi without lube. But extra protection is extra protection. I decided on just Spikes upper and lower forged, not billet, with a BCM (MPI) BCG. I'm ok with the wait. I'm still learning what is what anyway, and where to get it from. The same exact lower from spikes for $109 is $89 from slick guns with free S&H. So when I finally decide on all the parts I'll search each one individually to try and find the best place to get them from.
 
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