Toolcraft Inc. of Marion North Carolina manufacturers bolt carrier groups in a large variety of calibers and finishes. This gallery shows a sampling of their products.
Below: Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG 308
A note from SpiceTac
When we entered the AR-15 parts business in 2017, our first and only product for sale was the Toolcraft Black Nitride BCG. Toolcraft’s well-known reputation for quality meant one less thing for a small business startup to worry about. Our catalog has changed a lot since then, but Toolcraft has remained a constant. In fact, we continue to expand the selection of Toolcraft calibers and finishes that we offer. We've sold thousands of Toolcraft bolt carrier groups and we are proud to be a Toolcraft Dealer.
Toolcraft
As a supplier of bolt carrier groups to the military, Toolcraft consistently meets and exceeds the highest manufacturing standards. Finishes include Black Nitride, Nickel Boron, Ionbond Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) Coating, Titanium Nitride, Chrome and MIL-SPEC Chrome and Manganese Phosphate finishes.
All Toolcraft BCG bolts are shot-peened, MPI and either batch or individually HPT to ensure quality and reliability. Made from either mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel or high strength 9310 steel, bolt carrier groups from Toolcraft are guaranteed to perform like new for thousands and thousands of rounds. You cannot buy a better bolt carrier group than a Toolcraft.
Lifetime Warranty
“Toolcraft products carry a lifetime warranty. Simply put - should any of our products fail, return it to us for a brand new replacement.”
A note from Toolcraft
“Toolcraft carriers are made from the best materials that can be purchased in the market today. Regardless of the coating you choose, the carrier that it protects is made the right way, with no compromise of standards using materials that are Made in the USA. There is the basic 8620 steel, a better grade of Gun Quality 8620 steel, an even better grade of Aircraft Quality 8620 steel, but then there is the best Aircraft Quality 8620 steel that is proprietary to Toolcraft only and no one else. These high standards of materials set us apart from the rest.”
“While some manufacturers have compromised the Mil-Spec standards of machining just to add to their profits, Toolcraft has stayed loyal to the Mil-Spec machining standards since the beginning.”
“All Toolcraft carriers are post-heat treat machined to remove any distortion that has occurred during the heat treat process. We first grind the outside rails that are in contact with the upper after heat treat. Next, we machine the inside bore where the bolt is doing the work. This ensures the gas rings are not damaged and that the weapon cycles and charges smoothly. These standards are not just met, but we exceed them on every operation during the machining processes and this effort gives our carriers a superior finish with no machining lines.”
“Toolcraft machines each carrier to last for thousands of rounds and that is why we can offer with confidence a Lifetime Warranty on our products. These standards have given each consumer the confidence that when they use a Toolcraft bolt carrier group in their weapon, it will do what it was created to do, round after round for years to come.”
Who does Toolcraft make BCGs for?
Toolcraft does not disclose which manufacturers are using their BCGs. It is a closely held secret. The best way to be sure your BCG is made by Toolcraft is to buy it from an authorized Toolcraft dealer.
What markings will my Toolcraft BCG have?
Generally speaking, the carrier will not have markings or a logo of any kind.
Toolcraft manufacturers carriers and sources bolts from U.S. suppliers. For this reason, the markings on the bolts vary from batch to batch. Sometimes they are marked MP or MPI but often they are not marked in any way. Sometimes the Carpenter 158 bolts are marked C158 but more often they are not marked in any way. All Toolcraft bolts are individually MPI tested whether they are marked or not.
How will my Toolcraft BCG come packaged?
Toolcraft supplies the bolt carrier groups to us in bulk. We carefully bubble wrap and then individually box and label them prior to packing them for shipment.
Are Toolcraft BCGs chrome lined?
Toolcraft follows the industry standard of chrome lining the carrier and gas key on their phosphate BCGs. All other Toolcraft BCGs will be the same finish on the inside as they are on the outside.
Is the staking on my Toolcraft gas key screws heavy enough?
Toolcraft installs carrier keys using mil-spec procedures. This means proper surface prep, sealant and gas key screws torqued to the proper value (both over and under torqued screws can fail). Toolcraft then stakes each gas key screw to the mil-spec. There are a lot of overly staked carriers on the market and this is seen by some as a sign of quality. It is not. Over staking of gas key screws runs the risk of cracking the key in a way that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Proper gas key installation is a process that involves several steps each done correctly. Toolcraft does it right and confidently offers a Lifetime Warranty on all their products.
What is the difference between Carpenter 158 and 9310 steel?
Carpenter 158 is the military specification (mil-spec) for bolts. 9310 is a more modern steel which can be up to 8% stronger than Carpenter 158. They are both premium steels with a long and successful history of use in AR15 bolts. Either will serve you well!
Can I get a left-handed BCG for a left-handed AR15 build I am working on?
Toolcraft makes left-handed BCGs and we try to keep some in stock.
What finishes do they come in?
Finishes include Black Nitride, Nickel Boron, Chrome & Manganese Phosphate, Ionbond Diamond Like Coating (DLC), Chrome and Titanium Nitride.
What is the best finish for me to get?
This is a very subjective question and the simplest answer is that you can’t make a bad choice! Our biggest seller is the Black Nitride, and it is generally the least expensive. If you are looking to spend more, the Nickel Boron, DLC and Titanium Nitride all offer a very slick feel and easy clean up. The chrome & phosphate finish is perfect for traditionalists. For a more in-depth look at BCG finishes, see our blog post on AR15 BCG Finishes.
Do the Toolcraft Bolt Carrier Groups come assembled?
Yes
Do Toolcraft BCGs come with firing pins?
Yes, they do. They come ready to drop in to your AR15.
Do Toolcraft BCGs come with charging handles?
They do not, but charging handles can be added to your order.
