The Cost of Cutting Corners - Colt's Hard Chrome Plating M16 Blunder

Published on April 26, 2024
Duration: 0:50

This entry details Colt's historical issue with hard chrome plating on M16 bolt carrier groups. Despite hard chrome being a sound concept for the BCG, Colt's attempt to perform the plating in-house to save costs led to substandard results. The plating failed to meet specifications, causing flaking and operational problems, ultimately ruining a good design through cost-cutting measures.

Quick Summary

Colt's attempt to save money by performing hard chrome plating on M16 bolt carrier groups in-house resulted in failure. The plating didn't meet specifications, leading to flaking and operational issues, proving that cost reduction can ruin a good design.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Colt's Hard Chrome Plating Issue
  2. 00:42Hard Chrome as a Good Idea

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main problem with Colt's hard chrome plating on M16 bolt carrier groups?

Colt attempted to perform hard chrome plating in-house to save money. This led to the plating not meeting specifications, causing it to flake off and create operational problems with the bolt carrier group.

Was hard chrome plating itself a bad idea for bolt carrier groups?

No, hard chrome plating was considered a fantastic concept for bolt carrier groups, offering significant benefits. The issue stemmed from Colt's specific implementation and cost-cutting measures, not the plating technology itself.

Who designed hard chrome into the bolt carrier group concept?

Eugene Stoner, the designer of the AR-15 platform (which the M16 is based on), originally incorporated the concept of hard chrome plating into the bolt carrier group design.

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