Blackheart International just let us know they've begun selling their own chromed bolt carrier groups. Aside from the bling factor, BHI says the satin finish on the included bolt carrier, bolt, gas key, cam pin and firing pin resist carbon buildup better than your black (manganese phosphate) coated parts. This should make the bolt more reliable and longer lasting, since it doesn't get as fouled and cleans up easier and faster. If you're plinking less than a thousand rounds a year, chromed BCGs are probably not worth the upgrade price. But, if you shoot regularly the reliability and easier cleaning might be attractive.
They've got a couple versions. There's a $245 $172.50 standard version (shown) and a $TBA National Match version that has closer tolerances, more surface area up front, reduced contact surface behind the gas key and is 1/2 ounce heavier than the standard group.
The new BCG is competitively priced and BHI says their product is held to a higher machining standard and smoother industrial chrome surface finish than some competing models.
There are other chromed and chrome-lined BCGs out there that are a bit less expensive, like Young's, for instance. Heck, for $250 you could buy a FailZero kit with a trigger hammer from Brownells. At $245, BHI is positioning their BCG at the high end of the market. The trick with chroming parts is to make sure the chrome finish is not going to flake off and cause issues. If BHI can prove this won't happen, and that they've got a superior finish and stake, then perhaps their version is worth an extra 20% over what's out there.
