Chad Wallace

September 12, 2022

Walker Defense Titanium BCG

Chad Wallace

September 12, 2022

Titanium bolt carrier groups (BCG) are one of the mysteries of the AR world. A few companies manufacture them, but what are they really for? I’ll try to answer that with the Walker Defense Research Titanium BCG.

If you are looking at a Titanium (Ti) BCG, like the Walker Defense one, it is probably because of weight. Meaning you are trying to get the lightest possible parts around. The Walker Ti BCG weighs 7.8 ounces complete. A standard BCG weighs 11.8 ounces on my scale. That’s an off the shelf weight saving of 4 ounces. I know, that doesn’t seem like a lot, but when every ounce counts, that's a bunch. An important note is that the bolt is not titanium, it is 9130 steel with a Nickel Boron coating. The bolt is also magnetic partical inspected (MPI). A Ti bolt just doesn’t have the correct metallurgy to work, but for the carrier, it’s great. The Ti carrier, without the bolt, only weighs 5.7 ounces.

The Walker Defense Ti BCG is of the standard M16 profile. This is done so that it will work in almost every scenario, except piston guns. It is for direct impingement AR’s only. The M16 profile also gives the BCG strength and reliability. Cutting away material can weaken a BCG or make it not function correctly. Walker makes the BCG out of 6AL-4V grade 5 titanium. This even goes above my material knowledge, but I bet that they know what they are doing, especially since this titanium seems to be the standard for Ti BCG’s. An Ionbond Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) is then put on the carrier. This DLC coating gives the BCG a longer lifespan and makes it super smooth. Of course you need excellent machining to have a smooth coating, and the Walker Defense BCG definitely is machined super smooth.

Another reason for choosing a titanium BCG is for reduced recoil. The Ti BCG reduces recoil because there is less moving mass. This does come at a price. One also needs an adjustable gas block. This is a must for any lightweight BCG, not just the Walker Ti one. Then you have to tune the adjustable gas block. Good ones come with instructions on how to do this. Some might say that you can “tune” the Ti BCG by using heavier buffers and stuff. But a heavier buffer just adds more weight and more recoil. Isn’t one reason you would choose a Ti bcg is for weight? I can attest to the lower recoil of the Ti BCG. I have a Superlative arms adjustable gas block, tuned to eject the brass at about 3:30. According to the Mantis x, it reduced muzzle rise by over 50% and recoil width by over 80%. You can see in the short video that even with an A2 flash hider, there is hardly any recoil or muzzle climb. I could definitely feel the difference.

I was a little hesitant to try the Walker titanium BCG out. I just didn’t understand why I needed it. After using it thoroughly for some time, I can say it definitely makes the AR shoot so much smoother. All the claims are correct. Reduced muzzle rise. Reduced felt recoil. Faster follow up shots, due to those previously mentioned reductions. Yes, the BCG price can make you gasp a little. But in the end, it’s not much more expensive, if any, than other low mass BCG’s. Even some enhanced BCG’s are in the $250 range. The Walker Ti BCG also has forward assist notches, something a lot of the other lightweight carriers don’t have. For me, I just can’t get over how smooth the recoil impulse is with the Walker Ti BCG.

Probably the last reason to choose Walker’s Ti BCG is durability. Titanium tends to be more resistant to heat and pressure. What do direct impingement guns have? Hot gasses being directly blown into the carrier. So anything that is more resistant to heat is a good thing. Walker also correctly stakes the gas key on, so it won’t be moving around causing problems. Just lube your Ti BCG as normal, and you should get a long life span from it.

The Walker Defense Titanium BCG does everything a BCG should do and more. The “more” is why I really like it. It’s lightweight, reduces recoil, is durable, and has a standard M16 profile. Hopefully you have a better understanding of why you would want the Walker Ti BCG. So if you want that “lightweight everything”, or just a super quality bolt carrier, head over to the Walker Defense Research website and give them a look. Everything I have from Walker is top notch and is always made in the USA.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Lightweight M16 FA Bolt Carrier Group

Target Market:

Lightweight builds, competition shooters, or anyone wanting a high quality BCG

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Compatibility: M16/ M4 / AR-15 Direct Gas Impingement (not for use in piston guns)
Calibers: 5.56x45mm NATO / .223 Remington / .300 AAC Blackout
Profile: Full Auto Style Carrier w/ Properly Staked Gas Key
Carrier Material: 6AL-4V (Grade 5) Titanium
Bolt Material: 9310 Steel
Carrier Coating: Ionbond DLC (Diamond Like Carbon)
Bolt Coating: Nickel Boron
Firing Pin: Steel w/ Chrome Finish
Made in the USA
Weight: Carrier-only (titanium): 5.7 oz, Total (Carrier, Bolt, firing pin, etc.): 7.8 oz
Adjustable gas block is highly recommended

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Carrier only

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at Walker Defense

Surprisingly Good

When I decided to upgrade my mil-spec bolt carrier group ("BCG"), I did a lot of research. I found a review of the Walker Defense Research BCG on Pew Pew Tactical. I was impressed by the statistics . I there and when I went to the site, found the NERO, a three-d printed muzzle device. I was impressed by the willingness to explore new technologies. I bought both a NERO and this BCG. I have a JP captured spring and a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block. With the mil-spec BCG, I could only tune the rifle to 1.5 turns into bleed (22 clicks on the detentes). It was a good result. The Walker DR BCG allowed me to bleed off another 1.5 turns (28 clicks). Because of that, I have extremely little barrel movement and keep my targets well (understand that the NERO is not on this rifle so there is no effect--this is strictly the BCG. With less mass, there is less slam. Whenever I take it to the range, others notice the smoothness and my targets. I have offhanded 120 rounds at a session and it is only my wallet that caused me to hang it up in a session. Two other things to mention: 1) my clockworks stay noticeably cleaner because I am able to bleed off so much dirty gas; and 2) the coating quality goes all the way out to the edges. This second issue needs a bit more explanation. On the mil-spec BCG the edges wore nearly immediately. The quality of the finish is so good that the edges remain crisp at 1,250 rounds. I have no reservations about recommending this BCG. I would suggest that you take full advantage by getting an adjustable gas block as well. The two together really make the gun a sweet shooter. My sons have various ARs but they always find an excuse for shooting mine.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $359.99

Retail = $306.00 with “INSIDER15” discount code

I need it now! Availability:

Walker Defense Research

Use “INSIDER15” FOR 15% OFF

Our Rating:

Pros:

Super lightweight
DLC coating on carrier
Nickel Boron coating on bolt
M16 Full Auto carrier specs
Super smooth operation
Less felt recoil
100% Made in USA

Cons:

Price
Needs adjustable gas block

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link: JSD Supply

Chad Wallace

November 26, 2021

Walker Defense, Review, NILE

Walker Defense NILE Rail Panels

Chad Wallace

November 26, 2021

Walker Defense, Review, NILE

Walker Defense Research has come out with some new rail panels. They call these “NILE”. Which stands for Non-Slip Inlaid Element, more on that later. Essentially these are Silicon Carbide grip panels for your M-Lok handguard. They are also 100% made in the USA, including the mounting hardware.

The NILE’s are very well thought out. Walker Defense uses a thin heat resistant polymer that is somewhat flexible. Then they lay the Silicon Carbide into a pocket that is molded into the polymer. Silicone Carbide is basically the sand stuff they use on sandpaper. This produces a nice “grippy” surface that is easily attached to your M-Lok slotted handguard. The flexibility also makes it easier to install the rails into the M-Lok slots because they aren’t rigid. The heat resistance also helps insulate your hand from excessive barrel heat, if that’s an issue.

When I say these are thin, they are. Of the 4 pack I received, they all measure right around ⅛” thick. Not even really enough to notice the thickness. They are 0.70” wide. So just enough to not hang over the flats of the M-Lok slots they mount into. Then they are 4.75” long, or they take up 3 M-Lok slots. The Silicon Carbide, or grippy part, takes up a little more than 3.5” of that length. 1 and 2 slot versions are also available, they are 1.5” and 2.125” long, respectively. Walker also offers custom combination packs. These let you choose what length rails you would like to get. That way you don’t have to order a 3 pack of 3 slot rails, and a 3 pack of another length if you only need one 3 slot, and 2 - 1 slots, for example.

The NILE rails also have an extra mounting feature. If you look at the back of the rail panels, you see a little clip or two. These are between the mounting screws. The clips push into, and lock the rail panels into the extra rail slots. It’s a nice little added feature that should help secure the rail panels under extreme circumstances. These little clip tabs make installation a little bit tricky. To install them, start at one end, then push them in along the rail. I had to tap on, some of them, with a little hammer to get them to pop through the M-Lok slot. The panels probably wouldn’t go anywhere, even if you lost the two end screws.

Some people like grip panels, some people don’t. I’m usually in the category of “don’t” because of the thickness of them. The Walker Defense NILE’s definitely changed my mind. Even when I ran one each at 3,6, and 9 O’clock, I didn’t even notice the added thickness. The panels sit nice and tight up against the rail too, probably adding to me not noticing the thickness. Or should I say slimness? I’m pretty much sold on these minimalist grip panels.

The Silicon Carbide inlays are really where the NILE’s shine. Now we can understand the name - Non-Slip (for the silicon carbide), Inlaid (it’s put in the) Element. They are super grippy but not so much that you’ll tear skin off. With gloves on, without gloves on, wet hands, dirty hands, either way the panels give a great surface to grip the forend. I really liked how well they feel over the normal “smooth” feel of a handguard. They definitely gave me better control of the rifle.

Another feature that comes to mind about the NILE’s, is their weight. They weigh about nothing. Each panel without mounting hardware is 7 grams! A 3 pack of 3 slot panels weighs 3/4 of an ounce. So you really don’t even notice them, at least weight wise.

Dirt can be a problem with these types of panels. The silicon carbide can pack up with dirt. Kind of like sandpaper does after use. Walker Defense has an option for a “Dirt Eraser”. Yes you heard that correctly. This eraser pulls the dirt out of the silicon carbide panel. No more scrubbing with a soapy toothbrush. Just rub the “Eraser” on, and it pulls the dirt out. Yes, just like that, and yes, it works. I’m pretty sure it’s some form of magic.

Walker Defense has done it again with a great product. The NERO brake was the first, now the NILE rail panels. The NILE’s were everything I wanted in a grip panel - slim, lightweight, and has a really good grip texture. The eraser is a nice touch too. Go check out the NILE’s, or anything else Walker Defense has to offer. They make top tier firearm accessories.