A friend of mine as a S&W M&P 15 and is changing his barrel to a pinned 14.5 Spikes Tactical. Can he use his S&W BCG with the S&W bolt or does he have to buy a Spikes Tactical bolt so his bolt manufacture matches with the barrel manufacture?
This will totally depend on whether the new bbl. and old bolt have the correct headspace. Most will be OK but well worn bolts that have "married" to their chambers may pose a problem with headspace.
Short answer, "Maybe, maybe even probably but check."
The general rule of thumb is:
- New Bolt + New Barrel = Good to Go
- New Bolt + Old Barrel = Good to Go
- Old Bolt + New Barrel = Good to Go
- Old Bolt + (different) Old Barrel = No Go