Polishing bolt guide rails

Beuford T. Rimfire · Jan 13, 2013

I finally got around to polishing my bolt guide rails last night. I'm amazed at the difference this made! Everything operates much more smoothly than before, even though my rails looked pretty smooth before I started polishing. I know this has been posted before, but just thought I'd mention it for some of the recent newcomers to the forum. Takes a little time, but this modification is well worth the effort.

Kayback · Jan 13, 2013

What do people use to "polish" a gun part?

KBK

yugowego · Jan 13, 2013

Made a night and day difference on mine... Mine were really bad... They looked like rough cut lumber. I used a dremel with various stones and sanding wheels and finished it off with a buffing wheel and polishing compound. Just remember to go slow and check progress often.

Beuford T. Rimfire · Jan 13, 2013

What do people use to "polish" a gun part?

I went the hand tool route. I also selected "tools" that were long enough to provide a large surface area so I didn't end up with wavy or beveled bolt rails. I first used a fine toothed file to get things started, then alternated between an Arkansas stone and 2000 grit sandpaper wrapped around the file (again for a long flat surface) to smooth any tool marks left by the file, which were few if any. I ended up with a buttery smooth surface. I could probably go back with the dremel and polish compound now that I have all the machining ridges removed but I'm not sure I'd benefit much from that effort at this stage.

Gopher Slayer · Jan 13, 2013

I use a little of everything.

The Arkansas 3-sided stone is what I typically use on flat surfaces. Gotta keep em flat.

Blue Magic metal polish is the best stuff I've found.

I use flat files too, but they're hanging out in the garage.

BP_Z28 · Jan 13, 2013

Best polish in the world IMO..is Autosol

I've tried numerous polishes on car accessories to make my engine bay "pop" at car shows. Autosol truly make items beautiful

REM 3200 · Jan 13, 2013

Kayback said:
What do people use to "polish" a gun part?

KBK

Lots of range time and lots of ammo.

DelFuego · Jan 13, 2013

REM 3200 said:
Lots of range time and lots of ammo.

I was about to say the same thing.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

Majorlk · Jan 13, 2013

Kayback said:
What do people use to "polish" a gun part?

KBK

Depending on the particular part, a felt wheel on a Dremel tool or a bench grinder. Polishing media is generally Flitz or plain old auto polishing compound.

thousandstar · Jan 13, 2013

Can someone please post a detailed picture of exactly what they are polishing, and which surface?

Majorlk · Jan 13, 2013

thousandstar said:
Can someone please post a detailed picture of exactly what they are polishing, and which surface?

No,photo but it is the fork-shaped bolt carrier. One polishes the top, bottom and inside surfaces of the two rails.

Brett248Vista · Jan 13, 2013

Inside surfaces of the rails do not touch the bolt, only the top and bottom which are already smooth enough.

Beuford T. Rimfire · Jan 13, 2013

Inside surfaces of the rails do not touch the bolt, only the top and bottom which are already smooth enough.

Some I'm sure are more smooth than others, but you can tell a NOTICEABLE difference after polishing. Mine appeared completely smooth before I started, but after a few strokes with the Arkansas stone, I saw the ridges from the tool marks under the factory metal coating. At that point, I realized the rails weren't as smooth as I though so then I switched to my file for some quick heavy lifting.

Polishing the rails will make a difference, but it is an arguable point as to how much difference it will make. Just depends on which end of the QC spectrum you parts seemed to fall into at the factory.

Majorlk · Jan 13, 2013

Brett248Vista said:
Inside surfaces of the rails do not touch the bolt, only the top and bottom which are already smooth enough.

That's a matter of opinion.

Lager · Jan 13, 2013

Im interested? What difference are you talking about or trying to achieve?

Majorlk · Jan 13, 2013

Lager said:
Im interested? What difference are you talking about or trying to achieve?

Smoother movement of the bolt along the rails. Measurable difference, maybe not so much. Emotional difference, priceless.

Gopher Slayer · Jan 13, 2013

Brett248Vista said:
Inside surfaces of the rails do not touch the bolt,

Sure they do. As soon as the bolt slightly cants to one side from the action cycling or from the shooter charging the firearm. There was evidence on mine after several thousand rounds.

rraisley · Jan 13, 2013

Brett248Vista said:
Inside surfaces of the rails do not touch the bolt, only the top and bottom which are already smooth enough.

If the inside does not touch, then there must be some other magic force that keeps the bolt centered.

yugowego · Jan 13, 2013

I did all bolt contact points and even polished the bolt while i was at it...

Majorlk · Jan 14, 2013

yugowego said:
I did all bolt contact points and even polished the bolt while i was at it...

I think engine-turning the bolt would look cool, but I'm too lazy to do it.

Polishing bolt guide rails

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