[EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm working on pretty big story right now that Kit Up! readers and Military.com members will freak about when they see it, so I've asked a guest blogger to pitch in while I'm burning up the phones.
Our guest "Sean" has a good eye for interesting gear, including accessories and kit and so I thought I'd throw his quick writeup of the Fail Zero bolt an carrier system which promises to radically reduce the need for constant lube and minimize fouling of gas systems like the M4 and M16.
Enjoy (and please be respectful to our guest)...]
There’s a product out there in the civilian marketplace that already is popular among Soldiers and has the ability to make a pretty good impact in the future.
Enter FailZero.
FailZero is the brainchild of Florida-based UCT Coatings. They specialize in plating and advanced coatings for metals.
FailZero is their brand by which they market their EXO coating which the company says “eliminates the need for grease, oil or any other wet lubricants.”
Unlike films, conventional coatings and applied lubricants, it will never rub off, never flake off, never build up crud. EXO Technology eliminates wet-lubrication failures of critical components, giving you an “active weapon advantage” under all conditions.
Proven by DoD tests, SWAT teams, tactical experts.The patented EXOTM Technology used in FAILZERO upgrades has been thoroughly tested and proven effective by UCT Defense – a division of UCT Coatings and developer of EXO Technology – and by the U.S. Department of Defense. Test results include:
* 50,000 lube-free rounds on AR-15s.
* 15,000 lube-free rounds on M9 pistols.
* 18,000 lube-free rounds on carbine rifles.
* 23,000 lube-free rounds on machine guns.
The company says its coating technology is already used in Army 81 and 60mm mortar systems, Black Hawk hoists and some Navy applications.
I have a FailZero BCG in my personal use AR-15 and I can tell you from Day 1, even just in the box, it is impressive. The coating is even and beautiful on every surface. It looks wet. You touch it and it feels slick, you expect your finger to come away with oil on it, but it’s completely dry.
I’ve shot 500-700 rounds lube free before chickening out and lubing it – works beautifully. It will just take a little time to adjust to the lack of lube. There are documented torture tests online and some of these guys in the field have run it in the thousands, problem free… with suppression…no lube.
There is no harm in running it with a little lube, doesn’t hurt, but I find its best to keep it very light lube, less sludge mess to clean up and still perfect function.
The EXO coating would be a valued upgrade to any firearm system. Some guys in the field have reported appreciating the lack of oil to trail on the water during wet insertions, and others in cold weather like the lack of liquid in the action, less chance of gumming up or freezing.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This definitely seems like an excellent upgrade. The point you made about being in the water and in cold weather makes a lot of sense. Not having to worry about lube in general is great.
So this bolt could elimninate the need for converting the M16?M4 to gas piston? nice
Author here,
Your talking about a VERY sensitive issue, you have your die-hard "if it ain't broke, dont fix it" and then you have the guys who think we should have been running pistons from the start.
There are valid points on both sides of it, I personally am of the mind that I don't see a piston 5.56 in the near future for our troops, so its technology like this that can better have we have now.
I am all for giving every advantage to our soliders.
I have a direct impingement AR that came from the factory with this treatment. I clean the weapon every 1K rounds or so, and focus my efforts on preventing barrell fouling or corrosion from the dirty ammo I burn. But when I DO clean it, it's a wipedown–no chipping solid carbon off the bolt like the old days. Did I mention that I mostly burn dirty ammo?
That is another benefit of this coating, cleaning is a breeze!
Helps when your shooting that Russian dirt.
This sounds like a vast improvement over previous products and solutions. Now let's see if they can lose the Bunny-rabbit-killing 5.56mm and up the caliber to something that has a bit of renge and stopping power…something at least 6.5mm or larger. The old argument of "you're able to carry more 5.56mm ammo…" loses some of it's strength when one considers that it takes more ammo to stop the opponent. I know I'm going to hear more crap from this , but I've been waiting for a good 35 years, hoping SOMEBODY in our military will hear that loud, popping noise that occurs when one begins one's recovery from Cranio-Rectal Impaction. (the medical name for having your head up your A**!)
Until they change us out to 6.8 or the like, at least with this our troops weapons will function properly every time!
I've gone 700+ rounds without lubing and have had no problems. this coating is fantastic!
I think it's about time that these self-lubricating coatings are getting a serious looking at. Barrel surface conversions that are better than chrome too. They've both been around for at least a few years. A little too harsh? Maybe. I think the combination of this FailZero or it's equivalence and a new round like the Mk318 MOD 0 could really make a difference. Just think of how many hours of maintenance that could be be saved? Oh…the H&K 416 with this would rock! The DI guns still have to deal with excess heat that when combined with torque from a vertical fore-grip that can lead to a premature failure. I honestly think that this really applies only to the war-fighter and not to the LEO and the civilian gun owner. Beggars can't be choosers, so I'll just hope the DOD adopts this coating. In a perfect world, a new round like the 6.8 SPC II would be awesome but there isn't a chance in hell of it happening in this financial climate.
-what kind of camo is the guy on the left wearing??
Hate to pee on you guys' campfire, but according to Army Reg (I'm sure other services have similar reg), if it don't come thru the system, with a NSN, you CAN'T use it, and you leadership can be held responsible if they ok it. Your chain of command (if Army) needs to contact closest US Army Tank, Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) Logistics Assistance Representative (LAR) or US Army Sustainment unit to get the skinny or look on AEPS or LOGSA website, or look up PS Magazine. You owe your soldiers and your leadership that much. Really.
Your G4/S4 should know who to contact or send me an email – michael.foth@us.army.mil and I'll put you in touch with the right folks, so you don't break the rules and/or get anyone hurt/killed.
Mr. Foth is correct. If it’s not in the TM it’s not authorized to be used no matter how good someone thinks it is. It has to go through a testing phase and approved by Army weapons engineers before it can be used in the field. I am a TACOM Armament LAR and as of now I know it is NOT authorized to be used on any small arms or crew-served weapon. There is no perfect world and never will be. We have to learn to work within the confines of what’s available, approved and safe in all kinds of conditions and environments. In the civilian world it might be fine – that’s for each individual to do what they want with their own weapons.
We see these products come and go. For better or worse they are selling a product good or bad . Has this product been officially submitted for testing by the folks that test such products. Additional stuff like this is not needed if personnel will maintain their weapons IAW the operators TM. It is real easy to spray a product on a weapon, rather than take the time to do it right. Always remember the grass only looks greener on the other side of the fense.
Gerry I understand your point but the point of this product is to have a much more reliable weapons system for those less that ideal times. I agree that weapons maintenance is of utmost importance but that never is 100% reliable. I don't know if this product is 100% reliable but that's not the point of it either. Is this an definite improvement over the currant weapons finish we use now? If it is an improvement and provides extra protection again the usual/common failures of the M16 series system then it needs to be looked at immediately.
Question: Why hasn't DOD overwhelmingly adopted this FailZero BCG for it's troops in Iraq and Afghanistan utilizing M4's, M16's, and SAWs?
I wonder how this coating would work on a automatic skeet gun where torough cleaning is neccessary to maintain reliable operation? If reccomended, where {be specific} would you coat it?
The Fail Zero is a great system no Doubt about it,, Ive been running with them in my Ar's amd My M16 and they are AWESOME!!
Sometimes, you have to think outside the box. With all due respect, what I love about senior ARMY guys is they are always afraid to think for themselves. While the book says this, what I think and know through my own personal experience must not be true, because its not in my issued book. DO SOMETHING about it! Raise some hell, piss some people off, and get it approved. You owe it to you guys who are outside the wire pulling triggers. And yes weapons maintenance is IMPORTANT, ITS YOUR LIFE!. But when your operating in an AO that has moon dust freaking everywhere, to keep your weapon inspection ready clean, you could have to clean it every 3 minutes, literally. And stopping to clean your weapon in the middle of a fire fight because dust (from the recoil of your weapon kicking it up, or manuevering) has gotten into your weapons system and caused a Jam. This gear is already being employed in Mortar Systems the ARMY has. So, if enough high ranking enlisted salt dogs start asking questions and pushing the issue, something would get done about it.