Sharp’s Rifle Company made quite the splash among YouTubers when it seemed every channel was reviewing the Xtreme Performance Bolt (XPB). While Sharp’s is known for some of their unique calibers like 25-45 Sharps, the XPB represents a product for the mainstream .223 and .300 BLK shooter. The AR-15 has gone through several evolutions and mutations in recent years with an explosion of improvements, but the bolt carrier group has been left rather unchanged. The XPB offers some claimed improvements. Here’s the breakdown as taken directly from the product website:
“The Sharps Xtreme Performance Bolt (XPB) Carrier Group Complete has the same design as the Balanced Bolt Carrier Group and is precisely machined from S7 tool steel. The XPB undergoes a 24-hour thermal cycle proprietary heat treatment and is finished with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) Coating. The XPB Carrier Group Complete displays the SRC logo machine cut and visible when the ejection port door is open. The XPB fits standard AR-15/M16/M4 rifles chambered in .223/5.56mm, 25-45 Sharps and 300 Blackout calibers.
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Technical Data
Bolt: S7 Tool steel, shot peened DLC coated (U.S. Patent No. 9,863,729)
Bolt Carrier:S7 Tool steel, shot peened and DLC coated
Gas Key: 4130 Steel, attached with Grade 8 hardware, properly staked and DLC Coated
Cam Pin: 4340 Steel, Manganese Phosphate coated
Firing Pin: Mil Spec firing pin made of 8740 steel, center‐less ground and Hard Chrome coated
Extractor: 4340 Steel, Manganese Phosphate coated
Ejector: S7, shot peened and Manganese Phosphate coated
Extractor Pin: S7, shot peened and Manganese Phosphate coated
Mil-Spec Extractor and Ejector Springs, Firing Pin Retaining Pin, Gas Rings
Batch MPI and HPT tested
Tensile strengths of 1550-1600 mpa, or 220,000-235,000 psi.
Toughness of over 200 ft./lb. Charpy C-Notch
HRC of 46 yields a 15% increase in hardness at the same toughness comparing to Carpenter 158 & 9310
Technical Data on DLC Coating
Coating thickness: 2 – 4 Microns
Hardness HV 0.05: HRC 80+
Deposition method: PVD UBM/PACVD
Friction vs. steel, dry: 0.1
Color: Matte Black”
So how does it really perform? Is it worth the extra cash? See the video below for the results of some long-term testing.
