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The Annoyed Man wrote:The primary benefit to NiB or NiPh plating that I've noticed is that cleanup is easier. The parts basically just wipe clean because the fouling isn't stuck to or burned onto the part. It just wipes right off. I haven't noticed whether or not function is measurably improved, but I suspect that is because I keep my BCG' and receivers properly lubed, and I haven't yet fired enough rounds between cleanings to cause the gun to fail. So for me, the primary benefit has been ease of cleaning. That said.... I've gotten really bad lately about cleaning, and so my round count between cleanings is higher than it used to be, so maybe it means something. OTH, my non-plated BCGs are also still good to go. Who knows? One of those non-plated BCGs is in a gas-piston gun, which runs a lot cleaner anyway. Fouling inside three of my four receivers is due primarily to running suppressed. The one AR I have that is not yet set to accept a suppressor, is a standard M4 profile carbine length DI system. The BCG in that carbine is from Daniel Defense, is non-plated, and seems to work just fine.

So make of that what you will. I think that, ease of cleaning aside, the reliability benefit is probably overstated as long as you properly maintain your firearm. I also think that the reason most people pay extra for plating is because it looks cool. In other words, unless your an oper8tor, oper8ting oper8tionally all the time, it probably has exactly the same benefit/value as a FDE paint job......not that there is anything wrong with that.