I guess you equate price with quality which, speaking as a manufacturing engineer, is a bogus mindset. BCA does all their work in house from sourcing raw materials, to all manufacturing operations, to marketing and direct sales. That pretty much eliminates multiple layers of markup.
I do like BCA quality and they have made lots of improvements over time. I guess one of the points I was trying to make was that BCA isn’t competition for “top tier” AR15s and I don’t think that is their goal. Considering the price point I’ve seen a lot worse from different brands. BCA is solid.
@@gmaster45612374 When the price includes non value added factors like distributor markup, retail markup, manufacturing operations not done in house, marketing and sponsoring competitive big name shooters then one might argue that quality can be had for a lot less than the price of a "Gucci gun".
@@armeddefender What you get with a "top tier" AR is usually a complete gun that has the benefit of a more meticulous assembly. The average Joe who assembles his AR doesn't have those skills. Ever notice that it's harder to get individual parts from BCA? So much of their warranty work was the result of sloppy assembly having nothing to do with the quality of the part. So now it's easier to get complete uppers and lowers. As much as some of these inexperienced builders whine I can't blame BCA for that. If you took piles of unmarked parts from top tier companies along with unmarked BCA parts and had a competent armorer build guns from them randomly you'd get nothing but good guns.
Just bought an 8.5 inch 300 blk side charging upper from BCA that im gonna put on a PSA lower, getting it all together tomorrow will check in aafter the range
I purchased one of their uppers in 7.62x39 and had the extractor break. I reached out and it was a hassle to get them to send me a single extractor. Not to mention I had to polish the hell out of the feed ramps and remove the rubber doughnut from the extractor, just to get a round to chamber. BCA can be "good" but when it's bad, it's BAD! Good luck!
Can this work with Palmetto KS-47 lower? I also wish BCA comes up with a piston system, so that I can build an AR pattern rifle with AK manual of arms, combining the worst attributes of both AR and AK, and none of the advantages.
Unstill they aren't, then good luck with any support or replacement parts from BCA. Be very careful with side charging handle, they strip the screw of pull the threads eventually. Then, GOOD LUCK.
@billb412 from personal experience, I have had zero issues with cycling or accuracy. I always remove all handguard screws and the ejector handle and loctite them. One of my buddies had a feeding issue with an AR-10 308. He sent the upper back and they promptly shipped him a new one, no questions asked. I honestly have nothing but good things to say about Bear Creek.
My bca 7.5 2nd gen side charger was short stroking bending shells ect turns out the gas rings in the bolt were completely burnt out big gaps in 2 of the 3 rings I have a 1 piece ring ordered and a replacmemt 3 prob ya gas rings exspecially if its a shorty they have alot of gas coming thru those bolts and the rings wear faster than a standard 16 inch or 20 inch do the bolt test to test ya rings pull the bolt out the gun pull the cam out and set it on its bolt face with the carriers weight on top of the lugs if it collapses under its own weight ya gas rings are bad and thats why its short stroking and as far as the hand guard just snug up the bolts
@@Bluegrass-ballistics I did the bolt test and it passes, I’m not sure if it’s a light buffer issue or I need to fix the gas. I have a 16inch 5.56 upper, it would bit on the round.
I am really looking forward to buying a 223 wydle 20' from BCA. I am just torn between a side charging handle or a normal rear charging handle. Have you had any issues with yours? I already own a 5.56 AR-15 and wanted to try something diff. I just heard mixed reviews on the charging handle. I think a 223 wylde dmr set up would be kind of cool with a side charging handle. LOL
Side charge is the way to go. Especially with a scope. Feels so much more natural. I have side chargers from them in 308, 22lr, and 7.62 and i am about to order a 20" 223 Wylde. You can easily charge the rifle while shouldered.
@@wolftactical5421 I have the sprial fluted 18" rear charger 223 Wylde and I wish I could trade it for the side charger. It was my first BCA upper and it great as well.
@@wolftactical5421 my range only goes out to 300 yard steel plates. Boringly easy to hit those with any ammo. Have not had it long enough to test any match ammos to see what it really likes.
I have a 223. Wylde BC upper that consistently prints better with various optics and shooters than boutique super special uppers that guys only buy because so and so special Gov uses it. This is not 2005. Manufacturers have figured this out.
What is the purpose of a cheap rifle if it does nor preform without issues? I have a AR 9 BCA. I found upon the first use the boltsharging handle screw stripped out. They put out a video stating to put loctite on the thread's. What a cop out. How are you going to remove that screw, which it is necessary to remove bolt for cleaning? I found other issues as well indicating what a really cheaply made this product is. Mag well had to be filed out in the corners to accept a factory glock mag, which should have been caught at the factory. It's called QUALITY CONTROL. Same with staking. That is a factory issue as well. Also, when you call the factory for customer, they NEVER actually answer the phone or return your call. Pretty much, YOU BOUGHT IT, IT'S YOURS NOW. You figure it out. Could be a great product if they only knew how to run a real business. Selling and marketing is not all there is to a good product manufacturer. All of these guys that demo and test this productid typically a one day ordeal, what about in the long run, say a couple of years. Where are they going to be then? Rate this AR 9 as a solid 3.
I guess you equate price with quality which, speaking as a manufacturing engineer, is a bogus mindset. BCA does all their work in house from sourcing raw materials, to all manufacturing operations, to marketing and direct sales. That pretty much eliminates multiple layers of markup.
I do like BCA quality and they have made lots of improvements over time. I guess one of the points I was trying to make was that BCA isn’t competition for “top tier” AR15s and I don’t think that is their goal. Considering the price point I’ve seen a lot worse from different brands. BCA is solid.
Price does not equal quality but quality does come at a price.
@@gmaster45612374 quality and higher price are not mutually exclusive.
@@gmaster45612374 When the price includes non value added factors like distributor markup, retail markup, manufacturing operations not done in house, marketing and sponsoring competitive big name shooters then one might argue that quality can be had for a lot less than the price of a "Gucci gun".
@@armeddefender What you get with a "top tier" AR is usually a complete gun that has the benefit of a more meticulous assembly. The average Joe who assembles his AR doesn't have those skills. Ever notice that it's harder to get individual parts from BCA? So much of their warranty work was the result of sloppy assembly having nothing to do with the quality of the part. So now it's easier to get complete uppers and lowers. As much as some of these inexperienced builders whine I can't blame BCA for that. If you took piles of unmarked parts from top tier companies along with unmarked BCA parts and had a competent armorer build guns from them randomly you'd get nothing but good guns.
Side charge is better for big scopes and hunting
I leave an allen wrench for take down wrapped in cloth in my pistol grip.
that simple
Great idea, what about if the gas port plug gets to tight for your fingers. Do you carry a pair of pliers also?
@billb412 lol... that's why I have a Leatherman.
Just bought an 8.5 inch 300 blk side charging upper from BCA that im gonna put on a PSA lower, getting it all together tomorrow will check in aafter the range
Whats the verdict
Got my 10.5 300 blk out gen 2 side charge 2 weeks ago. I’ve taken it out last two weekends and so far flawless.
I love Bear Creek Arsenal I only had one problem with their guns and it was a side charging it was the Gen 1 they fix the problem and it works great
I purchased one of their uppers in 7.62x39 and had the extractor break. I reached out and it was a hassle to get them to send me a single extractor. Not to mention I had to polish the hell out of the feed ramps and remove the rubber doughnut from the extractor, just to get a round to chamber. BCA can be "good" but when it's bad, it's BAD! Good luck!
AMEN. It seems like they don't really support their AR 9's.
Thank you Bear Creek. Could you make us a longer charging handle. Maybe 2 inch’s long and round.
It would get in your way and break or strip the threads with that much length. IMO.
Can a regular top charging handle be used if necessary on these side chargers ? Thx
No. They do make some dual chargers tho. Side and rear
BCA gen.2 upper pinned to mil. spec. lower w/ PDQ bolt release,
required hand machining upper for PDQ to function. am satisfied
What brand of fixed blade is that?
On my Gen2 I put AK side charger cap, as additional safety for unbolting. an I guess they put o-ring to prevent gas blow back in to the face.
Where can i find the charger cap
Got this same upper except midlength gas for $215 like 5 months ago…
Besides they use fedex BCA was a hell of a good bargain.
Does this work with a Side Loader like the BF-10 or MA-Loader? Live in NY and must have a fixed mag.
Do you still have a relationship with BCA? Curios to see more review on the new bufferless design.
What knife is that?
My side charging gen 2 bca .308 wont extract or chamber a round due to an awful extractor that is basically locked up.
More great quality and QC.
Can this work with Palmetto KS-47 lower? I also wish BCA comes up with a piston system, so that I can build an AR pattern rifle with AK manual of arms, combining the worst attributes of both AR and AK, and none of the advantages.
Palmetto on their page for the individual lower says it only works with the KS 47 upper. I don't have the extra funds to test.
I just didn't want the standard charging handle hitting me in the face.
Bear Creek side chargers run flawlessly, Iike butter! Extreme accuracy was achieved with reloads!
Unstill they aren't, then good luck with any support or replacement parts from BCA. Be very careful with side charging handle, they strip the screw of pull the threads eventually. Then, GOOD LUCK.
@billb412 from personal experience, I have had zero issues with cycling or accuracy. I always remove all handguard screws and the ejector handle and loctite them. One of my buddies had a feeding issue with an AR-10 308. He sent the upper back and they promptly shipped him a new one, no questions asked. I honestly have nothing but good things to say about Bear Creek.
What kind of buffer spring you running? and mags?
Have a PSA lower laying around now just trying to decide if I want to go with a BCA upper in 223 wylde, 7.62x39 or 6.5 Grendel.
350 legend
I must have had a bad batch lol mines 6 months old and it short strokes or doesn’t cycle. My hand guard came loose lol
My bca 7.5 2nd gen side charger was short stroking bending shells ect turns out the gas rings in the bolt were completely burnt out big gaps in 2 of the 3 rings I have a 1 piece ring ordered and a replacmemt 3 prob ya gas rings exspecially if its a shorty they have alot of gas coming thru those bolts and the rings wear faster than a standard 16 inch or 20 inch do the bolt test to test ya rings pull the bolt out the gun pull the cam out and set it on its bolt face with the carriers weight on top of the lugs if it collapses under its own weight ya gas rings are bad and thats why its short stroking and as far as the hand guard just snug up the bolts
@@Bluegrass-ballistics I did the bolt test and it passes, I’m not sure if it’s a light buffer issue or I need to fix the gas. I have a 16inch 5.56 upper, it would bit on the round.
More great quality and QC. But ya got it cheap.
Use red lock tight on bolt handle
Good luck getting it loose for removal to clean.
I am really looking forward to buying a 223 wydle 20' from BCA. I am just torn between a side charging handle or a normal rear charging handle. Have you had any issues with yours? I already own a 5.56 AR-15 and wanted to try something diff. I just heard mixed reviews on the charging handle. I think a 223 wylde dmr set up would be kind of cool with a side charging handle. LOL
Side charge is the way to go. Especially with a scope. Feels so much more natural. I have side chargers from them in 308, 22lr, and 7.62 and i am about to order a 20" 223 Wylde. You can easily charge the rifle while shouldered.
@@davidstone3780 Ok brother. I will def look into it. Most likely i will order it around memorial day just gotta decide between rear or side.
@@wolftactical5421 I have the sprial fluted 18" rear charger 223 Wylde and I wish I could trade it for the side charger. It was my first BCA upper and it great as well.
@@davidstone3780 Heck yea thats re assuring. whats the furthest you took it out? i want to use my set up as a SPR/DMR long range plinker.
@@wolftactical5421 my range only goes out to 300 yard steel plates. Boringly easy to hit those with any ammo. Have not had it long enough to test any match ammos to see what it really likes.
I've only shot mine 29 times. That's how many shots it takes for the junk firing pin to break. Why does bca put junk firing pins in their guns?
Cheap guns. So they can make a larger profit. Sell more guns. Like the old Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto, THROW AWAYS.
I have a 223. Wylde BC upper that consistently prints better with various optics and shooters than boutique super special uppers that guys only buy because so and so special Gov uses it.
This is not 2005.
Manufacturers have figured this out.
Theres nothing more to say 👍
Please give function update especially focusing on extractor after 300-500 rds. Your review is disingenuous until you function test.
For some reason, for a single millisecond I thought that was a g3 smh
Side charging is great for us lefties.
gotta agree
BCA is better then kAk or DD any lately PSA
I got my BCA 20” 5.56 for $385
Complete rifle
What is the purpose of a cheap rifle if it does nor preform without issues? I have a AR 9 BCA. I found upon the first use the boltsharging handle screw stripped out. They put out a video stating to put loctite on the thread's. What a cop out. How are you going to remove that screw, which it is necessary to remove bolt for cleaning? I found other issues as well indicating what a really cheaply made this product is. Mag well had to be filed out in the corners to accept a factory glock mag, which should have been caught at the factory. It's called QUALITY CONTROL. Same with staking. That is a factory issue as well. Also, when you call the factory for customer, they NEVER actually answer the phone or return your call. Pretty much, YOU BOUGHT IT, IT'S YOURS NOW. You figure it out. Could be a great product if they only knew how to run a real business. Selling and marketing is not all there is to a good product manufacturer. All of these guys that demo and test this productid typically a one day ordeal, what about in the long run, say a couple of years. Where are they going to be then? Rate this AR 9 as a solid 3.
Talk about phoning it in!! Geez they sent you a free upper for that?