BCM lower and other questions.

AR/M4 Custom Build Forum
1

I’ve lurked on this as well as several different AR forums trying to figure out how to put together or purchase a good AR. Man, the information is overwhelming. For my first AR I don’t want to get much more complicated then purchasing a lower, upper and putting sites and a sling on it.

I plan to use the carbine for predator hunting, mostly coyote, target and range shooting and having a carbine that would be more practical then a bolt gun and 1911 in a SHTF scenario.

I’ll probably start out with Magpul folding rear iron site, may go with a PA sight and mount system, and would like to be able to mount a Leopold on it for target shooting, something I could put on and take off, but $200+ for a Larue mount is a killer at the moment, maybe latter.

I’ve been down the cheap optics road, but PA seems to have decent reviews until I can afford better. A sling, Harris bi-pod and a white light might be nice attachments, but that’s about it. A flash hider/muzzle break is probably good and comes with the barrel I think I want.

Money is tight…tighter then usual and will probably be that way for a while. I’ll probably have to sell a gun or two or three to fund my new AR/M4 pursuit.

What I’ve got in mind.

16” BCM mid length upper with a Stainless 1/8 barrel, probably standard hand guard until Magpul comes out with their mid-length…for attaching the white light…I’d prefer all black but the ION bond is out of stock. CHF might be an option but I’m trying to get some extra accuracy and thinking the stainless is the way to go and I think I like the idea of a 1/8 twist

I want a carbine that will have good mechanical accuracy, something that will shoot MOA or less, probably 55-77 grain loads, but lots of cheapo 55’s for practice ammo. I’ve been shooting over 50 years so I know how it’s done, my bolt guns shoot well under MOA with the right load or they get the boot.

BCM lower for $360 shipped.

The question I have on the BCM lower is “what kind of trigger” can I expect? I really don’t want to put a lower together right now…so building one up with a custom trigger isn’t an option at the moment. I’ve seen some LMT complete lowers in the same price range and wonder if one is better then the other or are they about same? BCM, LMT or DD is one about as good as the other? As much as I love Colt I just don’t want LE markings on the gun.

I also have to wonder about cheaper lowers like DSA for $249 or so if IIRC?

I read somewhere recently about sending a stock trigger group into a Bill Springfield and he can do a good job on it for around $50.00 or so, so this could be an option sometime down the road?

I’m trying to save a buck, but don’t want to be penny wise and pound foolish….better to cry only once right?

Originally I was going to go with a Rock River, one of the “Predator” carbines, until I wandered over here and found Rob’s list. By the way, nice site with lot’s of good info!

Any help, thoughts, comments or advise you guy’s can give is appreciated.

2

I have a BCM middy carbine, one of the ones in the first batch released. It’s got a serial number before 120. A friend has one with a lower number than that.

Both have an excellent out of the box trigger. I had debated sending mine to Bill Springfield for a bit of work, but it’s really nice after a few hundred dry firings.

I have a Colt 6920 and an LMT Defender as well. I think the BCM came with a better trigger. Statistical sample of two, and all that. But Paul’s QC is pretty damn good, across the board.

Order a complete BCM lower from Grant, or get a stripped lower and add one of his LPK’s. Either way you’ll do fine.

I have been quite pleased with my BCM middy carbine. Out of the half-dozen I have, it’s my “oh poop” carbine that stays loaded next to the bed at night…

3

The quality of the BCM lowers is excellent, and I highly recommend getting one. However, if you’re looking for a match/light trigger then you will need to buy one. The trigger that came in mine was your typical 7-7.5lb single stage military trigger. Not the best for precision shooting. RRA 2-stage triggers are a decent replacement and you can find them for about $100.

The LMT w/ 2-stage wouldn’t be a bad option, either.

4

Mmm…good info, Thank you!

I checked out Bill Springfields site, he’s an hour away and does trigger jobs while you wait! How cool is that? He also has a LPK with a custom trigger…and I considered it. I could probably put a lower together.

I also tried pricing out a lower on Rainer, Mega lower, Magpul stock, buffer kit and grip and with Bill’s LPK it all adds up to more then either the BCM or LMT lower.

Rainer has the complete LMT Defender for $330.00. The Noveske lower was only $50.00 more then the Mega stripped lower, but all in all it seems to be more cost effective to go with the assembled lower, granted I won’t get the stock and grip I’d like, but being new to AR’s I can use it now… and modify as cash becomes available, considering the platform, I doubt if just one is going to be enough.

Since I’m hesitate to put a lower together at the moment, I think my solution might be to go with either the BCM or LMT and then take a ride down to the Springs to have him do a while you wait trigger job, I have some business needing to be taken care of down there anyway.

You know how it is with accessories and ammo. And I want to get one now and start shooting it.

Thanks!

5

Next to my SBR my BCM middy is my favorite rifle. I carried it on uniform patrol and love it.

You would be well served by either BCM or LMT. I’ve heard great things about Bill’s trigger work so if he’s close get after it. Both the LMT and BCM will have a stock milspec trigger.

You can pick up the BCM from Grant at G&R and he will even match it up to a middy upper for the best fit.