Hi,
This is my first post so go easy on me…if I’m posting in the wrong forum please let me know.
I’m in the process of assembling, not building, my first AR. I managed to snag one of the BCM blem lowers from Grant and I took advantage of SKD Tactical’s amazing sale this morning at 1 AM (insomnia pays off) to order a Magpul MIAD grip, MOE middy handguard, ACS stock (had planned on just using an MOE stock but couldn’t pass up a deal) and have a DD A 1.5 fixed rear from another sale. I’m looking at LMT or BCM bcg’s for the quality.
I wanted to go with a BCM 16 inch light weight mid-length upper but can’t catch one in stock so my question is should I wait for one of those or just move up to a hammer forged barrel? I’m not necessarily building a dedicated BCM rifle so LMT or Noveske would also work but I like the features and price point of the Bravos.
Until I take a carbine class and figure out which direction I want to go in with the platform I planned on running iron sights and will probably give this rifle to my son in a couple of years when he turns 18.
Thanks for all the info and expertise found on this site and to my nephew Jason for sending me here when I mentioned reading good things about DPMS on TOS.
Generally I wouldn’t pop for the hammer forged, but a bird in the hand…
I can’t respond with any knowledge based information but I will respond with my opinion.
I opted for the hammer forged barrel and after receiving it I wouldn’t trade it out for anything.
I have both BCM barrel versions in 11.5. Haven’t shot the standard barrel much yet (about 500 rounds) but so far I can’t tell the difference in accuracy on 50-yard 8-inch gongs.
Plus it comes with a sweet velcro BFH patch! No brainer in my book.:sarcastic:
Really though, with the MOE handguards the weight of your rifle would probably balance out real well with the gov profile as opposed to a pencil barrel. Hell, I have a 13.8" Troy MRF FF quad rail surrounding my BFH and it’s not too awful.
I think he’s talking about lightweight either way.
lightweight BFH in stock $489
lightweight standard out of stock $399
Thanks for the feedback.
I am trying to be patient and not rush into anything but…
I have used the search function and learned that the hammer forged barrels generally are more durable but at this point I can’t say I will ever see a round count THAT high.
I’m also not dead-set on the pencil thin barrel but also can’t find any BCM standard middys in stock. I guess I’m mostly just wondering if I should wait for the standard barrels to start selling again.
edit: Yes, Rob_S , sorry typing too slow…
Although BCM is a great product, I would also check out the Daniel Defense uppers which are for sale on smartgunner.com. They are also cold hammer forged and are running around $409 IIRC. Be prepared to wait a few weeks but they are well worth it.
I know people that have waited for MONTHS and are still waiting for SG to deliver. M4Carbine.net does not recommend or endorse SG.
This will be the last reference to SG in this thread. Any others will be moved to the Smartgunner Thread. This has nothing to do with the DD product, and is intended to keep the tread on topic.
I got tired of waiting for the standard lightweight to come in stock and popped on the hammer forged version. Couldn’t be happier. I only have ~400 rounds through it, but for me, the $90 upcharge brought no more risk and satiated my impatience.
I think you’ll be very pleased with the BCM BFH pencil barreled upper that Rob_S linked and the price is really quite good. I recently bought the very similar Daniel Defense CHF 16" midlength pencil barreled upper and love the balance with MOE handguards.
G&R shows this in stock,
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MID-750-C
^this
^and this has been on my BCM wish list:)https://www.m4carbine.net/images/smilies/smile.gif
…Had considered this but already had the blem lower ordered from Grant…
Been said a bunch before, but the lightweights are heaven AND my wife likes it!!!
I emailed bcm about the standard lightweight uppers and was told they would be back in stock late summer (august). I too want the lightweight and probably won’t be able to wait till then
Thanks for that info…the price difference between those and the hammer forged barrels isn’t enough to force me to wait…unless I just go buy a complete rifle and save everything else for the next one.
I guess I got lucky. I too was waiting for a lightweight but couldn’t justify the 80$ premium on the barrel. Like 3 days later they were back in stock.
However, if it had gone another week or two (now its august) without it being in stock I’d just go for the BFH version.
Even if the BFH provides zero increase in anything, I’d still pay $80 to get my rifle 4 months earlier.
Thanks for quashing that.