FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a Distributor for both BCM and Colt.
Was reading a thread on here (which is now closed) about the fact that there are companies producing guns above the TDP (Technical Data Package). The company what was in question, was Colt.
I found this interesting and wondered how they came to this conclusion. Below are some thoughts on what the definition of “better” is and if it is accurate or not.
One of the companies mentioned as “above the TDP” was BCM. Since I am one of their Distributors and consider Paul a personal friend, I will use his company for the comparison.
BCM is well known for their quality and attention to detail. Paul pays close attention to the TDP and what it calls for. Why? Because he knows that it IS the standard.
Last year, there was a discussion about which was better (Colt or BCM). Here are Paul’s comments from that thread:
First off, Colt is an outstanding product. It is the gold standard in the industry, and I am a big Colt fan.
To be mentioned as a comparison to Colt is a big honor.End mills - Yes
Lathes, - No
Hammer Forge - BCM barrels are CHF from the premier small arms manufacturer in the free world. If you are a real Mk18 Pilot, then your going to be very familiar with the company. (all of our barrels have a very impressive petagree)
MPI Test - Done by an independent party. Certified, insured, and not concerned with the BCM bottom line.
Laser Bore Sighters - Yes - tons of them
Test Firing Bench - Yes.
Park Tank - Yes - severalWe actually do more of the final machining, assembly, and QC than most AR15 companies, but we do not take forging/stock to a final product.
Arguing that one gun is better because more parts are made under their roof/s is silly. Quality product issues are much more complex than that. I will not name names but there is a large AR company that makes about as much stuff in house as Colt, and their rep for quality is on the other side of the spectrum.
The quality you find in a Colt product is not because of the location of the CNC machine. If the machine making parts sits on Colt’s shop floor or it sits across the street at another tool shop - it will not determine if the parts will be good or not. Colt’s product is the quality it is because of the specifications they set and the standard the parts must meet. Because the part is built to the RI print. If you want to argue one manufacture is better than another then that is the point to be made.Paul
So now that we know the above, let’s discuss “better” than the TDP. Before we start, people need to recognize that there is NO SET STANDARD for the 16" or 14.5" middy gas port size. NONE! This means that companies will just make it whatever they want. Now some companies (like BCM) have conducted Cyclic rate tests to establish their GP size. This is not the norm though and IMHO, most middy barrels (especially 16" barrels) are over gassed (as there is no standard or document like the TDP).
The main argument that certain guns are above the TDP hinges on the Mid-Length barrel. Some believe that it is superior to carbine gas barrels because the GP is farther away (the gun shoots softer). Colt, would argue that the GP size on the 14.5" (.063) is tuned to give the same recoil impulse as a mid-length barrel.
So if the recoil differences between a Mid-Length barrel and a Carbine barrel are minimal, then how can we say that is above the TDP?
Personally, I think the argument that 16" middy barrels are “better” is based around the fact that you can run a longer rail. In this instance, I would agree that a longer rail is good option. Luckily, you can always put a low profile GB on a carbine gassed barrel or use DD’s great 9.5FSP or 12.0FSP and achieve the same thing.
I know that some middy barrel zealots are reading this and screaming at their computer screens. Some might even believe that my opinion is way off on this. While this maybe true, I find it of interest that Mr. Larry Vickers shoots a carbine gassed DD rifle. He could have chosen a mid-length barrel, but did not. To add more fuel to the fire, when Mr. Ken Hackathorn had me build him a DD AR, he also chose a carbine gas system. Clue?
Back to the TDP. The TDP is a set standard not a guess. Only two companies have the official, licensed document. They are Colt and FN. Colt is the only one of these two that sells firearms to the consumer. Recognize that the TDP covers everything from barrel steel, to chrome thickness to the color of the phosphating. Companies that hold this document also have to deal with .GOV inspections and tests validating their parts. No other company has to deal with this level of scrutiny.
While I do recognize that the TDP could be improved upon, very few companies even approach meeting its requirements. I am a fan of the mid-length gas system, but at the end of the day, it is not a magic pill that somehow transforms a company into being above the TDP and Colt.
Sorry for the long winded post, but hopefully it sheds some light onto the TDP discussion. I do not own a Colt or BCM rifle, but do sell both products and have extensive knowledge on both companies and their firearms. Hopefully, people will recognize that this is an unbiased post and meant to educate on the topic.
In the end, buying a Colt or BCM is a fantastic choice and either AR will provide the shooter with years of enjoyment!
C4
