Debating between the two. I already have a Spike’s lower, so just looking at upper.
Cost is $200 more for the BCM. The BCM I think has the better quality control on their uppers, and the rail is lighter. PSA has an FN-manufactured CHF 16" pencil barrel, and the rail is slightly heavier by an ounce, but is made from 6061 T6 alum rather than the alum-mag alloy of the BCM, and I like the CHF barrel. I’ve fondled both, ergonomics on the BCM rail seem slightly better, but SSK isn’t terrible; the finish on the BCM does seem pretty weak though.
My uses will be for home protection, plinking, the occasional coyote hunt, and as a general-purpose rifle for when (not if) the SHTF. I’ll probably shoot close 1K rounds a year.
Bcm is the better upper, but you already know that. For your uses the pamletto will probably be fine, but I would look for one without the MI rail or sell it and buy a decent rail (which puts you in the bcm price range).
There are many rails on the market with far superior mounting systems available. I honestly think the bcm is the best on the market and worth the price difference with the rail alone. AND you get a better product overall, but you don’t NEED it for your uses.
The MI rail will probably work fine, but I am not a fan of the attachment method and will not run them. I prefer DD/Larue/Centurion quad rails, but if I were to run a keymod again it would be a BCM.
Even if you have the BCG and CL i would still get the BCM along with the BCG, CL for the extra 70. It’s hard to beat that value.
With that said i have CHF PSA upper in the infamous gov profile and it’s light years ahead of what im capable of as a shooter in terms of accuracy.
I dont mind the MI rail, but the KMR feels much better in the hand.
Yep! It’s a no brainer for BCM! I’d love to have that BCM upper that’s for sure. But that PA upper just doesn’t do it for me no way, it just says nothing but fail all over it.
Another vote for BCM here as well. The quality is without question, and their customer service is second to none. Go with the ELW/ KMR combo and never look back!
Wasn’t there a brand new BCM BCG that was leaking from the gas key in a recent thread? I’m an owner of BCM rifles and can attest to the good quality they offer but saying “quality without a question” and “PSA has fail written all over it” sounds more biased than an actual credible piece of advice given based on experiment, personal experience, and the experience over a wide array of samples.
Now i think we can all agree on average BCM does provide higher quality products, but by what margin?
If i was new to firearms and i read some of these threads i would assume a PSA upper would self destruct after 20 rounds…
I never said PSA “had fail written all over it,” but from my positive experiences with BCM, both before and after the sale, they get my vote. That’s it.
Maybe. I’ve never regretted getting a rifle kit from PSA instead of BCM and there is no doubt in my mind about it’s reliability.
To buy the BCM today, as I type this post, would cost $708 for the upper and an additional $69 for BCG & Gunfighter charging handle. Total is about $780
PSA is $449 for the upper, $89 for the BCG and the Gunfighter is out of stock. Looks like the GF CH is about $45. That’s about $585. That’s about a $200 difference
- so no price dif there