I am ready to order one of these tubes. Just having a hard time deciding on what one I want. In the pictures I can find it looks like the bcm tube is a little lighter black than the vltors finish. Does anyone know if one or the other has a better finish? Any one seen these side by side?
Vltor makes two variations of the A5 tube.
A 6 position tube- https://www.vltor.com/shop/a5-system/re-10a5sr-a5-receiver-extension/
And a 7 position tube- https://www.vltor.com/shop/a5-system/re-a5-a5-receiver-extension/
The BCM version has 8 positions- http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Intermediate-Receiver-Extension-A5-Buffer-Tub-p/bcm-intermediate-re.htm
The BCM gets the nod from me for having 8 positions and other little machine differences making it a tiny bit lighter.
But, the Vltor is number marked for position viewable from the top on some stocks like the sopmod. BCM lacks these markings, not all stocks have holes.
He’s talking color not weight. Sort of a vanity question. He could wipe it down with lacquer thinner for a lighter look or oil to make it darker. You know… To match his shoes.
I have all 3 of them. I would have actually liked for BCM to make the 6 position version. Quite honestly I have yet to use any of mine past the 3rd setting.
Lighter weight is nice. Just wondering if one had a darker finish.
So would you give a nod to BCM quality wise over Vltor? Or maybe a better way to put it would be, which one would you buy today knowing what you know?
Either one. I like the 6 position one simply because of how the stock collapses. They both serve the same purpose to me.
Oh, my bad, missed that.
Honestly I own both and never picked up on color difference. I’ll have to put them side by side some time.
side note, I found 8 positions has a finer adjustment with holes closer together.
Vltor and BCM tubes are made from the same impact extrusion 7075T6, made by the same forger. The anodized finish is the same color and hardness. The only difference is, Vltor anodizes their tubes in house, versus BCM that has the process performed outside.
The one main difference of the BCM 8 position and the Vltor 7 Position, the BCM tube allows a shorter stock, like the CTR and the IMod to drop and lock in position when totally collapsed. The 7 position Vltor tube will not, and keeps the lock pin and the paddle to remain floppy in between lock position.
Both tubes will allow the complete collapse and lock up of longer stocks like the EMod and the ACS.
Eric
I have all 3 A5 tubes waiting for the time to take pictures and do a comparison. Going forward I see no reason the buy a 7 position vltor a5 buffer tube now that BCMs 8 position a5 tube is out ( unless it is on sale). I will use 8 position A5 buffer tubes on all builds except those I know are only going to have an open ended stock like the Colt CAR N1 type, M4 type, or original I mod. Those will get 6 position vltor tubes which keep the stock from being able to collapse past the end of the buffer tube.
If you happen to have a mil spec tube handy please include it in a comparison picture of all four. Thanks.
Thank you for all the responses I will be going with the bcm. I do have the emod stock but I may switch for bcms stock because the emod weighs a ton.
Thanks again for the help.
Hey man, your PMs are full so I emailed you.
It’s worth the switch. Mod1 is also coming.
Where’d you hear that?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Do you have a source for this information?
ESK, I’d like a custom, 11 position tube just so i can point to it and say ‘this one goes to eleven’.
:lol: That would be classic. I’d buy one, but then I have to engrave ‘Spinal Tap’ on my ejection port.
MM, Anything for you 