First AR-15 / build need advice

[kiwdahc]

I have been reading through the forums here for advice over the past couple of days and have narrowed down a couple of upper receivers I am trying to choose from. The only information I know about AR15's is what I have read here / on the internet, or heard from other people so I have a very limited knowledge and am looking for some people who know more then I do to chime in. If you guys would kindly help me out with the following questions it would be GREATLY appreciated. Which one of the following uppers is the best and which is the best value? What weight buffer would you pair with this upper? Is getting the BCM® Bolt Carrier Group for $169.99 more worth it?

$628.95 - https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Standard-16-Mid-Length-ENHANCED-Light-Weight-p/bcm-urg-mid-16elwf-kmr-a-13.htm
$674.95 - https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-ENHANCED-Light-Weight-Upp-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-elw-kmr-a13.htm
$754.95 - https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM-URG-KD4-KMR

Or should I bypass all of these and get something completely different? I was also planning on buying the BCM Milspec Carbine Stock Hardware MOUNTING KIT (Mil-Spec) with a Magpul CTR Stock is that a mistake or not something you guys would get?

Let me know what you guys think and thanks in advance.

[PrarieDog]

Sounds like your off to a great start. Buy the BCM carrier and bolt. It just depends on what you want to do with it. The SS barrel may be slightly more accurate but probably not in the real world. BCM makes some great products. God knows they have taken my money. Get a lower with a good trigger and you will be off to the races. Check with G & R and advertiser in this sight about a complete BCM lower.

[titsonritz]

Any special reason for the KeyMod?

[voiceofreason]

May we inquire what lower are you putting it on? The quality of the lower matters.

Black Friday is coming up, if you wait a bit there may be a decent sale on BCM

Not recommending, but have you considered a 14.5" (pinned) with a Mod1 comp or A2X flash hider?

Generally speaking, H buffer will work with everything (including cheap lightly loaded .223-I never recommend shooting crap ammo in a quality rifle) as well as hot 5.56.

H2 will work with most lightly loaded ammo (I use H2 for everything including light .223 with no issues) but should be slightly smoother/lighter recoil as well.

H or H2 will both work, but test your gun if running H2. If the bolt doesn't lock back running light ammo, it's too heavy. though it's pretty unlikely

The KD4/SS barrel upper appears to be optimized for heavier 77 grain loads. Skip it if you're planning on shooting 55 or 62 grain bulk ammo most of the time.

I like lightweight barrels, but for the $$ between the other 2, I'd opt for the BFH barrel over saving a tiny bit of weight in fluting. I generally don't pay more for the BFH in a barrel, but between these 2, I'd go cold hammer forged.

If running a BCM upper, I'd run a BCM bolt carrier and BCM charging handle as well (I strongly prefer the Mod 5).

[G.B.]

Since it's your first go with the cheapest and put the extra money towards a good optic or a good trigger. It's not like your going to wear out the standard barrel anytime soon.

[26 Inf]

If this is your first AR, why not go with one of the Colt Trooper Patrol Rifles which folks have been posting about?

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Colt-Trooper-M4-LE-Carbine-5-56-16-with-M-Lok-Han-p/gun-le6920-r.htm ($899.95)

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/40019/Firearms/Rifles/Colt/Colt+Mfg+LE6920-R+LE6920+Trooper+Semi-Automatic+223+Remington%2F5.56+NATO+16.1+3

https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/colt/le6920-r-trooper-m4-5-56-30rd-centurion-arms-m-loc-free-float-rail-black-carbine-rifle/

http://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Rifles/search?Keywords=Colt+Trooper+Patrol+Rifle (bunches on here)

The reason I suggest this option is that after you add right at 230.00 for the BCG and charging handle to anyone of the uppers you noted, you are bumping right up against what you would spend on a complete Colt Trooper.

[voiceofreason]

Only for under $750

Trooper at $900+ is not a very good deal

[26 Inf]

Does anybody have the troopers for that price, other than gunbroker auctions?

[kiwdahc]

Unfortunately, I have a CMMG lower. I am in CA so lowers were very limited supply in all gun stores within 300 miles. I can't buy a new one because anything purchased after Jan 1, 2017, is classed as an illegal assault weapon if you want any decent features on it. I was also going to buy the BCM LPK. Those Colt's look very nice but I would need to only get an upper.

Also there is no reason for the keymod I think that was a coincidence they all had it I liked some of the others as well I read that rail was very light on these forums.

[everready73]

BCM now offers most of their uppers with the MLOCK system. Most people believe mlock is the way going forward. Crane recently conducted testing on the 2 and the mlock proved to be more secure/durable. Plenty of people still use and prefer kmod, but i would take a look at the mlock options as well. They are all live on BCM's website at this point.

I would also recommend not going with the stainless barrel option unless you want more of a recce/precision set up. Either of the other two would be fine, but for the small price difference i would go with the BFH personally and pair it with one of the BCM BCG. If you want to save a on the bcg Cryptic coatings offers nitride Toolcraft BCG with MPI/HPT bolts for $110 and they are good quality.

[hdrolling]

I have the 16" non-fluted mid but with a 15" hand guard in keymod, I used a BCM BCG and added a BCM LPK to a stripped BCM lower. Using a Geissele SSA, BCM 44 AMBI charging handle and the CTR.

Great rifle, but doesn't perform or shoot any better or worse than my Daniels defense or Noveske. I was using BCM on all my new build until I saw the sionics that I picked up for $99, their going to be my new go to BCG.

Any reason for the 13" over the 15"?

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/36696216922_9c393304c9_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XUHGPd)bcm 2 (https://flic.kr/p/XUHGPd) by hd_rolling (https://www.flickr.com/photos/22585324@N07/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/36470676900_c1096cdb70_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XyMKC9)bcm 1 (https://flic.kr/p/XyMKC9) by hd_rolling (https://www.flickr.com/photos/22585324@N07/), on Flickr

[Desert Trekker]

I would ask the same question as titsonritz: "Any special reason for the KeyMod?".

I have BCM uppers in both KeyMod and MLOK, and of the two I prefer the MLOK as the attached accessories seem to lock-up more securely. You may want to look at this comparison: Modular Rail System Comparison Abstract #19427 Presented By: Caleb McGee Date: 4 May 2017 KeyMod TM vs. M-LOK TM https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2017/armament/McGee19427.pdf

Neither of these two models lock-up attached accessories as securely as the old MIL-STD-1913. Since you are seeking opinions on three BCM KeyMod products, if you are interested in the MIL-STD-1913 it is manufactured by Bravo Company: BCMGUNFIGHTER™ QRF (Picatinny) Handguard https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-MMR-QRF-QUAD-RAIL-Handguard-s/228.htm I still use the the "old" Picatinny hand guards and like them a lot; no complaints about width or weight.

Regarding the buffer, I have always gone with the "Default H Buffer".

Regarding the BCM® Bolt Carrier Group, I have and always will include it with the purchase of an upper.

Regarding the stock, BCM and MAGPUL make very good stocks. I prefer the B5 SYSTEMS ENHANCED SOPMOD STOCK, and also use several BCM Stock Mod 0.

[kiwdahc]

Looks like I will be looking into the uppers with the MLOK system as there was no reason for the keymod other then I thought it was the best from reading around but it appears otherwise.

Are the 15” rails superior to the 13” or 12” ones? I figured the shorter rail would weigh less which would be a benefit but other then that am not sure.

[Desert Trekker]

kiwdahc,

"best" is very often subjective in our choices (reference your most recent KeyMod note). In response to your hand guard length question, the weight difference shortest to longest is negligible. If you use the longest, your options for mounting accessories is greater and you have more area to utilize for a supported shot. I find a fifteen inch hand guard is great to place a SUREFIRE X300U-B http://www.surefire.com/illumination/weaponlights/rifle-carbine-smg/x-seriesweaponlights/x300u-b-weaponlight.html at 12 o'clock just behind the muzzle device and a fixed BUIS nearly touching the light if a red dot optic is mounted (I have a long reach). This particular light has a control switch on each side, so switching shoulder position has no effect on operating the light equally well. Many guys prefer a short or medium rail; I use these also. I recommend only that the weight difference between HG lengths is not your determining factor.

[voiceofreason]

kiwdahc,

"best" is very often subjective in our choices (reference your most recent KeyMod note). In response to your hand guard length question, the weight difference shortest to longest is negligible. If you use the longest, your options for mounting accessories is greater and you have more area to utilize for a supported shot. I find a fifteen inch hand guard is great to place a SUREFIRE X300U-B http://www.surefire.com/illumination/weaponlights/rifle-carbine-smg/x-seriesweaponlights/x300u-b-weaponlight.html at 12 o'clock just behind the muzzle device and a fixed BUIS nearly touching the light if a red dot optic is mounted (I have a long reach). This particular light has a control switch on each side, so switching shoulder position has no effect on operating the light equally well. Many guys prefer a short or medium rail; I use these also. I recommend only that the weight difference between HG lengths is not your determining factor.

Basically... how long are your arms? Will you ever need/reach the end of a 15" handguard using your style of shooting?

[hdrolling]

Looks like I will be looking into the uppers with the MLOK system as there was no reason for the keymod other then I thought it was the best from reading around but it appears otherwise.

Are the 15” rails superior to the 13” or 12” ones? I figured the shorter rail would weigh less which would be a benefit but other then that am not sure.

I like the longer rail since I shoot mostly supported at the range, less chance that My barrel might touch the bag or support, but it really is just your preference. I just noticed all your choices were 13".

The length and and mounting system is all based on what you "want", I own keymod , Mloc and quad mounts like my keymod better. I have 10", 13", three 15" and a 16.7" rails, I like the 15" for my style of shooting.

Since this sounds like it will be a little higher cost build it's best to be sure what you want, maybe head to a local gun store and get a feel for the the different lengths?

[SiGfever]

Take a good look at this upper. I really like my BCM 14.5" ELW w/13" KMR, but if I had of known about these guys, I would have bought this...

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/16/133-patrol-three-e-ur.html