Building first AR in NJ. Have some questions

[jec1521]

So I have a built aero lower ready to go with BCM LPK. Have been waiting on a complete BCM upper and see there are some on sale. Have some questions before I order though.

Looking at these two. The 16" is on sale for 35% off for black friday and the 14.5" is not.



BCM Standard 16" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group w/ MI (KeyMod) SSK-12 Handguard

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-KeyMod-Upper-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-mi-sskg212.htm?CartID=1



This one is on sale for $415 + taxes and shipping without BCG and charging handle. Has a Midwest SSK-12 handrail. Can also get it for same price with Alpha 13" rail





BCM Standard 14.5" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-14-5-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-14.htm?CartID=3



This one I would have to add the BCM Comp 1 for an extra $90 and it has a pinned FSB. It comes out to $523 before shipping and taxes without BCG and Handle. No rail or handguard either.



I have some questions:

1) Is it worth the extra money to get the 14.5" + 1.5" BCM Comp over the 16" with smaller BCM comp? No flash hiders in NJ.

2) the 14.5" comes with a pinned FSB. is that something I would want on a 1st AR? or are flip sights better?

3) The 16" comes with a 12" Midwest SSK-12 rail. Is this something that is important or is a standard plastic MOE or similar hand guard OK?

4) Does anyone know if BCM pins the comp on the end of the 16" barrel? And does it has a bayonet lug that I would have to get removed? NJ requires a pinned comp and no bayonet lug.



Thanks

[hile]

Unless I'm mistaken (which is possible), ALL muzzle devices need to be pinned and welded in NJ. At that point, arguably go with the 14.5" barrel and pinned/welded comp (or a Surefire break) since it needs to be P/W anyway. I can't comment on the rest. If you get an upper with a low-profile gas block (that is, without a fixed front sight base), no bayonet lug to worry about.

[GH41]

So I have a built aero lower ready to go with BCM LPK. Have been waiting on a complete BCM upper and see there are some on sale. Have some questions before I order though.

Looking at these two. The 16" is on sale for 35% off for black friday and the 14.5" is not.



BCM Standard 16" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group w/ MI (KeyMod) SSK-12 Handguard

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-KeyMod-Upper-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-mi-sskg212.htm?CartID=1



This one is on sale for $415 + taxes and shipping without BCG and charging handle. Has a Midwest SSK-12 handrail. Can also get it for same price with Alpha 13" rail





BCM Standard 14.5" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-14-5-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-14.htm?CartID=3



This one I would have to add the BCM Comp 1 for an extra $90 and it has a pinned FSB. It comes out to $523 before shipping and taxes without BCG and Handle. No rail or handguard either.



I have some questions:

1) Is it worth the extra money to get the 14.5" + 1.5" BCM Comp over the 16" with smaller BCM comp? No flash hiders in NJ.

2) the 14.5" comes with a pinned FSB. is that something I would want on a 1st AR? or are flip sights better?

3) The 16" comes with a 12" Midwest SSK-12 rail. Is this something that is important or is a standard plastic MOE or similar hand guard OK?

4) Does anyone know if BCM pins the comp on the end of the 16" barrel? And does it has a bayonet lug that I would have to get removed? NJ requires a pinned comp and no bayonet lug.



Thanks

I cannot comment on NJ compliance but I will ask why you are you are torn between those two uppers? What do want the rifle to do best? None of us will dispute the FSB is without a doubt is the most durable front sight and if you put a carry handle/rear sight on the upper most would consider the setup bomb proof. The problem is it will never as accurate as the 16" upper with free floated barrel if you are shooting groups with premium ammunition. If you plan to shoot surplus (cheap) ammo I doubt you will ever see any difference between the two you are looking at. Another advantage the floated option gives you is the ability to mount accessories just about anywhere you want. If you go that way i would recommend the BCM Alpha over the MI 7 days a week. The BCM mounting system is hard to beat.

[jec1521]

I cannot comment on NJ compliance but I will ask why you are you are torn between those two uppers? What do want the rifle to do best? None of us will dispute the FSB is without a doubt is the most durable front sight and if you put a carry handle/rear sight on the upper most would consider the setup bomb proof. The problem is it will never as accurate as the 16" upper with free floated barrel if you are shooting groups with premium ammunition. If you plan to shoot surplus (cheap) ammo I doubt you will ever see any difference between the two you are looking at. Another advantage the floated option gives you is the ability to mount accessories just about anywhere you want. If you go that way i would recommend the BCM Alpha over the MI 7 days a week. The BCM mounting system is hard to beat.

Thanks for the help. I am still a somewhat newbie when it comes to the AR platform. Will be for range use and that is really it. But I do like to do it right the first time. Will probably be my only AR for quite some time, although I am sure almost everyone here said that at some point.

By the way, I emailed BCM and they said that they only pin and weld 14.5" barrel setups, so I would have to have a local gun smith pin and weld for me if I go 16"

[GH41]

Thanks for the help. I am still a somewhat newbie when it comes to the AR platform. Will be for range use and that is really it. But I do like to do it right the first time. Will probably be my only AR for quite some time, although I am sure almost everyone here said that at some point.

By the way, I emailed BCM and they said that they only pin and weld 14.5" barrel setups, so I would have to have a local gun smith pin and weld for me if I go 16"

What will you be shooting at this range? Paper targets, steel plates or dirt clogs?? Do you have any firearms experience or are you new to shooting? Not trying to set you up just interested in what you expect the rifle to do.

[jec1521]

What will you be shooting at this range? Paper targets, steel plates or dirt clogs?? Do you have any firearms experience or are you new to shooting? Not trying to set you up just interested in what you expect the rifle to do.

Paper targets mostly. Still pretty new to shooting in general. Have been shooting handguns at the range for a couple of years now, and am looking to finish my AR build. I am looking for just range duty really. To be honest, right now a standard MP15, Ruger, or PSA build would be fine but I wanted a good system to learn on and be able to do more in the future with like Carbine classes, etc.

[Alex V]

Unless I'm mistaken (which is possible), ALL muzzle devices need to be pinned and welded in NJ. At that point, arguably go with the 14.5" barrel and pinned/welded comp (or a Surefire break) since it needs to be P/W anyway. I can't comment on the rest. If you get an upper with a low-profile gas block (that is, without a fixed front sight base), no bayonet lug to worry about.

That is correct. All muzzle devices must be pinned and welded regardless of the barrel length. Obviously no SBR lengths allowed.

Also, of you have a FSB you will need to cut off the bayonet lug. The upper with a 12" rail has a low profile gas block. No bayo lug to cut.

As far as I know, BCM doesn't pin/weld muzzle devices onto 16" barrels. Only 14.5s. There are a bunch of FFLs who would do this for you here.

[longshot2000]

For your first AR, I would recommend you buy a completed rifle. You will adore it forever, and not do something that should not be done with a build. For an entry level AR, names like BCM, Daniel Defense and Colt are all solid choices. There are others as well, but these are a good start.

[jec1521]

For your first AR, I would recommend you buy a completed rifle. You will adore it forever, and not do something that should not be done with a build. For an entry level AR, names like BCM, Daniel Defense and Colt are all solid choices. There are others as well, but these are a good start.

I was originally thinking of buying a complete LE6920, but I figured given the NJ limitations, I would have to get modifications done like pinned and welded comp, fixed stock, etc anyway. Plus, I am the type that wanted to learn how the AR platform works.

[Alex V]

For your first AR, I would recommend you buy a completed rifle. You will adore it forever, and not do something that should not be done with a build. For an entry level AR, names like BCM, Daniel Defense and Colt are all solid choices. There are others as well, but these are a good start.

Buying a complete rifle from a quality brand in NJ is difficult. BCM and DD won't offer compliant rifles so you have to rely on the FFL to pin the stock and weld the muzzle brake on. Not all FFLs will do a good job there. There is also an NJ "Tax". For instance, Grant charges $950 for a 6920, in NJ they are about $1,250 plus tax, plus NICS ($15) so you are talking about a $1,350 rifle.

[jec1521]

Buying a complete rifle from a quality brand in NJ is difficult. BCM and DD won't offer compliant rifles so you have to rely on the FFL to pin the stock and weld the muzzle brake on. Not all FFLs will do a good job there. There is also an NJ "Tax". For instance, Grant charges $950 for a 6920, in NJ they are about $1,250 plus tax, plus NICS ($15) so you are talking about a $1,350 rifle.

Those were my thoughts exactly. Will probably end up buying the 16" setup tonight. Just have to get it pinned and welded locally.

[Alex V]

Those were my thoughts exactly. Will probably end up buying the 16" setup tonight. Just have to get it pinned and welded locally.

Where are you located?

[Hammond_Egger]

If you are located in SNJ, hit me up and I can set you up with a dealer in DE who will make any rifle or upper you buy from him NJ compliant for free.

[junkmansj]

Take a look at S&W MP 15 OPTICS READY IS A FLAT TOP WITH A PIC RAIL ON UPPER AND A LOW PROFILE GAS BLOCK. MINE SHOOTS VERY WELL! A lot cheaper than 1200.00 and they make nj compliant rifles

[hile]

Take a look at S&W MP 15 OPTICS READY IS A FLAT TOP WITH A PIC RAIL ON UPPER AND A LOW PROFILE GAS BLOCK. MINE SHOOTS VERY WELL! A lot cheaper than 1200.00 and they make nj compliant rifles

But is it made to spec? Do they use the correct twist? Correct barrel steel, etc? I know my brother's M&P Sport is not correct. I just told him to check whether he has a carbine buffer or H1 buffer. I'll fix that from my stock of spares if he has the wrong one.

[CoryCop25]

I have built several NJ compliant rifles/uppers.

For the most part, buyers want the shortest barrel length they can get so a 14.5 with a pinned break is the most common. The only set back I have heard from NJ customers is that they are married to whatever handguard they put on the rifle.

If you buy a BCM upper in the 14.5 configuration and a pinned Mod1 Break, you can use any of their three different handguards. The KMR, MCMR and QRF all use the same barrel nut.

[hile]

One thing worth noting about the BCM rails. Consensus seems to be that they are NOT sufficiently rigid to maintain zero in the face of rail flex if using a visible and/or IR laser is in the cards for you. My two uppers that have BCM rails are having them replaced with Geissele rails for that reason.

[Eurodriver]

One thing worth noting about the BCM rails. Consensus seems to be that they are NOT sufficiently rigid to maintain zero in the face of rail flex if using a visible and/or IR laser is in the cards for you. My two uppers that have BCM rails are having them replaced with Geissele rails for that reason.

This matches my experience as well