View Full Version : A5 Receiver Extension Comparison Photos
I happened to have examples of VLTOR, BCM, and Magpul A5 receiver extensions at the same time, so I took a few photos.
I bought the Vltor from Brownells, the BCM from BCM, and the Magpul from Magpul.
The exterior finish of all 3 is excellent. Anything in the photos that looks like an exterior blemish is just from my handling and wipes right off.
Packaging as received:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49541205612_c2d79c646e_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540983581_0a95364117_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540484878_8547a3230e_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540484863_f01ac382a8_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540484853_d3081a258b_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49540484843_4ed140e7f4_o.jpg
Trying to get decent photos of the interior of the extensions was a challenge for my limited photography skills. The VLTOR and Magpul extensions were more shiny and reflected light much better. The BCM extension was the only one that had what appeared to be a dry film lube coating that is a very flat grey color - it made illuminating the interior difficult for me. The BCM coating looks smooth and uniformly applied except where it appears absent on the rear end cap. The photo doesn't do a great job of showing that, unfortunately.
The interior of the Magpul extension had a significantly rougher surface than the other 2 - don't know what effect, if any, that might have on function.
Great job on the comparison photos!
The Magpul definitely looks rough inside.
I think the VLTOR and the BCM are the winners.
hotrodder636
02-16-20, 04:38
Nicely done. I have been looking to upgrade my SBRs to the BCM or Magpul.
Nice comparison. I have been switching over all my lowers to the bcm a5 version mainly because I can find them easily. Might have to test the magpul version out.
Sparky5019
04-08-20, 15:56
Good comparisons. I’ve been using the Magpul tubes just because they’re 10 position. They’re just as smooth on the inside as the BCM. I have a BCM tube as well that resides on a machine gun. It may just be oil or photo artifact. Both the magpul and the BCM run great.
Diamondback
04-08-20, 16:12
Question: Is that front notch in the front "wedge" section on the BCM a usable position too?
If I had the chance to create my own A5 RE from scratch, I'd start with the basic BCM body, swap in the Magpul position sockets inside the track and the Vltor position numbers on top.
titsonritz
04-08-20, 16:13
The interior of the Magpul extension had a significantly rougher surface than the other 2 - don't know what effect, if any, that might have on function.
Good comparisons. I’ve been using the Magpul tubes just because they’re 10 position. They’re just as smooth on the inside as the BCM. I have a BCM tube as well that resides on a machine gun. It may just be oil or photo artifact. Both the magpul and the BCM run great.
I have all three types, the two Magpuls I are rougher than my Vltor or BCMs. What that will do over the long haul, I guess I'll find out.
Sparky5019
04-08-20, 16:17
Question: Is that front notch in the front "wedge" section on the BCM a usable position too?
If I had the chance to create my own A5 RE from scratch, I'd start with the basic BCM body, swap in the Magpul position sockets inside the track and the Vltor position numbers on top.
No. It’s just there to reduce weight like the one on the very back. Magpul was out for a very long time and they told me they were having issues getting the quality they wanted so there could have been variations. The tube I have are super smooth inside but these are the latest runs that I bought directly from magpul several months ago. There could be older versions floating around too.
titsonritz
04-08-20, 16:20
No. It’s just there to reduce weight like the one on the very back. Magpul was out for a very long time and they told me they were having issues getting the quality they wanted so there could have been variations. The tube I have are super smooth inside but these are the latest runs that I bought directly from magpul several months ago. There could be older versions floating around too.
I bought my two directly from Magpul back in December 2019.
Sparky5019
04-08-20, 16:27
That’s strange. I got one of the first run then several this time last year. All smooth as glass when I got them. They were out of stock for about a year because they couldn’t get them right from their supplier. At least that’s the excuse they gave. Lol. Mine are probably getting some wear and getting rough now since they’ve been shot so much. Lol
I bought my two directly from Magpul back in December 2019.
(snip) The tube I have are super smooth inside but these are the latest runs that I bought directly from magpul several months ago. There could be older versions floating around too.
Similar to titsonritz, I bought my Magpul extension directly from Magpul shortly before I posted the photos (early 2020). It's not "oil or photo artifact", it's roughly finished metal. Like I stated in the original post; don't know what effect, if any, that might have on function.
Sparky5019
04-08-20, 17:25
Similar to titsonritz, I bought my Magpul extension directly from Magpul shortly before I posted the photos (early 2020). It's not "oil or photo artifact", it's roughly finished metal. Like I stated in the original post; don't know what effect, if any, that might have on function.
I’d contact magpul. I doubt they’d be ok with that.
El Vaquero
04-08-20, 21:15
I know Will Larson was always a big fan of the receiver extensions used by Colt because they specifically ordered them with that dry film lubricant. He said it makes a difference with longevity and wear.
I had no idea the differences, I thought they were perfect exact copies, very interesting. Well done. I know from my AR10's you need the 7 position vs the 5 position ones.
PB
Still waiting for the BCM A5 REs to come back into stock for a new build.
I had originally paired them with Magpul ACS butt stocks, but is there something a little more light weight that works well with the A5 REs?
The BCM stock is very light. I recently switched from a VLTOR stock for weight reasons. Works nicely.
titsonritz
04-09-20, 13:49
The BCM stock is very light. I recently switched from a VLTOR stock for weight reasons. Works nicely.
The BCM Mod 0, B5 Bravo and Magpul MOE SL are my preferred stock, they are all solid, compact, light weight, have a reverse angle on the butt and multiple ambi sling mounting option . The BCM is the lightest of the three by just over an ounce.
Does anyone have the weights of all three handy?
Great comparison photos. I have always used the 5 possition ones from Vltor.
titsonritz
04-09-20, 19:27
I had no idea the differences, I thought they were perfect exact copies, very interesting. Well done. I know from my AR10's you need the 7 position vs the 5 position ones.
PB
Great comparison photos. I have always used the 5 possition ones from Vltor.
The 5 position ones are milspec carbine RE, Vltor A5 RE are 6 and 7 position.
jimmyheadgear
04-10-20, 07:38
Does anyone have pictures of a regular AR-10 tube vs. the A5's?
Does anyone have pictures of a regular AR-10 tube vs. the A5's?
The receiver extensions are the same diameter. The receriver extensions are interchangeable, you need a different spring and buffer for the AR10, though.
The A5 tube is 8" long
The carbine is 7.25" long
2A Armament sells an 8 position 'AR-10' carbine tube that is 8" long - https://www.2a-arms.com/product-p/2a-bta8-1.htm
Here is a picture comparing the two from Wing tactical: https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-g64i9l/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/1106/13485/2A-BT_1__29574.1504121392.JPG?c=2&imbypass=on
I ended up putting a regular carbine tube on my in-process build. I didn't care for the grooves on the 2A Armament tube, plus I believe that there might be fitment issues between the lower threads and tube threads which are machined versus extruded.
titsonritz
04-10-20, 20:44
Does anyone have the weights of all three handy?
BCM: 4.05oz
Magpul: 4.15oz
Vltor 7 position: 4.15oz
Still waiting for the BCM A5 REs to come back into stock for a new build.
I had originally paired them with Magpul ACS butt stocks, but is there something a little more light weight that works well with the A5 REs?
I ordered mine from BCM on Friday the 10th and received them today.
I have all of these receiver extensions... The two Magpul 10 position REs that I have are rough inside, just like the pics show in the OP. My Vltor and BCM A5 REs are pretty smooth.
The Magpul REs were purchased directly from Magpul about two or three years ago.
556BlackRifle
04-18-20, 21:19
I have several Vltor A5H2 and one A5H3. All smooth as silk. I'd trust BCM and Magpul to also make great products. Unfortunately, I think you may have picked up a poorly finished MagPul unit. I'd contact them and see what they have to say.
Does anyone offer a four-position extension?
Plug the holes you don't want to use with jb weld?
The one place where the finish should be smooth and Magpul fumbles it....I'd send that back. I once boughtwo DD carbine tubes from one of the big retailers ON SALE. They came in DD cardboard tubes, but were rough inside. I sent those back so fast I don't even think the UPS driver had time to leave.
I've had the Vltor tubes for a few years and they have been great. I use the Sprinco Green springs too.
I don't know if 10 positions are necessary, but 8 would be nice. At this point I'd pick the BCM for the win, just for the 8th position.
BTW: I find no difference, in fact, I prefer standard LMT tubes, with Sprinco Blue, and H2 buffers in my mid-length rifles. Smooth like silk.
Similar to titsonritz, I bought my Magpul extension directly from Magpul shortly before I posted the photos (early 2020). It's not "oil or photo artifact", it's roughly finished metal. Like I stated in the original post; don't know what effect, if any, that might have on function.
Its not an insignificant thing, after all that spring is gonna be blasting back into the tube. It think a rough tube is out of spec. Should be smooth and a really good tube has dry lube IMHO. Although, you find very few with dry lube. In the past, I would buy LMT tubes because they came with a lube coating inside and out. It makes the tube look streaky on the outside after you adjust the stock for awhile, but its just nice and smooth. And the buffer spring makes less noise. My two cents on finishes.
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