View Full Version : Opinions sought: BCM standard mid-length upper
Just wondering what you guys think of the BCM 16" standard mid-length barrelled upper. I want a high quality, 16" mid-length unit with a fixed front sight and a good 9" rail and this one (with the Daniel Defense 9" rail) seems to fit the bill.
Any advice to offer on these? 'The Chart' puts the BCM stuff pretty high up there, and BCM advertises as having all of the desirable features on their units. Does anyone know if the DD rails are free-floating?
Thanks,
Pat
https://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/browse&category=railsystems
According to their website.
I think you should look no further. A BCM middie would be very hard to beat. And as for the D.D. rail, from looking at bcm's website, I am guessing it is the lite rail. If so, it is a free float rail. And for what it is worth, I wished I would have bought a BCM middie instead of a noveske. I could have invested the extra money into a good rail on the bcm and been out of the same amount of cash.
Why are you guys putting 9" rails on there when you can go 12", or is it because you want a fixed FSB?
Why are you guys putting 9" rails on there when you can go 12", or is it because you want a fixed FSB?
I've largely gone away from rails entirely, but....
My first AR after the ban was a 14.5" LMT with perm-attached Gemtech can mount and Larue Tactical 12.0 rail. Combine all that with the Magpul M93 stock I had on it and it was a HEAVY bitch. To top it off, I wasn't even using that long-ass rail because at the time I tended to run my VFT closer to the magwell.
If you're one of the guys using the hand-out-by-the-muzzle grip and/or the Magpul FAG then perhaps a 12.0 rail is warranted, but IMHO one of the benefits of the mid-length gas system is that I can keep the FSB and run a 9.0 rail, if I even need a rail at all (which I'm finding I typically don't).
To the OP, this (http://tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/59827.html) is my article on the BCM upper and lower that I own. I have been very happy with the gun, as have the number of shooters that have borrowed it. I take it with me to every match/class/drills and loan it out quite often when shooters are having trouble with their guns. Haven't heard a complaint back yet, and I never bother checking to see what ammo or mags they are using.
If you're one of the guys using the hand-out-by-the-muzzle grip and/or the Magpul FAG
Freudian slip?
Freudian slip?
Netbook keyboard, too little (too much?) coffee. ;)
I must agree with you completely Rob. The more rail, flip sights, lights and barrel you have out there the heavier that baby becomes. I currently have a 14.5 inch m-4 profile with a perm attached YHM phantom and DD omega rail with Tango down vertical grip. Any more weight and your arm starts to fatigue turning a fun day at the range into an unpleasent one. My original upper had a 16 inch RRA H-bar, I'll never do that again.
I have a BCM Std. 16" Middy with a DD Omega 9.0 and would buy it all over again if I had the chance.
Yes, the rail is free floating.
ForTehNguyen
02-20-10, 17:27
Two BCM midlengths here; one with Larue 12.0 and the other Daniel Defense Lite 12.0
I have one with a 9" Midwest Industries rail, and I LOVE IT! BCM is second to none. I have Noveske's, LMT's, Colt's, etc. and BCM is just as good if not better! I would not hesitate for one second to buy another.
I just got a BCM middie from GandR Tactical. Everything is just as advertised. Absolutely perfect. Fast service and well packed (plus a free patriotic cap!). I completely stripped the bolt and cleaned and lubed everything (looked like it was already well lubed, but I wanted to do it to make sure). Just beautiful workmanship.
G&R was out of middie handguards so I ordered Cav Arms C6 HGs elsewhere. Fit perfectly.
I already have a few LMT uppers but the BCM seems even more finely finished and top quality materials. I can;t wait to get this to the range, but from inspection it looks good to go. Love it so far. Highly recommend BCM and G&R both.
I've largely gone away from rails entirely, but....
My first AR after the ban was a 14.5" LMT with perm-attached Gemtech can mount and Larue Tactical 12.0 rail. Combine all that with the Magpul M93 stock I had on it and it was a HEAVY bitch. To top it off, I wasn't even using that long-ass rail because at the time I tended to run my VFT closer to the magwell.
If you're one of the guys using the hand-out-by-the-muzzle grip and/or the Magpul FAG then perhaps a 12.0 rail is warranted, but IMHO one of the benefits of the mid-length gas system is that I can keep the FSB and run a 9.0 rail, if I even need a rail at all (which I'm finding I typically don't).
To the OP, this (http://tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/59827.html) is my article on the BCM upper and lower that I own. I have been very happy with the gun, as have the number of shooters that have borrowed it. I take it with me to every match/class/drills and loan it out quite often when shooters are having trouble with their guns. Haven't heard a complaint back yet, and I never bother checking to see what ammo or mags they are using.
Using USMC03's site, it seems that there isn't a whole bunch of difference in weight between the two options.
BCM upper - Standard 16" mid-length barrel - Daniel Defense 9.0 Lite rail - A2 Front Sight Base = 3 lbs - 8.2 oz
BCM upper - Standard 16" mid-length barrel - Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite rail - low profile gas block = 3 lbs - 9.2 oz
From this article (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons) by USMC03. Add a few ounces for a front sight and there shouldn't be too much of a difference. I can't comment on the balance.
Using USMC03's site, it seems that there isn't a whole bunch of difference in weight between the two options.
From this article (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons) by USMC03. Add a few ounces for a front sight and there shouldn't be too much of a difference. I can't comment on the balance.
That's entirely possible. As you mention it's not apples:apples without a front sight, which is 2 oz +/- depending on make/model. I have a DD around here somewhere I need to weigh...
The standard FSB is surprisingly heavy for what it is at 4.5oz while a YHM low-profile gas block is 1.4 oz. So doing the math...
DD Lite 9.0 11.0 oz. (http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=74) + fsb 4.5 oz. (http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/fsb.jpg)= 13.5oz.
DD Lite 12.0 14 oz. (http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=61) + YHM gas block 1.4 oz. (http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/YHMgasblockweight.jpg) + Troy folding front 1.5 oz. (http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/troy-front.jpg) (all I have a picture of) = 14.9 oz.
I know that one of my early ARs had a 9.0 rail over a shaved FSB with a Troy front and it was lighter than a pair of double-shield M4 handguards and a stock FSB.
Thanks much for all of the responses, guys. I think I'll pull the trigger on one this Monday.
Best,
Pat
ForTehNguyen
02-20-10, 19:23
From this article (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons) by USMC03. Add a few ounces for a front sight and there shouldn't be too much of a difference. I can't comment on the balance.
with a Magpul ACS the gun feels very balanced on mine. So stocks of similar weight will be balanced as well
You may find these links useful:
BCM Complete upper and lower receivers:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=44790
And a couple weight comparisons:
http://www.03designgroup.com/photo/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons/icon-ar15-upper-receiver-weight.jpg
03designgroup | AR15 Upper Receiver Weight Comparisons http://demigodllc.com/icon/extwh3.png (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons)
http://03designgroup.com/photo/ar15-buttstock-considerations/icon-ar15-buttstock-considerations.jpg
03designgroup | AR15 Buttstock Considerations http://demigodllc.com/icon/extwh3.png (http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-buttstock-considerations)
I must agree with you completely Rob. The more rail, flip sights, lights and barrel you have out there the heavier that baby becomes. I currently have a 14.5 inch m-4 profile with a perm attached YHM phantom and DD omega rail with Tango down vertical grip. Any more weight and your arm starts to fatigue turning a fun day at the range into an unpleasent one. My original upper had a 16 inch RRA H-bar, I'll never do that again.
Purchase a kettle bell and visit www.crossfit.com , that should help you with becoming fatigue :eek:.
J/K
USMC03-Great post, thanks for adding it.
Wish I'd thought of asking this earlier...
Is there much difference between the 'Standard' chrome lined and the 'BFH' barrel configurations in the BCM middy line of upper groups? I will not be doing precision work at distance with this, it will be a combat carbine.
Is the BFH worth waiting for, or is the Standard 'high enough' quality?
Thanks,
Pat
I guess another way of putting it is, has the BFH been around long enough for people to tell the difference between the two?
Pat
ForTehNguyen
02-21-10, 20:06
i dont know of a hammer forge barrel write up that has been shot as much as that filthy #14 rifle which had a standard barrel to do a comparison.
lawusmc0844
02-21-10, 22:19
For I believe $100 more, you can get the BFH model with the cold forged barrel. I ordered mine from G&R before Christmas and I absolutely love it! Excellent price and Grant lets you choose what to put on it. I got the DD midlength rails because I am running a FSP on mine. As it is my primary fighting carbine, the stock FSP is a great, durable sight for less money. I hardly even notice it when using either a T1, EO-Tech or ACOG.
And yes the ACS really balances out a railed carbine. My LWRC feels balanced with it on, and when I did have my ACS on the BCM rifle, it felt perfect. I don't even like my CTR anymore because now my BCM feels front heavy. I will get a OD ACS soon and will use the CTR on a future build.
All,
For anyone else who is wondering, here's the response I received from BCM regarding the differences between BFH and Standard barrels:
"Accuracy wise, either will serve very very well in that roll. They should perform very much the same.
The BFH should last a bit longer. So if you are running 5K to 10K rounds a year, it might be worth it."
Pat
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.