I have actually been asking around quite a bit with the people around here that know, and everyone says that they are great weapons. Mine was out of spec, but maybe it was just a lemon.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I have actually been asking around quite a bit with the people around here that know, and everyone says that they are great weapons. Mine was out of spec, but maybe it was just a lemon.
***NOTE: I'm a regular dude. Not a LEO and not military. Andrew Barnes (owner of BPM) has become a friend of mine over the past couple of years. I'm not sponsored by BPM and have nothing to gain by posting this. FWIW.***
I have a BPM rifle that I've owned for just under two years. I bought my first one after meeting Andrew Barnes at a local match here in NC and taking a two hour tour of his facility in Apex, NC. I am currently in the process of buying a second BPM rifle.
First, I don't feel any need to have members here (or anywhere else) validate my choice. My rifle has been extremely accurate and reliable and I could not be more satisfied with it. I have approximately 5000-5500 rounds through my BPM (not a lot by standards here on m4c, I know). The malfunctions that I've had were related to (1) worn out magazines, (2) eroded gas rings (at ~4000 rounds) and (3) a broken bolt lug at ~4700. I had an LMT when I bought my BPM, and after running the Barnes for a while, sold the LMT and have not regretted it since (the LMT was a fantastic rifle; just trying to communicate that I didn't feel like I was giving anything up going with the Barnes). I don't shoot from a bench, but my Barnes rifle has been far more accurate than I am out to 300 yards supported on barricades with occasional barricaded shots out to and just beyond 400.
Second, and most importantly, I would like to set the record straight with respect to some earlier statement that BPM has "lied" about certain SOF dudes running these guns. I know for a fact (because I have shot with these guys myself) that more than a few SOF guys here in NC choose these rifles as their personal, privately owned guns and at least one rifle has been selected as a work gun and fielded down-range. Andrew is one of the most straight-up guys I've ever met. He doesn't lie. Ever. I can guarantee you that his integrity as a man means more to him that selling rifles.
Third, the "SOF" connection means very little to me. What does matter to me are the years of machining experience and quality control that go into these guns. The threshold for what leaves that shop is EXTREMELY high, because I know that Andrew views each of these carbines as a reflection on him and on his business.
Finally, the fact that the OP's gun was out of spec is surprising to me. I know that BPM would find that completely unacceptable and would have gone above and beyond to make it right. IME, these guns are well-built, soft-shooting and accurate.
My name is Steve Sellers. If anyone has questions about my experience with BPM, just drop me a PM.
Correct me if I'm wrong , but worn out gas rings and broken bolt lug before 5K rounds sounds like junk to meI've got around 5700 rounds through my Colt that I purchased in mid April almost all rapid fired and would be surprised if it fails anytime soon. And what do people mean when they say my rifle shoots better than me
how would you know
Are you having someone else shoot it to verify?
'Evil Minds That Plot Destruction'
So already we have confirmation of a ****ed gas rings and a broken bolt before the bolt even hit 4000 - 4,500 rounds. That's not very impressive. Gas rings are one thing but if you're breaking bolts at 4k then you're probably doing something wrong, or shooting a piece of shit. We also have the OP's receiver being significantly out of spec.
I do know that if I had any of those issues with my weapon then I would not be happy at all. Are you sure you're not endorsing the company simply because you spent a lot of money on one of their rifles?
The bolt is made out of lesser material; that's already been confirmed. I just don't see how this company differs from Bushmaster, Rock River, DelTon, etc?
Airhasz, my thoughts as well. My first DD has many thousands of rounds through it, and is still going strong. Our issued Colts go through ****ing hell, and after 6+ years in the Infantry I have only seen a broken bolt lug once.
The SOF reference may be misleading. Just because you are in a certain unit doesn't make you an expert on different weapon systems and manufacturers. I'm starting to think that BPM makes a good competition gun that just became the trendy new thing around here.
Yeah, I'm sure. I, like many folks on here, would rather just sell something that doesn't work than try and convince myself that it's a good product. The bottom-line is that that rifle is among the softest shooting and most accurate rifles that I've had an opportunity to run (to include DD, BCM, LMT and other top tier guns). That's my opinion, but has been confirmed by every person I've ever handed the rifle. Every one of them.
One member suggested that I might be doing something wrong to have experienced the two issues that I've had inside of 5500 rounds of m193. He may be right -- maybe I am doing something wrong. Either way, the issues have been easily diagnosed and repaired.
I discovered the eroded gas ring when I noticed some increased gas in my eyes during a match. Replacing the worn ring solved that issue, and - correct me if I'm wrong - the gas rings are a consumable part. Not unheard of for them (or one of them) to become worn after 5000 rounds. Didn't choke the gun, just needed a replacement.
The broken bolt lug is what it is. Replaced it and haven't had a problem with the new one. We'll see how it goes.
Oh, and to the dude asking what it means when people say "it's more accurate than I am..." It's a self-deprecating expression used by individuals who wish to communicate an understanding that, standing and shooting off-hand or on the move, it is their skill and not their equipment that is the limiting factor. My apologies for not being clearer about that.
Jeeze. "Rifle shoots better then me" typically means that the gun's mechanical MOA is smaller then what the shooter can produce. So,the rifle can hold a 1 in group at 100, but the shooter how owns it can do 4 at best.(example)
One thing I also remember is barnes said he did some kind of anodizing on the gas tube in response to what FA does to gas tubes at the carrier key end.
Hey 556, can you explain their "accurizing screw and rear detent screw" on the lowers? I didnt really notice this when I was molesting them.
sent from mah gun,using my sights
TBK: I think that language is referring to a screw that can be tightened to apply tension between the upper and lower receivers. Takes any slop that might develop over time out of the system. I doubt it makes the gun any more accurate, but it sure is a nice feature, IMO. You wouldn't see it without popping the rear pin and looking down into the lower receiver.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Most important parts for an AR, bolt and barrel. If the bolt isn't up to snuff it isn't worth anything. The fact that they don't utilize a proper bolt tells me to run away fast as shit. You would literally have to be on drugs to buy that over a Colt, DD, BCM. Which can be found cheaper by the way.
Last edited by graffex; 11-12-12 at 23:22.
Bookmarks