Which BCM 18"?

[msigette]

First off sorry if this is in the wrong section, but i thought since the end goal is to be a precision rifle, this would be the place. So I am looking at buying a BCM 18" upper with the KMR rail, but I am stuck between three different uppers and need your help to figure out which to get.

First up is the BCM MK12 MOD 4X Bravo. It is their 18" barrel ion coated black with the 15" KMR rail(roughly $980). Other than the ion coating I do not know if there are any other differences.
Next up is the BCM SS410 18" with 15" KMR. This barrel can only be had with the SS finish for roughly $760.
and Lastly is the BCM SS410 18" with 15" KMR Alpha rail. This barrel also can only be had with the SS finish for roughly $690.
If I go with a SS finished barrel I will probably have to get a coating of some sort done to the barrel as I do not like the shiny finish.

So is the MK12 worth the extra money? Is there something with this upper I am missing to cause the extra cost or is it just the black finish?
Should I buy one of the other SS410 barreled uppers and save the money? And if I go with a regular SS410 upper which KMR should I get, and will it make any difference once you start adding load to the bipod later on?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate all of your opinions.

[ColtSeavers]

As far as I can tell, with the mk12, you are definately paying extra for the Diamond Like Coating Ionbond on an otherwise ss410 18" rifle gas barrel as well as extra for their original KMR Aluminum-Magnesium*rail.

For the second option you listed, you are paying extra for the original KMR Aluminum-Magnesium*rail.

For the third option, you are getting the Aluminum (type unknown/secret) version of the KMR rail, which is slightly heavier, but also slightly stronger. https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-Rifles)/page8

I would go with the last option. Same barrel in all of them, just different finish, and slightly stronger rail along with a boatload less money. If your inner ocd can't get over the shiny/silver finish, use some of the money saved to put a coating of whatever you choose over it. Personally, I'd just make sure to get a 'black' muzzle device and forget about the ~3 uncovered shiny/silver inches.

This is just from a quick spec and google comparison.

[elephantrider]

First off sorry if this is in the wrong section, but i thought since the end goal is to be a precision rifle, this would be the place. So I am looking at buying a BCM 18" upper with the KMR rail, but I am stuck between three different uppers and need your help to figure out which to get.

First up is the BCM MK12 MOD 4X Bravo. It is their 18" barrel ion coated black with the 15" KMR rail(roughly $980). Other than the ion coating I do not know if there are any other differences.
Next up is the BCM SS410 18" with 15" KMR. This barrel can only be had with the SS finish for roughly $760.
and Lastly is the BCM SS410 18" with 15" KMR Alpha rail. This barrel also can only be had with the SS finish for roughly $690.
If I go with a SS finished barrel I will probably have to get a coating of some sort done to the barrel as I do not like the shiny finish.

So is the MK12 worth the extra money? Is there something with this upper I am missing to cause the extra cost or is it just the black finish?
Should I buy one of the other SS410 barreled uppers and save the money? And if I go with a regular SS410 upper which KMR should I get, and will it make any difference once you start adding load to the bipod later on?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate all of your opinions.

All of those uppers are essentially the same with a few different options to choose from. I'll try and break it down for you.
They all use the same 18" barrel made from 410 Stainless Steel. The unfinished stainless barrel does not need any additional finish on it, but it can be bead blasted to turn the "shiny" SS finish to a matte grey, or it can be painted just like any other barrel. If you don't have the tools to do either of those then it will likely cost you to send it to someone who does. The black IonBond version is the exact same barrel, but with IonBond's very thin and very durable surface treatment on the outside surface of the barrel. It is not a coating like paint, more of a surface treatment process that is more durable. If you want your barrel black, it is hard to find a better finish than IonBond. Both barrels should shoot the same. Price difference between the two is $60 and is reflected in the total cost of the Mk12 Mod 4X Bravo upper.
This barrel:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...l-rec-18ss.htm
vs this:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...18-8-ib-bk.htm

The Mk12 upper price includes, the additional cost for the IonBond, and I assume it comes with the original std. Magnesium alloy KMR (<<I'd check that with BCM before ordering, might be the cheaper KMR-A).

The raw Stainless finished uppers come with either the original lighter, magnesium alloy KMR handguard, or the newer, less expensive, and slightly heavier (2.2oz. more) KMR Alpha handguard in aluminum alloy.
so this handguard/rail:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-K...15-556-blk.htm
, or this one:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-K...15-556-blk.htm
a ~$77 price difference which will be reflected in the overall price of an upper depending on which you choose.

Only other thing you are missing is that the Mk12 Mod 4x comes with a BCG and Std. charging handle included in the price. The other SS410 uppers have an option to add a BCG and charging handle for another ~$70. The original Mag. Alloy KMRs aren't generally available now due to materials unavailability so your only option might be an upper withe the KMR-A. With that heavier barrel, I doubt you'd notice the additional 2 oz. of the KMR-A anyway. If you're mostly bench or prone shooting you really wont notice it. The real choice is if you want the black IonBond finish, other than that they should shoot the same.

[_Stormin_]

I played out this same debate myself Saturday. Ordered the third option... Saved some dollars for ammo. :-)

I'm going to paint the rifle when it's done, so the finish on the barrel means little to me. I have enough BCGs and charging handles, but adding them both for $70 is a no brainer. Then there is the weight. Most of the time this thing is going to be on a bench or a bipod, so 2oz means nothing.

Let us know what you decide.

[msigette]

Thank you all for your input. I'm pretty sure I will be going with the cheapest option since the barrels are all the same. Now I can save that extra money for a good optic, too bad that is going to be a much harder choice to make.

[hawkeb]

Thank you all for your input. I'm pretty sure I will be going with the cheapest option since the barrels are all the same. Now I can save that extra money for a good optic, too bad that is going to be a much harder choice to make.

Are the barrel profiles the same? I was looking this weekend at the same uppers on BCM and it looks like the 410ss 18'" with KMR Alpha has a government profile and the other upper with the original KMR or the MI or VTAC has a medium profile.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...0-kmr-a-15.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...0-missk-15.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...s410-kmr15.htm

Not sure if it makes a difference but will a mid-weight profile give better accuracy or is the government just as good?

[Singlestack Wonder]

The BCM MK18 upper also features a pinned gas block vs. other BCM uppers which have a set screw gas block.

[elephantrider]

Are the barrel profiles the same? I was looking this weekend at the same uppers on BCM and it looks like the 410ss 18'" with KMR Alpha has a government profile and the other upper with the original KMR or the MI or VTAC has a medium profile.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...0-kmr-a-15.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...0-missk-15.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-S...s410-kmr15.htm

Not sure if it makes a difference but will a mid-weight profile give better accuracy or is the government just as good?

Yes, all those uppers use the same barrel. It is this one, the only 18" stainless barrel that BCM uses:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...l-rec-18ss.htm

The reference to "government profile" that you are seeing is some boiler plate info that was pasted into the product description on the BCM site (doesn't really apply).
Of the three uppers you listed, I'd go for the one that is in stock now. 15" KMR-A

[titsonritz]

The BCM MK18 upper also features a pinned gas block vs. other BCM uppers which have a set screw gas block.

It also gives you additional muzzle device options.

[meausoc]

I went with the BCM SS410 18" upper w/VTAC ALPHA 13" handguard 1/8 twist. Scope is a Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x24. It's a great shooter but I am still trying to tailor a load to it for coyote's. 55gr. Hornady VMAX's that I hand loaded will have two holes touching and three spread out on a five shot group at 100 yards. Powder is Varget with 24.6 grains. Hopefully I will find the right load to have all five shots touch. I am also going to try Berger 77gr. OTM's with 21 grains of Varget, and last some Hornady 75gr BTHp's. Feedback MarkM ?
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