A5 Receiver Extension Comparison Photos

[mike_f]

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:

















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.

[prepare]

Great job on the comparison photos!
The Magpul definitely looks rough inside.
I think the VLTOR and the BCM are the winners.

[hotrodder636]

Nicely done. I have been looking to upgrade my SBRs to the BCM or Magpul.

[Springer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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