$340 out the door Bear Creek Arsenal side charger

[Bret]

A friend pointed me to the least expensive complete AR15 that I've ever seen in the 30+ years that I've been in to guns. I the "Deals" section of Bear Creek Arsenal's website, they were offering a complete (minus sights and magazine) right side charging AR15 for $315 delivered. Even assuming that it's a turd, they've got to be losing money at that price. So, I decided to buy one that came with a melonited barrel. I've always wanted a side charging AR15 anyway. BCA doesn't exactly have the reputation as being a top tier manufacturer, so I wasn't expecting much. That said, I previously did a 7.62x39 build using one of their upper halves and it runs like a champ. In fact, the upper half runs 100% in full auto on my 16 lower. So even being a low tier manufacturer, I know they can make a rifle that runs. $25 wend to my dealer which put the out the door price at $340.

I got it home and looked it over. Immediately I discovered that the castle nut was loose. I grabbed my tool and tightened it. Needless to say, it wasn't staked. I then found that the collapsible buttstock was difficult to slide forward and backward. In fact, I had a difficult time sliding it off. Upon examination, I found that the part that goes up in to the holes in the receiver extension was screwed in too high. Therefore, I removed its retaining pin and screwed it out until it was flush in the receiver extension when I pulled the lever all the way down. I then reinstalled the retaining pin and the buttstock now functions as it should.

Other than that, what didn't I get for my $340? Upon examining the bolt and carrier I found that there was no chrome. The bolt is marked MPI though. The hammer appears cast, but I don't know if they're all typically made that way and then machined. For sure it appears different than all the others I've seen. I don't really care for metal handguard rails, but the one that came on the rifle looks decent. I won't be putting anything on them anyway. Magazines inserted and dropped without issue. When pulling back the charging handle, the sound of the spring contracting is pretty loud. I don't know if that means anything though.

The next time I go to the range I'll give it a run. I have an ACOG that I recently purchased for another rifle, but I'll try it on this BCA rifle first. After all, I wouldn't want to short change the potential of this rifle by running a cheap optic on it.

[opngrnd]

This should be a fun thread. I've attempted to build a cheap beater rifle before, but never anything like this.

[Bret]

Keep in mind that the $315 included the 11% excise tax, so BCA's actual sales revenue was $283.78.

[flenna]

Keep in mind that the $315 included the 11% excise tax, so BCA's actual sales revenue was $283.78.

Hard to go wrong for $300 as long as you are not expecting Knight level quality. Have fun, shoot the heck out of it.

[opngrnd]

Keep in mind that the $315 included the 11% excise tax, so BCA's actual sales revenue was $283.78.

That makes me happy.

[glocktogo]

Just remember:

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/02/ice...#axzz7NN5BYyJ4

[TacticalSpeed]

I own plenty of BCA uppers and zero issues. with any. They all run great. Same with PSA.

Every company and every item has a bad egg. Even the high end brands

[CRAMBONE]

This should be a fun thread. I've attempted to build a cheap beater rifle before, but never anything like this.

I built a rifle from spare and take off parts. Intent was a cheap truck and beater rifle. Ended up spending way to much money of it.

[HKGuns]

I built a rifle from spare and take off parts. Intent was a cheap truck and beater rifle. Ended up spending way to much money of it.

Yep, this is why I can’t do something like this……

- It’s the only one without an A5, Ching
- It’s the only rifle not sporting the HK battle grip, Ching
- That Milspec charging hand sure is skinny, Ching
- Do you really trust that BCG? Ching
- A nice hand guard would really improve the handling, Ching


You get the picture. But good on you if you can leave it alone.

[bamashooter]

Very cool. Hope it works well for you. I'll sit back with my cache of tier 1 PSAs and enjoy the predictable positive replies. From my basement.