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[#1]
Well, they didn’t last long but RTB got some 16” lightweight complete uppers back in stock yesterday for $420.
I almost passed on it but last time BCA had their .22lr upper in stock it jumped from $288 to $388. I was actually close to ordering a S&W MP15-22 for the same $$$ so this was good timing anyways. That does include a mag but from RTB they’re $18. Wanted the pencil profile anyways over the heavy barrel BCA. I’ve had a BCA upper in centerfire for a while, no complaints, but RTB does have more experience with rimfire. I’m finding with ammo prices where they are, my rimfires are coming to the range a lot more over the past year. |
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[#2]
I was close to buying a BCA 22lr upper yesterday - but selected not to due to the inability to run a light weight barrel from Taccom. After seeming the photos of the internals it my run the Taccom M&P15-22 light weight barrels but still unknown. Will hold off and my CMMG runs great Having the free floating ejector as a M&P15-22 is a question.
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[#5]
So that means there are no lightweight barrel options for the BCA system. Love the side charge but to much barrel weight for my SC guns - dang! Would be cool if they offered a lefts side charge handle. The new 9mm looks cool with left side charging handle but it only comes as a complete upper. The handguard and 9mm barrel are to heavy also.
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[#6]
Finally got in on a drop, have some on the way. They are now including a 10rd mag instead of a 25 - 25rd mags are available separately.
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[#7]
I just showed this to a friend of mine, and he pointed me to a gunbroker ad for a Walther-Hammerli complete rifle that comes in at $375... I took a quick look for reviews and it does have all aluminum construction, but it's not a milspec lower and does not share trigger components. Apparently the trigger pull is like 8.5lbs. Anyone know anything else about these Hammerlis? Maybe a separate thread would be better.
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[#8]
Quoted: I just showed this to a friend of mine, and he pointed me to a gunbroker ad for a Walther-Hammerli complete rifle that comes in at $375... I took a quick look for reviews and it does have all aluminum construction, but it's not a milspec lower and does not share trigger components. Apparently the trigger pull is like 8.5lbs. Anyone know anything else about these Hammerlis? Maybe a separate thread would be better. View Quote You might already know all of this answer; it isn't meant to condescend. There is a class of look alike rimfires that are cosmetically like ARs or HKs other centerfire rifles, but are functionally rimfire rifles mechanically inferior to a $200 10/22. The draw of something like the BCA is that it's actually an AR with a different bolt, barrel and magazine. That has advantages in durability and aftermarket part compatibility. FWIW, I think some of those cosmetic/Umarex rifles have interesting magazines. |
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[#9]
Quoted: You might already know all of this answer; it isn't meant to condescend. There is a class of look alike rimfires that are cosmetically like ARs or HKs other centerfire rifles, but are functionally rimfire rifles mechanically inferior to a $200 10/22. The draw of something like the BCA is that it's actually an AR with a different bolt, barrel and magazine. That has advantages in durability and aftermarket part compatibility. FWIW, I think some of those cosmetic/Umarex rifles have interesting magazines. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I just showed this to a friend of mine, and he pointed me to a gunbroker ad for a Walther-Hammerli complete rifle that comes in at $375... I took a quick look for reviews and it does have all aluminum construction, but it's not a milspec lower and does not share trigger components. Apparently the trigger pull is like 8.5lbs. Anyone know anything else about these Hammerlis? Maybe a separate thread would be better. You might already know all of this answer; it isn't meant to condescend. There is a class of look alike rimfires that are cosmetically like ARs or HKs other centerfire rifles, but are functionally rimfire rifles mechanically inferior to a $200 10/22. The draw of something like the BCA is that it's actually an AR with a different bolt, barrel and magazine. That has advantages in durability and aftermarket part compatibility. FWIW, I think some of those cosmetic/Umarex rifles have interesting magazines. No offense taken. That is certainly the draw for me - the main thing being able to drop it on a lower that has my favorite trigger/safety etc in it. I don't know much about the "class of look-alikes", I never got interested enough to do the homework on them. I have 3 10/22s, 1 stock (kinda), 1 mild and 1 wild with no Ruger parts left in it, high power scope etc. Older Marlin semi. Cz bolt, Marlin bolt, Stevens bolt. Have a few 22 pistols as well. For some reason I still like the idea of this BCA upper. I have fondled the M&P 15-22's but did not like the composite construction and non-standard lower design. The BCA ticks this box at a decent price, and without having to use an adapter and inappropriate twist rate in a 223/556 barrel arrangement. |
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[#10]
Received today. I opened the box, loaded the mag, pinned the upper to a random lower, inserted the mag, and ripped off 10 rounds of CCI Blazer without issue. This is gonna be fun!
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[#11]
I'm waiting on a delivery of Loctite 620. When it comes in I'm going to break this upper down for a reset, as I like to call it. I'll take pics of all the individual parts to post here. I will break it down and clean all the parts, then true the receiver and target crown the muzzle in the lathe, polish the feed ramp, then reassemble with the Loctite, aeroshell grease, and mount an optic. Then take it out and shoot it back to back with a bone stock out of the box upper. I got 6 uppers so I'll pick one at random for the back to back test.
I am out of high end 22 ammo, so I'll be using CCI Blazer, Fed AutoMatch, and maybe some M22. |
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[#12]
Quoted: I'm waiting on a delivery of Loctite 620. When it comes in I'm going to break this upper down for a reset, as I like to call it. I'll take pics of all the individual parts to post here. I will break it down and clean all the parts, then true the receiver and target crown the muzzle in the lathe, polish the feed ramp, then reassemble with the Loctite, aeroshell grease, and mount an optic. Then take it out and shoot it back to back with a bone stock out of the box upper. I got 6 uppers so I'll pick one at random for the back to back test. I am out of high end 22 ammo, so I'll be using CCI Blazer, Fed AutoMatch, and maybe some M22. View Quote I look forward to the additional photos and review. |
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[#13]
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[#14]
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[#15]
Took mine to the range this week and shot 200 rounds of Federal and some Blazer. Had various FTE with it (less than 10%). So I Buzzed the chamber and still need to polish the feed ramp. Federal has been very weak in my Glock 44 and FTE in that.
Installed the Catch-22 and it works perfectly to hold the bolt. I don't have any 15-22 magazines to test it but it works manually engaging. |
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[#17]
Quoted: Installed the Catch-22 and it works perfectly to hold the bolt. I don't have any 15-22 magazines to test it but it works manually engaging. View Quote Good to know. At $299, it's barely more than a CMMG bolt and barrel. The bolt appears to be adaptable for use with an AR charge handle. |
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[#18]
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[#19]
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[#20]
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[#21]
Quoted: Exactly. If BCA were to grossly undercut CMMG for a barrel and bolt package, it would need to be compatible with ordinary AR receivers. View Quote You don't think they already have? It's a complete upper and mag that works, out of the box, delivered 3 days after ordering, for 300 bux... I honestly don't see them selling barrel + bolt combos separately in the foreseeable future. Maybe some time next year? As long as their completes are selling like hotcakes, they have no reason to. Based on their current pricing structure, the complete upper will still be a better value than buying barrel and bolt separately. Imo, it's still a good training tool as you can use your lower controls. If you want to practice malfunction and reloading drills you can still do that with snap caps/dummy rounds. More than that though, it's a cheap fun gun. It charges the same as a 10/22, so one could also consider it a stepping stone for getting younger kids into the AR platform. |
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[#22]
Quoted: You don't think they already have? It's a complete upper and mag that works, out of the box, delivered 3 days after ordering, for 300 bux... View Quote As you note, BCA doesn't yet offer a barrel and bolt package. There is a market that will not want a side charging arrangement or BCA's choice of receiver and handguard. Also note that CMMG/RTB barrels are nitrocarburized rather than parkerized. An RTB barrel and bolt package looks to be $250 to $300 depending on sales. If BCA can sell an entire upper for $300, they might be able to get to around $200 for just a bolt and barrel. If it turns out to be reliable, durable and accurate, BCA may be able to persist as a competitor where others have failed. I'm a CMMG/RTB pattern fan, but more competition makes the market better. |
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[#23]
I just pulled a bolt from one of the BCA uppers and dropped it in a Noreen stripped forged milspec upper along with a Larue charging handle. It fits.
I can do a mockup in this upper with a barrel later this week when my other 2 uppers arrive. The other 4 barrels are already Loctite'd into their uppers. You're still going to have to live without the last round hold open, unless you maybe get M&P15 mags to work with it. |
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[#24]
Quoted: I just pulled a bolt from one of the BCA uppers and dropped it in a Noreen stripped forged milspec upper along with a Larue charging handle. It fits. I can do a mockup in this upper with a barrel later this week when my other 2 uppers arrive. The other 4 barrels are already Loctite'd into their uppers. You're still going to have to live without the last round hold open, unless you maybe get M&P15 mags to work with it. View Quote https://arcatch22.com/products/catch22-v1-bolt-catch I've used the V1 with CMMG BCGs and recommend it. I have no experience with the V2. Using a 15-22 magazine will require a shim or spacer being glued to the front of the magazine. Zipties, the large ones, from Harbor Freight are the right depth. ARCatch22 also sells shims. |
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[#25]
Quoted: https://arcatch22.com/products/catch22-v1-bolt-catch I've used the V1 with CMMG BCGs and recommend it. I have no experience with the V2. Using a 15-22 magazine will require a shim or spacer being glued to the front of the magazine. Zipties, the large ones, from Harbor Freight are the right depth. ARCatch22 also sells shims. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I just pulled a bolt from one of the BCA uppers and dropped it in a Noreen stripped forged milspec upper along with a Larue charging handle. It fits. I can do a mockup in this upper with a barrel later this week when my other 2 uppers arrive. The other 4 barrels are already Loctite'd into their uppers. You're still going to have to live without the last round hold open, unless you maybe get M&P15 mags to work with it. https://arcatch22.com/products/catch22-v1-bolt-catch I've used the V1 with CMMG BCGs and recommend it. I have no experience with the V2. Using a 15-22 magazine will require a shim or spacer being glued to the front of the magazine. Zipties, the large ones, from Harbor Freight are the right depth. ARCatch22 also sells shims. Thanks but I'm sticking with the CMMG mags. They work perfect, and I don't care about having the LRBHO on these. |
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[#26]
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[#27]
Indeed. Quoted: I don't know Zuk...Looks pretty good. I really like that bolt and at $299 it just might scratch that "what if" itch. I'm in the midst of another project, but it won't keep me from following Sebspeed's function and accuracy report. Is it weird that we learn more about some products from buyers in threads than from the companies themselves? |
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[#28]
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[#29]
The extractor on the BCA bolt appears to be held in place by a spring and detent. Since the BCA bolt is very similar to the Nordic I wonder if the extractor is the same as a Ruger 10/22 extractor, spring and deyent. If you experience an out of battery the extractor, spring & detent are usually dislodged and lost.
It would be a good idea to keep a spare extractor, spring and detent. I like the looks of the firing pin and I like they used a cotter pin for retention. It’d be nice to have at least one spare firing pin. |
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[#30]
Quoted: The extractor on the BCA bolt appears to be held in place by a spring and detent. Since the BCA bolt is very similar to the Nordic I wonder if the extractor is the same as a Ruger 10/22 extractor, spring and deyent. If you experience an out of battery the extractor, spring & detent are usually dislodged and lost. It would be a good idea to keep a spare extractor, spring and detent. I like the looks of the firing pin and I like they used a cotter pin for retention. It’d be nice to have at least one spare firing pin. View Quote If I have time, I'll pull an extractor from the next batch and post pics. |
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[#31]
Thanks for the photos of the BCA. Now I know why they said it won't work in F/A receivers. Interesting design.
I ordered a CMMG 22LR 9" upper that was in stock to try out. I think I have to order the F/A trip for their bolt design.. but won't know until I receive it. I was thinking of getting the Better-Mag from Redi-Mag (https://www.redi-mag.com/product/better-mag-s-22-rimfire-magazine-adaptor/) I already have a M&P15-22 so I have the magazines for it. Looks like it will trip the bolt hold as well. |
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[#32]
Quoted: I ordered a CMMG 22LR 9" upper that was in stock to try out. I think I have to order the F/A trip for their bolt design.. but won't know until I receive it. View Quote If you are looking for F/A then yes you will need the sear trip and anti bounce weight. I just don’t get why new products come out with auto support. Market may be small but all would buy. It looks like the bottom of the moving portion has a shelf to add a sear trip. 6th pic in the disassembly |
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[#33]
Quoted: It looks like the bottom of the moving portion has a shelf to add a sear trip. 6th pic in the disassembly View Quote I don't think that part moves, only the front part, hence it will never trip. I had contacted BCA and they told me semi will be the only configuration they plan to do. Possibly it could be modified, but it would take some real work which really isn't worth it for me. |
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[#34]
Quoted: I just pulled a bolt from one of the BCA uppers and dropped it in a Noreen stripped forged milspec upper along with a Larue charging handle. It fits. I can do a mockup in this upper with a barrel later this week when my other 2 uppers arrive. The other 4 barrels are already Loctite'd into their uppers. You're still going to have to live without the last round hold open, unless you maybe get M&P15 mags to work with it. View Quote I had a few minutes today to strip another 22 upper and install the barrel and bolt in the milspec upper with a standard charging handle, it all fit. I have pics I'll post later tonight. |
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[#35]
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[#38]
Quoted: Any reason your swapping uppers, or just testing for fun? View Quote Testing, because someone above asked about it. I like the side charge and I wouldn't go through the expense of swapping myself. But, maybe someone else would like to, and now we know that they can. ETA... I did not fit an ejection port door during the test... test for yourself if you go that route. |
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[#39]
Placed an order for an upper.
Primarily due to Sebspeeds review. So, if I have any issues with it, I blame you Sebspeed |
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[#40]
Got mine today and fired 10 rds no problem, 299 free shipping and still available.
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[#42]
Put a scope on and ran a couple mags thru it. Fed auto match had a few hang ups, rem thunderbolts ran great. Anyone get a manual with theirs? Have to figure out how to take it apart for cleaning.
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[#43]
Quoted: Put a scope on and ran a couple mags thru it. Fed auto match had a few hang ups, rem thunderbolts ran great. Anyone get a manual with theirs? Have to figure out how to take it apart for cleaning. View Quote They don't give out manuals. Disassembly is super simple. Pull the upper, then the screw that is in place of the rear charging handle, then remove the charging handle with a 5/32 allen key. You can then slide the bolt out the back and begin cleaning. BCA posted a breakdown video on youtube if you need a visual guide. |
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[#44]
Thanks, curious to see how yours shoots after you rebuild it.
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[#45]
Thanks, curious to see how yours shoots after you rebuild it.
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[#46]
Got 3 cmmg 25 rd mags from right to bear and loaded the up with thunderbolts. Rifle ran,flawless. Had it on a lower with a milspec trigger and put a burris 2x7 on it zeroed at 50 yds. Groups were in the 2 to,3 inch range. Going to try a higher power scope, better trigger and a bipod and see what it can do. The bolt stays open when the last round is fired. Grandson is going to love this upper! Also found a YouTube video on converting the 1prd mag to 25 rds.
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[#47]
Still need to get mine out with the good scope to shoot some groups.
Just saw they released a new version with updated handguard PLUS a 10.5" version @$269.99 today! |
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[#49]
Quoted: Where exactly did you see the 10.5” BCA 22 upper?? View Quote https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/calibers/ar-22/ar-22-complete-uppers.html Shows out of stock now... they don't last long but they come back with more every few days. Sign up for the back in stock notice and buy as soon as you get the email. |
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[#50]
Going to try a higher power scope, better trigger and a bipod and see what it can do. View Quote Won't hurt, but trying different ammo might help better. |
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