Don't chop up the FSB if you can avoid it. You may want to put it back on later.

Jeff....

The chair is against the wall.
John has a long moustache.
#95 is mine and on the way to me on the big brown truck.
That is all.

A friend recently asked me about accuracy the accuracy of a mid-length barrels that I had and what follows is my reply to him.


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Guys always ask me about accuracy......In short, my answer is: With AR's, I NEVER measure group size. I know from years of shooting what my group size should look like at a given distance with a given optic (ie. I know my group with iron sights is much larger than my groups with a Leupold MR/T on 5x at that same distance.....but I have shot enough that I know approximatley what my group should look like considering the distance, type of optic, type of ammo, etc.).

For accuracy or group size to mean anything or for the evaluation to be "apples to apples" comparison you need to shoot the both mid-length barrels side by side on the same day one right after the other.

BOTH guns need to be

-in the exact same configuration (stocks, triggers, handguards / railed forends, etc), using the same optic (at least 10x),

-the same ammo from the same lot, a couple different ammo loadings (because different barrels like different bullets),

-the same targets,

-the same lighting conditions, etc, etc, etc.

All of the things listed above can have an effect on accuracy testing (ammo, temp, lighting conditions, rifle configuration, different optics, etc, etc, etc)

I always see guys on the internet saying my "Brand X" AR15 is so much more accurate than my "Brand Z" AR15. I doubt that 99% of these guys have done an "apples to apples" comparison between two different brands.

For *me* trying to do accuracy testing with anything less than a 10x optic is a waste of time and I would prefer to have something around 16x if possible.

In order to get nice little groups you need to ensure that you are on the exact aiming point everytime. And the only way I can do that is with a 10x (or more) optic.

*For me*, if I can hit the small steel IPSC type targets consistanly out to 425 yards with an ACOG or MR/T 1.5-5x or simular scope, the barrel is more than accurate enough *for me* and the type of shooting that I do.

The Steel IPSC targets I'm refering to are about 18" - 24" top to bottom and 10" - 12" at the shoulders. Basically it's a scaled down IPSC or IDPA target...you know the cardboard targets you shoot at IDPA or IPSC matches...also a lot of instructors use them for classes (cardbaord colored on one side and white on the other).

Here's something that makes me laugh about accuracy discussions on the internet:

For the last few years, I often use a 1/9" twist RRA 16" mid-length barrel (4140 steel / chromed lined) for my run and gun rifle matches...just a factory mid-length barrel that has been lightended almost to govt' profile under the handguards. The carbine has a LaRue 9.0 and 3.5x TA11 ACOG on it.

I have seen more than a couple guys arguing about accuracy on the internet, then I have seen those same guys come to the run and gun rifle matches (targets from contact distance out to 425 yards, smaller than normal targets) and can't hit the broad side of a barn. These individuals end up with a score of less than 10% and never come back to another match. I've seen it happen a couple times with my own eyes.



The last match I shot with Stag Arms carbine with the RRA mid-lenth 1/9" 4140 steel / chrome lined barrel (July's match, just before I had shoulder surgery), I came in 2nd place with a score of 80% and I was using 2004 vintage XM193 ammo. Pics of the match and the gun I use can be seen in this thread:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=2475 (the Stag Arms gun with the FDE furniture and RRA mid-length barrel in it's newest configuration with the Magpul UBR is on page 3 ...... older pics of the same gun from a couple years ago can be seen on page 1)

Pics of targets down range can be seen in the thread below. Keep in mind that the targets on this stage are at a distance of 175 to 425 yards, there are large and small IPSC steel targets, skinny steel popper type targets, the small LaRue target, etc.  *Keep in mind when looking at the pics of the targets that the pics were taken with a zoom lense*. Each target (usally 7 - 9 different targets) have to be engaged from each firing position (usually 6 - 8 different positions)....and each shooting position requires something different (ie. sometimes shooting through a port on the ground, sometimes shooting from the right or left side of the barricade, sometimes shooting over the top, etc).....you can see in the pics what I'm refering to in reference to shooting position:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=15738&highlight=TA11


I guess my point is, you can have the most accurate barrel in the world and it doesn't mean anything if the shooter is unable to use the barrel to it's full potential. And in that same breath, everyone on the internet will tell you that 1/9" 4140 steel barrels are junk and you can't hit the broad side of barn with them.  Remember the old saying about "It's the singer, not the song"

To be honest, my RRA barrel that I've used in a bunch of different matches over the years (see pics in the links above) is probably more accurate than me.....especially when you consider I'm only using a 3.5x ACOG.  


So in short, when guys ask me about accuracy of two different guns I don't like to answer unless I can give an "apples to apples" comparision and I NEVER go out and shoot for measured groups .........I guess my use for the AR platform is geared toward "practical accuracy", and I don't have a single AR that isn't able to hit the targets above at 425 yards with XM193 / Q3131A / Black Hills Blue Box 55 grain or simular ammo.


To anwer your question about accuracy between the Xxxxxx barrel and the Xxxxxx barrel ...... I don't think you, me, or a majority of shooters are going to be able to tell a difference in accuracy between the two barrels.

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That being said, with the BCM you are getting a barrel that is superior to many other barrels on the market, at a cheaper price.


My new competition gun is the BCM with the FDE furniture posted above.


I wrote the following in another thread as to what you are getting with BCM vs. what you are paying:


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I don't have a chart that only compares the prices of upper receivers.  

Consider the price of a Bravo Company Upper Receiver (16" M4) with full auto bolt carrier group and charging handle.

The compare the price of the Bravo Company complete upper to those made by Bushmaster, Olympic Arms, DPMS, etc, etc, etc.


Consider the following:

Bravo Company 16" M4 upper:                          $449.95
Bravo Company MPI full auto bolt carrier group:  $130
Bravo Company Charging handle:                       $20.95
                                                                  +__________
                                                                    $600.90


Bushmaster 16" M4 upper:                    $590
Bushmaster non-MPI bolt carrier group:  $137.95
Bushmaster Charging handle:                 $26.50
                                                       +__________
                                                         $754.45



The following is a list of features / services performed on Bravo Company's upper receivers, these features / services are NOT provided on the Bushmaster product:

-MPI Bolt
-Pressure Test (HTP) Bolt
-Shot Peen Bolt
-Black Extractor Insert
-Black rubber "o" ring
-Properly staked gas key (the last 6 Bushmaster's I owned had bolts that had to be sent back to the factory because they were not properly staked and the gas key came loose in under 1,000 rounds...I'm also a firearms instructor for my Dept and have seen many of our Officer's personally owned Bushmaster bolts have the same problem)
-M16 Bolt Carrier
-MPI Barrel
-Pressure Test Barrel
-1/7" Rifling Twist
-M4 Feed Ramp Barrel Extension (USGI)
-Mil-Spec 11595E - 4150 Grade Barrel Steel (CMV)
-"F" Marked Front sight base (needed for flat top receivers....this is why you need the taller front sight post for Bushmasters)
-Parkerize under the front sight base



This is one example of many.  

Compare 16" M4 prices from several different companies and use The Chart to see what you are getting for your money.  

Even if the Bushmaster upper and the Bravo Company upper were the exact same price, you are getting much more for your money with the Bravo Company upper.

Why pay more, and get less?



Just my .02


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Sweet. There's something about a plain M4.

BCM now makes kick ass stocks and M4 handguards.

Plain Jane M4. BCM upper of course.

The more I look at the BCM stainless barrel, the more I want one.

weekend bump

bump so I can upload new pictures later today.

Will the pouch accomodate the radio with the speaker mic in place?

I don't use a speaker mic.....but I do use a L.A.S.H head set and when I had Diz build this rig for me, we made sure that the radio pouch would accomidate the radio with the L.A.S.H unit installed.

Great that mens the multi-pin plug would fit.

Looks nice!  Good to see a the Omega in that size.

Pretty gun. Who did the work for you?

Not Jeff.

The rig was a custom build for Jeff. It was his idea/design. (His intellectual property so to speak.) The guy who made the rigs is no longer in the gear business. So, alas and alak, the likes of these will never be seen again.

The elves are busy at BCM, so I may get my middy before the new year. So, pics or it didn't happen.

The elves are building mine now. Are they building you one?

My pride and joy.

Uppers go here.

It should be listed in the details. If it does not bear the BCM logo, either on the upper or in the text, then its probably a CMT.