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Posted: 12/14/2025 8:52:45 PM EDT
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For anyone else, seems like a good deal for a blaster upper. "BC-15 | 5.56 NATO Carry Handle Upper | 20" Black Nitride Government Cold Hammer Forged Barrel | 1:8 Twist | Rifle Length Gas System | Rifle Handguard | A2 Front Sight & Carry Handle | with BCG & Charging Handle" $199. https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/556-20-bn-government-barrel-1-8-twist-rifle-std-rc-a2-m14.html?avad=211021_b45cfb525 |
"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
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Originally Posted By ScottinAZ: I have no idea what people have against Bear Creek (fairly new to this again, coming back after a decade off) but that is too good a price for me to NOT buy one.... A2 clone... CHECK..... Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." |
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A lot of people give Bear Creek a hard time. I'm not saying they don't deserve the hate, what with the Immigration raid several years ago. Only that some of their stuff has been pretty awesome. I have a 22" heavy profile 223 Wylde that shoots sub MOA all day long with pretty much any decent 223 match loads. Not so much with 5.56. The barrel cost me $60 on sale. The upper linked above got me excited for a minute before I realized that the carry handle is a bolt on. Still looks like a screaming deal. You're likely to have to be a pretty accomplished marksman to need anything more accurate than this with open sights or a red dot. |
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Originally Posted By MudEagle: Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." Originally Posted By MudEagle: Originally Posted By ScottinAZ: I have no idea what people have against Bear Creek (fairly new to this again, coming back after a decade off) but that is too good a price for me to NOT buy one.... A2 clone... CHECK..... Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." 2012. I also remember a lot of early PSA negative reviews. Some companies get the message and change, others don't. Botach used to be one of those "run away" businesses with a lot of bad reviews and business practices. In the last 5 years I've had zero problems with Botach. For the price I'd give Bear Creek a shot. |
"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
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Originally Posted By wlderdude: A lot of people give Bear Creek a hard time. I'm not saying they don't deserve the hate, what with the Immigration raid several years ago. Only that some of their stuff has been pretty awesome. I have a 22" heavy profile 223 Wylde that shoots sub MOA all day long with pretty much any decent 223 match loads. Not so much with 5.56. The barrel cost me $60 on sale. The upper linked above got me excited for a minute before I realized that the carry handle is a bolt on. Still looks like a screaming deal. You're likely to have to be a pretty accomplished marksman to need anything more accurate than this with open sights or a red dot. ive been looking for an integrated carry handle upper (not seriously, but enough...) and about all you can find is the rail mount ones at anything approaching a reasonable price.... as for accuracy, as long as I can hit "Minute of Motherphucker" im happy with it... the sights and barrel are probably miles better than my eyes at this point.... for $220 bucks shipped, I have one on the way |
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I already had one Bear Creek upper kaboom... fool me once You know the rest! |
So... I find comfort in the fact that if Trump has to work so hard to go to Heaven, then there is a shit load of Democrats that have no f-cking chance to go anywhere but HELL. Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer.
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Originally Posted By DasRonin: I already had one Bear Creek upper kaboom... fool me once You know the rest! Not doubting you, but details? |
"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
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Thanks O.P.  Been wanting to build a "Beamy Commemorative 20 incher" and at that price... I couldn't find a way to say No. I'll be curious to mount up a optic and see just how well that CHF gal shoots. Bigger_Hammer  |
LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY,
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
| Just a heads up. I just got mine in yesterday and it doesn’t come with an a2 flash hider like pictured. Instead it had their own spiral flash hider. I guess it’s works as intended just not what I was expecting. Also the carry handle that comes with it is low quality. It’s functional but barely. Probably still not a bad deal for $200. |
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Originally Posted By ScottinAZ: I have no idea what people have against Bear Creek (fairly new to this again, coming back after a decade off) but that is too good a price for me to NOT buy one.... A2 clone... CHECK..... |
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Originally Posted By MudEagle: Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." Originally Posted By MudEagle: Originally Posted By ScottinAZ: I have no idea what people have against Bear Creek (fairly new to this again, coming back after a decade off) but that is too good a price for me to NOT buy one.... A2 clone... CHECK..... Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." |
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Originally Posted By MudEagle: Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." Originally Posted By MudEagle: Originally Posted By ScottinAZ: I have no idea what people have against Bear Creek (fairly new to this again, coming back after a decade off) but that is too good a price for me to NOT buy one.... A2 clone... CHECK..... Go do a little Googling of Moore's Machine Company (MMC), which is what the company name was before they changed it to Bear Creek Arsenal. It'll be pretty obvious what people are talking about. Here's a sample review from 2012 just to set the stage: "My cousin made the mistake of buying an MMC AR at the peak of the panic. He had me look at it before he shot it, it was a complete and utter piece of trash. Unstaked castle nut, incorrectly staked gas key screws, rough and unfinished feed ramps, rough and unpolished bolt carrier, unlined barrel, questionable assembly, Tapco and other questionable parts, and poor finish on the lower that was starting to chip off. And that was what was visible with the naked eye, I didn't have any gages or take any measurements. The good news is the shop let him trade it back in unfired for the S&W M&P15 I told him to buy in the first place. This thing was even worse than an Olympic or DPMS. Not a bargain at any price." 2012 was a long time ago. My Bear Creek parts are "fine." They're exactly "fine" for the price. |
| Every BCA upper that has come my way because it doesn't work, hasn't had any problems since I disassembled them completely (with a ton of swearing, I swear they weld these things shut with lock-tight) and re assemble. I think I only had to swap one bolt and in a separate incident one bolt carrier out of spec. Only one chamber had burrs at the mouth that cleaned up. Im not saying they are good, but know what your getting into with the price point. Someone should get a few and run them to death. |
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Originally Posted By CosaviK: Just a heads up. I just got mine in yesterday and it doesn’t come with an a2 flash hider like pictured. Instead it had their own spiral flash hider. I guess it’s works as intended just not what I was expecting. Also the carry handle that comes with it is low quality. It’s functional but barely. Probably still not a bad deal for $200. Mine should be here Monday.... if the carry handle is shit, Ill toss it and put a USGI on it like my other rifles. The silly spiral thing will also get tossed if its on mine.... may go birdcage, or 3 prong..... dunno yet.... will have to see how goofy it looks |
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Originally Posted By Strela: Not doubting you, but details? It will be a good idea to check the headspace! |
So... I find comfort in the fact that if Trump has to work so hard to go to Heaven, then there is a shit load of Democrats that have no f-cking chance to go anywhere but HELL. Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer.
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I've have a few, everyone has been fine for me. Only problem was I got a side charger and the charging handle was missing. Contacted them and they sent me one right away. I am been slowly putting together a .223 varmint and want to switch over to side charging. So much easier when prone or even benched. |
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Originally Posted By GaryM: I've have a few, everyone has been fine for me. Only problem was I got a side charger and the charging handle was missing. Contacted them and they sent me one right away. I am been slowly putting together a .223 varmint and want to switch over to side charging. So much easier when prone or even benched. I love the side charging uppers for low round count guns, target guns, hunting guns, that kind of thing. |
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| ok, mine showed up early, and got here today (FedEx on a SATURDAY, WTF?? that never happens)... Yeah, its got the goofy spiral flash hider on it, and the carry handle is "close, but no cigar" with USGI.... so Ill replace both of those with the real deals, and be happy with it. Other than those little cosmetic niggles, it appears to be a solid piece for the $$$$.... once I get a lower and a parts kit for it, we will see how it shoots.... |
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ok, Took a bit closer look at the Bear Creek upper this morning, and it has some "issues" that I want to fix.... you can tell it was thrown together for the lowest possible price point.... 1st off is the shitty flash hider.... come on, its FUGLY and no crush washer....just torqued onto the barrel... I guess it would have taken longer to install a birdcage and clock it right rather than this thing....  Next up, is the markings... heavily stamped into the barrel. I guess this isnt a real issue, but I prefer the lighter markings that PSA uses on theirs.  and for comparison, here is a PSA I also got last week....  My biggest gripe though is the front sight/gas block treatment... the taper pins are WAY too long. Ill be trimming these, as they just make it look unfinished. The rivet for the front sling swivel is also improperly set, so it looks shit as well.....   and again, my "control rifle" a PSA kit....  everything nice, neat, and nearly flush. |
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Continued, because the board wont let me have a proper rant yet..... :D the A4 removable rear sight just looks "cheap" compared to the USGI control piece as well.... visible marks from casting vice forging  and crappy markings vs stampings. (yeah, I know the opposite of the barrel..... picky picky, I know). the thumbscrews also have a smaller and cheaper feel to them... Ill be replacing this with a USGI.... it just bothers me to look at it.... this is a USGI for direct comparison... no round marks where the sprue or riser was (cause its forged....) and clear deep stamped marks for adjustment....  all in all, what did I expect for $200... about this TBH. its not great, as its full of little minor "we cheaped out" things, and I want my rifle to look a bit more USGI and "polished" finish wise. At this stage of my life, im tired of looking at something that just isnt quite right, and being satisfied with it because it was "cheap"... yet, I still bought this lower end upper.... but, I digress..... |
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Originally Posted By Frens: Not surprised for 199  Not even sure how they can sell it and still have some profit.. yeah, I know... and I used my "new customer" 10% off with it too, so they didnt even make anything on shipping..... For the price, I aint pissed, and considering it comes with the charging handle and BCG (which actually seem to fit nicely), its significantly cheaper than the equivalent PSA piece.... but the PSA piece has better fit and finish from what I have seen with the 3 that I have in my hot little hands this month. A little tinkering, and nobody will be the wiser... even after adding the proper birdcage and a new carry handle, and a little allowance for adjusting the pin length, Ill still be in it for a lot less than the competition.... if it shoots good, then Ill be over the moon with it. |
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Originally Posted By wormraper: Bear Creek is the IO of the AR world. they make Hesse and Vulcan look good. friends do not let friends buy Bear Creek I’ve owned a Vulcan. It did not work. The bolt carrier was literally machined crooked. I own 7 Bear Creek uppers. All of them work. How many of your Bear Creek products don’t work? |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: I've owned a Vulcan. It did not work. The bolt carrier was literally machined crooked. I own 7 Bear Creek uppers. All of them work. How many of your Bear Creek products don't work? |
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Originally Posted By Oldgold: How hard to get the flash hider off? No problem on mine. I put it in a barrel vise, used the proper sized wrench & it twisted right off. I had a "spare" Nitrided A2 flashhider takeoff & a new crush washer and it all went back to "A2" configuration quick & easy. Going to move "Mister Twisty" over to a AR pistol. Bigger_Hammer
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LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY,
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
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Originally Posted By Bigger_Hammer: No problem on mine. I put it in a barrel vise, used the proper sized wrench & it twisted right off. I had a "spare" Nitrided A2 flashhider takeoff & a new crush washer and it all went back to "A2" configuration quick & easy. Going to move "Mister Twisty" over to a AR pistol. Bigger_Hammer Ive got a birdcage and crush washer on the way for mine now.... Mr Twisty will go into the "WTF am I gonna do with this POS" drawer..... |
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well, the lower kit came from Palmetto yesterday, and I do have to say, I like the A4 look. Replaced "Mister Twisty" (sounds like the brand name for a dildo) on the front end, and it looks a lot better with a birdcage on it.... I still need to redo the FSB taper pins, the reamer is inbound..... For what I have into it, it should be a nice shooter  
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| one kaboom is enough for me! |
So... I find comfort in the fact that if Trump has to work so hard to go to Heaven, then there is a shit load of Democrats that have no f-cking chance to go anywhere but HELL. Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer.
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Who's tossing their weird spiral flash hiders? I'll throw some money your way to send one (or more as I'm likely to screw up) my way to practice boring them out to 9mm. |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
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Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
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Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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