A sports car needs a great engine. An awesome AR-15 needs a great bolt carrier group (BCG).
But there are A LOT of choices.
You are viewing: Who Makes Brownells Bcg
From full-auto to lightweight, different coatings, MPI inspections, and more. It can make you go nuts (the above is probably only a few of my BCGs).
But don’t worry, we’ve got our list of our go-to BCGs.
We’ll cover some of the choices and then our favorites for different purposes and budgets…from mil-spec to lightweight, gas-reduction, and even some builds just for looks.
THE QUICK LIST
Show more (4 items)
How We Tested AR-15 BCGs
There’s no way around it…the Pew Pew Tactical team shot a lot of rounds across a lot of BCGs during our testing of complete rifles, builds, barrels, optics, & ammo.
And now that we’ve been testing more silencers and NVGs, we’ve added thousands of suppressed rounds downrange that have a habit of really gunking up (and testing) BCGs.
Here are our criteria for how we chose the best BCGs:
- At least 2000 rounds across at least rifles over a 1 year timeframe
- At least 1000 rounds running 100% without lubing or cleaning
- At least 500 rounds suppressed
- Meets or exceeds Mil-Spec standards
- Individually MPI (magnetic particle inspected)
Best AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups (BCG)
1. Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) M16 BCG
Let’s just start with our overall pick for the best mil-spec BCG.
If you ask most people online what’s their go-to BCG…the vast majority is going to beBCM’s M16 BCG.
Nothing much to say except it’s mil-spec everything and has a great reputation.
Each individual BCG is MPI (magnetic particle inspected) & HPT (high-pressure tested)…plus test-fired.
We’ve run multiple ones in 16″ builds that is up to a 3000 round count…
And more lately…a 14.5″ pinned AR and another 1000 rounds through a 11.5″ that gets dirty suppressed.
But no matter what we threw at it…the BCM BCG kept on chugging. That’s why BCM is also our go-to for AR-15 uppers.
What’s your take on the BCM? Give it a rating below.
2. Rainier Arms Match Grade Nitride BCG
Want something that’s mil-spec AND Nitride coated for easier cleaning? Check out Rainier Arms’ Nitride BCG, which meets or exceeds mil-spec.
Plus it has a different/more aggressive cut on the carrier around its logo…if that matters to you.
Each BCG is MPI and HPT plus they have an upgraded Sprinco extractor spring. We’ve heard from some that the gas key staking isn’t too deep, but ours have been fine and with zero failures.
We’ve used several units of these in our random AR-15 builds from 5.56 to .300 BLK to great effect.
3. WMD Guns Nickel Boron BCG
Read more : Who Mends To God Commends
Nickel Boron (NiB) used to go for a lot more in price but now they’ve stabilized.
I do like them in terms of increased lubricity and ease of cleanup. Plus, the silver color pops out in your upper receiver.
However, the more you shoot it (especially suppressed)…it will turn a little darker. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal.
My WMD NiB BCG has been chugging along in my AR pistol for a few thousand rounds…and I’ve only needed to wipe it down with some cleaner and microfiber cloth.
4. Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG
Toolcraft is another gold standard in the BCG manufacturing world.
And now they have their nickel boron model at an awesome price.
The coating is super slick when new and doesn’t get as dark as my WMD.
Plus lately we’ve been seeing it with free shipping.
5. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) BCG
This is where you can go stupid cheap on builds…that still work reliably (PSA AR-15 Review).
Their mil-spec phosphate BCGs are a little bumpy but they work and we’ve had thousands of rounds through them over 5+ years.
6. Walker Defense Titanium BCG
Another recent addition from the makers of the most hi-tech AR-15 muzzle brake…one that’s 3D printed from Inconel (think rocket ship engines).
I’m really digging their Titanium BCG for 5.56/.300 BLK. If you look closely, you’ll see that the Titanium carrier is black DLC (diamond-like coating) while the bolt is silver (nickel-boron).
The DLC was chosen for high wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction. While the Nickel Boron on the 9310 steel bolt was chosen for being easy to clean, having a low coefficient of friction, AND with the benefit of heat dissipation.
Something something about the bolt having similarities to a heat sink and making contact with fresh/cooler air.
The main thing is that it looks great and is performing great so far in my competition rifles.
It’s $300+…but the makers have hooked you up with coupon code “PEWPEW” for 10% off.
7. Rubber City Armory (RCA) Titanium BCG
Another go-to for competition shooting is the RCA BCG but it costs a pretty penny since the carrier is Titanium.
I’ve shot many thousands of rounds through it, and it still looks new…not even that many wear marks on the touchpoints.
The total weight is 7.87 oz which isn’t that much less than the other steel-cut lightweights…but I like having the complete full-auto form factor.
It has a 9310 bolt, but that is the standard for lightweight builds.
8. Brownells Lightweight BCG
Brownells has thrown a contender into the ring with their lightweight BCGs. And now with different coatings.
Read more : Who Is Playing The Drums On Monday Night Football
I, of course, went with their Titanium Nitride (TiN).
Their bolt uses 9310 steel, but again…it is likely never going to matter and is the standard for lightweight builds.
It weighs in a little heavier than the Titanium counterparts at 8.2 ounces but is less than half the price.
9. KAK K-Spec BCG
This BCG solved my over-gassing problems on my 10.3″ MK18 once I had my suppressor installed.
Because if you don’t have an adjustable gas-block…and you’re running a standard suppressor on a short barrel…you’re going to get tons of gas in your face.
I didn’t want to take my factory MK18 apart to add an adjustable gas block…so I got the K-Spec which has some great features.
First up…some aggressive “sandcutting” rails that help divert debris into less critical areas of your AR.
And probably more important to me for my purpose…the gas diversion holes that go into the magazine.
Now hold up…did I say magazine? Yup!
It sounds weird but chances are your mag gets really dirty from any kind of suppressed shooting anyways. Check this video to see a side-by-side.
Lastly, the dual ejectors are meant for enhanced reliability. I’m close to the 2000 rounds into it but so far so good.
Much less gas to my face and a proper 3-4 o’clock ejection with zero hiccups.
10. Bootleg Adjustable Carrier
Here’s a BCG that has a trick up its sleeve…
Bootleg’s adjustable carrier gives you this capability in the BCG itself with a couple of clicks on the side.
So far, I can definitely feel the recoil difference between the different settings.
And although there are only 4 settings, so you won’t get down to the perfect setting for your rifle and loads…
Great if you’re starting a suppressed build but don’t want to mess with an adjustable gas-block.
11. Sharps Xtreme Performance BCG
Sharps Rifle Company has a storied history strongly tied to the Old West.
It’s pretty cool to see they are still around innovating products like their Xtreme Performance Bolt Carrier Group.
The XPB has a patented Relia-Bolt and is machined out of S7 tool steel. During its creation, each one is thermal-cycled before being treated with a diamond-like coating.
With a reputation for absorbing punishing treatment, I put this one to the test. With nothing more than an initial lube, I ran this bolt carrier suppressed at breakneck speeds for just over 2,000 rounds…the last 500 or so were steel-cased.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHO
