central fl cracker
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I am custom building an AR 15 and would like to know which BGC's and Charging handles members think are the best.
best BGC and Charging handle
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arizona98tj
Member
My BCG is from BCM as is the Gunfighter charging handle I use.
I can't say it is the best because there are a few hundred I've not yet tried.
I can say they both do everything I need and I'm happy with the results.
I can't say it is the best because there are a few hundred I've not yet tried.
I can say they both do everything I need and I'm happy with the results.briansmithwins
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I'd double that recommendation.
BSW
BSW
Bravo Company has a great reputation. I would suggest a chrome coated bolt and carrier (at least on the inside) for easier cleaning (don't own one but others talk it up). But my personal priority is a mil spec M16 carrier. Some say its greater mass gives better performance, but to be it's important because I get really 'T'-ed off that we have to avoid full auto parts because we're afraid that the BATFE can use it to go after us if they wish. Reminds me of an angry cop stopping someone and then busting his tail light out for just cause.
buckhorn_cortez
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Going by the Internet echo chamber you'll only hear "BCM Gunfighter" for a charging handle. I've had one, and the TacOps1 from MechArmor Defense is a far better design.
briansmithwins
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Holy compensating for something Batman! That thing is huge!
Why do I have the feeling that CH is going to get broken by snagging on things and/or break some ribs and gouge some backbones and sternums?
Bigger isn't always better.
BSW
Why do I have the feeling that CH is going to get broken by snagging on things and/or break some ribs and gouge some backbones and sternums?
Bigger isn't always better.
BSW
madcratebuilder
Member
Rainier Arms "super bolt" is basically a mil-spec bolt with no fancy coating. It has a life time warranty, something very few other brands offer.
I like the gas buster charging handles or Colt charging handles.
I like the gas buster charging handles or Colt charging handles.
"Best" for - what?
The best bolt carrier for a gun is the one that is made to operate under that shooters frequency of use, for the period of time he owns it. The disturbing truth is that the 500 rounds a year shooter gets a decent carrier in his $599 gun simply because it won't break, using it as much as he does.
Move up to 10,000 rounds a year, you might want something better - but milspec is good to go for the life of the weapon.
If "best" means the coolest and highest tech, then just read the ad copy and buy the one with the most selling points at the top of the price range. It'll do for now, give it 18 months and something else will knock it off it's pedestal.
Charging handle? The issue one is more than satisfactory. What the "better" ones do is allow charging the bolt under competition stress, or the rare malfunction in combat when used by special teams who are in near daily conflict. Be advised, the standard issue charging handle is just that - used in near daily conflict, and there hasn't been any hue and cry over it being lame or a potential death threat to the operator. That's because service weapons actually don't get charged in combat that much. The bolt hold open sees to that - mag empty, bolt back. Swap mags, push button, weapon loads.
You don't charge the weapon constantly in battle. It's not designed to work that way. It's a range competition accessory for HSLD guns used in matches, not combat.
Goes to - what is "best," because if you don't define what target is being shot, and what conditions, then it leaves the worst case situation - what's the coolest one out there to have for bragging rights?
No answer for that.
The best bolt carrier for a gun is the one that is made to operate under that shooters frequency of use, for the period of time he owns it. The disturbing truth is that the 500 rounds a year shooter gets a decent carrier in his $599 gun simply because it won't break, using it as much as he does.
Move up to 10,000 rounds a year, you might want something better - but milspec is good to go for the life of the weapon.
If "best" means the coolest and highest tech, then just read the ad copy and buy the one with the most selling points at the top of the price range. It'll do for now, give it 18 months and something else will knock it off it's pedestal.
Charging handle? The issue one is more than satisfactory. What the "better" ones do is allow charging the bolt under competition stress, or the rare malfunction in combat when used by special teams who are in near daily conflict. Be advised, the standard issue charging handle is just that - used in near daily conflict, and there hasn't been any hue and cry over it being lame or a potential death threat to the operator. That's because service weapons actually don't get charged in combat that much. The bolt hold open sees to that - mag empty, bolt back. Swap mags, push button, weapon loads.
You don't charge the weapon constantly in battle. It's not designed to work that way. It's a range competition accessory for HSLD guns used in matches, not combat.
Goes to - what is "best," because if you don't define what target is being shot, and what conditions, then it leaves the worst case situation - what's the coolest one out there to have for bragging rights?
No answer for that.
BCG: Bravo (BCM), Daniel Defense, LMT and even the PSA Premium when they have them in stock. Spikes has a good rep as well. Look for MP and HP inspection stamps on the bolt.
Charging handle: BCM gunfighter has no competition. The release has a back stop that resists breaking. It is a much stronger design.
Charging handle: BCM gunfighter has no competition. The release has a back stop that resists breaking. It is a much stronger design.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
As to charging handles, I like the BCM Gunfighter, specifically the Mod 4 (medium sized latch, not the huge one). A huge latch is only going to poke you in the chest when slung, and the Mod 4 is plenty big for left-hand charging.
The big drawback of the original charging handle (IMO) is that it is not designed to take the stresses of left-side charging; it is made for a straight, symmetrical pull to the rear using two fingers of the right hand.
I think a good CH is useful for beyond competition, particularly for an HD carbine that is sometimes stored chamber-empty, magazine loaded. Breaking your charging handle when charging in an emergency would really suck. And yes, for competition it is also a necessity.
The big drawback of the original charging handle (IMO) is that it is not designed to take the stresses of left-side charging; it is made for a straight, symmetrical pull to the rear using two fingers of the right hand.
I think a good CH is useful for beyond competition, particularly for an HD carbine that is sometimes stored chamber-empty, magazine loaded. Breaking your charging handle when charging in an emergency would really suck. And yes, for competition it is also a necessity.
while i don't disagree that people don't constantly operate the CH during battle... serious users do train. that means constantly practicing malfunction drills over and over and over.
when you put an extended latch on it, you're basically making a longer lever which increases the force on the roll pin. i haven't personally ripped one out, but then i haven't been seriously injured in a car wreck either but i still wear a seat belt. why not learn from others' failures?
the BCM design is popular because of the quality of materials they use and the design has some stops built into it to take the pressure off the roll pin. it's not just the biggest lever they could fit on there.
i like the LMT version a lot. I bought several of them back when they first came out and were $20. I am left-handed so I can't use the gas buster versions.
Tex4426
Member
+ 1on the bcm gunfighter...may never need to have one this good but you never kno
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