Anyone have recent experience with Bear Creek?

[ZA_Survivalist]

I have a few of their uppers.
They shipped my stuff quickly and the uppers have held up. I think a couple of uppers I have, must be around 600-1000rnds. The 7.62x39 only has about 300-400 rounds.. on forums, the extractor is the weak point on their 7.62x39 and supposedly can break off.

I go for the standard charging handles not the side chargers. I've read some guys have had the side charging handles break off, but I have no experience with that.

My only true complaint with them is they have their logo on their shipping boxes.. so you could have a $200-$400 upper with this big ad right on the box sitting on your porch.. I wish they'd ship products out with unmarked boxes. Ultimately if someone if going to steal your packages anyway it doesn't matter.. but I like the idea of not broadcasting the item or business I purchased from when it's sitting outside my house before I have a chance to swing by and place it inside.

 

[kmk1012]

I was hoping the bolt action upper was going to be actually good, but from what I can see it looks like a straight pull with twisty bit is that true?

Yes, it's basically a short throw lever. Only opens or closes about 15-20 degrees, and hangs up the whole way and prevents it from sliding rearward to eject or insert new round. Pretty disappointed as it has removed the coating and marred the metal pretty bad under normal use, if that's what you could call it. Maybe I just got a very tight one.

 

[oa98pistol512]

Guess it is a hit and miss 300 bo side charger absolute junk. My home build runs perfect... This is a waste of money and time... Keep shipping it back. My time is worth money too.

 

[Rkangel]

Guess it is a hit and miss 300 bo side charger absolute junk. My home build runs perfect... This is a waste of money and time... Keep shipping it back. My time is worth money too.

While customer service has been responsive in my experience, like you, sending things back multiple times to get corrected is a waste of my time and theirs. Multiple warranty issues for the same part imply a design or manufacturing flaw. I don't like that BCA's warranty policy seems to focus on band-aiding the symptoms rather than fixing the cause. They have a systemic problem of QC because QC costs money they apparently don't want to invest. Rather than doing it right once they reem content with throwing out a bunch of out of spec parts until one sticks and happens to past muster.

 

[Anonymous 510]

I own 7 BCA ranging from 223 wylde---50 beowolf and never had a issue with them I bought and tested 20" 308 yesterday fun stuff and great prices... I did talk a buddy to getting a 7.62x39 built from them and he had one of the lugs shear off the bolt face but he called and free replacement...o and he broke 1 firing pin when the bolt face broke

 

[JTK1791]

27 people taken into custody by ICE agents during raid at Sanford manufacturing company

Approximately 30 people were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a manufacturing company in Sanford Tuesday morning.

abc11.com

Not a big fan of their employment practices but it explains the trash QC

 

[ktgee]

I have two 22LR uppers from Bear Creek. In the beginning, I had issues like FTF and hammer drop, and was disappointed. After breaking in with a couple of rounds, it seems to shoot better. But issues were still there. I changed out the CMMG mags for Black Dog with metal feed lips and also use CCI ammo only, and keep it well lubed and now it's shooting good.

 

[Will_White]

Well the 9mm upper came in, seems to be pretty decent, no sharp edges no excessive machining marks, though the exterior of the barrel is slightly ribbed, interior looks fine. The only annoying thing is the gas plug at the back isn't clocked right but it will stay once the lower is on. I'll update once I get the lower in and send rounds down range.

 

[arakboss]

.338 ARC | Shop Elite Performance at Unmatched Prices

Discover the Best .338 ARC selection from BCA, engineered for superior performance, accuracy, and versatility. Ideal for hunting and precision shooting!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[monkeybutler]

I have no experience with them and I never will.

 

[mashown]

I've had good luck with the side changers in 5.56. I would order a complete upper, mainly for the bolt and upper. Also would order a 7.62x39 BCG at the same time. You can see where this is going. Swap the bolts. I'd try different 7.62 barrels from other makers. Built six of them. I'd use the 5.56 barrels, guards and bcg's on other builds. From my experience, BCA so far has the best extractor for the 7.62x39. I've had issues with others but these would always function properly.

 

[Rkangel]

I've had good luck with the side changers in 5.56. I would order a complete upper, mainly for the bolt and upper. Also would order a 7.62x39 BCG at the same time. You can see where this is going. Swap the bolts. I'd try different 7.62 barrels from other makers. Built six of them. I'd use the 5.56 barrels, guards and bcg's on other builds. From my experience, BCA so far has the best extractor for the 7.62x39. I've had issues with others but these would always function properly.

My experience wasn't the same. I understand x39 bolts have a shorter lifespan than 5.56 due to the thinner parts, but I had a circa 2021 BCA 7.62x39 bolt lug and extractor break within the first mag, along with multiple failures to fire preceding that, due to an out of spec firing pin. Their replacement "enhanced" firing pin was the same. The original and the replacement extractor looked like it was a ground/modified 5.56 part. Switched over to Black Rifle Arms bolt, extractor and firing pin and haven't had a problem since. Also have an AIM x39 BCG for a backup that doesn't have a ton of rounds on it, but so far has made it through several mags of testing. YMMV.

 

[Duneblaster]

I tried a .308 upper from BCA and the barrel extension stuck out past the feed ramps. And the barrel was so loose it rattled around under the handguard. BCA = Mostly Junk. After my experience I wouldn't trust their barrels would be headspaced correctly. Pop 'em off at your own risk.

 

[fre3]

My son had issues with his bca. The rubber bumper on the buffer broke into pieces the first time he shot it.

 

[Buddy1211]

My buddy's .308 upper is a shooter! And the couple I have, well I haven't had an issues with them.300blk,.450 bush, .556. I bought one the other 2 were gifts. I wouldn't probably bet my life on them but so far more than okay range toys. I've just got uppers so I can't say either way for their full guns. Buy once cry once if you don't wanna worry. But if you like to tinker or got an extra $100 burning a hole in your pocket and you hate the mess scratchers leave then bca might be for you!

 

[arakboss]

I am thinking about ordering one of their AR10 22-250 uppers for $202.45 delivered.

BC-10 | .22-250 Right Side Charging Upper | 20" Parkerized Heavy Barrel | 1:14 Twist | Rifle Length Gas System | 15" MLOK Split Rail

Grab this high quality AR10 upper in our new 22-250 caliber option. Get the best accuracy around for a price you can't beat!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[Xmark1]

I am thinking about ordering one of their AR10 22-250 uppers for $202.45 delivered.

BC-10 | .22-250 Right Side Charging Upper | 20" Parkerized Heavy Barrel | 1:14 Twist | Rifle Length Gas System | 15" MLOK Split Rail

Grab this high quality AR10 upper in our new 22-250 caliber option. Get the best accuracy around for a price you can't beat!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

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I bought a side charger 5.56 upper from BCA. It's a real straight shooter but after about 20 shots, it's next to impossible to pull back the charging handle. I usually have to give it a whack with a big stick to get it to open up the BCG. Then after I clean the firing chamber it's good to go. I have three other AR's that cost a lot more and they never stick like the BCA.

 

[mashown]

I do like their 7.62x39 bolts and extractors. Built a few AR47's using the side charger and bolts from them and can say I've had no issues. Not a fan of the barrels, a bit in the heavy side. I would buy a 5.56 side charger compete upper and the -39 bolt. Swap the parts I wanted, and use the barrel and left overs on other projects. Just a fun round to play with on an AR chassis. I've tried a few other bolts, kept breaking extractors. That's all I've dealt with from BCA.

 

[Member 45541]

I will, have and would take an Anderson over them every time! My reasoning is from past issues and sounds like they continue. YMMV of course.

 

[titsonritz]

Agreed, lots of snobs here that will only accepts exactly what they learned on the internet as to what is the best. Know your weapon, know it well and it'll treat you right. Let's all be real here, we're not going into battle, I like masturbating as much as the next guy but some of the mental masturbation here is a bit over the top. A lot of internet operators base their opinions on price tags and not necessarily quality. Marketing at its finest!

Maybe the "snobs" just know something you do not.