Bravo Company Upper Receiver Group - Initial Impressions
I have been a big fan of mid-lenght AR15 carbines for the last 6+ years. It's been just within the last couple years that mid-lengths have started catching on with the masses.
One of the down sides to mid-length carbines (until recently) was that the selection was lacking. Just about every company that manufacturer's AR15's, makes a version of the M4. But if you wanted a mid-length, you only had a few options (until the last couple years). Most of the companies that were producing mid-lengths, many of them were lacking in quality and / or features that many shooters wanted (ie. 1/7" twist, M4 feed ramps, higher grade barrel steel, etc.)
Bravo Company USA came out with a line of uppers a couple years ago that had many features that shooters wanted and they were very competitively priced. Unfortunately for me, I missed out on the first run on Bravo Company's mid-length uppers.
After 2 year wait, I was able to secure a Bravo Company USA 16" mid-length upper, Bravo Company M16 Bolt Carrier Group, and charging handle.
My initial impressions are I'm extreemly impressed with the features and the quality of the upper receiver group, especially when you consider the price point ($449 for the mid-length upper, $130 for the M16 bolt carrier, and $20.95 for the charging handle).
Here are a list of features for both the mid-length upper and the bolt carrier group that I borrowed from Bravo Company's website:
Upper Receiver Features
-M4 Feed Ramp Barrel Extension (USGI)
-M4 Feed Ramp Flat Top Receiver
-T-Marked Upper Receivers
-USGI 1/7 Twist Rates
-USGI 5.56 NATO Chambers
-Mil-Spec 11595E - 4150 Grade Barrel Steel (CMV)
-Chrome Lined Bore and Chamber
-Manganese Phosphate Barrel Finish
-Mil-Spec F-Marked Forged Front Sights
-USGI Government Profile Barrels
-HPT (High Pressure Test) Barrels
-MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected) Barrels
Bolt Carrier Group Features
-MPI Bolt (Magnetic Particle Inspected)
-Shot Peened Bolt
-Chrome Lined Carrier (AUTO)
-Chrome Lined Gas Key
-Gas Key Hardened to USGI Specifications
-Grade 8 Hardened Fasteners
-Key Staked Per Mil-Spec
-BCM™ Extractor Spring
-Black Extractor Insert
-Mil-Spec Crane O-Ring
For a more detailed description / definition of the features listed above read this document: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Produ...6&Show=ExtInfo
If you take a look at "The Chart" (produced by rob_s) and compare prices, it's easy to see that you can spend more money on another brand and get less features / quality assurance. (The Chart used with the permission of rob_s)
"The Chart" (click on the link on the link below and then click on "Link to Google Document")
http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/69016/68995.html
A little comparison shopping will quickly show you what a great value the Bravo Company (BCM) uppers are.
Bravo Company Mid-Length upper receiver, Bravo Company M16 bolt carrier group, and charging handle:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0770.jpg
Right side of the upper receiver:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0772.jpg
Left side of the upper receiver:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0777.jpg
HP MP 1/7 5.56 NATO marking on the top of the barrel:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0774.jpg
"F" Marked front sight base (proper height for flat top receiver):
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0775.jpg
M4 feed ramps (sorry for the poor quality pic):
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0782.jpg
Bolt carrier group and charging handle:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0781.jpg
Bravo Company M16 bolt carrier group:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0778.jpg
Properly staked gas key:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0779.jpg
MP tested bolt:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0780.jpg
Complete upper receiver on a LMT Defender 2000 lower receiver:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0783.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...h/IMG_0784.jpg
I found that the BCM upper receiver fit snug on several LMT lowers, as well as on a Stag Arms lower receiver. Color match wasn't exact, but the BCM upper was very close to both the LMT and Stag.
Semper Fi,
Jeff
