BCM vs PSA Complete Lowers

[WVsig]

I am looking at these 2 lowers. Is there double the value in the BCM parts. This will be a SHTF rifle. I plan on putting a BCM upper on it but I am do not need the upper and lower to match interms of brand. I don't have a problem with pay the extra money if I am getting something for it.

The biggest advantage I see on the PSA complete lower is that I would be able to add a Geissele SSA trigger and be out the door under the stock BCM.

One is a PSA with a Magpul STR for $199.00 http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-a...-magazine.html

Second is BCM with their BCM Gunfighter stock for $395.00

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LWR-BCM

BCM SPECS:

Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6
Hardcoat Anodizing: MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2
BCM® Milspec 7075-T6 Receiver Extention
Staked M4 Lock Nut
USGI H Buffer (1 USGI Tungsten, 2 Steel)
BCM Trigger Guard
Low Shelf for RDIAS installation
Low Shelf for Accuwedge use
Un-notched Hammer compatible with 9mm use
Fire Controls marked SAFE and SEMI
BCM PNT Trigger Assembly

PSA Specs:

Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6
Hardcoat Anodizing: MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2
Milspec diameter Receiver Extension
Magpul STR Stock in Black
Magpul MOE Grip in Black
Magpul MOE Trigger Guard in Black
Staked M4 Lock Nut
Standard Carbine Buffer
Un-notched Hammer compatible with 9mm use
Caliber: Multi

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Unless the BCM logo is worth a 100% premium to you, kind of a no-brainer, IMO. I personally like the STR stock better than the Gunfighter, and you could use the money you save for a really nice trigger in the PSA-much better than the PNT.

 

[greyling22]

bcm has a $20 heavy buffer and a fancy-ish trigger. other than that, the differences appear to be in furniture. I'd get the PSA. But then, I'm cheap.

 

[WVsig]

Unless the BCM logo is worth a 100% premium to you, kind of a no-brainer, IMO. I personally like the STR stock better than the Gunfighter, and you could use the money you save for a really nice trigger in the PSA-much better than the PNT.

Yeah I could drop a Geissele SSA in for $176.

 

[Jackal]

Sitting here looking at my BCM hat, I say grab the PSA. If the 7075 buffer tube is important to you, you can always buy an extra in case you drop a pallet of ammo on your rifle and bend the 6061 tube....

If the lower is made to proper spec, any manufacturer is fine. Most folks swap out milspec trigger groups, so all your getting for the extra $$$ are a few generic roll pins, safety selector, takedown pins/springs and a rollmark.

As far as I'm concerned, BCM is simply over priced on todays market for what you actually get. Except their hats... Really great hats.

 

[HRnightmare]

I have built probably 12+/- PSA rifles for myself and friends. Occasionally there was a tiny part missing (which they rectified immediately by replacing or offering a refund when I stated I was going to purchase it locally to expedite the completion)

Overall their quality is AWESOME and their products are every bit as good as my RRA's and Spikes and a fraction of the cost.

I have ten stripped PSA lowers in the safe. as parts go on sale I buy them. I build a new AR about every 3-4 months (average). Most are around $500 once you add the magpul BUIS rear sight, I have done some under $425 when I got really good deals.

With the Liberals trying to push an AWB last week I don't know that the sales will be that cheap now though because sales are likely increasing anyway.

 

[WVsig]

Sitting here looking at my BCM hat, I say grab the PSA. If the 7075 buffer tube is important to you, you can always buy an extra in case you drop a pallet of ammo on your rifle and bend the 6061 tube....

If the lower is made to proper spec, any manufacturer is fine. Most folks swap out milspec trigger groups, so all your getting for the extra $$$ are a few generic roll pins, safety selector, takedown pins/springs and a rollmark.

As far as I'm concerned, BCM is simply over priced on todays market for what you actually get. Except their hats... Really great hats.

What about their uppers vs PSA?

 

[MachIVshooter]

What about their uppers vs PSA?

Depends on the upper. Obvisously, the PTAC and Freedom line are lower end PSA stuff. I'd say their premium line compares very favorably to BCM. Having said that, the PTAC and Freedom uppers are actually pretty dang good, especially considering the price point.

 

[WVsig]

Looking at this upper using their bolt carrier and the mod 4 charging handle. Basically choosing between the lightweight and the standard barrel.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...ight-Upp-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-elw-kmr-a15.htm

or this one.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...Group-w-BCM-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-kmr-a-15.htm

 

[Jackal]

BCM uppers are nice, especially the one you quoted. Very specific feature set that's hard to find on another production upper. You could likely save money assembling an equivalent upper yourself, but for a factory built upper, thats a nice one for sure.

 

[Walkalong]

My BCM upper is on a different brand lower.

 

[WVsig]

The other option I am considering is just putting the new upper on my Colt M4 6920 lower which already has a Geissele SSA in it with a CTR stock and MIAD Magpul grip. I can get another lower later.

 

[bullzeye8]

I would definitely say get the BCM upper over PSA. Lower doesn't matter quite as much so I would say which ever one allows you to get a really good trigger in it which looks like that would be the PSA.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I would definitely say get the BCM upper over PSA.

Quantify that, please. As in, why?

I can tell you this much; I've had fewer issues with PSA uppers than my BCM 12.5". Yeah, the BCM shoots nice little groups, but it's also had failures to fully chamber ammo that was on the ragged edge of spec, which both of my Freedom uppers ate just fine, as did my Armalite and my two JSE builds. And FTR, those 416 stainless Freedom uppers both shoot ~1.5 MOA @ 100 yards (5 rounds) with M193 ammo, and 1 MOA with V-max hand loads.

I got a good deal on that BCM 12.5 incher, but I'm not at all convinced that they're worth their "normal" pricing in today's market. Quite frankly, PSA is killin' it with their offerings. I have four PSA uppers (two 16" Freedom uppers, a 10.5" Melonite upper and an 18" .308), and have used several of their LBKs; the value is second to none.

 

[goon]

On the lower, you could swap the PSA reciever extension out for a milspec one, install an upgraded trigger, and still be ahead. I have nothing at all against BCM, but I think the PSA is just fine. If you were issued the rifle in the Army or the USMC, you wouldn't sit around fretting over what name was stamped on it. You'd just use it.

On the upper, I've only shot one KMR equipped rifle. Had a LW barrel and it did get a little warm after a few magazines. The standard weight may handle heat a little better.

 

[hemiram]

I have the exact PSA lower you're looking at. I had no problems, and fit is great. I don't see what the BCM could do any better.

 

[MechAg94]

The only advantage to me is keeping the same brand for the upper and lower and you could call it a BCM rifle. If you never plan to resell it, that means very little. For personal use, yes, you could afford trigger upgrades which are nearly mandatory for me.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I'd say get the PSA lower. PSA lowers are a really good deal when they offer so many different furniture types to choose from. Sometimes the grip and stock options are worth close to half of what the total price is. I've honestly yet to see any assembled lower that stood above the rest without factoring in the trigger either. That is the best place to spend money, if you have a desire to do so.

For the uppers, MachIVshooter makes a fair point when asking for a justification on a blanket recommendation. I personally like PSA and think they offer the best value and features for a rifle meant for high round counts. I've been shooting at least 3k rounds a year through my ARs either plinking or at multi-gun competitions for a few years now. Unless high amounts of accuracy is desired, like sub-moa and actual plans to consistently shoot it, there is very little an upper can do for you beyond shooting a bullet, cycling out the old brass and stripping a new round out of the magazine. ARs, and the way we shoot them, are skill driven guns. Need to shoot a torso at 500 yards? A PSA has got you covered. Need to shoot 1000 over a weekend? A PSA has got you covered. Need to shoot 3 to 4 rounds at room distances in a self defense situation? A PSA has got you covered. Want to run thousands of $$$ worth of ammo through it? A spare barrel is less than $200 and a spare bolt is about $50. Plus a spare extractor spring for $5 and a new buffer spring for $10 somewhere along the way. I've yet to mention a single thing I haven't done with my ARs, minus the self defense shooting thankfully. My point is, a budget AR upper is quite a bit more capable than many people think, in the right hands.

 

[Fishbed77]

As far as I'm concerned, BCM is simply over priced on todays market for what you actually get. Except their hats... Really great hats.

I tend to agree for their lowers (they are a bit overpriced, and there is nothing special about their Gunfighter stock), but not for their uppers (especially when they are running their periodical sales that include the BCG). The uppers represent a very good value.

What about their uppers vs PSA?

No doubt about it - the BCM uppers are better. I say this having owned uppers from both manufacturers.

The BCM fit & finish is more consistent, and the action and operation is simply smoother. It's hard to quantify without operating them both, but the difference is evident. I also have much more faith in the level of QA & QC at BCM.

PSA makes/sells some great stuff, provided you know what you are buying and know what to look for, but my experience with them over the years is that their QC, while mostly good, can be a little lackadaisical at some times (missing parts from part kits, inconsistent finish on some parts, etc). It's evident that sometimes it looks like they are just getting parts from the cheapest vendor, but I never get that feeling with BCM.

All that said, my primary defensive AR leaning in my closet is a complete BCM upper on a PSA lower.

 

[Quentin]

I have a PSA upper with an FN barrel and a BCM upper. Both uppers have BCM BCGs since I bought the BCM upper first plus a spare BCG. When I got the PSA upper I preferred the spare BCM BCG to the PSA BCG, which became the spare. (This was a few years ago, today I don't know how PSA BCGs are but they probably are better.) Otherwise, there really is little difference between the two uppers unless you get a "mystery barreled" PTAC or Freedom upper.

The main thing about BCM, you know what you got, they give you very detailed specs. PSA can be very good if you get the Premium upper with FN barrel. Hopefully the Premium BCG is good too. Unlike BCM, PSA is stingy with specs so you may never know exactly what you got.

I don't have either PSA or BCM lowers, I bought quality stripped lowers then built them up with BCM receiver extensions, H buffers and Daniel Defense LPKs. And Magpul furniture. It would be nice to have a BCM rollmark but not necessary.

The BCM upper ended up on a Valkyrie lower because they both had dark finishes that matched well. The PSA finish was duller and grayer which happened to match the other lower which was ArmaLite. Functionwise, it didn't matter which upper (both 16" midlengths) was on which lower.

 

[strambo]

The biggest difference is the 7075 extension vs. the weaker 6061 extension, this is a weak point of the AR design so stronger is better. The heavier buffer will probably work better as well. But you'd still be money ahead to just swap those 2 parts out.

 

[NWcityguy2]

The BCM fit & finish is more consistent, and the action and operation is simply smoother. It's hard to quantify without operating them both, but the difference is evident.

A fit and finish difference is believable, as PSA does have some scratch and dent items out there. But smoothness? That's scraping the bottom of the barrel because one, it is a result of the way the parts are finished (anodizing and parkerizing), and two, using the gun will smooth out the action.

 

[Zerodefect]

BCM has been flawless for me. It's better than the PSA for sure, but a lower is a lower. All of the important stuff is inside the upper.

I build my own lowers to get the same quality for less.

 

[MDof2]

BCM to PSA is an apples to oranges comparison.
I don't hate money, and I still pick BCM 100% of the time.

 

[NWcityguy2]

There are only a handful of small differences separating BCM and PSA, and not all of them go in BCM's favor. Where BCM sets itself apart from several other companies is its marketing department.