BCA Gen 2 Side Charger Initial Overview

BCA does a good job of putting out budget priced items. I think this gen 2 side charger is a well thought out update to the gen 1 models.

[@jdblackwell2]

I guess you equate price with quality which, speaking as a manufacturing engineer, is a bogus mindset. BCA does all their work in house from sourcing raw materials, to all manufacturing operations, to marketing and direct sales. That pretty much eliminates multiple layers of markup.

[@armeddefender]

I do like BCA quality and they have made lots of improvements over time. I guess one of the points I was trying to make was that BCA isn’t competition for “top tier” AR15s and I don’t think that is their goal. Considering the price point I’ve seen a lot worse from different brands. BCA is solid.

[@gmaster45612374]

Price does not equal quality but quality does come at a price.

[@tomjahn6896]

@@gmaster45612374 quality and higher price are not mutually exclusive.

[@jdblackwell2]

@@gmaster45612374 When the price includes non value added factors like distributor markup, retail markup, manufacturing operations not done in house, marketing and sponsoring competitive big name shooters then one might argue that quality can be had for a lot less than the price of a "Gucci gun".

[@jdblackwell2]

@@armeddefender What you get with a "top tier" AR is usually a complete gun that has the benefit of a more meticulous assembly. The average Joe who assembles his AR doesn't have those skills. Ever notice that it's harder to get individual parts from BCA? So much of their warranty work was the result of sloppy assembly having nothing to do with the quality of the part. So now it's easier to get complete uppers and lowers. As much as some of these inexperienced builders whine I can't blame BCA for that. If you took piles of unmarked parts from top tier companies along with unmarked BCA parts and had a competent armorer build guns from them randomly you'd get nothing but good guns.

[@g10s]

I leave an allen wrench for take down wrapped in cloth in my pistol grip.

[@allenperry2921]

that simple

[@shawnbuck6585]

I love Bear Creek Arsenal I only had one problem with their guns and it was a side charging it was the Gen 1 they fix the problem and it works great

[@Adventure3Man]

Just bought an 8.5 inch 300 blk side charging upper from BCA that im gonna put on a PSA lower, getting it all together tomorrow will check in aafter the range

[@justinmurray4652]

Whats the verdict

[@thomasdoud8437]

Got my 10.5 300 blk out gen 2 side charge 2 weeks ago. I’ve taken it out last two weekends and so far flawless.

[@JoeWayne84]

Got this same upper except midlength gas for $215 like 5 months ago… Besides they use fedex BCA was a hell of a good bargain.

[@RonaldColeman-ef2rc]

Thank you Bear Creek. Could you make us a longer charging handle. Maybe 2 inch’s long and round.

[@billbristow1768]

Bear Creek side chargers run flawlessly, Iike butter! Extreme accuracy was achieved with reloads!

[@noretreat151]

BCA gen.2 upper pinned to mil. spec. lower w/ PDQ bolt release, required hand machining upper for PDQ to function. am satisfied

[@hansblitz7770]

I have a 223. Wylde BC upper that consistently prints better with various optics and shooters than boutique super special uppers that guys only buy because so and so special Gov uses it. This is not 2005. Manufacturers have figured this out.

[@63grandsport11]

Theres nothing more to say 👍

[@Whizzo333]

Can a regular top charging handle be used if necessary on these side chargers ? Thx

[@georgeorge5327]

What brand of fixed blade is that?

[@Oldman899]

Please give function update especially focusing on extractor after 300-500 rds. Your review is disingenuous until you function test.

[@chuckkissel2785]

Does this work with a Side Loader like the BF-10 or MA-Loader? Live in NY and must have a fixed mag.

[@Henryivika]

On my Gen2 I put AK side charger cap, as additional safety for unbolting. an I guess they put o-ring to prevent gas blow back in to the face.

[@sweetsilence4682]

Where can i find the charger cap

[@T0tenkampf]

Do you still have a relationship with BCA? Curios to see more review on the new bufferless design.

[@adambarbara5002]

BCA is better then kAk or DD any lately PSA

[@awesomedave8484]

Side charging is great for us lefties.

[@PinkFlamethrower]

gotta agree

[@evanhawk2574]

Use red lock tight on bolt handle

[@Golfjoshd]

My side charging gen 2 bca .308 wont extract or chamber a round due to an awful extractor that is basically locked up.

[@sluggou812beotch]

I've only shot mine 29 times. That's how many shots it takes for the junk firing pin to break. Why does bca put junk firing pins in their guns?

[@jamesdean257]

What knife is that?

[@murandom1103]

What kind of buffer spring you running? and mags?

[@ChaohsiangChen]

Can this work with Palmetto KS-47 lower? I also wish BCA comes up with a piston system, so that I can build an AR pattern rifle with AK manual of arms, combining the worst attributes of both AR and AK, and none of the advantages.

[@outlawz38]

Palmetto on their page for the individual lower says it only works with the KS 47 upper. I don't have the extra funds to test.

[@wolftactical5421]

I am really looking forward to buying a 223 wydle 20' from BCA. I am just torn between a side charging handle or a normal rear charging handle. Have you had any issues with yours? I already own a 5.56 AR-15 and wanted to try something diff. I just heard mixed reviews on the charging handle. I think a 223 wylde dmr set up would be kind of cool with a side charging handle. LOL

[@davidstone3780]

Side charge is the way to go. Especially with a scope. Feels so much more natural. I have side chargers from them in 308, 22lr, and 7.62 and i am about to order a 20" 223 Wylde. You can easily charge the rifle while shouldered.

[@wolftactical5421]

@@davidstone3780 Ok brother. I will def look into it. Most likely i will order it around memorial day just gotta decide between rear or side.

[@davidstone3780]

@@wolftactical5421 I have the sprial fluted 18" rear charger 223 Wylde and I wish I could trade it for the side charger. It was my first BCA upper and it great as well.

[@wolftactical5421]

@@davidstone3780 Heck yea thats re assuring. whats the furthest you took it out? i want to use my set up as a SPR/DMR long range plinker.

[@davidstone3780]

@@wolftactical5421 my range only goes out to 300 yard steel plates. Boringly easy to hit those with any ammo. Have not had it long enough to test any match ammos to see what it really likes.

[@robertnaughton5417]

I got my BCA 20” 5.56 for $385

[@robertnaughton5417]

Complete rifle

[@sparkyed7640]

I just didn't want the standard charging handle hitting me in the face.

[@joshiwoshiluz]

For some reason, for a single millisecond I thought that was a g3 smh

[@psalmreader909]

I must have had a bad batch lol mines 6 months old and it short strokes or doesn’t cycle. My hand guard came loose lol

[@Bluegrass-ballistics]

My bca 7.5 2nd gen side charger was short stroking bending shells ect turns out the gas rings in the bolt were completely burnt out big gaps in 2 of the 3 rings I have a 1 piece ring ordered and a replacmemt 3 prob ya gas rings exspecially if its a shorty they have alot of gas coming thru those bolts and the rings wear faster than a standard 16 inch or 20 inch do the bolt test to test ya rings pull the bolt out the gun pull the cam out and set it on its bolt face with the carriers weight on top of the lugs if it collapses under its own weight ya gas rings are bad and thats why its short stroking and as far as the hand guard just snug up the bolts

[@psalmreader909]

@@Bluegrass-ballistics I did the bolt test and it passes, I’m not sure if it’s a light buffer issue or I need to fix the gas. I have a 16inch 5.56 upper, it would bit on the round.

[@johnkrstyen7351]

Have a PSA lower laying around now just trying to decide if I want to go with a BCA upper in 223 wylde, 7.62x39 or 6.5 Grendel.

[@texaspatriot9159]

350 legend

[@ProMediaLLC]

Talk about phoning it in!! Geez they sent you a free upper for that?