Bear Creek Arsenal .22WMR complete upper. Reliable? Accurate? Good value? Loads of fun!

Got the Bear Creek Arsenal 22 WMR upper out to the range.
It had a few hiccups with a couple rounds not extracting, and a couple rounds not feeding properly too.
Putting some pressure on the mag when loading it helped the feed issue, and the extraction issue went away after the gun warmed up a bit. I think I may have had a little too much CLP in the chamber.
Overall, even with my rifle length spring, and the 22wmr buffer it ran pretty good.
Didn’t do much for accuracy testing, off my wobbly bipod but I as happy with the little grouping I did. Next time I take it out, I will shoot it out to 100 yards, and try for better accuracy off a sandbag.

[@jw-sigp2258]

Nice video. I love 22 magnum. Cool upper and thanks for sharing.

[@crankygunreviews]

Well worth the money!

[@jw-sigp2258]

@@crankygunreviews I’m currently looking to purchase a Henry 22 magnum lever action. Like I said I love 22 mag. I currently have a couple marlin bolt actions in 22 mag.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@jw-sigp2258 I had a 882 stainless that I sold to get my Ruger American. I have a Ruger single six convertible, and a Ruger LCR in 22wmr as well. Great caliber

[@billjensen6216]

I have the 17 HMR from BCA and had to run a regular carbon spring because it was sending the BCG back before it was supposed to. The cases were bulging twords the end of the brass, and the primer was bulging. I put the carbon length spring in, and it runs great. Now that I have fixed that problem, it's time to sight in the scope.

[@crankygunreviews]

Let BCA know about that- they have great customer service, and the information is good for future enhancements they may make. I had an issue with mine because I was using the rifle length buffer spring, my charging handle actually got bent and I broke the screw that hold it in when did-assembling it. They sent me a new charging handle and screw in 2 days. They are a great company so far in my opinion, but def tell them you needed a carbine buffer spring, it will only help everyone out lose in the future.

[@billjensen6216]

@Cranky Gun Reviews thank you for the reply. I still have to make sure the 17 HMR fires like it's supposed to. I will contact BCA afterward about any changes that were needed for the upper to cycle safely and correctly. I have several AR15's, some from BCA, and some I have assembled from different companies' parts. I can't really complain about BCA great support and warranty.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@billjensen6216 I think they’re great for their innovation and low prices, even if they need work now and then, they have great service

[@naughtystep9856]

Love that gun, glad it’s running better. 22wmr is my fave practice round too.✌🏼

[@crankygunreviews]

Its such a great setup. And pretty accurate too

[@douglasbattjes3991]

What ammo did you find shoots the best groups, need more info and target cam maybe would be coo.. thx for the review, love mine, and run Hornady out to 200 yds, unreal. 👍👍

[@crankygunreviews]

I think I’m my testing all the ammo I shot at 50 and 100 yards was about the same. The gun is more accurate than I can shoot. I was fighting a few issues with the setup originally so I didn’t do a lot of really precise shooting with it yet. Need to get it out again soon, been so busy

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Shot mine and looked like a shotgun with buckshot on the paper at 45 yds, found out it helps to make sure the nuts are tight on the pickatinny scope mount are tight, Duh, now it shoots quarter size groups but need to sight it in better, big rain storm hit as I was just getting started.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@douglasbattjes3991 I’ve had similar issues once or twice with loose scope or a scope that was loose inside.

[@epps1217]

Pretty cool. Looks good to me!

[@crankygunreviews]

Had a few hiccups, but was definitely better by the end

[@BuckeyeBallistics]

Came here to warn you about the fixed stock/buffer length, but I see you got that covered. I posted mine today and had some issues as well, but with a carbine length buffer. Reaching out to BCA to see what they say...

[@crankygunreviews]

I emailed them a few Weeks back the have no solution for rifle length buffer. Mine seemed to work ok with the rifle buffer spring, but I may make a spacer for mine so I can run the shorter spring. Just haven’t had time

[@BuckeyeBallistics]

@@crankygunreviews Yes you mentioned that in the video- good idea.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@BuckeyeBallistics I’m not sure it worked 100% but it worked ok

[@byroncoffelt7023]

Just bought the 20" stainless uppers in 22 mag and 17 hmr, can't wait to get to the range

[@crankygunreviews]

Good luck! Report back after you try them out!

[@vintage30]

I bought one of these uppers just before Christmas. Because it doesn’t have any recoil I bought a mil spec polymer lower to keep weight and cost down swapped out buffer spring and was good to go. I’ve been shooting it off and on for a week now i probably have 300 or 400 rounds through it and not one hiccup. I’ve shot mostly CCI Maxi Mag hp varmit and fmj target loads. Tonight I shot a box of armscor 40 grain hp with no issues. Actually I’m getting better groups at 75 yards with the armscor then the CCI. The armscor seems like it’s hitting harder also. Probably my imagination but anyone that’s on the fence about one of these uppers I’d say go for it. Mine is a keeper for sure very reliable and very accurate so far…

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah I really like mine as well. Like it enough to get a dedicated lower for it. Budget lower. I am really happy with it- I ran mine on a rifle buffer, and the charging handle actual bent the centering pin, which put pressure on the bolt, and when I took it apart to clean it, the bolt broke. I emailed BCA, they sent me a free charging handle and bolt the next day free of charge, no questions asked. So far I’m very impressed with their prices, quality seems decent, and the customer service is great!

[@lehisilver1191]

I love the 22 magnum it's an awesome round you can carry a 1000 rounds on your easy compared to a 100 rounds of 556

[@crankygunreviews]

And it’s decently powerful up to 100 yds or so. Great plinking or small game round

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

As soon as I can get out to the range I'm taking my 556 side charger to get dialed in

[@crankygunreviews]

The side charger grew on me- going from this to a typical rear charging handle was weird… rear one feels weird

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@crankygunreviews I'm kinda ambi that way prefer the large catch bcm gunfighter on my a2 but grew up in AK world so a side charger ar15 actually is a gateway drug to get bubba off the AK kick and make them cheap again I hope 🤣

[@shanegadberry1037]

If you did not put the spring and Buffer in that they sent you it’s not gonna work. I have one shot over 500 rounds through it. It runs great.

[@crankygunreviews]

I put the buffer in, but it has a rifle length spring still. I recently got a carbine length lower so I can use the correct spring AND buffer

[@MEANSTREETAUTO454]

Nice group out of a 300$ upper !

[@crankygunreviews]

I was very pleased especially my first time out. Scoped Rimfire AR uppers can be pretty good.

[@Rumpleskin]

Good the the magnum winchester is better than there long rife.their 22lr sucks. Cool gun

[@crankygunreviews]

I’ve seen some good reviews on the .22lr one. Are you speaking from experience or watched someone else’s review? I don’t take what anyone says as gospel anymore unless they back it up with a video or explanation that shows the problems

[@Rumpleskin]

@@crankygunreviews no sir, I'm talking about the red rattlers. Cci is much better ammo, I've had better luck with t bolts than those..I've got several 22s ( no magnums yet) I try my best to avoid winchester even in centerfire.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@Rumpleskin oh 🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeah- the flat nose stuff is junk - round nose 1400 fps stuff is better

[@naughtystep9856]

:42 The Dead Fly….you sure have that comedic timing down. 😆

[@crankygunreviews]

That was his brother. Or uncle. Or sister… it was a different fly lol

[@lawrencehawk5179]

Didn't know they had them in Mag version. That a 20" barrel & does it have a bentz chamber?

[@crankygunreviews]

16” barrel, and I don’t think it’s a bents chamber. www.bearcreekarsenal.com/guns-parts/ar-15/ar-15-complete-upper-assembly/22-magnum-16-parkerized-heavy-barrel-1-16-twist-length-gas-system-15-new-mlok-sch-gen-2-upper.html

[@naughtystep9856]

@@crankygunreviews Thanks for the link!

[@Rymat23]

Great Video! Would you mind telling me what type of bipod you used? Also where you purchased it from.

[@crankygunreviews]

It’s a CCOP USA bipod, I bought them off eBay, but I believe they have a store online as well. They’re decent, not super heavy duty.

[@lehisilver1191]

It's not just your channel I'm seeing this gun fell on other channels !!!

[@crankygunreviews]

Fell or fail?

[@williambilse]

Bro is your charging handle slamming into the rear of the slot? Without the proper buffer and receiver extension combo you will chew up your upper.

[@crankygunreviews]

Yes it does hit the receiver- I actually bent the handle and broke the mounting screw. BCA replaced it for free, and I put the upper on the proper lower with carbine buffer tube

[@williambilse]

@@crankygunreviews Good to know! BCA forgot to include my buffer and spring with my .22 mag upper. Now I'm waiting to hear back from them and hoping they ship it out quickly.

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

Also the myth people say a bolt action is more accurate doesn't hold water that semi auto shoots better than alot of 22 mag pistols than what I'm seeing

[@crankygunreviews]

It was not terrible. I’m really digging it!

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@crankygunreviews I fiddle with mine alot I go back and forth between original and the wrong way lol I prefer the large catch on a traditional if I have to sling it and carry it all day

[@jjjr.1186]

Not really. Any semi auto gun besides the ar15 is inherently less accurate.

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@jjjr.1186 i disagree

[@jjjr.1186]

@@joemorganeatmyshortschannel I don't. And litterally I don't own a non semi automatic gun anymore. Yet the bolt action is still accuracy king.

[@geovanikuchnir1793]

Qual a distancia dos disparos.

[@crankygunreviews]

Are your asking what distance I was shooting at?

[@jadslash]

As the 🪰 flew away lol

[@crankygunreviews]

That was another- I did kill one

[@jamesdeek7039]

*Dead fly* as it flies past your ear lol

[@crankygunreviews]

There were many flies…

[@naughtystep9856]

@@crankygunreviews 🪰

[@jillblake3916]

Hi sir, this is Jill Blake from a gun gear brand. I am attracted by your performance in YTB and sincerely invite you to make a review video. If you are interested, please leave me your email. Then I will send you some products to see. Looking forward to your early reply.

[@crankygunreviews]

Jill, you can reach me at [e-mail] Let me know what you are thinking of sending for review and I will consider it.

[@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649]

Crappy english to take seriously.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649 it was stuff I wasnt interested in