Bear Creek Arsenal 7.62x39 upper. Is it as good as an AK? I don’t know. I don’t have an AK

I alluded to getting this in another video.
Bear Creek makes so many good caliber conversions for the AR15 I had to try one of these, and boy am I glad I did.
Had a few hiccups with it at first, but it ran much better towards the end of the video.
Runs on a standard AR15 mil spec lower, with ASC 7.62x39 mags that are 10 round but it’s hard to get the 10th round in sometimes.

[@loquat44-40]

For my bear creek 16 inch upper I have to install a longer firing pin and extra power hammer spring. I had to put in a H3 buffer. Seems to work with steel case ammo now and any of the magazines that I have tried. But a typical AR-15 bolt hogged out for the large 7.62x39 case head diameter is weaker. The extractors fail and bolts will crack sooner than the 5.56 bolts do with 5.56 ammo. If one has a some 7.62x39 ammo on hand, an upper chambered for it makes sense. An AKM rifle is more dependable, but less accurate.

[@crankygunreviews]

You’re right on all counts

[@Mike80528]

Good to know. I had heard they had upgraded the firing pins to address this issue, but relatively easy fixes for a very cost-effective upper. Mine should arrives at the end of the week. I'll go ahead and pick up the component and just do it before I put it all together.

[@dlbracer56]

CMMG lower and BCA 7.62x39 right side charger upper, enhanced firing pin, using Duramag 7.62x39 20rd and 28rd mags. I had light strike issues and failures to fully engage battery. Installed enhanced BCA firing pin, BRA (Black Rifle Arsenal) heavy hammer spring and H2 buffer... runs and guns my 20 year old steel case Russian ammo.. accurate to a 12x24 inch steel plate at 100yds with flip up iron sights.

[@crankygunreviews]

I used the recommended mags, and it comes with the enhanced firing pin from BCA now. I’m pretty happy with it, but I do wish I got the side charging handle. They’re pretty cool, and makes it not look as “scary” lol

[@dlbracer56]

UPDATE. I stopped using lacquer coated ammo. The lacquer melted and glued the case in the chamber. I broke the extractor, getting it out. BCA replaced it FREE. I have approximately 800 rounds out of it now. It is STILL shooting realistic groups out to 300 yards.. from 1 to 4 MOA.

[@rbm6184]

I can't say either. I don't have any Soviet/Russian guns. I have shot plenty of them but don't own one. Of all them I have shot I prefer the SKS if I had to shoot one. AKs not so much. I have multi caliber lowers on my ARs also so I could get various uppers if I wanted but I haven't really seen a need to yet. My ARs are Del-Tons but with Anderson stripped lowers. Thanks for sharing.

[@crankygunreviews]

I have an SKS as well, this handles way better. The upper is heavy, but stable and seems pretty accurate. I had more footage but my camera shut off for some reason

[@naughtystep9856]

That looks like FUN!

[@crankygunreviews]

Oh it is!!

[@JohnnyBGoode215]

The BCA upper is excellent. I own 3 AK'S and I prefer the BCA. Even with a gas regulating piston in the AK, the BCA has less perceived recoil. The bolt hold open feature is what clinches the deal. I get 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards with Golden Tiger boat tail fmj ammo and a cheap 3x9 scope on a bench. Can't do that with any of my AK'S. Clean the chamber well and as Larry Vickers says about AR'S, "Run those bitches wet!" (keep them well oiled). I picked up 2 side chargers with 16 inch heavy barrelled uppers and m lok handguards for 212.99 on sale. I'd buy more if I could.

[@crankygunreviews]

I wish I got side chargers on my .5.56 and 7.62x29 uppers- they’re really good!

[@JohnnyBGoode215]

@@crankygunreviews I like them better than the milspec charging handle. It's easier to mount a scope without having to adjust for your fingers being able to get to the charging handle, especially if you have gloves on when shooting. Some people worry about excessive dirt getting into the action because it lacks the dust cover. That doesn't really bother me. Have a great evening.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@JohnnyBGoode215 yeah I got the .22wmr with the side charging handle, and I really like it.

[@charlesmorgan1879]

​​@crankygunreviews nice ! I'm getting the cold hammer forged barrel right side charge 16" upper ar47 and have a PFI 1x6x24 bdc scope fore it already.

[@kruelzombieful]

Just bought one and used your discount code. It got me 15 dollars off, oh yea!!!

[@crankygunreviews]

My discount code?

[@NavySooner]

Put some irons on that thing and you have over the optic cowitness

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah I plan to. I need to order some, just haven’t gotten around to it.

[@wildcatindustries8030]

I have the same upper in .350 Legend. It runs incredibly well for a straight walled round. I thought about getting a 7.62x39 upper as well. BCA does have a break in period of about 100-150 rounds but after that it becomes a lot less finicky. Mine will take snow caked mags I’ve dropped and as long as the first one chambers it will run the whole mag flawlessly while giving me an oblong hole at 50yds with 10 rounds. Great products for such a cheap price. I also had much better performance out of the CMMG mags but I haven’t tried many other brands

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks for your feedback

[@xowhiplock]

You MUST tune the rifle's buffer to 7.62x39 use. It comes with an H1 buffer weight. You need an H3. That's not BCA's fault, as they state clearly all lowers come with mil-spec H1 buffers, even the pistol lowers. Order an H3 buffer weight (5 oz or so), and a new spring with it. Now if you have issues, get an adjustable gas block, but It's not likely you'll need one, but you might.

[@crankygunreviews]

Good to know, I’ll look into that, but I wasn’t having cycling issues really, broke an extractor, then a firing pin.

[@HomesteadingPatriot]

@@crankygunreviews after how many rounds did you break the extractor? I've been considering getting one of these, mostly because of the crazy prices on AKs these days

[@crankygunreviews]

@@HomesteadingPatriot it was under 300 rounds. I assume they have fixed them, because the new on I got was a different design, also some people have used a regular .223 extractor because they have a sharper edge and grip well.

[@loquat44-40]

Perhaps instead of an ajustible gas block, I am thinking setting the three gas rings into the open position and seeing if that slows down the carrier and speed and mitigates some recoil. If it does not work, it is only moment to rotate the rings closed. It will dirty the action up.

[@jesseboutdoors]

I have a 7.62x39 upper from Bca. The best mags to get for it are the Duramag ones. I’ve got a couple videos on them. When I got them the company was called C-Products. They work flawlessly.

[@crankygunreviews]

That’s good to know! I will look for some

[@rbm6184]

@@crankygunreviews I use C Products and ASC USGI mags exclusively. Both steel and aluminum. Never had a problem with any of them. But then again, never had a problem with any of them in 5.56/.223.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@rbm6184 yeah, 7.62x39 is a different animal than 5.56/.223

[@rbm6184]

@@crankygunreviews Good luck with your AR-47.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@rbm6184 thanks. The rounds I put through it were fun, hopefully next time out I will do some “accuracy” shooting - or as accurate as I can get with a 3 mil red dot…

[@Teamwolf7777]

C-product mags woks great no problem with them.

[@crankygunreviews]

I’ll have to look into them- I bought the ASC mags because they were recommended by BCA

[@Teamwolf7777]

@@crankygunreviews yeah I have one ASC here and there I have problems with it. Not sure if you are. I was just doing my research. And end up getting one to test it and it works amazing.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@Teamwolf7777 only things I have had issues with was hollow point- they tend to nose dive and catch on the front of the magazine.

[@Teamwolf7777]

@@crankygunreviews why I had done front of the mag try to shave down where the round get stuck at. It may help a little. Wish I can send you a picture of it.

[@richardcsehy9692]

It's taken a long time for BCA to get some tube time. I bought my first one in 2017, I think they had just started making them. I got mine from Classic Firearms and it had to be .30cal so 7.62x39. Some growing pains but now it's a freezer packer.

[@crankygunreviews]

I think every time they release a new model they have a little growing pains. This particular M4 style has been flawless. Not a single issue even with steel cased ammo

[@akina4drift]

I have one in fde on my cheap PSA w binary. so far ran about 120rds on some 25rd ASC mags. Two light primers, looking to get longer firing pins.

[@curte7739]

If you bought a newer Bear Creek arsenal 762x39 upper it should have the upgraded firing pin in it already If not you might have an issue you could probably get a hold of them and they'll send you another firing pin

[@crankygunreviews]

Mine came with the longer firing pin

[@charlesmorgan1879]

You may want a heavier hammer spring , I've read in several other comments here & other videos.

[@MegaBait1616]

I got 2 complete uppers from Radical Firearms with a heavy 16" bbl. and I like it too.... The 10 round mags work the best and I sanded the mag lips and really have never had any problems.... Clean the chamber because of finish on steel cased x39 ammo..... be well.

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks, I will clean it well. I’ve found the Tulammo does not cause as much buildup because it’s not the lacquered stuff, the grayish colored cases are kind of powdery feeling and function well in everything I’ve run them in

[@charlesmorgan1879]

Im looking to get one of these and been checking videos and comments and i know they have "enhanced" firing pins & bolts/extractors and said to be a easy fix along with stout hammer spring , H2 buffer and an ajustable gas block, Cproducts/Duramags. If BCA did these it would cost a little more but AR's are tinker tools ! Thanks for the info !

[@crankygunreviews]

definitely get the heavier buffer and a better firing pin. i already broke and replaced my firing pin, extractor, and swapped the buffer in mine. also needs to be on a carbine buffer system. Being a side-charge, if you put it on a rifle length buffer tube, the charging handle will smash into the receiver and break the handle

[@charlesmorgan1879]

I just ordered a complete psa stealth lower today , says it has a standard buffer, is that = h 1 ? The bca upper says enhanced bolt & firing pin, did yours have that ? About how many rounds fired before stuff broke...? Thanks for your time & reply !

[@charlesmorgan1879]

​@@crankygunreviewsI also looked at kak industry for buffer/spring and bcg.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@charlesmorgan1879 I put a spikes tactical spring in this one with an A2 or H2 buffer… can’t recall which one… runs better now

[@DomoArigatoRobot0]

Coming from Tundra Tactical YT vid, definitely like your YT channel name! 😋😎 Thank you for trying out the 7.62 commie upper from BCA. I see you have a vid on the BCA 22 magnum upper. I feel like I have to move away from 22 magnum, but then I see that BCA upper, know about the Kel-Tec CMR, lust after the Walther WMP...it's no wonder I'm a Tundra Tactical Poor (at least I'm below the 30 count) Good stuff, subscribed.

[@crankygunreviews]

All my AR uppers are BCA- 7.62x39, .22magnum, and 5.56. Yeah I’m a “poor” according to tundra and others but I say I’m frugal. Get what I can afford, shoot it, use it, and either upgrade it slowly or replace it if I decide later. Budget guns = More guns and I think they’re are more people out there looking for a $500-700 gun than $1700-2000 gun :)

[@wd5372]

Wo. Now you have me thinking about getting a bear creek. In 7.62X39. Lol

[@crankygunreviews]

They have a ton of calibers!

[@stan5195]

Are you running a H3 buffer?

[@crankygunreviews]

No it’s a standard carbine buffer. I have heard an A3 runs better, guess I should get one.

[@amesanderson1873]

Thanks for sharing

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks for watching

[@shadehoward2681]

these are good uppers, the bcg has to be cleaned and lubed with a heavy lubricant like Lucas red and tacky #2, clean and slightly lube the barrel and feed ramp of the barrel especially when you use steel case ammo, every 250 rounds lube the feed ramp. the best mags are Duramags made by C products defense. This isn't a 500 yard shot rifle upper, some people have been making far shots like that but 250 yards and closer are more realistic.

[@crankygunreviews]

I keep mine lubed with either CLP or Lucas gun oil (which is really slick and sticks well). All I have for this is steel cased ammo I should look into some duramags- the ones I got were suggested by BCA and so far they have been pretty good. I’ve heard some people had issue with the rounds nosediving into the front of the mag, and they suggested grinding a small notch into the front of the magazine to aid the round hitting the feed ramp

[@shadehoward2681]

@@crankygunreviews I took this upper to a carbine class, most of the guys laughed and said you won't get through the class with that thing. When these guys saw I was shooting at 30 cents a round and some of them were shooting at 1.25 a round they actually seemed mad.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@shadehoward2681 well, not everyone wants to be frugal and try something different. I like BCA uppers because I’ve bought three for what some guys spend on a basic Daniel defense or other higher end uppers.

[@curte7739]

I have a Anderson lower with a Bear Creek 762x39 side charger upper once I figured out what mag it liked I had zero issues with it It did not like the ASC mags it likes the Duramags or the C MAGs. Have had zero issues with it, it's fun to shoot and it's fairly accurate I do not own an AK either I do own a Czechoslovakian VZ58 which is probably as close as I'll ever get to an AK because I just like the VZ's better I have to say I like shooting the AR platform more It's definitely more accurate less recoil for what recoil there is in a 7.62 So I guess if you were to compare it to an AK with a side folder you'd have a similar experience as I do with my VZ side folder. Now if you had a AK with a full stock you might have different results.

[@crankygunreviews]

I kind of wish I got the side charge handle. I have that in teh 22wmr BCA upper, and I like it a whole lot. Plus it looks somewhat less like an AR, however cleaning it requires more work- I hope the screw that holds the charging handle in never wears out or gets loose.

[@curte7739]

@@crankygunreviewsI know they updated the screws in the charger handles in the newer side chargers which I don't think the 22 mags been out that long so it should have the updated charging handle and screw you shouldn't have any issues it'd be awesome if you could put a little loctite on it but you kind of need to take it off to clean it. I guess you could use the red loctite not the blue. Bear Creek's also got pretty good customer service so if you ever do have an issue they'll fix it oftentimes they don't repair They just send you a new one.

[@papimiami1938]

I just put together almost The identical combo but I haven't bought magazines yet.... Now I know what I need ... Thanks

[@crankygunreviews]

@@papimiami1938 it’s well worth the money and time. I’m still hunting down an AK, but this shoots really nice. I have heard there are better mags than the ones I have, but I bought what BCA suggested

[@papimiami1938]

@@crankygunreviews thanks ... I'm watching all the videos I can on the AK 7.62 platform because I know they're usually a little bit finicky out of the box...* AR 7.62 I men

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

I like it I'd buy one however the big curved mags would be a pain in the nuts I'd think

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah but the 10 rounders and 20 rounders aren’t as bad. If you can get them

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@crankygunreviews kinda what i was thinking a brush gun that uses your existing lower

[@crankygunreviews]

@@joemorganeatmyshortschannel I never thought about other calibers for the AR… now I kind of want a 9mm upper too lol. Needs a magwell adapter though, wonder if they make one that uses Glock 17 mags…

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@crankygunreviews indeed they do and you in commie state can get AR 9 mags too I think if you wanna go retri

[@rbm6184]

Joe Morgan I agree the 30 round banana mags are a pain for maneuverability. I only have two of them and mostly use 20 round mags. Can't shoot prone position very well with a banana mag. I have one or two five round mags for hunting as in my state we cannot have more than five round mags for deer hunting. Believe it or not I took a 10 round Hi Point mag for my Hi Point ape gun and put a wood plug in it so it only holds five 9mm rounds now just for deer hunting if need be. We cannot use ball/FMJ ammo for deer hunting so I can use my powder coat lead bullet reloads or hollow points but I don't like using hollow points for deer hunting as it tears up the meat too bad. I can always take the wood plug out if need be. Chances are though if I was going to be deer hunting I would just use one of my bolt rifles instead of an autoloader.

[@BLACKHEYZEUS1]

I just built my 762a are no issues

[@crankygunreviews]

Mine is decent, I broke the extractor and had to get it replaced. Haven't taken it back out yet though.

[@cabragooncabulous4082]

So! Are different magazine followers required? Can I replace them into regular GI 5.56? Thought about doing the same thing with one.

[@crankygunreviews]

I bought 7.62x39 mags- you can use a standard 5.56 mag, but it’s not smooth, and you won’t fit as many rounds because the 7.62 is a fatter cartridge

[@cabragooncabulous4082]

@@crankygunreviews thankyou.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@cabragooncabulous4082 you’re welcome

[@kevo_santana_the_ar_guy1450]

Watch that booger hook

[@crankygunreviews]

👆

[@jamesdeek7039]

They are fighting words....cuz all works. This doesnt

[@crankygunreviews]

Lol. It worked after the first couple rounds

[@jamesdeek7039]

@@crankygunreviews every ar chambered in 7.62 has had issues from what I've seen however all chambered in 5.56 usually works well. Ak runs

[@stankinney9567]

I have one of these, runs great,hits where I aim it. Low cost 7.62 X 39. Great value in my opinion. Also have the BCA uppers in 450 Bushmaster ,350 Legend and 7.5in 5.56.

[@crankygunreviews]

I couldn’t agree more. They are not “cheap junk” I have had great luck with my BCA uppers

[@jimgenksxxl]

Are you shooting the ammo BCA suggested?

[@crankygunreviews]

Nope, shooting anything I have.

[@crankygunreviews]

The post of having anything in 7.62x39 is to shoot cheap steel ammo

[@curte7739]

Yeah they recommend against steel case ammo but I bet I've fired 500 rounds of steel case through mine with no issues now when I hunt with it I use PPU 123 grain pointed soft points which are brass case

[@charlesmorgan1879]

Probably due to having to give out alot of free firing pins & extractors.

[@Eric-vm1vm]

It's not the mags fault. It's bca.

[@crankygunreviews]

I doubt that. I have three of their uppers they are run pretty well.

[@Eric-vm1vm]

@@crankygunreviews Pretty small sample size. Really easy to find they're very low rating online. Very bad reviews. I own more of their uppers than you, wouldn't disclose how many but I can tell you I've sent uppers back to them a lot of times.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@Eric-vm1vm well they are budget uppers and I will deal with any small issues I may have. I haven’t put enough rounds through mine to tell if it’s a mag issue or an upper issue. I did buy some other brand mags to try out.

[@Eric-vm1vm]

@@crankygunreviews the only caliber I would say to never ever buy an upper in from bca is 350 legend. I love that caliber but I've wasted so much money and time trying to get my AR to cycle that round. My other uppers from bca I've worked out the kinks but never the 350 legend. My ARs from other manufacturers have never taken me any effort, only bca. They need to improve their QC. That is their only issue. Great barrels IMO

[@crankygunreviews]

@@Eric-vm1vm I think they’ve been getting better. I know older models people had more issues with. They’re so innovative that’s why I like them, this year they’ve come out with a bunch of new calibers