Hello all,

 

I am kinda new to the AR world. I am currently building my first lower (from Bullseye Tactical in Woodbridge) and I am in the market for an upper. Many of you have recomended BCM as a high quality, fair priced (for the quality) upper. While looking at their site I see several options regarding permanently installed muzzle devices. This being said, I am looking for help in choosing the muzzle device, of course while being compliant with NJ laws.

 

I currently own a couple of AR15 guns from Stag. One is a NJ compliant 1L, and the other is a 7L. The 1L, although shooting well, it is really loud! The 7L (6.8SPC) is not as loud (no muzzle device installed). I also have an AR10 in 7.62x51(no muzzle device installed). Even with the more powerful 7.62, it is much quieter than the Stag 1L.

 

Ok, back to the BCM upper. I am looking at a 14.5" mid length upper. (http://www.bravocomp...4bfh%20lt12.htm) Because this is a 14.5" upper, I do understand that the muzzle device will have to be welded. With this in mind, I want to choose carefully. I have read several pieces about the device degrading when being used (erosion of metal over time) and because this is welded, I don't want to be penny wise and dollar foolish. So, here are my concerns in order of importance to me: 1. longevity, 2. loudness, 3. compensator effectiveness, 4. flash hider effectiveness (I do understand that none are intended to be flash hiders but have read that some are more efficient as this even though they are not considered flash hiders), and finally 5. cost (I am not saying that I have an unlimited budget but if $100 invested now will make me happier, then I would be happy to spend the extra $$$ on the frontend).

 

The options that BCM offers are: (price installed)

* BCM Gunfighter comp mod1---$84.95

* PWS FSC556 tactical compensator---$109.00

* Battle Comp BC 1.5 black---$189.95

* PWS SM556 tactical compensator---$145.95

* Sure Fire MB556K-PN---$179

 

Your comments regarding these muzzle devices linked to my wishes (1-5 above) are welcomed...Thanks in advance

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/42179-question-on-bcm-comp-mod1/

 

That thread may help with the bcm muzzle. None is sure its nj compliant

I have several with the PWS FSC556 and a couple with the Sure Fire, neither are quiet. Both are well made and I have not seen any degradation of the muzzle breaks after several years, so i don't think that is a concern. I have moved to SF as someday I hope to move to America and get a couple of suppressors.

I got one with the battlecomp but havnt fired it yet so can't give you report.

I would spend the money on the BC 1.5, its not going to be as loud as the PWS or the SF brake, and Im still unsure of the BCM comps NJ legalness. The BC will also offer a good compromise of #3 and #4, and as to #1 (the longevity) unless your running a sbr, FA, a can, or a combo of those I wouldnt worry about any of those comps wearing out.

I have a battle comp on a 14.5 bcm mid length and im very happy with it. Over the RRA brake i had on previous barrel the BC 1.5 is quieter, some say its one of the quietest one. i remeber finding a chart of effectiveness and the bc 1.5 was one of the most effective in terms of muzzle control. It's expensive, but it works damn good, and looks damn good. Anything that suppresses the flash in comparison to no muzzle device does just that and would be considered a flash hider even if its intended use is a brake, so maybe you should rephrase it as a muzzle brake that increases the flash the least.

 

There is a nice comparison chart out there on brakes i just cant find it right now.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

I really do appreciate your real world experiences with these devices.

I have found that at times the internet is overwhelming...almost too much information if you will. From what you guys have posted so far it doesn’t seem like longevity is as much of a concern as I was thinking (none have written that they have had problems in this area with the various brands).

 

Thus far, it seems like most think that the Battle Comp BC 1.5 is the quietest of the lot...please correct me if you disagree.

 

Finally, if anyone knows of where this comparison chart is located, please chime in.

 

Thanks again!

Not sure what chart you talking about, but 21st Century Gunfighter has some good vids about muzzle devices on youtube.

 

i thought it had to be a 16" barrel for nj legal? not to hijack but bcm has ones with "flash hiders" welded on like this

http://www.bravocomp...mit10%20fde.htm

 

is that nj ok?

no, its not legal.

 

a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" brake that is perm. attached gives you a 16" barrel LENGTH. Perm. attached being key here, although a moot point in NJ. In PA you cannot have a 14.5" barrel and a 1.5" Brake that is not Perm. attached. IT MUST BE PERM ATTACHED if 14.5" to meet ATF standards of 16". Unless you want to get a sbr stamp. measurements are taken from the absolute chamber to the muzzle.

 

NOW, a flash hider on an AR-15 is illegal in NJ, unless you somehow found a way around the pistol grip.

no, its not legal.

 

a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" brake that is perm. attached gives you a 16" barrel LENGTH. Perm. attached being key here, although a moot point in NJ. In PA you cannot have a 14.5" barrel and a 1.5" Brake that is not Perm. attached. IT MUST BE PERM ATTACHED if 14.5" to meet ATF standards of 16". Unless you want to get a sbr stamp.

 

NOW, a flash hider on an AR-15 is illegal in NJ, unless you somehow found a way around the pistol grip.

 

FYI the brake needs to be 2.1" OAL to make a 14.5" legal, you have to remember that the brake threads onto the barrel about 1/2" or so.

the bcm is legal, it is a compensater, even advertised as such. I will get one without question when i can

Excellent videos Nick...thanks. Like most here, they liked the Battle Comp BC 1.5 for noise, flash, and rise.

 

Of course, it is the most expensive of the lot, but if it is in fact the best at meeting my needs, well then it is what i will have to get.

the bcm is legal, it is a compensater, even advertised as such. I will get one without question when i can

 

I wish I had your confidence in that. I don't like how it is described as having flash suppression qualities

FYI the brake needs to be 2.1" OAL to make a 14.5" legal, you have to remember that the brake threads onto the barrel about 1/2" or so.

True true!

I had the same conundrum a few weeks ago. I ended up with the 14.5in mid length gas upper with Troy alpha rail. I mated it with the Battle Comp 1.5 after watching a number of reviews and YouTube videos.

 

I ran the gun in GFH Urban Carbine 1 yesterday and was really impressed (until I tried running some TULA) overall, very soft shooter, not obnoxiously loud and no one made mention of a crazy pressure wave like some of the other barrel breaks. I was able to stay on target well through multiple strings of fire and while on the move.

 

I'd definitely recommend it!

the bcm is legal, it is a compensater, even advertised as such. I will get one without question when i can

 

It's also advertised as supressing flash. You tell me which one it is, their ad copy talks out of both sides of their mouth, there has been no BATFE ruling, and NJ has no guidelines. If someone doesn't like it, what's your affirmative defense? AD copy says it's a comp? Prosecutor says it also says it supresses flash.

 

All I have seen is the one BCM ad video where you can see them running one in some parts. Given the horizontal jetting, I'd say it keeps flash out of the shooters eyes, but it sure isn't going to minimize it. It also doesn't jibe with their ad copy of keeping lateral pressure to a minimum. When it is more available, I'm sure there will be plenty of youtube videos of it's flash, and then one can make an informed decision about how much it supresses flash. To me, the opening in the velocity stack looks like it might be larger than the bullet diameter, which would make the grooves in the front act very much like an A2 FH for the gasses that do get through. Or it could just be thicker material to wear well, the hole is the same diameter, and the grooves are just a torx socket to screw the two pieces together before welding.

 

You decide your risks, I think you would be foolish to make a call on a product with so little info in the hands of the general public at the moment.

Hmm found some more pictures. The cone has a beefy wall. I'm going to guess that it doesn't reduce muzzle flash more than something like the FC556, but I'd wait for someone to post low light video before committing.

http://modernservice...ons.com/?p=1047

 

 

 

side by side compaison of battle comp, BCM comp and a2 flashhider

 

 

BCM is a comp....not a flashider

Great discussion guys. I am leaning towards the Battle Comp at this point given all the data and real life experience...THANKS!

 

As for the BCM Gunfighter comp, please do not get stuck in a debate of wheather it is a flash suppressor or a comp. My feedback has not shown it to be the best of the lot so at this point i am not even considering it so legality seems to be a moot point.

 

Thanks again for your responses!

FWIW, I have a battle comp on my BCM 14.5 middy, it's great. But VERY pricey, BCM stuff works and at the price, there is no choice for me.

FWIW, I have a battle comp on my BCM 14.5 middy, it's great. But VERY pricey, BCM stuff works and at the price, there is no choice for me.

 

This. More than half the price of a battle comp is the selling point here. If it puts my follow up shot .85 inches of instead of .65 I'm happy.