Of all the brands that make up the firearms industry, few command the same level of respect and authority as that of Bravo Company Manufacturing, better known amongst enthusiasts as just, BCM. For decades, they’ve been committed to crafting a plethora of high-quality AR-15 rifles, parts, and accessories, earning them a spot as one of the most widely recognized brands in the industry.
Still, although their assortment of offerings is vast, some of their most popular are their lower receivers, and for good reason. For many, building an AR-15 is preferrable, as doing so gives you more control over what parts go into your final rifle build. And when selecting a lower, BCM has you covered, as they have many top-tier models to choose from.
That said, if building an AR is new for you, the idea of doing so can be confusing and even intimidating, even if you were to just stick with one brand like BCM. So, to make things simple, we’re going to put the spotlight on BCM’s lower receivers, as they go beyond the standard to provide you with a reliable lower receiver.
What is a Lower Receiver?
If you’re new to the AR platform, you might be wondering what exactly a “lower receiver” is in the first place. Every rifle platform has a receiver, which is essentially the hub for which all its other components are mounted too. AR-15s consist of both an upper and lower receiver. Between the two, the lower receiver is arguably the most important, as it’s the serialized component of the rifle, i.e. the actual firearm in the eyes of the law.
In addition to being the serialized part of the rifle, it also houses some of the rifle’s most critical components. AR Lower Parts like the fire control group, safety selector, grip, as well as the buffer and stock assembly are all mounted onto the lower, all of which play a critical role in dictating how your rifle not only functions but feels. The stock and grip alone make up two of the three primary points of contact you’ll have on the rifle, while the rest of the components all affect how your rifle handles and functions. As such, it’s imperative that you have the right controls and components in your lower.
Fortunately, BCM has you covered on all fronts. Every BCM lower comes from the factory complete, meaning it already comes with all its components pre-installed at the factory. While many opt for a stripped lower receiver, BCM currently doesn’t offer any. While this does limit their overall customizability, this isn’t necessarily a true con. For starters, BCM lowers come with a limited lifetime warranty, protecting you against manufacturing defects or other QC issues. And, as we mentioned earlier, BCM uses their own premium lower parts kit in their lowers, which include top-tier parts like their PNT (Polished Nickel Teflon) Trigger, as well as their enhanced stock and grip options.
BCM’s Approach to Lower Receiver Engineering
If you’ve ever shopped around for a lower, you’ll know that there are countless brands to choose from. So that begs the question: Why choose BCM? To put it simply, BCM places an incredible degree of consideration into their builds, ensuring they provide nothing short of impeccable quality. Each BCM lower is built to meet, and at times, exceed mil-spec standards, so they’re more-than-capable of handling just about anything you can throw at them.
For the uninitiated, the term ‘mil-spec’ simply stands for “Military Specification” and relates to a series of documents that set the standards for which any gear used by the U.S. Military needs the meet. As such, mil-spec components are designed with durability in mind. Still, it’s important to note that just because a part is mil-spec doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best possible option. For example, mil-spec furniture, triggers, and safety selectors all tend to leave something to be desired in terms of performance and overall feel.
However, as far as critical structural and core internal components go, mil-spec is the move for many enthusiasts. Mil-spec lowers are made from forged 7075-T6 aluminum—a strong and lightweight aluminum alloy—making them the go-to choice for most enthusiasts, since they offer a standardized design that’s compatible with a plethora of unique components. While BCM could’ve simply made a mil-spec lower for the civilian market, they go a step further to make them as reliable as possible. Complete BCM lowers come with staked castle nuts, USGI buffer components, and a true mil-spec MIL-A-8625F Type III hard coat anodizing for superior abrasion and corrosion resistance.
All these extra features and attention to detail culminate in forming a lower receiver that is engineered to offer nothing short of top-tier performance. Needless to say, they aren’t going to let you down when you need them most.
BCM Lower Options
As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, BCM offers a lot of different lower receiver options, each equipped with their own components and accessories. As such, it’s important to know the differences between them so you can have a better chance at narrowing down the best option for your needs and preferences. Most BCM lowers come equipped with the same basic features, but currently, they offer lowers in two distinct configurations: standard and MK2.
The main difference between these lowers is the buffer assembly they make use of. Standard receivers have a mil-spec carbine-length buffer assembly, while MK2 lowers come equipped with BCM’s MK2 Recoil Mitigation System. As its name suggests, it’s designed to reduce felt recoil while also providing a smoother action—something that’s exceptionally advantageous if you plan to suppress your rifle or build an SBR with a shorter gas length.
Regardless, below, we’ve compiled a brief list of some of BCM’s top lower receivers.
BCM Mil-Spec Lowers
For first time builders, or for those wanting to build a rugged and simplistic rifle that makes use of readily available mil-spec components, models like the BCM Lower Receiver – Mod 3 Stock are a solid pick. Coming equipped with BCM’s Mod 3 Adjustable stock, it’s one of BCM’s newest stock assemblies and features a slimmer, snag-free design, all while providing optimal stability. Additionally, this lower also comes equipped with a Mod 4 grip, making it a great choice for utilitarian AR builds.
Additionally, you can also go with the BCM Complete Lower Receiver – No Stock. It comes equipped with the same internals as the lower mentioned above, but as its name would suggest, it doesn’t come with a stock of any kind. Regardless, it still comes with a staked castle nut, mil-spec buffer tube, a Mod 4 grip, and their PNT trigger, so it’s still a solid pick that allows you to opt for the stock of your choice.
Lastly, if you’re interested in building an AR pistol, the BCM Complete AR-15 Pistol Lower Receiver is another good choice to consider. Internally, it has the same components and controls as the lowers above, but instead of coming with a standard stock assembly, it comes equipped with a pistol buffer tube that has a smooth design. As such, nothing can be attached to it. For states with restrictions these lowers can be a viable choice if your aim to build a pistol, but we cannot stress the importance of checking both your state and local laws enough. Different states have different laws and regulations regarding AR pistol ownership, and it is your responsibility to know and abide by them.
BCM MK2 Lower Receivers
If you’re in the market for a more premium lower receiver that’s going to offer better performance, BCM’s MK2 lower receivers are the move. As mentioned above, they come equipped with the MK2 recoil mitigation system, making them a solid pick for rifle builds that emphasize performance.
A standout option in the MK2 lower lineup is the BCM MK2 Lower Receiver with the Mod 0 SOPMOD Stock. This lower receiver is built with all the BCM’s top-tier components, including their Mod 0 SOPMOD stock, an enlarged trigger guard, and their PNT Trigger. As mentioned above, the MK2 recoil mitigation system is great for SBRs and suppressed rifle builds, as such builds typically have sharper, more pronounced recoil impulses. The MK2 system effectively distributes the recoil forces over a longer period, giving you a softer, more controllable recoil impulse. Also, these lowers are available in different finishes too, with the BCM MK2 Lower Receiver Mod 1 (FDE) being another excellent pick with the MK2 recoil system (and a Primary Arms exclusive too).
Conclusion
BCM has garnered a significant following for their AR-15 rifles and components, and they’ve become one of the most well-known and respected brands in the firearm industry. And if you’re planning to start a new rifle build soon, we can’t recommend them enough.
Every one of BCM’s products are made with an impeccable degree of quality, a facet of their design philosophy that’s evident when examining their lower receivers. Not only are they made from high-quality components that meet, and exceed, mil-spec standards; BCM goes the extra mile to ensure they’re ready to perform in all conditions. From their enhanced internal components to their finer enhancements like properly staked castle nuts, BCM lowers are easily some of the best ones available.
Although we covered their lowers, there’s still a lot to be said about BCM, as their lineup truly is massive. If you’d like to get some more insight into what all they offer, check out our BCM Brand Review!
