Which should you buy, Battle Arms Development or BCM?

BCM for upper receivers, bolt carrier groups and charging handles. Pick Battle Arms Development if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 21% pricier than average. Pick BCM if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 24% pricier than average. Builders pick its upper receivers 9x as often and bolt carrier groups 66x as often. Or mix them like builders do: 36% of Battle Arms Development builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

Is Battle Arms Development cheaper than BCM?

Close. Battle Arms Development 21% pricier than average, BCM 24% pricier than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, Battle Arms Development or BCM?

BCM. BCM is in 13.6x as many builds.

Battle Arms Development or BCM: which receivers do builders pick?

BCM. BCM upper receivers picked 9x as often, lower receivers picked 7x as often.

Battle Arms Development or BCM: which internals do builders pick?

BCM. BCM bolt carrier groups picked 66x as often, charging handles picked 6x as often.

Battle Arms Development or BCM: which furniture do builders pick?

BCM. BCM pistol grips picked 24x as often.

Battle Arms Development vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Can you mix Battle Arms Development and BCM parts?

Yes. 36% of Battle Arms Development builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

BCM leads in 5 of 6 categories.

BCM for upper receivers, bolt carrier groups and charging handles.

From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.

Our take

Battle Arms Development is best for:

Battle Arms Development (BAD) makes ambidextrous AR controls like the BAD-ASS safety selector and The RACK charging handle, plus complete rifles.

Ambi controls · Safety selectors · Limited lifetime warranty

Paying more: about 21% above average

BCM is best for:

BCM makes mil-spec AR uppers, barrels and bolt carriers, and it test fires every complete upper and bolt carrier group before it ships.

Mil-spec parts · Test fired uppers · Chrome lined barrels · Veteran founded

Paying more: about 24% above average
The more popular pick: in 37% of builds
Upper receivers, picked 9x as often
Bolt carrier groups, picked 66x as often

Many builders mix them: 36% of Battle Arms Development builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

Biggest differences

"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.

	Battle Arms Development	BCM	Difference
Price vs average	21% pricier	24% pricier
Share of builds	3%	37%	BCM 12x
BCGs picked	0.4%	26%	BCM 64x
Grips picked	0.2%	5.0%	BCM 25x
Uppers picked	2.6%	24%	BCM 9x
Parts listed	216	778	BCM 4x
Retailers carrying	15	17

Price: Tie

For the same part, Battle Arms Development parts run 21% pricier than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: BCM wins

Battle Arms Development is in 3% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.

Receivers: BCM wins

Builders pick BCM lower receivers (7x) and upper receivers (9x) more often than Battle Arms Development.

Why BCM: BCM M4 uppers are machined from 7075-T6 forgings with a Type III hard coat anodized finish.

Most picked Battle Arms Development receivers

Battle Arms Development Workhorse Barreled Upper$447.97, in stock at 3 stores

Battle Arms AUTHORITY ELITE Ambidexterious Lower 7075-T6$319.00, in stock at 1 store

Battle Arms Development Lightweight Billet Upper$239.00, in stock at 1 store

Most picked BCM receivers

Bravo Company Manufacturing 5.56 NATO Mid-Length Bhf$880.95, in stock at 2 stores

Bravo Company Manufacturing Lower Receiver$525.00, in stock at 6 stores

Bravo Company Mfg Upper Receiver w/ Laser T-Markings$129.00, out of stock

Internals: BCM wins

Builders pick BCM bolt carrier groups (66x) and charging handles (6x) more often than Battle Arms Development. BCM barrels, triggers and muzzle devices are picked often, Battle Arms Development's rarely.

Why BCM: The BCM bolt is Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected.

Most picked Battle Arms Development internals

Battle Arms Development Rack Charging Handle$79.99, in stock at 2 stores

Battle Arms Bolt Carrier Group$395.00, in stock at 6 stores

Battle Arms Development Rack Charging Handle$71.45, in stock at 4 stores

Most picked BCM internals

Bravo Company Bolt Carrier Group$199.00, in stock at 4 stores

Bravo Company / BCM 6 Position Receiver Extension$37.49, in stock at 5 stores

Bravo Company BCM GFHMK2MED MK2 Charging Handle$74.95, in stock at 6 stores

Furniture: BCM wins

Builders pick BCM pistol grips (24x) more often than Battle Arms Development. BCM handguards and stocks are picked often, Battle Arms Development's rarely.

Most picked Battle Arms Development furniture

Battle Arms AR Rifle Ultralight Chevron Carbon Fiber$180.00, in stock at 5 stores

Battle Arms Development Adjustable Tactical Grip$17.76, in stock at 7 stores

Most picked BCM furniture

Bravo Company Mfg M-LOK 13" Modular Rail$224.95, in stock at 3 stores

Bravo Company Mfg Mod 1 Pistol Grip$17.95, in stock at 6 stores

Bravo Company BCMGunfighter Stock KIT$95.64, in stock at 9 stores

Shopper clicks: BCM wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 88% went to BCM and 12% went to Battle Arms Development.

The full record

Everything we track for Battle Arms Development vs BCM, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	Battle Arms Development	BCM
Share of builds	3%	37%
Price tier	Premium	Premium
Parts listed	216	778
Part types	23	35
Retailers carrying	15	17
In stock now	79%	82%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	Flat	Flat
On sale now	None	None