Which should you buy, CMMG or BCM?

CMMG for triggers. BCM for upper receivers, bolt carrier groups and buffer tubes. Pick CMMG if you want close to average prices: builders pay 8% cheaper than average. Builders pick its triggers 2.7x as often. Pick BCM if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 24% pricier than average. Builders pick its upper receivers 7x as often and bolt carrier groups 10x as often. Or mix them like builders do: 37% of CMMG builds add BCM, most often the bolt carrier group.

Is CMMG cheaper than BCM?

CMMG. CMMG 8% cheaper than average, BCM 24% pricier than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, CMMG or BCM?

BCM. BCM is in 4.0x as many builds.

CMMG or BCM: which receivers do builders pick?

BCM. BCM upper receivers picked 7x as often, close on lower receivers.

CMMG or BCM: which internals do builders pick?

BCM. BCM bolt carrier groups picked 10x as often, buffer tubes picked 15x as often.

CMMG or BCM: which furniture do builders pick?

BCM. BCM handguards picked 24x as often, pistol grips picked 2.4x as often.

CMMG vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Can you mix CMMG and BCM parts?

Yes. 37% of CMMG builds add BCM, most often the bolt carrier group.

BCM leads in 5 of 6 categories.

CMMG for triggers. BCM for upper receivers, bolt carrier groups and buffer tubes.

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

Our take

CMMG is best for:

CMMG makes complete AR rifles, pistols and parts, and it's known for Radial Delayed Blowback, its action for pistol caliber ARs in rounds like 10mm and .45 ACP.

Lifetime quality guarantee · Radial Delayed Blowback · Pistol caliber ARs

Close to average prices
Triggers, picked 2.7x as often

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 7x as often
Bolt carrier groups, picked 10x as often

Many builders mix them: 37% of CMMG builds add BCM, most often the bolt carrier group.

Biggest differences

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

	CMMG	BCM	Difference
Price vs average	8% cheaper	24% pricier	CMMG cheaper
Share of builds	9%	37%	BCM 4x
Handguards picked	0.5%	13%	BCM 25x
Buffer tubes picked	2.6%	40%	BCM 15x
BCGs picked	2.6%	26%	BCM 10x
Uppers picked	3.5%	24%	BCM 7x
Gas blocks picked	2.0%	6.7%	BCM 3x

Price: CMMG wins

For the same part, CMMG parts run 8% cheaper than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: BCM wins

CMMG is in 9% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.

Receivers: BCM wins

Builders pick BCM upper receivers (7x) more often than CMMG. Lower receivers are about even.

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

Most picked CMMG receivers

CMMG Resolute 16.10" Upper 5.56x45mm$403.20, in stock at 4 stores

CMMG Lower Reciever Parts KIT$33.52, in stock at 8 stores

CMMG Banshee 5.7x28mm Upper$760.27, in stock at 4 stores

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 (10x), charging handles (6x) and gas blocks (3x) more often than CMMG. Builders pick CMMG triggers (2.7x) more often than BCM. Barrels and muzzle devices are about even.

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

Most picked CMMG internals

CMMG Trigger KIT$28.99, in stock at 11 stores

CMMG .308 Win/7.62 Bolt Carrier Group$221.36, in stock at 5 stores

CMMG MK4 Receiver Extension KIT$29.69, in stock at 8 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 handguards (24x), stocks (5x) and pistol grips (2.4x) more often than CMMG.

Most picked CMMG furniture

CMMG A2 Pistol Grip$5.69, in stock at 1 store

CMMG RipBrace Standard Receiver Extension and Brace KIT$178.87, in stock at 4 stores

CMMG RML11 Handguard 11 M-LOK$4.69, out of stock

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, 66% went to BCM and 34% went to CMMG.

The full record

Everything we track for CMMG vs BCM, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	CMMG	BCM
Share of builds	9%	37%
Price tier	Mid priced	Premium
Parts listed	1,054	776
Part types	30	34
Retailers carrying	21	17
In stock now	49%	82%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	2% higher	Flat
On sale now	None	None