Cryptic Coatings vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared
BCM leads in 5 of 6 categories.
BCM for bolt carrier groups, receivers and furniture.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
Cryptic Coatings makes coated AR bolt carrier groups in PVD and CVD finishes like Mystic Bronze, made to cut friction and run cooler.
Veteran founded · Lifetime warranty · BCG specialist · Low lube
- Paying more: about 22% above average
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
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 2.6x as often
- Receivers (Cryptic Coatings receivers are rarely picked)
Many builders mix them: 30% of Cryptic Coatings builds add BCM, most often the upper receiver.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| Cryptic Coatings | BCM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 22% pricier | 24% pricier | |
| Share of builds | 5% | 37% | BCM 7x |
| Retailers carrying | 4 | 17 | BCM 4x |
| Parts listed | 243 | 776 | BCM 3x |
| BCGs picked | 9.6% | 26% | BCM 2.7x |
Price: Tie
For the same part, Cryptic Coatings parts run 22% pricier than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: BCM wins
Cryptic Coatings is in 5% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.
Receivers: BCM wins
BCM upper receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Why BCM: BCM M4 uppers are machined from 7075-T6 forgings with a Type III hard coat anodized finish.
Most picked Cryptic Coatings receivers
Rarely picked
Internals: BCM wins
Builders pick BCM bolt carrier groups (2.6x) more often than Cryptic Coatings. BCM barrels, charging handles and triggers are picked often, Cryptic Coatings's rarely.
Why BCM: The BCM bolt is Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected.
Furniture: BCM wins
BCM handguards picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked Cryptic Coatings furniture
Rarely picked
Shopper clicks: BCM wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 93% went to BCM and 7% went to Cryptic Coatings.
The full record
Everything we track for Cryptic Coatings vs BCM, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| Cryptic Coatings | BCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 5% | 37% |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| Parts listed | 243 | 776 |
| Part types | 1 | 34 |
| Retailers carrying | 4 | 17 |
| In stock now | 29% | 82% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | 10% lower | Flat |
| On sale now | None | None |
