LMT vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared
BCM leads in 5 of 6 categories.
LMT for lower receivers. 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
LMT, now LMT Defense, makes rifles for militaries around the world. On the parts side it's known for the MRP monolithic upper and the Enhanced Bolt.
Monolithic uppers · Military contractor · Berry compliant
- Close to average prices
- Lower receivers, picked 1.6x as often
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 16x as often
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 10x as often
Many builders mix them: 53% of LMT builds add BCM, most often the bolt carrier group.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| LMT | BCM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 12% pricier | 24% pricier | |
| Share of builds | 4% | 37% | BCM 9x |
| Buffer tubes picked | 0.3% | 40% | BCM 134x |
| Uppers picked | 1.5% | 24% | BCM 16x |
| BCGs picked | 2.6% | 26% | BCM 10x |
| Parts listed | 154 | 776 | BCM 5x |
| Retailers carrying | 10 | 17 | BCM 1.7x |
Price: Tie
For the same part, LMT parts run 12% pricier than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: BCM wins
LMT is in 4% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.
Receivers: BCM wins
Builders pick LMT lower receivers (1.6x) more often than BCM. Builders pick BCM upper receivers (16x) more often than LMT.
Why BCM: BCM M4 uppers are machined from 7075-T6 forgings with a Type III hard coat anodized finish.
Internals: BCM wins
Builders pick BCM barrels (6x), bolt carrier groups (10x) and charging handles (5x) more often than LMT. BCM triggers, muzzle devices and gas blocks are picked often, LMT's rarely.
Why BCM: The BCM bolt is Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected.
Furniture: BCM wins
Builders pick BCM stocks (8x) more often than LMT. BCM handguards and pistol grips are picked often, LMT's rarely.
Shopper clicks: BCM wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 89% went to BCM and 11% went to LMT.
The full record
Everything we track for LMT vs BCM, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| LMT | BCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 4% | 37% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 154 | 776 |
| Part types | 21 | 34 |
| Retailers carrying | 10 | 17 |
| In stock now | 70% | 82% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | Flat | Flat |
| On sale now | None | None |
