Which should you buy, Magpul or BCM?

Magpul for stocks and pistol grips. BCM for handguards, receivers and internals. Pick Magpul if you want close to average prices: builders pay 19% cheaper than average. Builders pick its stocks 26x as often and pistol grips 5x as often. Pick BCM if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 24% pricier than average. Builders pick its handguards 3x as often and receivers far more often. Or mix them like builders do: 45% of Magpul builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

Is Magpul cheaper than BCM?

Magpul. Magpul 19% cheaper than average, BCM 24% pricier than average.

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

BCM. BCM is in 1.3x as many builds.

Magpul or BCM: which receivers do builders pick?

BCM. BCM upper receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Magpul or BCM: which furniture do builders pick?

Magpul. Magpul stocks picked 26x as often, pistol grips picked 5x as often.

Magpul vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Magpul or BCM: which internals do builders pick?

BCM. BCM bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

Q: Can you mix Magpul and BCM parts?

Yes. 45% of Magpul builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

BCM leads in 4 of 6 categories.

Magpul for stocks and pistol grips. BCM for handguards, receivers and internals.

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

Our take

Magpul is best for:

Magpul makes PMAG magazines, MOE stocks and grips, and created the M-LOK slot system that most handguards use now.

Created M-LOK · Mil-spec compatible · 60 day returns

Close to average prices
Stocks, picked 26x as often
Pistol grips, picked 5x 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
Handguards, picked 3x as often
Receivers (Magpul receivers are rarely picked)

Many builders mix them: 45% of Magpul builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.

Biggest differences

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

	Magpul	BCM	Difference
Price vs average	19% cheaper	24% pricier	Magpul cheaper
Share of builds	29%	37%	BCM 1.3x
Stocks picked	41%	1.6%	Magpul 26x
Grips picked	23%	5.0%	Magpul 5x
Handguards picked	4.0%	13%	BCM 3x
Parts listed	1,103	776	Magpul 1.4x
Retailers carrying	23	17	Magpul 1.4x

Price: Magpul wins

For the same part, Magpul parts run 19% cheaper than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: BCM wins

Magpul is in 29% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.

Receivers: BCM wins

BCM upper receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

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

Most picked Magpul receivers

Rarely picked

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

BCM bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

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

Most picked Magpul internals

Rarely picked

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: Magpul wins

Builders pick BCM handguards (3x) more often than Magpul. Builders pick Magpul stocks (26x) and pistol grips (5x) more often than BCM.

Why Magpul: The MOE SL stock fits mil-spec carbine tubes and has a slim profile, an anti-rattle feature and an ambi QD sling mount.

Most picked Magpul furniture

Magpul MOE Stock Collapsible$33.99, in stock at 9 stores

Magpul MOE K2 Grip Polymer Gray$14.97, in stock at 5 stores

Magpul MOE-SL Mid-Length Handguard$29.99, in stock at 8 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, 75% went to BCM and 25% went to Magpul.

The full record

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

	Magpul	BCM
Share of builds	29%	37%
Price tier	Mid priced	Premium
Parts listed	1,103	776
Part types	34	34
Retailers carrying	23	17
In stock now	85%	82%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	13% higher	Flat
On sale now	2 parts	None