Spike's vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared
BCM leads in 5 of 6 categories.
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
Spike's Tactical makes AR rifles, uppers, lowers and parts in Florida, with the Spider logo on the lowers. The T3 tungsten buffer is one of their most known parts.
Lifetime warranty · Forged lowers · Tungsten buffers
- Close to average prices
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 5x as often
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 6x as often
Many builders mix them: 40% of Spike's builds add BCM, most often the buffer tube.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| Spike's | BCM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | About average | 24% pricier | Spike's cheaper |
| Share of builds | 7% | 37% | BCM 5x |
| Buffer tubes picked | 0.7% | 40% | BCM 57x |
| Handguards picked | 0.5% | 13% | BCM 25x |
| BCGs picked | 4.0% | 26% | BCM 6x |
| Uppers picked | 4.5% | 24% | BCM 5x |
| Parts listed | 332 | 776 | BCM 2.3x |
Price: Spike's wins
For the same part, Spike's parts run about average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: BCM wins
Spike's is in 7% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.
Receivers: BCM wins
Builders pick BCM upper receivers (5x) more often than Spike's. Lower receivers are about even.
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 (6x) and buffer tubes (58x) more often than Spike's. Muzzle devices are about even. BCM charging handles, triggers and gas blocks are picked often, Spike's'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 handguards (26x) more often than Spike's. BCM stocks and pistol grips are picked often, Spike's's rarely.
Shopper clicks: BCM wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 76% went to BCM and 24% went to Spike's.
The full record
Everything we track for Spike's vs BCM, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| Spike's | BCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 7% | 37% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 332 | 776 |
| Part types | 22 | 34 |
| Retailers carrying | 15 | 17 |
| In stock now | 50% | 82% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | Flat | Flat |
| On sale now | None | None |
