Which should you buy, Wilson Combat or BCM?

Wilson Combat for pistol grips, gas blocks and lower receivers. BCM for upper receivers, charging handles and handguards. Pick Wilson Combat if you want close to average prices: builders pay 15% cheaper than average. Builders pick its pistol grips 2.7x as often and gas blocks 3x 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 charging handles 6x as often. Or mix them like builders do: 42% of Wilson Combat builds add BCM, most often the upper receiver.

Is Wilson Combat cheaper than BCM?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat 15% cheaper than average, BCM 24% pricier than average.

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

BCM. BCM is in 1.5x as many builds.

Wilson Combat or BCM: which receivers do builders pick?

BCM. BCM upper receivers picked 7x as often, Wilson Combat lower receivers picked 2.2x as often.

Wilson Combat or BCM: which internals do builders pick?

BCM. Close on bolt carrier groups, Wilson Combat gas blocks picked 3x as often.

Wilson Combat or BCM: which furniture do builders pick?

Split. Wilson Combat pistol grips picked 2.7x as often, BCM handguards picked 5x as often.

Wilson Combat vs BCM: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Can you mix Wilson Combat and BCM parts?

Yes. 42% of Wilson Combat builds add BCM, most often the upper receiver.

BCM leads in 4 of 6 categories.

Wilson Combat for pistol grips, gas blocks and lower receivers. BCM for upper receivers, charging handles and handguards.

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

Our take

Wilson Combat is best for:

Wilson Combat is the custom 1911 shop from Berryville, Arkansas, and AR folks know it for barrels, drop-in triggers and accuracy tested rifles.

Custom shop · Accuracy guarantee · Drop-in triggers · 416R barrels

Close to average prices
Pistol grips, picked 2.7x as often
Gas blocks, picked 3x as often
Lower receivers, picked 2.2x 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
Charging handles, picked 6x as often

Many builders mix them: 42% of Wilson Combat builds add BCM, most often the upper receiver.

Biggest differences

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

	Wilson Combat	BCM	Difference
Price vs average	15% cheaper	24% pricier	Wilson Combat cheaper
Share of builds	24%	37%	BCM 1.5x
Uppers picked	3.3%	24%	BCM 7x
Handguards picked	2.4%	13%	BCM 5x
Barrels picked	11%	2.7%	Wilson Combat 4x
Gas blocks picked	20%	6.7%	Wilson Combat 3.0x
Grips picked	13%	5.0%	Wilson Combat 2.7x

Price: Wilson Combat wins

For the same part, Wilson Combat parts run 15% cheaper than average and BCM parts run 24% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: BCM wins

Wilson Combat is in 24% of builds and BCM is in 37% of builds.

Receivers: BCM wins

Builders pick Wilson Combat lower receivers (2.2x) more often than BCM. Builders pick BCM upper receivers (7x) more often than Wilson Combat.

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

Most picked Wilson Combat receivers

Wilson Combat Lower Receiver Forged$51.79, in stock at 2 stores

Wilson Combat Billet Upper Receiverout of stock

Wilson Combat Wc-15 Billet Lower Receiver$61.63, 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 Wilson Combat barrels (4x), triggers (3x) and gas blocks (3x) more often than BCM. Builders pick BCM charging handles (6x) and muzzle devices (3x) more often than Wilson Combat. Bolt carrier groups are about even. BCM buffer tubes are picked often, Wilson Combat's rarely.

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

Most picked Wilson Combat internals

Wilson Combat Bolt Carrier Assy 5.56 NATO Polished$150.49, in stock at 7 stores

Wilson Combat Lo-Profile Gas Block .750"$30.37, in stock at 7 stores

Wilson Combat Tactical Trigger Unit$152.99, in stock at 7 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: Split

Builders pick BCM handguards (5x) and stocks (8x) more often than Wilson Combat. Builders pick Wilson Combat pistol grips (2.7x) more often than BCM.

Most picked Wilson Combat furniture

Wilson Combat Starburst Gunfighter Pistol Grip$25.32, in stock at 8 stores

Wilson Combat M-LOK Handguard$108.68, in stock at 8 stores

Wilson Combat Buttstock$49.49, in stock at 3 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, 62% went to BCM and 38% went to Wilson Combat.

The full record

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

	Wilson Combat	BCM
Share of builds	24%	37%
Price tier	Mid priced	Premium
Parts listed	591	776
Part types	55	34
Retailers carrying	15	17
In stock now	61%	82%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	Flat	Flat
On sale now	None	None