BCL102, Is there happy owners??

[RAConnol]

To keep things in perspective, you can also spend a fair chunk of change on a high-end rifle, and discover an interesting request on a tag attached to the bolt.
End my 102 has become more and more broken in, it has also proven to be less dependent on keeping the BCL wet and clean.

My Tavor 21 however, simply always works, regardless of how much I attention I give it. I do clean and oil it when I get around to it. However, I am not sure it really cares!
My RA XCR-L does like a little oil but also works fine being a dirty little girl.

 

[Wal-Mart Greeter]

did we not already establish from an earlier thread that walmart greeter has never owned a BCL?

Yeah I’ve never owned a BCL because I’ve owned enough NEA to know better!

 

[Marshall79]

I was part of the pre-order for the crowd funded Gen II. Aside from the 8 month wait before I received the rifle and the lack of aftermarket compatibility my BCL functioned great. I just recently sold it though to fund a Stag 10 build. BCL definitely did not hold its value, lost a lot of $ when I sold it but I’m hoping the Stag is worth the extra expense.

 

[Bile]

...

 

[Mixter]

After a few minor glitches it is working great. Only issue I’m having as a lefty is getting hit in th face with brass periodically.

 

[D3vin]

How do the latest production batches fair for reliability?

 

[redshooter]

One thing is that the manual strongly stresses the need for cleaning.


The BCL102 is chambered in 308 LR.

First, cleaning is obviously required for the Rifle to function properly. Do you need to follow the BLC Happy Homemaker Cleaning Regime? I think the safe answer is no.

Can it shoot 7.62? Yes, there is no real difference between the two. If you are shooting an M-14 there are some issues with the gas system that can cause you trouble...does not apply here.

In a nutshell, keep it clean for the first few hundred rounds. Shoot 308 Win, or 7.62 NATO, the only issue I can think of is that some loads may not work well in your rifle, if so shoot another load/brand. If you have a problem contact them, seems to me most people have had a positive experience getting warranty issues sorted out, some not so positive, but it appears that they may have had a negative attitude when making first contact. All manufactures make Rifles with defects. If you have a problem remain calm...loose your mind after they blow you off, not before.

 

[vyrago]

as a BCL owner ive noticed a few things that may apply to all BCLs.

1. when you lubricate, make sure to lubricate the buffer spring. its easy to neglect or forget about it, but it can make a difference in how the rifle cycles.

2. when firing in arctic/cold conditions, run the weapon 'dry'. not bone dry, but just a honey-glaze of oil or CLP.

3. i've noticed that how solid your stance/brace is can affect the cycle. When I brace firm (almost hard) it cycles great, and kicks the casing nicely out. If I relax a little, the casings tend to dribble out and if I relax more (almost limp-wristing it) I can sometimes make it stovepipe.

4. when using milsurp ammo, such as the Hirtenberger 7.62 NATO (147 gr) those tend to be lighter (less hot) rounds and you may notice weaker cycling. Hotter loads, like .308 match grade or 170 gr....things like that.....You should get more aggressive cycling.

5. lube your bolt. no, not just your carrier and bolt-face. remove the bolt from the carrier and apply a light glaze of lubrication, especially to the gas-rings. What I do is apply a 'blob' of CLP onto the gas rings, then gently knock/tap the bolt on a rubber mat or cloth over a table to remove excess.


Happy BCL owners, share YOUR wisdom! What have others discovered?

 

[Jacqson]

Roughly what serial is yours? I’ve asked a couple times what the starting serial numbers for the Gen 3, not sure if mine is a gen 2 or 3 lol

I was told mine was a Gen 3 and the serial number is 025xx with a 2018 date on it.

 

[meatball74]

keep it wet. keep it clean. On the lighter (Hirt) loads cycling can be an issue - as others have noted the hirt ammo is not as hot, really though, just keep your shoulder in it, as the gun functions on inertia, if you have it buried into your shoulder, it's going to cycle just fine. I had to replace the gas rings and ejector spring on mine and it was a big improvement (think mine would be considered a gen 2 gun). I've only ever run Federal XM80 and Hirt ammo - i don't hunt with it. It had stove piping issues and as it was my first "AR", my first modern semi, i had some things to learn on how to use it. Today, after all that, it works just fine. Goes boom and makes me smile.

 

[adriel]

I see a lot of guys commenting on cleaning regiment as to why it's not working, but that's not the issue for most users. Many recent users have had ejection issues due to gas rings, bad ejector or ejector springs, and extractor issues. No cleaning regiment, special oiling technique, or limp shouldering the rifle will help with these issues. We've also seen some magazine compatibility issues, and issues where the BCG is not to spec. Again, there's nothing that an end user can be expected to fix here.

 

[driller212]

I see a lot of guys commenting on cleaning regiment as to why it's not working, but that's not the issue for most users. Many recent users have had ejection issues due to gas rings, bad ejector or ejector springs, and extractor issues. No cleaning regiment, special oiling technique, or limp shouldering the rifle will help with these issues. We've also seen some magazine compatibility issues, and issues where the BCG is not to spec. Again, there's nothing that an end user can be expected to fix here.

Most ars run better wet, it's a fact.

Bad ejector design definitely, but mine works.

Pretty sure that gas ring stuff was only with gen 1 and early gen 2 rifles.

A stiff shouldering technique does work with weak ammo, I know from first hand experience. Alternatively people could replace the buffer spring with something weaker.

I have not had mag compatibility issues at all except for my gen 1 would not accept dpms magazines.

Those "lots of guys" in my experience were a handful of folks who had first hand experience with issues and then a ton of people who have never even touched the rifle just spewing BS and being drama queens. Just my .02c.

The rifle isn't perfect, yes there are a small number of rifles with QC issues, but by no means is it on the scale that folks on here would have you believe.

I think they are a steal for what you pay on the EE for them nowadays.

 

[3six7]

No issues with mine, being NR it gets more use than my AR even though ammo is probably double the cost.

 

[Jacqson]

I see a lot of guys commenting on cleaning regiment as to why it's not working, but that's not the issue for most users. Many recent users have had ejection issues due to gas rings, bad ejector or ejector springs, and extractor issues. No cleaning regiment, special oiling technique, or limp shouldering the rifle will help with these issues. We've also seen some magazine compatibility issues, and issues where the BCG is not to spec. Again, there's nothing that an end user can be expected to fix here.

If you do a warranty claim with Black Creek labs they will send you the fix for the problems you just listed. I have no complaints about both of my 102's and Black Creek Labs have given me great customer service. I've got my fingers crossed that BCL will finally come out with the Badger. That's the next riflre I have on my bucket list and I've already put away the funds to buy one when, hopefully, they get released.