BCL 102 buyers remorse

There are a few things to keep in mind when reading about the issues with the BCL 102 rifles:

1) There are over 4000 of these rifles in customers hands. That number sounds right based on my serial number, time period and that most of the people I shoot with also bought gen2 versions. So 4000 of them does sound correct.

2) There was a recall. Some of the parts on the BCG such as gas rings needed a fix. For the guns during those 3 months or so, there is a BCG pack they send out to you. It includes new laser cut gas rings, ejector, extractor etc.

3) There have been a couple off issues with misalignment of the barrel extension/feed ramps which has caused or could cause a detonation along with feeding issues etc. 6 guns so far have had this. The cause they believe has been home builds and people changing the barrel or flash hider and twisting the barrel without holding the barrel in place. Could this be related to softer aluminum/not anodized? Could be along with incorrect installation.

You are lucky in that you weren't an early adopter along with them not having the same sort of volume being shoved out the door. So perhaps quality control is up and the bugs are worked out. At lest in this version. Ultimately 4000 of these are out there. You hear about the problem ones, not the ones that work well.

The saving grace with the BCL 102 is that they will shoot just as well as any properly done AR10/AR308 rifle with a decent barrel/trigger/scope and ammo. Absolutely you will beat others if you have the right combos. The Stag won't outshoot the BCL 102 if those factors are the same. What it does do is provides a better built product that should last longer and has more aftermarket parts available. I haven't heard of barrels twisting and misaligning with the feed ramps with a 7075 anodized upper. The BCG on my Stag 10 is nitrided and looks to be excellent. But again, same barrel, trigger etc and they will shoot the same.

The popularity of the BCL 102 has really hinged on a few things. The first is that that competition for an AR308 non restricted at the time of launch consisted of the Modern Hunter. Which was very expensive and also had a recall for the first 75 firearms along with continued accuracy/geometry concerns in the design. Fliers in 5 round groups are notorious in Modern Hunters. It's why you don't see .5 moa groups for 5 rounds with them. Instead you see them chasing that 1 moa 5 round group with 1.5 being more common. Or you just see a lot of 3 round groups or that strange 4 round group where you wonder what's under the measuring instrument or the coin that's on the target to show the size.... The other issue was that while the Modern Hunter offered high end upper/lowers with some unique features (side charger), it also offerred low end DPMS parts including a BCG that had a notch added to it. This sort of killed the high end billing and the price point. It also made compatibility difficult as the BCG had an American Spirit arms copied notch in it to accompany the side charger. You couldn't simply buy a DPMS style BCG and slap it in. The timing was perfect for the BCL 102. It hit the cost point, it offered more flexibility for modding etc. But it wasn't perfect.

Then the Stag 10 came along. It offered a straight forward 7075 anodized forged upper/lower with decent quality parts. Quality control issues have been minimal with the mag latch (ambi latch was easy solution) along with the odd loose gas block which again had an easy fix, or you could send it in for warranty. The Stag 10 has done to BCL 102 what the BCL 102 did to the Modern Hunter. Price/quality level was very good, they shoot like a good AR10, are the easiest to find parts for and they even offer uppers/lowers for builds.

It's not a matter of fanboy status with the Stag 10. It simply offers more of what is liked in the BCL 102 without the compromises. You pay more but the cost for the benefit is appropriate and to most of us it's worth it. More compatibility to modify or build, top quality materials and forged upper/lower, nitrided good BCG etc. There is a lot to like with the Stag 10. Frankly if you like the BCL 102 you will like the Stag 10. For those of us with both, I noticed it's fairly universal that the Stag 10 is preferred.

PLEASE MAKE THIS POST A STICKY!!!!!!!

Epoxy7, you nailed it....

Jerry
 
Seriously getting tired of the “but my gun works” BCL fanboys. So how does your ONE gun working offset the SIX that exploded and the HUNDREDS of people that post horror stories in the BCL threads?

Nobody is disputing that BCL can make ONE gun that shoots. We are saying that early adopters got screwed, customer service is non-existent and that you are rolling the dice by purchasing one.
 
Seriously getting tired of the “but my gun works” BCL fanboys. So how does your ONE gun working offset the SIX that exploded and the HUNDREDS of people that post horror stories in the BCL threads?

Nobody is disputing that BCL can make ONE gun that shoots. We are saying that early adopters got screwed, customer service is non-existent and that you are rolling the dice by purchasing one.

The majority of "my BCL works" are the guys who put two boxes of ammo through their guns at 25m shooting 3 round groups and thats it. ;)
 
it doesent say six exploded it says six were found to be misaligned,and to check for alignment.not a fanboy and yup mine works. by the way a best friend last year had a remington 1100 failure where the receiver blew out destroyed the gun due probable to worn parts as it was his clays and trap gun so it happenes.again bcl did own up to a problem and asking owner to check for the problem or send it in to get checked i beleive.and i like poker rather than dice lol. ive also shot 200 tula steel through it first day.my average range sessions are 200 rounds.and any ar type platform thats really nothing.a side note i only shoot factory . shoot the my tens once a week and the ars once a week .kinda of a stress releiver for me
 
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NEA was founded in 2008. I'm no math savant but that is more than seven years. I know I'm splitting hairs since not all of that was spent making complete guns but yeah...

But yeah...that’s not splitting hairs, you were wrong. Just like Wall-Mart Greeter’s comment, “SIX that exploded” isn’t splitting hairs. As I said before, the hyperbole in NEA/bcl threads appears to be almost mandatory. It is quite bizarre.
 
Seriously getting tired of the “but my gun works” BCL fanboys. So how does your ONE gun working offset the SIX that exploded and the HUNDREDS of people that post horror stories in the BCL threads?

Nobody is disputing that BCL can make ONE gun that shoots. We are saying that early adopters got screwed, customer service is non-existent and that you are rolling the dice by purchasing one.

I don't think there is a 102 owner out there that hasn't acknowledged there are flaws.
Early adopters like myself were buying a non-restricted AR-10(ish) semi autos (the only game in town aside from the modern hunter as mentioned).
Most knew of the poorer reputation of NEA/BCL going in and still went in, accepting the warts and all for what the rifle represented.
The Stag 10 didn't exist.
I'd also wager a guess that if right now the Stag 10 didn't exist and the new Troy offering wasn't on the horizon, there'd be a lot less #####ing about them and more guys just bashing on and making them work like guys do with the M-305...

The majority of "my BCL works" are the guys who put two boxes of ammo through their guns at 25m shooting 3 round groups and thats it. ;)

About a 1000 rounds through mine so far. Hasn't been without its issues, but I can say the same for other ARs I own.
 
But yeah...that’s not splitting hairs, you were wrong. Just like Wall-Mart Greeter’s comment, “SIX that exploded” isn’t splitting hairs. As I said before, the hyperbole in NEA/bcl threads appears to be almost mandatory. It is quite bizarre.

Cite your source that all six did not explode, fanboy. The exact quote is

it has come to the attention of Black Creek Labs that six (6) BCL102 rifles have been confirmed to have a barrel assembly that has come out of alignment through “normal use”

This does not preclude all 6 from having exploded. We have photographic evidence that at least 1 of the 6 exploded. So since we're dealing with PEOPLE'S ####ING HANDS AND FACES maybe it's safer to err on the side of caution rather than split hairs?
 
Cite your source that all six did not explode, fanboy.

Let me get this straight. You claim that six exploded but you want me to cite a source that all six didn’t explode? If you can’t recognize how ridiculous that sounds then I don’t really know what to say. It’s kind of unfortunate because you’ve made some good points in the past but when you say something as stupid as that (plus the name calling), you come across as someone who is so enraged with bcl that you’ve lost the ability to think critically.
 
But yeah...that’s not splitting hairs, you were wrong. Just like Wall-Mart Greeter’s comment, “SIX that exploded” isn’t splitting hairs. As I said before, the hyperbole in NEA/bcl threads appears to be almost mandatory. It is quite bizarre.

BCL102 is one of his trigger terms. Just read his post but imagine the autistic screeching memes and it's easier to read through. ;)
Besides, I seem to recall he's never owned one? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The majority of "my BCL works" are the guys who put two boxes of ammo through their guns at 25m shooting 3 round groups and thats it. ;)

I'm at a few thousand in mine. Granted not a ton, but it's the one rifle I take out every time I go shooting, and as I've said before, the only issues it's had are not chambering old reloads I had (I presume they were neck sized for my old rem700 from years back), and it didn't like certain types of ammo for accuracy. Namely the nato stuff and god I want to say south african? Travis Bickle would have to say, it was his stuff.
Sure it could be nicer, but when I bought it it's number 27 off the assembly line and it was the only real game in town, and I'm excited to see how it will shoot when I save up enough for an IBI barrel to put on it. It'll weigh 15 lbs but my torn up shoulder will appreciate it even more! :dancingbanana:
 
I don't think there is a 102 owner out there that hasn't acknowledged there are flaws.
Early adopters like myself were buying a non-restricted AR-10(ish) semi autos (the only game in town aside from the modern hunter as mentioned).
Most knew of the poorer reputation of NEA/BCL going in and still went in, accepting the warts and all for what the rifle represented.
The Stag 10 didn't exist.
I'd also wager a guess that if right now the Stag 10 didn't exist and the new Troy offering wasn't on the horizon, there'd be a lot less #####ing about them and more guys just bashing on and making them work like guys do with the M-305...



About a 1000 rounds through mine so far. Hasn't been without its issues, but I can say the same for other ARs I own.

BCL102 is one of his trigger terms. Just read his post but imagine the autistic screeching memes and it's easier to read through. ;)
Besides, I seem to recall he's never owned one? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.



I'm at a few thousand in mine. Granted not a ton, but it's the one rifle I take out every time I go shooting, and as I've said before, the only issues it's had are not chambering old reloads I had (I presume they were neck sized for my old rem700 from years back), and it didn't like certain types of ammo for accuracy. Namely the nato stuff and god I want to say south african? Travis Bickle would have to say, it was his stuff.
Sure it could be nicer, but when I bought it it's number 27 off the assembly line and it was the only real game in town, and I'm excited to see how it will shoot when I save up enough for an IBI barrel to put on it. It'll weigh 15 lbs but my torn up shoulder will appreciate it even more! :dancingbanana:

Good to hear you guys are having good luck with yours. My point is most dont quantify their statements of "mine works".
 
So for every person on here that says there 102 is #### there is 100 being shot and hunted with. People dont come on here and say oh my gun is great. Why?? Well everyone of you that are going to scoff at this post thats why. I used to get pissed but now i just laugh. Myself and meany others will continue to enjoy and shoot our bcl102 and you fine gentlemen can continue to slam anyone who likes there gun.
 
But yeah...that’s not splitting hairs, you were wrong. Just like Wall-Mart Greeter’s comment, “SIX that exploded” isn’t splitting hairs. As I said before, the hyperbole in NEA/bcl threads appears to be almost mandatory. It is quite bizarre.

There is no hyperbole here, you are either not understanding me or what that word means. I thought they had a quicker start than 2011 given their founding date. Either way they sucked then, suck now and always will suck apparently. The ratio of problematic to functional guns would be embarrassing to any reputable manufacturer.

So for every person on here that says there 102 is #### there is 100 being shot and hunted with.

According to what source? I can account for two ####ty BCL myself.
 
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Let me get this straight. You claim that six exploded but you want me to cite a source that all six didn’t explode? If you can’t recognize how ridiculous that sounds then I don’t really know what to say. It’s kind of unfortunate because you’ve made some good points in the past but when you say something as stupid as that (plus the name calling), you come across as someone who is so enraged with bcl that you’ve lost the ability to think critically.

That’s a lot of words to say that you can’t prove that all six did not explode.

If you want to split hairs, I will correct myself: the problem WHICH HAS CAUSED THE BCL102 TO EXPLODE has been found in at least six rifles. Happy? In the future I will make sure to be very specific so as not to offend proud BCL owners. It’s only people’s faces and hands at stake, right? :rolleyes:
 
Mine had the out of alignment and it caused it to KB. Sent all the force out the ejection port and mag well, blew my new steel ten round mag guts and floor plate into my lap. Cracked the plastic piece on top of spring in half. Scared #### out of me. What really troubles me is BCL inspection notice says out of alignment can happen with “normal use”. So do you have to inspect after every shot?
Happy for the countless guns that do work but beware the “normal use” inspection notice. I was lucky no injuries just property damage, $60 mag and nice safety glasses with burn marks in the plastic. ALWAYS wear safety glasses!!
Gun was destroyed of course and BCL gave me a new riffle.
 
Mine had the out of alignment and it caused it to KB. Sent all the force out the ejection port and mag well, blew my new steel ten round mag guts and floor plate into my lap. Cracked the plastic piece on top of spring in half. Scared #### out of me. What really troubles me is BCL inspection notice says out of alignment can happen with “normal use”. So do you have to inspect after every shot?
Happy for the countless guns that do work but beware the “normal use” inspection notice. I was lucky no injuries just property damage, $60 mag and nice safety glasses with burn marks in the plastic. ALWAYS wear safety glasses!!
Gun was destroyed of course and BCL gave me a new riffle.

thats messed up. I had a norc M305 blow up on me and I havent touched one since. Normal use my a$$.
 
Mine had the out of alignment and it caused it to KB. Sent all the force out the ejection port and mag well, blew my new steel ten round mag guts and floor plate into my lap. Cracked the plastic piece on top of spring in half. Scared #### out of me. What really troubles me is BCL inspection notice says out of alignment can happen with “normal use”. So do you have to inspect after every shot?
Happy for the countless guns that do work but beware the “normal use” inspection notice. I was lucky no injuries just property damage, $60 mag and nice safety glasses with burn marks in the plastic. ALWAYS wear safety glasses!!
Gun was destroyed of course and BCL gave me a new riffle.

I don't believe for a minute that these things are self-torquing on firing and getting buggered from normal use. If anyone believes that I've got some gorgeous ocean front property in Grand Bahama for them....
 
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