BCL MRX Bison Bolt Action .223 - or 5.56

thegazelle

thegazelle

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
63   0   0
Location
Ontario
Hi there, I see that North Sylva is sending out some shipments of these. I am intrigued, primarily because it is a Canadian made gun (Peterborough I think) and I try to support our domestic manufacturing.

https://blackcreeklabs.com/portfolio_page/bison/

Black Creek has it listed as a 5.56 option, even though North Sylva lists it as a .223. I thought only foreign manufacturers stamp 5.56 as .223 due to some export regulations. But if it's 5.56 even better as it will be compatible with ammo I already have. Also looks like compatible with AR mags, which is a bonus.

I was looking for a CZ bolt action (457) but I like the fact that this is Canadian made.

Your thoughts would be welcome. I have not owned any BCL products so I welcome you sharing any experience you may have...thanks.
 
It looks like an interesting little rifle. Wouldn't mind inspecting one. Not sure that a 12 1/2" barrel would be my first choice.
 
Yes, agreed. Because gun stores are closed for in person retail (at least the ones around me are), I too would normally prefer to inspect and handle one in person rather, than buying sight unseen. But North Sylva has indicated that the latest shipment numbers are very limited so I may take a chance on this. Getting a 457 would give me another .22 bolt action, but I have never owned a .223/5.56 in bolt action; hence the intrigue.

If others who have owned BCL indicate that the customer service is good, I may spring for this next week when it arrives. I also know that BCL has taken a hit due to the 102 (I think that's what it's called) was put on the prohib list, so glad to know they haven't thrown in the towel and are still producing firearms.
 
tiriaq said:
It looks like an interesting little rifle. Wouldn't mind inspecting one. Not sure that a 12 1/2" barrel would be my first choice.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same . A small bolt action 556 peaks my interest and I could see that being a handy little rifle to carry while in the bush or packed on the atv around the farm .
Looking forward to owner review/s on this gun .
 
For anyone interested, go to the 9:00 mark of this video (it's pretty cool to watch in its entirety as they go through the production facility machines and show other models they are producing) and the Black Creek Labs President gives a walkthrough on the Bison prototype.

[youtube]lhD9ngn0wYc[/youtube]
 
Last edited:
thegazelle said:
For anyone interested, go to the 9:00 mark of this video (it's pretty cool to watch in its entirety as they go through the production facility machines and show other models they are producing) and the Black Creek Labs President gives a walkthrough on the Bison prototype.

[youtube]lhD9ngn0wYc[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Excellent , I’m going to watch that , thanks gazelle .
 
ojo de aguila said:
How much? Didn't catch that.
Click to expand...

I believe North Sylva said that the MAP is $999.99.

My only hesitation in getting this is that it I generally don't buy bleeding edge, first generation model of anything (that goes for cars, electronics, whatever). I do have a couple of rifles which are second and third generation, for which the first generation was riddled with problems. I know the initial BCL 102s had a number of QA issues, but it would appear from what I have seen and read that BCL has made a concerted effort to beef up the QA and QC for their products.
 
thegazelle said:
I also know that BCL has taken a hit due to the 102 (I think that's what it's called) was put on the prohib list, so glad to know they haven't thrown in the towel and are still producing firearms.
Click to expand...

They are still producing the 102 and selling them to countries that are much more free than ours.
 
on the bison the bolt handle looks like it is threaded? looks weak? waiting for someone to mount an elcan,looks like it will mount to high??
 
That's too heavy for what it is, also BCL/NEA is about as hit/miss on quality as it gets. I would wait for a solid concrete info on whether it's a quality piece before dumping money on one of these.
 
r34skyline said:
That's too heavy for what it is, also BCL/NEA is about as hit/miss on quality as it gets. I would wait for a solid concrete info on whether it's a quality piece before dumping money on one of these.
Click to expand...

They've clearly invested in the machines to make quality parts, but that's only 1/3 of the way to getting it done. Hopefully they get their processes nailed down. The automatic CMM should help, but the best tools in the world won't do anything if you don't know how to use them.

That aluminum Glock type looks interesting.
 
thegazelle said:
yes, agreed. Because gun stores are closed for in person retail (at least the ones around me are), i too would normally prefer to inspect and handle one in person rather, than buying sight unseen. But north sylva has indicated that the latest shipment numbers are very limited so i may take a chance on this. Getting a 457 would give me another .22 bolt action, but i have never owned a .223/5.56 in bolt action; hence the intrigue.

if others who have owned bcl indicate that the customer service is good, i may spring for this next week when it arrives. I also know that bcl has taken a hit due to the 102 (i think that's what it's called) was put on the prohib list, so glad to know they haven't thrown in the towel and are still producing firearms.
Click to expand...

lmao.
 
BioPace said:
lmao.
Click to expand...

I see. So I will infer that they have had some customer support issues in the past (unlike Kodiak, which the overwhelming consensus has been positive).

I am not sure whether this is actually the first shipment of the Bisons that have gone out in Canada. I don't see any evidence that any other folks have owned this gun (I guess it is relatively new). I agree with several posters who recommend waiting. Especially at the $1000 price tag.
 
Looks like a nice little rifle, definitely some fun to be had with something like that. The price seems very reasonable, and their customer service has gotten a lot better in the last year or so as well. BCL has definitely stepped up their game from what I see in that video.
 
Armedsask said:
They've clearly invested in the machines to make quality parts, but that's only 1/3 of the way to getting it done. Hopefully they get their processes nailed down. The automatic CMM should help, but the best tools in the world won't do anything if you don't know how to use them.

That aluminum Glock type looks interesting.
Click to expand...

I heard that exact same line when NEA rebranded to BCL. And again at the introduction of the 102... and subsequently their products have still been largely of questionably quality. I'll believe it when I see it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom