Hi Folks,
Since there are so many questions (many the same ones) on different threads I am going to try to post all answers in this thread so people can reference it. As new info comes out it will be updated.
Presales for late Sept currently on at sfrc.
MSRP: 1750
NEA/BCL 102 known Specs:
Made in Canada
Classification: NON-RESTRICTED
Operating system: Direct Impingement
Calibers: Chambered to accept 308 WIN and 7.62x51 NATO, other calibers to come in the future
Barrel: DPMS 1/10 Twist fluted, 5/8x24 threaded muzzle with brake installed (3lbs 4oz).
Gas Block: 0.875"
QD Mounts: integral to handguard and 6 Position Collapsing Stock
Handguard: M-Lok Forend (yes rails can be added to it..) Weight: 16oz
Stock: NEA 6 position stock
Pistol Grip: A2 Pistol Grip
Paint type: Cerakoted
Receiver: Forged Aluminium
Dry Weight: 8.9lbs
Colours available: Black, Olive Drab Green, Flat Dark Earth
Barrel Nut and Buffer Tube: The buffer tube thread milspec, however it uses an AR-10 style buffer tube see here: https://forum.308ar.com/topic/10133-buffers-receiver-extensions-stocks-and-springs/ and the front thread for the barrel nut is 1-7/16 x 18 UNEF-2B (Armalite compatible barrel nut CONFIRMED)
Magazine Compatibility: DPMS metal mags don't work because of the thick wall at the front of the magazine where the metal wraps around, IMI, PMAGs, and XCR-M mags should work
XCR-M magazines may need to be modified to work as shown below. The magazine on the left is an example of a functional magazine, and the one on the right will not work properly in a BCL-102. If it is needed, filing of the area shown in the photo will make the magazine functional.
Common questions:
How is this rifle different than an AR-15 or AR-10?
The history is kind of mudded up, I need to look into the exact lineage further. The short of it is, the AR-102 preceded the AR-15 and since it is the AR-15 that is classed restricted, the AR-102 is not affected and is thus classed as non-restricted.
Will it fit .308 style aftermarket charging handles?
YES
Will it accept an A2 style stock and buffer tube?
UNKNOWN
What types of magazines does it take?
Standard SR25 style magazines (pmag, iwi, XCR-M, etc), please see above for magazine compatibility.
Are controls ambidextrous?
On the second generation they should be, however on the first generation they have an ambidextrous safety but not an ambidextrous magazine release or bolt release.
Will it come out in .223?
NO PLANS FOR A .223, 300blk, OR ANY OTHER CALIBER BASED ON THE .223 PARENT CARTRIDGE
Why not?
Fear that that rifle will be classed as restricted because it would be deemed an AR-15 Variant. The only reason the NEA 102 is Non-Restricted is because the design predates the AR-10 and AR-15 designs and therefore is not a variant of either.
So what parts inter change?
Trigger groups and stocks. Also, the buffer tube is Mil Spec AR-10 and the front thread for the barrel nut is 1-7/16 x 18 UNEF-2B which means it is Armalite compatible (thanks slim123 for this info)
Will it come with a forward assist? Is a forward assist really needed?
No it does not, and no it is not needed at all.
How dirty does the action get from the gas system?
Dirty enough that it must be maintained every few hundred rounds (preferably less) for reliable operation.
Is a guy stuck using upper parts from NEA or does an upper casting exist from elsewhere that can be built to fit and function with the lower?
The NEA receiver design is proprietary.
So any ar-15 trigger group will work?
Yes, as long as it is AR-10 compatible, which most are.
When will additional uppers be available?
There is no ETA
Does it use an existing or proprietary barrel design?
No one knows for sure, however NEA claims it is proprietary.
Does anyone know where these are made? Built assembled in Canada or??
Made, built and assembled in Canada minus some minor parts
Which parts/components aren't manufactured in Canada?
We are being told that the trigger group is the only component not made in Canada
What stocks and buffer tubes are compatible?
Ar-10 (armalite) milspec buffer tubes, and any mil spec stock that accepts those buffer tubes. For collapsible stocks, anything milspec should fit. Fixed stocks may require some research.
And some other good information:
Weight Comparision
nea102 - 18.5" - 8.9lb
sr25 e2 apr - 20" - 10.5lbs
sr25acc - 16" - 8.4lbs
S&W m&p10 - 18" - 7.7lb
dpms g2 recon - 16" - 8.5lb
sig716 dmr - 16" - 8.5lbs
And for those nervous about having some confusion from our law enforcement friends on whether it is classified as restricted or non restricted:
NEA 102:
BCL 102:
Thank you to those individuals that contributed to this thread to make it more comprehensive!
Since there are so many questions (many the same ones) on different threads I am going to try to post all answers in this thread so people can reference it. As new info comes out it will be updated.
Presales for late Sept currently on at sfrc.
MSRP: 1750
NEA/BCL 102 known Specs:
Made in Canada
Classification: NON-RESTRICTED
Operating system: Direct Impingement
Calibers: Chambered to accept 308 WIN and 7.62x51 NATO, other calibers to come in the future
Barrel: DPMS 1/10 Twist fluted, 5/8x24 threaded muzzle with brake installed (3lbs 4oz).
Gas Block: 0.875"
QD Mounts: integral to handguard and 6 Position Collapsing Stock
Handguard: M-Lok Forend (yes rails can be added to it..) Weight: 16oz
Stock: NEA 6 position stock
Pistol Grip: A2 Pistol Grip
Paint type: Cerakoted
Receiver: Forged Aluminium
Dry Weight: 8.9lbs
Colours available: Black, Olive Drab Green, Flat Dark Earth
Barrel Nut and Buffer Tube: The buffer tube thread milspec, however it uses an AR-10 style buffer tube see here: https://forum.308ar.com/topic/10133-buffers-receiver-extensions-stocks-and-springs/ and the front thread for the barrel nut is 1-7/16 x 18 UNEF-2B (Armalite compatible barrel nut CONFIRMED)
Magazine Compatibility: DPMS metal mags don't work because of the thick wall at the front of the magazine where the metal wraps around, IMI, PMAGs, and XCR-M mags should work
XCR-M magazines may need to be modified to work as shown below. The magazine on the left is an example of a functional magazine, and the one on the right will not work properly in a BCL-102. If it is needed, filing of the area shown in the photo will make the magazine functional.
Common questions:
How is this rifle different than an AR-15 or AR-10?
The history is kind of mudded up, I need to look into the exact lineage further. The short of it is, the AR-102 preceded the AR-15 and since it is the AR-15 that is classed restricted, the AR-102 is not affected and is thus classed as non-restricted.
Will it fit .308 style aftermarket charging handles?
YES
Will it accept an A2 style stock and buffer tube?
UNKNOWN
What types of magazines does it take?
Standard SR25 style magazines (pmag, iwi, XCR-M, etc), please see above for magazine compatibility.
Are controls ambidextrous?
On the second generation they should be, however on the first generation they have an ambidextrous safety but not an ambidextrous magazine release or bolt release.
Will it come out in .223?
NO PLANS FOR A .223, 300blk, OR ANY OTHER CALIBER BASED ON THE .223 PARENT CARTRIDGE
Why not?
Fear that that rifle will be classed as restricted because it would be deemed an AR-15 Variant. The only reason the NEA 102 is Non-Restricted is because the design predates the AR-10 and AR-15 designs and therefore is not a variant of either.
So what parts inter change?
Trigger groups and stocks. Also, the buffer tube is Mil Spec AR-10 and the front thread for the barrel nut is 1-7/16 x 18 UNEF-2B which means it is Armalite compatible (thanks slim123 for this info)
Will it come with a forward assist? Is a forward assist really needed?
No it does not, and no it is not needed at all.
How dirty does the action get from the gas system?
Dirty enough that it must be maintained every few hundred rounds (preferably less) for reliable operation.
Is a guy stuck using upper parts from NEA or does an upper casting exist from elsewhere that can be built to fit and function with the lower?
The NEA receiver design is proprietary.
So any ar-15 trigger group will work?
Yes, as long as it is AR-10 compatible, which most are.
When will additional uppers be available?
There is no ETA
Does it use an existing or proprietary barrel design?
No one knows for sure, however NEA claims it is proprietary.
Does anyone know where these are made? Built assembled in Canada or??
Made, built and assembled in Canada minus some minor parts
Which parts/components aren't manufactured in Canada?
We are being told that the trigger group is the only component not made in Canada
What stocks and buffer tubes are compatible?
Ar-10 (armalite) milspec buffer tubes, and any mil spec stock that accepts those buffer tubes. For collapsible stocks, anything milspec should fit. Fixed stocks may require some research.
And some other good information:
Weight Comparision
nea102 - 18.5" - 8.9lb
sr25 e2 apr - 20" - 10.5lbs
sr25acc - 16" - 8.4lbs
S&W m&p10 - 18" - 7.7lb
dpms g2 recon - 16" - 8.5lb
sig716 dmr - 16" - 8.5lbs
And for those nervous about having some confusion from our law enforcement friends on whether it is classified as restricted or non restricted:
NEA 102:
BCL 102:
Thank you to those individuals that contributed to this thread to make it more comprehensive!
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