Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15 Review: Best Bang For Your Buck AR-15?

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Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) is known for its affordable firearms and, more specifically, its side-charging AR-15s.

Typically, those two do NOT go hand in hand. So, when you can pickup a brand new complete side-charging AR-15 for under $400 (at least at the time of writing this), it does make you wonder.

That wondering led us to contact Bear Creek and request a rifle to review. The folks over there had no problem sending this one out and gave us no stipulations about how to test it or ammo to use, etc.

I love testing budget guns, so I threw my hand up right away for this specific review. To say I was excited to get this out to the range would be an understatement.

Before we dive in, I would like to say that when I use the term budget, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, plenty of budget guns out there are better off used as paperweights, but some have really surprised me. That’s why I love testing them.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the BCA BC-15.  

It sounds like you shouldn’t trust someone if they are convincing you to trust them, right? Well, we’ll let our track record and experience do the talking…and our transparency. We tell it just like it is and never push products just to push products.

If something is wrong, we’ll include it in the review, and if we’re given a product, we’ll disclose that as well.

It’s affordable and reliable, and you don’t have to baby it. Honestly, that’s all I can ask for at this price.

Aside from the charging handle, anything you don’t like can be easily switched out with the endless number of aftermarket parts and accessories found in the AR-15 market.

With the reliability and accuracy well within expectations and the furniture and controls being so easy to swap out, the only potential dealbreaker that I could see is whether you are set on a full-length Picatinny rail or against a side charging handle.

As long as you set your expectations by the price, there shouldn’t be much to complain about if the reliability and accuracy are there.

Remember when I said I love testing budget guns? The BC-15 is a prime example of why. I sent so many different types of ammo through it, ran it full auto, got it wet, got it dirty, never cleaned it, and guess what?

It never skipped a beat.

Reliability

I’m just shy of 600 rounds downrange with the BC-15 and have yet to experience a malfunction.

It hasn’t mattered the type of ammo I’ve put through it, the type of conditions I’ve been shooting in, or the rate at which I’m shooting (including full auto).

This is where you can start separating the “worth it” budget firearms from the “waste of money” budget firearms.

Ammo Used

I don’t run steel case ammo through my personal rifles, but in the name of science for this review, I broke out some 55-grain Wolf .223 FMJs.

We also got a shipment of 55-grain Fiocchi Range Dynamics .223 FMJBTs not too long ago from AmmoMan, so that fueled the majority of my testing.

In addition, I ran some 75-grain Hornady BTHP Match and 62-grain PMC X-TAC 5.56 Green Tips.

As I mentioned earlier, all ammo has performed flawlessly.

Accuracy

Whether indoors or outdoors, all of my shooting took place within 75 yards. With the Hornady and Fiocchi ammo, I saw a noticeable difference in my accuracy and was able to tighten up my groupings significantly.

However, even with the PMC and Wolf, all of the gongs and targets, including the smallest ones, still didn’t stand a chance down range.

M-LOK Handguard

Handguards and rails are a big deal. If you get the wrong type or one that lacks certain features, you can be stuck with useless accessories.

The 15” M-LOK handguard has plenty of space for your grips, handstops, and lights, but it does lack a full-length Picatinny rail up top.

So, if you want to mount an optic, backup sights, a light, and a laser all up top, you’ll have to look elsewhere. If you’re not running a C-clamp grip, this one would suffice.

Side Charing Handle and Controls

Most people either love side charging handles or hate them…typically. I happen to fall right in between.

While I’m used to and prefer rear charging handles, I can admit that side ones have their fair share of advantages. You’ll have less potential interference with your larger scopes or LPVOs, and with the proper training, you’ll have less movement required to manipulate them.

This one specifically functioned well after a few mag break-in period, during which it was rather tough to pull back. The other controls are your basic non-ambidextrous mil-spec controls, so be prepared to swap some out if you’re used to ambi controls.

Muzzle Device

There are so many muzzle devices out there, but one of the most common on entry-level rifles continues to be your classic A2-style birdcage flash hider.

If you happen to look at BCA’s choice of muzzle device, you’ll quickly notice it is not your standard flash hider.

The spiral flash hider is manufactured in-house and adds a little flair to the rifle. Does it perform any better than your typical flash hider? I’m honestly not sure. But if you don’t like it, they are also super easy to swap out.

Reliability (10/10)  

I had zero malfunctions despite running some dirt-cheap ammo.

Ergonomics (8.5/10)

By swapping some furniture out and adding a grip or hand stop, you could bump this rating up.

Customization (7/10)

Without a full-length Picatinny rail and having the side charging handle, you’re a bit more limited on aftermarket parts and accessories.

Appearance (8/10)

It’s your basic AR-15 but without any upgraded aesthetic features.

Value (9/10)

Sub-$400 and ran flawlessly. Enough said.

Holosun AEMS

Holosun has been pumping out some extremely impressive optics, and the AEMS (Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight) has been one of my favorites lately.

It features multiple reticle options, allowing you to choose between a 2 MOA dot, 65 MOA circle, or a combination of both, which is extremely handy when shooting at varying distances. Additionally, Holosun’s Solar Failsafe technology will supplement your battery and keep your optic running.

It is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for!

Check out our full review of the AEMS for more information!

Palmetto State Armory Lightweight M-LOK AR-15

If you’ve searched for affordable or budget AR-15s before, Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has probably popped up.

While PSA also has higher-end offerings, the budget ones make great entry-level or beginner builds that you can train with.

This specific model is similar to the BCA-15 in terms of no-frills. It has basic furniture, no ambidextrous controls, and no full-length Picatinny rail, but it does come with a PMAG and a solid reputation!

In addition, you’ll find a free float M-LOK handguard, forged 7075-T6 receivers, and a chrome-lined full-auto profile BCG.

At the end of the day, when you’re spending less than $500 for a complete rifle and a box of ammo to hit the range with, it’s hard to complain much about anything.

If you’re on a tight budget or are looking for an extra range rifle to get those reps in, I wouldn’t write off the BC-15 without trying one for yourself. I’ve had nothing but a good experience with it, and I can’t wait to see what the future rounds hold.

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.