BCM Gunfighter charging handle

[m24shooter]

So, who's got the gouge on these?

[jester]

Never heard of it. I hope it doesn't make me lust after an AR10 version though...I just upgraded to a PRI Gas Buster w/ LMT Tac latch.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs166.snc1/6211_1189506212475_1072920449_30599179_2667685_n.j pg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs186.snc1/6211_1189506252476_1072920449_30599180_6777507_n.j pg

[FC1982]

I seen them listed on the site, no pics or info though. I would like to know as well.

[Stickman]

So, who's got the gouge on these?


How is it better or different than whats currently on the market?

[rob_s]

I think they're another month, maybe two, out on these. Playing it close to the vest and tight-lipped until then.

[m24shooter]

How is it better or different than whats currently on the market?
I have no idea. They are listed on Paul's site, but that's it. No description. Something about a 21stC charging handle.
Haven't heard anything about what they actually are, no pics, no features.
Pat Rogers seems to like them.

[alecks]

maybe it will be ambidextrous

[jester]

maybe it will be ambidextrous

Yea, I feel that's the only thing missing from the Gas Buster/Tac latch combo I got going now. I wouldn't trade the wide T-handle on the PRI for something like the Arma Dynamics unit though...the extra real estate really helps with the stiffer 308 buffer springs. My fingers always felt like they were slipping off with the stock DPMS 308 unit (which actually has less to grab on to than a normal AR15 handle).

Also, the Arma Dynamics ambi unit introduces more moving parts and seems like it could introduce a failure point during aggressive malfunction clearing. I think they claim it's supposed to be stronger than a normal charging handle though.

Reports of the PRI roll pin failing makes me nervous enough as it is...I'm thinking about fitting a solid steel pin on mine...

It will be interesting to see what BCM comes up with.

[rob_s]

Pat Rogers seems to like them.

I assume you read this the same place I did, and other than Pat's post there that thread made my head hurt. Should have known better than to click on it when I read the URL.

FWIW I think that the BCM part comes from some input from Pat, or at least Pat has learned the same lessons that it's in reaction to. This is likely to be one of those parts that those that understand it's purpose will really jump at, and those that don't will call it a transfer device. One of those "if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand" kinds of things.

[m24shooter]

That's why I asked over here. Lower signal to noise. No Ray Charles pics.
I'm looking forward to seeing what it offers. I'm using PRIs currently, and I like them a lot. I'm curious as to what BCM has put together as I don't see them as at least one of the posters in TOS with the mall ninja naming for marketing. I haven't ever been disappointed by BravoCo.

[m24shooter]

Paul just put up some more info (including some pics and graphics) of the Gunfighter.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-3-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%203.htm

[Stickman]

Vltors new charging handle? I wonder if its a design that we will be seeing a lot more of. I think this would be great with a channel to divert gas in some manner that didn't intrude into the GB patent.

Nice to see progress on the platform.

[Army Chief]

From the portsider perspective, it would be nice it more of these new offerings possessed some kind of ambidextrous capability, but of course, we're really only talking about the latching mechanism, and some of the ambi designs I've seen to date look rather fragile. I plan to T&E the Badger Ordnance ambi later in the year, if only to play around with the manual of arms.

AC

[rob_s]

AC, interesting you bring that up.

Since lateral transitions are now back in vogue in the training world I see more and more people getting interested in ambidextrous controls. The problem with an ambi CH on the AR is the damn forward assist. The Vltor uppers mitigate this to a certain extent but I find it odd that with all that's come out in the AR world over the last year or two nobody has come up with a quality flattop, otherwise identical to the M4, with no FA.

[federalist22]

Rob,

You are absolutely right about the selection of quality flattops w/o FA being very limited--VLTOR like you said. I noticed that the last upper I bought, a Sun Devil, I could have ordered it in slick side, but that would also lack a brass deflector, which the VLTOR MUR has on its no FA model. I too wonder if this style will take on a larger footprint in future years.

[m24shooter]

I've got one of each version on the way to me. I'll post some pics and start working on them when I have them in hand.

[m24shooter]

Gunfighter Mod 3 (top) and 4:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gunfighterswag.jpg

Mod 3, Mod 4, GI/PRI, GI (L to R):

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/chfan.jpg

Stacked Mod 3 (bottom) and 4 with GI:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gi34stackedplan.jpg

Stacked 3 (middle), 4 (top), and GI/PRI (bottom):

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri34stackedfront.jpg

Underside of 3, 4, and GI/PRI:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri34bottom.jpg

Side by side Mod 4 and GI/PRI:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri4sbs2.jpg

Mod 4 with Matech and EOTech FTS:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/3matechftstop.jpg

Mod 3 with MBUS and XTR:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/4mbusxtrtop.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/4mbusxtrrear.jpg

Mod 4 with ARMS 40 and ACOG:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/3armsacogside.jpg

As I work with these I'll be doing a review and posting it here.

[Policetacteam]

m24shooter,

Great pics! I like the stacked comparison pictures. I initially liked what I saw on the Bravo Company website but after seeing the pics that you took it looks even more impressive. The latch vaguely reminds me of Larue QR...flat, just the right size, and good gripping surface. I hope it functions as good as it looks!!! [pop]

[uspopo]

Thanks for the comparison pics as I was contemplating the longer Mod3 latch but I think the Mod4 version will suite my needs...

[m24shooter]

Glad you guys like them.
I've only had the handles for a short time, but I really like what they offer.
Here are a few pics with the GI/PRI and GI installed so you can see the difference when mounted.

ACOG with GI- this arrangement wasn't too bad, so I think the Mod 4 will work fine and the 3 would probably be a little much for me (I typically don't like the overly large CH latches).

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/acoggiside.jpg

PRI/GI with EOThingy FTS and Matech- worked pretty well, but this arrangement is what I bent previously. The Mod 3 is a good fit here as well.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/ftsmatechpritop.jpg

Magpul BUS with PRI/GI and XTR- this is the arrangement that I really was wanting the Gunfighter for. The release lever on the BUS has that wing that sticks out there and partially covers/masks the PRI big weenie. For this one, I went with the Mod 3 and it looks like it will be working out.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/xtrbuspritop.jpg

The dogpile:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/dogpile.jpg