{"id":7628,"date":"2025-05-27T17:53:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T17:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/05\/27\/bear-creek-arsenal-ar-15-complete-7-62x39-rifle\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T17:53:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T17:53:26","slug":"bear-creek-arsenal-ar-15-complete-7-62x39-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/05\/27\/bear-creek-arsenal-ar-15-complete-7-62x39-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"Bear Creek Arsenal: AR-15 Complete 7.62×39 Rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

<\/svg><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you do if you are a fan of the 7.62x39mm round but not of the AK-variant rifles usually made in that caliber?\u00a0You get a Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 rifle! And since it\u2019s a Bear Creek, the gun features a side-charging handle.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

The Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 Rifle<\/h2>\n

The rifle is a hybrid of sorts: an AR-15 platform rifle chambered in the popular \u201cAK-round.\u201d It\u2019s also an AR built without<\/em> the charging handle operated from the rear of the receiver, which I consider the weak link in the AR rifle. Instead, this rifle sports a curved charging handle on the right side of the receiver. It\u2019s easy to manipulate and quick to charge.<\/p>\n

\"Bear<\/picture>
Want AR-platform function and accuracy in the AK round? BCA AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 Rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I recently ran 250 rounds through a BCA AR-15 chambered in the popular 7.62\u00d739, and I was impressed with the rifle\u2019s functionality, its smooth operation, solid controls and accuracy. Anyone thinking about a rifle in this round needs to take a close look at this BCA offering.<\/p>\n

\"BCA<\/picture>
The BCA rifle features a side-charging handle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Features<\/h2>\n

My AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 rifle featured a heavy-profile 16-inch barrel made of 416R stainless steel, with a parkerized finish and a 1:10 twist rate. It operated via a carbine-length gas system.<\/p>\n

\n

Available on GunsAmerica Now<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/listings\/search<\/p>\n

The rifle also sported a 15-inch M-LOK rail, an M4 flat-top billeted upper receiver, and BCA\u2019s Bolt Carrier Group, Flash Hider, and a right-side charging handle. The BCA mil-spec AR-15 lower was forged aluminum. The stock is adjustable for length. The rifle sells with two 30-round, curved magazines.<\/p>\n

\"BCA<\/picture>
Lots of M-LOK for attaching accessories!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trigger on my rifle broke at 3 pounds, 6 ounces on average. The trigger was a mil-spec model, and as mil-specs go, pretty good. Still, there was some gritty feeling to the trigger and enough stacking that could possibly make for an uneven trigger pull.<\/p>\n

Great Glass<\/h2>\n

I mounted a Mark 5HD 2-10\u00d730 FFP rifle scope, manufactured by Leupold,<\/a> atop the BCA\u2019s receiver. As I reviewed and used the scope many times, I knew it was great glass for any rifle, but it worked especially well with AR-platform rifles.<\/p>\n

\"leupold<\/picture>
McCombie used Leupold\u2019s Mark 5HD 2-10\u00d730 scope to evaluate the BCA\u2019s accuracy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mark 5HD featured Leupold\u2019s Tactical Milling Reticle or TMR. The TMR is Leupold\u2019s redesign of the MIL reticle and employs hash marks instead of dots for increased ranging and holdover precision. The reticle also provided aiming points for both wind and bullet drop compensation. <\/p>\n

The Mark 5HD 2-10\u2019s elevation turret provided 30 MILs of adjustment in 0.1 MIL increments. Leupold\u2019s patented ZeroLock set screw ensured the elevation dial would not move when knocked around. The scope measured just 11.2 inches in length and weighed in at 24 ounces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A scope needs mounting hardware, and I used a rock-solid Leupold Mark IMS 35mm Bolt-Action mount.<\/p>\n

\"man
Great glass, great combo: Mark 5HD 2-10\u00d730 FFP rifle scope on the BCA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 Rifle Accuracy<\/h2>\n

At my outdoor range, I first zeroed the rifle using Winchester Ammunition<\/a> Target & Practice 7.62\u00d739 ammunition, loaded with 123-grain full metal jacket bullets. The precise controls of the Mark 5HD 2-10 quickly got me on target.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"3<\/picture>
Winchester Target & Practice cut this .75\u201d group at 100 yards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My last three shots at this distance came in at .63 inches.<\/p>\n

At my 100-yard lane, the BCA shot high. A few scope adjustments got me right on target.<\/p>\n

I was still running the Winchester ammo, and my best five-shot groups came in at .75- and 1.1-inches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

I then tried out Hornady<\/a> 7.62\u00d739, launching a 123-grain SST poly-tipped round. The top groups were at 1.13- and 1.4-inches.<\/p>\n

\"5<\/picture>
Best group with Hornady 7.62\u00d739 at one football field\u2019s distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last, I ran the BCA with Federal Ammunition<\/a> Fusion hunting rounds and their 123-grain soft-pointed bullet designed with a molecularly-fused jacket. I placed a three-shot group right at 1.0-inches, and five shots at .90-inches. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"5<\/picture>
Federal\u2019s Fusion hunting ammo at 100 yards with this .90\u201d group.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mag Problems<\/h2>\n

I also pegged five-shot groups in the 1.5- to 2.0-inch range with all three brands of ammunition. But I do think the BCA AR-15 7.62\u00d739 is an MOA rifle.<\/p>\n

As the shooter, I do take some of the blame for those larger-than-MOA groups. I know I definitely pulled more than a couple shots. The trigger could benefit from an after-market upgrade, too.<\/p>\n

\"boxes<\/picture>
7.62\u00d739 ammo used during McCombie\u2019s BCA range day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I also had problems finding a consistent, solid position shooting from a bench with that ridiculous 30-round AK-style magazine sticking down a full six inches below the end of the mag well. A web search revealed no 10 or 20 round magazine options for the rifle and round.<\/p>\n

Friends on the manufacturing side of the industry tell me the taper on the brass of the 7.62\u00d739 cartridge made the magazine\u2019s curve necessary. I was also informed that one of the magazine manufacturers has figured out a way to build a straight mag for the round but has hesitated to build it due to profitability concerns.<\/p>\n

If it helps, I will buy the first dozen straight mags!\u00a0<\/p>\n

I want to hunt with the BCA 7.62\u00d739, but that silly banana mag has to go.\u00a0 (If anyone knows of a non-curved option, please let me know!)<\/p>\n

\"three<\/picture>
From L to R, a five-round .308 Win. mag, a 20-round .308 mag, and the long, awkward AK mag for the 7.62\u00d739 round.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

READ MORE HERE: Real Avid AR-15 Tools: DIY Gunsmithing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Solid Choice<\/h2>\n

Mags aside, the BCA AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 is a very solid rifle, and it operated much smoother and all-around better than any AK-style rifle I\u2019ve tried. AKs have a long history of military functionality and continue to show up at conflicts around the globe.<\/p>\n

All true. Yet, the AKs I have used all felt clunky, rattled a good deal, and were never close to 1 MOA rifles. That\u2019s my experience, at least. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Power-wise, the 7.62\u00d739 round is more than adequate for close to mid-range hunting, and the round\u2019s military history certainly says it is competent for home defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

BCA has done a fine job making an AR-15 in the AK round, and if I can ever find the right style magazines, I will be taking this rifle afield for many years to come.<\/p>\n

Learn more by visiting Bear Creek Arsenal<\/a><\/p>\n

Specs:\u00a0 BCA AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 Rifle<\/h2>\n

Caliber: 7.62x39mm<\/p>\n

Action: Semi-Auto, Carbine-Length Gas System<\/p>\n

Barrel: 416R Stainless Steel, Heavy Profile, 16\u201d, 1:10 Twist<\/p>\n

Receiver: Billet Aluminum<\/p>\n

Lower: Forged Aluminum<\/p>\n

Trigger: Mil-Spec<\/p>\n

Length: 36\u201d w\/stock fully extended<\/p>\n

Weight: 7.75 Lbs.<\/p>\n

INC: 15\u201d MLOK Rail, BCA Bolt Carrier Group and Flash Hider, Two (2) 30-Round Magazines<\/p>\n

MSRP: $478.55<\/p>\n

*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Brian McCombie (Writer)<\/p>\n

A full-time writer, Brian\u2019s work focuses on hunting and firearms, day and thermal optics, and other shooting gear. He\u2019s been fortunate enough to hunt much of the USA and Canada. His favorite hunt is chasing Texas hogs at night using a suppressed rifle outfitted with a thermal scope.<\/p>\n

Dream hunt: Alaskan brown bear.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s taken handgun self-defense courses and long-range rifle classes for hunters. Brian continues to dive deeply into the new technologies so much a part of today\u2019s hunting and shooting experiences.<\/p>\n

His top firearms include AR-15\u2019s and AR-10\u2019s, double-stack 1911\u2019s, and lever actions.<\/p>\n

Experience: <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Full-time writer since 1994<\/h3>\n

Has used thermal optics for over a decade<\/h3>\n

Written hundreds of firearm reviews and hunting stories<\/h3>\n

Loves the tech: night vision, thermals, suppressors, apps, etc.<\/h3>\n

Favorite handgun caliber, 10MM AUTO!<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes What do you do if you are a fan of the 7.62x39mm round but not of the AK-variant rifles usually made in that caliber?\u00a0You get a Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) AR-15 Complete 7.62\u00d739 rifle! And since it\u2019s a Bear Creek, the gun features a side-charging handle. The Bear Creek Arsenal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uncategorized"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7630,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7628\/revisions\/7630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}