Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) and Bravo Company USA (BCM) are both prominent figures in the firearm industry. Let’s get this straight; you can go wrong with neither of them!
LMT was established in 1980 whereas BCM came in 2003. The age difference did indeed shape the reputation too. Since LMT has been around the market way before BCM, it is considered tested and proven plus the unprecedented innovations (say, the MRP).
LMT is generally considered a tier above BCM, but when it comes to durability and functionality, the BCM gets the job done too. How often do we even hear about a product by BCM coming in cracked or failing? It’s certainly rare.
Here is a detailed break-down of both these firearm tycoons-
Availability and Customizability
Both companies have identical products. There is nothing that BCM may have that you’ll miss with LMT. However, BCM is generally more accessible. You’ll find it easily at vendors as well as big sites like Guns.com and Brownells.
LMT mostly manufactures its parts, and they are proprietary so you may think it can complicate availability. But LMT would have enough to back you up anyway, in case the parts don’t outlive you. But there’s that one time those BCGs became hard to find for a couple of months, cough, or years cough.
BCM, on the other hand, sources most of its components. All its products are of solid quality, and since they’re also standard, they are a bit easier to get than LMT. So if you plan to build a rifle, BCM will give you more versatility and thus, more options.
Construction
Let’s take two comparable hits from both companies to demonstrate the difference practically along the way. LMT has the MARS-L and BCM has the RECCE-16 MCMR. Both are incredibly popular configurations, the latter in fact, is considered one of the best rifles BCM has put out.
1. Size and Appearance
Most of the rifles from LMT are just beauties out on the field. BCM has made some pretty eye-catching rifles too, but some people just don’t like a load of logos on every corner of their rifle… I’ve got nothing against it, just to be clear, however; they’re pretty sleek regardless.
The MARS-L here is a completely ambidextrous rifle with one of the most advanced uppers you can find around town. The RECCE-16, although has nothing groundbreaking about it, is practical and durable.
We have to admit though, the MARS-L looks the part as well. The RECCE-16 is decent but can’t beat the charm of the fully Ambi rifle. It might have something to do with the gas systems too, which we’ll discuss later in this article.
Weighing in at about 6.1 lbs, the RECCE-16 is more than a pound lighter than the MARS-L, which stands in at about 7.4 lbs. Partly because it was originally made with close-quartered combat in mind, the RECCE-16 is, therefore, more tactical.
2. Barrel
As I mentioned previously, LMT makes its own goods, which include its proprietary barrels, specifically designed to fit MRP upper receivers. The barrels are chrome lined and cryogenically treated for durability, as in the MARS-L. They also have a straight gas tube, which is also proprietary.
BCM barrels are no less, in fact, many of them are cold hammer forged, which includes the one on RECCE-16 here, which traditionally increases longevity and reliability. Even in the standard barrels, the increased carbon/vanadium quantity in the steel adds to their lifetime and improves efficiency. Plus, they’re not proprietary.
Mostly, the LMT barrels are slightly heavier than the ones sold by BCM. For example, here the 16” barrel of the BCM is a government profile while the usual LMT barrel is heavier than a government profile (lighter than an HBAR though). LMT’s barrel is much easier to change and replace.
Most are specifically designed to accommodate the MRP or monolithic rail platform, which is a significant product in the LMT warehouse. The MRP combines the handguard and the receiver into a united component.
Made out of a single piece of aerospace aluminum, these not only add to the accuracy but also allow quick barrel changes. It is also stronger than the regular version.
With its help, you can freely toggle between a DI and a piston system with a swap of barrels and bolt carriers. Quite cool, no? However, although given the cryo treatment, the barrels are not hammer-forged like BCMs.
There’s almost no way to refute or claim that hammer-forged barrels last longer than others. But opting for them would be better if you’re going to be shooting the rails off a full-auto system (which neither of these two guns is by the way).
3. Mechanism
LMT pistons have a huge name in the industry and for good reason (the accuracy, recoil, in fact, the whole thing is beautiful). But a DI is no less. For BCM, its DI rifles are typically more leaned towards. But it’s just overall wrong to nitpick here because both are good to go.
The LMT has straight pins anchored under the front sight post, while BCM has tapered ones. The former, in my opinion, is a tad easier to work with. The MARS-L is a DI rifle with a mid-length gas system. The carbine length system functions in the RECCE-16.
Naturally, it will deduct some points from the appearance as well as the overall functionality as the mid-length system fares better on 16” barrels.
4. Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs)
We have the enhanced BCG on the LMT and then there’s BCM’s reputable BCG. See this is where I give up and say flip a coin because there’s no losing here in any case either.
Maybe some years ago, you could argue that LMT compromised strength and longevity because of MIM gas keys. But I haven’t seen nor heard of these in a while now. LMT’s MIM era pretty much died out in a year or so, though it may not look like that with all the ongoing heated internet battles.
BCM has a longer channel, different bolt shape, and overall, slight anatomical differences. In hindsight, both function the same. The enhanced BCG from LMT does have the cool cam pin track, which makes extraction smoother by providing a nicer stress relief (an extra path for the carbon to take shelter in can sometimes do wonders).
Remember that this is the enhanced BCG compared with a standard one so this may not be as fair. With the way the BCM’s BCG squares up though, might as well put an enhanced before it.
Price and Value for Money
BCM produces rock-solid rifles. The customer service is a rock too, but thanks to its durable products, you won’t have to go talking to the said rock. LMT, on the other side, has excellent customer service, if your rifle ever needs a check-up.
But once again, if it would need it. Word has it, these guys test their rifles up to 125k rounds (speculations are all we get with LMT mostly). The point is, that the product of both companies is simply brilliant. The durability, quality, and features all pack a punch.
I’d say, if building is an option, then get the best of both worlds with an LMT upper and a BCM lower preferably, or vice versa if you want, like many do. It’s a smart choice, and your wallet would appreciate it.
Otherwise, if it’s cheaper than you’re asking for, then fish around BCM. The company has some high-quality rifles at a competitive price. But for specific rifle parts, get LMT if the part fits, which mostly it won’t because, well, proprietary.
Back to the pair, at Guns.com, the BCM RECCE-16 MCMR is almost half the price of LMT MARS-L! However, the MARS-L is more of a premium, competitive rifle, whereas, the RECCE-16 is just an excellent but standard rifle that can easily butt heads with another rifle of much greater value. Considering everything, I would urge most enthusiasts to buy the BCM RECCE.
I admit I like the value for money the RECCE-16 offers, but usage would determine which one wins for you. You can also get the BCM BCG from Brownells, although unfortunately LMTs enhanced BCG isn’t available.
Conclusion
There’s no wrong answer here. What’s best for you when choosing between these two companies is that you see which one’s readily available around you and go for it. In the last two decades, BCM has consistently proved itself whereas the defense contracts as well as decades of veteran reviews speak for LMT.
If in any case, you’ve got some extra cash lying around then grab both rifles. However, if you are instead short on said cash, and want to settle on the more economical option, then check out the BCM line-ups. For some awesome rifle parts, you can turn in at LMT OR get both mixed up in a quality build.
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