AR pistol sales have been steadily increasing as an alternative to SBRs, thanks in large part to the advent of the AR pistol arm brace. These braces help stabilize and balance the pistol to make them more comfortable to use and more accurate. An AR pistol, especially when paired with a suppressor, can make for an excellent home defense firearm. AR pistols also make for outstanding truck guns and are small enough to be stored in alternative cases like those for tennis rackets or musical instruments. Blackhawk makes an excellent diversion case made to look like sporting equipment to avoid causing alarm or suspicion. With AR pistols, there is plenty of opportunity to increase accessory sales, as well.
Bravo Company USA, Inc. (BCM) has been making outstanding AR components since 2005, including the extremely handy extended Gunfighter charging handle. They also make impressive feature-laden AR carbines and pistols. The BCM RECCE-11 KMR-A is a perfect example of a purpose-built AR pistol that is ready to be fully accessorized by a customer. It is a semi-automatic direct gas impingement system carbine chambered in 5.56mm NATO with a carbine-length gas system. The flattop upper receiver features nearly 16 inches of uninterrupted Picatinny rail with laser T-markings thanks to the KMR Alpha-10 handguard made from magnesium and aluminum alloy. This makes the 10-inch handguard incredibly lightweight (a measly 4.1 ounces), and it features the popular KeyMod Rail system for accessories.
The upper and lower receivers are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and hardcoat anodized to Mil-Spec standards. Internally, the upper receiver features M4 feed ramps for improved feeding and reliability and the bolt carrier is machined from shot peened 158 tool steel and is both High Pressure Tested (HP) and Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI). This later step uses a magnetic field to detect any imperfections in the surface or subsurface of the part, ensuring that only the highest quality parts are being used. BCM has also used many of the upgraded parts they manufacture in this pistol including the stronger BCM extractor spring in the full-auto profile, chrome-lined bolt carrier.
The BCM RECCE-11 KMR-A is a perfect example of a purpose-built AR pistol ready to be fully accessorized by a customer.
Of course, the main advantage of an AR pistol is being able to have a short barrel and the BCM RECCE pistol boasts an 11.5-inch barrel with a standard profile, keeping the pistol’s overall weight down. The barrel has a 1:7-inch twist rate to stabilize a wider range of bullet weights and M4 feed ramp extensions for improved reliability. The barrels are all also independently HP/MPI tested and certified as Mil-Spec with a manganese phosphate finish and chrome-lined bore and chamber. The barrel also remains free floating thanks to the KMR handguards.
The barrel is topped off with the BCM MOD 0 compensator that has the same exterior dimensions as a Mil-Spec A2 flash hider so that blank firing adapters and flash hider-mounted suppressors will still function. This compensator offers both muzzle climb and recoil reduction and lowers muzzle flash significantly. It is stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
All standard controls for a right-handed shooter are present including the magazine release, dust cover, forward assist, bolt release and clearly marked fire control safety selector. The pistol buffer tube will not accept a stock but it will accommodate any of the popular arm braces on the market today. It features a properly staked locking nut and internally uses a tungsten/steel H-marked buffer.
The pistol is also equipped with the BCM Mod 4 charging handle that allows for single-handed, super-fast operation, and the BCM Mod 3 pistol grip that includes a convenient and easy to use hinged bottom for water-tight storage space. The grip has an extended beavertail that places the finger more in line with the trigger and is made from tough impact resistant polymer with a rough texture for a secure grip. At the rear of the pistol is a BCM QD endplate that allows for the use of a single point sling with a quick detach attachment, as well as an enlarged polymer BCM triggerguard to allow for gloved use.
The RECCE comes standard with the BCM PNT trigger pack, which stands for polished nickel Teflon. This trigger group is precision machined for perfect alignment with the trigger pins and receiver holes producing a smoother trigger pull. The heat treatment yields a harder and stronger, more wear-resistant surface. The trigger sear engagement is hand polished and the entire assembly then receives an electroless nickel finish with embedded Teflon particles. The end result is an incredibly smooth and crisp single stage trigger pull with almost zero travel and no creep.
The pistol comes with no sights and that is another upsell that can be offered to customers. In my case, I installed the Steiner Micro Reflex Sight (MRS) — a tiny and very lightweight holographic red dot that is ideal for pistols of this type. This sight features a fully adjustable 3 MOA dot, single push button automatic or manual brightness controls, tough aluminum hard anodized housing, waterproof and shockproof to 10 meters, and provides 550 hours of operation with a single battery. To extend battery life, the MRS also features an auto-off feature after eight hours.
On the range, the pistol performed admirably with zero malfunctions. Accuracy results from a steady bench rest at 15 yards averaged less than one inch firing five-shot groups with a variety of ammunition. At 50 yards, groups were 1.5 inches on average. There are many options when it comes to AR pistols, but for demanding customers who want the best, BCM is certainly one to consider.
Featured photo: Recoil for the BCM RECCE pistol was minimal, and its compact size made for easy handling and pleasant shooting.
