TESTED: Bear Creek Arsenal BC-47

Bear Creek Arsenal releases the affordable, modernized BC-47 AK-pattern rifle

by Frank Melloni

When we think of North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, the first word that usually comes to mind is “budget” or “affordable.” While that is certainly fair, we often forget the brand is also synonymous with modernization. These folks are always among the first to release ARs in the latest chamberings and have brought us designs like their signature reciprocating, side-charging bolt handle. More recently, we’ve seen their spin on premium 10/22s and Glock-pattern pistols, only to follow up with what I believe is their least likely product line: the BC-47.

As the name suggests, this is the company’s first foray into Kalashnikovs, which required BCA to invest in stamping tooling to make them right. The result is so well built that I decided that I needed to put some rounds through one.

Built for Today, Built for Tomorrow

There are many great selling points to the BC-47, but I believe its trunnion construction is the most redeeming. Where many manufacturers turn to lesser metals and cost-saving casting for this critical part, Bear Creek was adamant that theirs would be forged from 4140 steel. Finished in a black nitride, the result is more wear-resistant, keeping the gun in service longer while making it more reliable throughout its lifespan.

While durability is paramount, it isn’t particularly sexy, especially since most of this work is done internally. The exterior of the BC-47, though, is built to be noticed.

In place of dated wooden furniture is a polymer set by Phoenix Outdoors. The buttstock is a touch straighter than the traditional version while maintaining the same basic shape and size. It is finished with a rubber recoil pad that swings down to reveal a storage compartment.

Yielding a length-of-pull of just 13 inches, this is going to fit nearly any shooter while lending a hand to the rifle’s overall compact nature.

Up front is a color-matched handguard with molded grooves for your palm and gritty texturing along the sides for your fingers. Three sides feature ventilation for heat, as well as Picatinny sections from which to hang the latest gizmos.

In case you were wondering why you’d need a stock compartment and what you might store in it, the answer is apparently…batteries.

A finger-grooved pistol grip completes the package, and I am glad that it’s not as sharply angled as those of yesteryear. Best of all, you aren’t married to black, as the BC-47 is also available in grey or, in the case of my test sample, tan.

Modernization extends to the rest of the rifle, as evidenced by the controls. As the AK doesn’t hold open after the last round, nor does it have a bolt lock, a notch is cut into the selector to serve this function. Since flipping this lever down can be a bear, a rearward bulge was incorporated into the stamping to assist. The mag release is slightly enlarged, making it easier to hit with gloved hands or to smack with the lip of a fresh mag for a one-handed reload.

Lastly, the trigger is anything but “MILSPEC” as it breaks with minimal effort, just south of five pounds.

The sights aren’t much to talk about, and I think that’s important in preserving the feel of a conventional AK. More exciting is the optics rail, allowing us to add a scope or red dot for better speed and precision.

While the BC-47 includes features that most others in this price range don’t, it’s important to mention that the gun does NOT come with a magazine. It will take standard-pattern mags, and they are available at checkout, so be sure to add one if this is your first AK. Something else not included is the gun-mounted cleaning rod. Admittedly, I’ve never used one, but it does complete the footprint and would be handy if you become the first person in history to ever stick a case in an AK chamber.

Futuristic Setup

In the past, “setting up” an AK for a range test meant maybe pointing out which country it came from on a map and wiping some of the excess grease off it. Getting the BC-47 together differs slightly, as does the shooting landscape in general.

With that, I couldn’t just claim it to be a bullet hose and was “forced” to conduct realistic accuracy testing. For this, I turned to an RS Regulate AK-302M side mount and attached a 2x-20 Compact ACOG for a touch of magnification and a more refined aiming point. The gun’s shorter LOP made for a perfect pairing with the scope’s shorter eye relief, and cheek height was about where it should be, too. I will admit, getting the mount on the rail took a little persuasion with a rubber mallet, but tighter is always better when it comes to optics and sights. As I’d be trying to print tight groups from a bench, I also added Warne’s new Vapor Bipod to the setup, giving me a rock-solid platform when coupled with a rear bag.

Bear Creek Arsenal kept the slant brake and the conventional M14x1 LH threading to which it attaches. I support this decision, as it retains compatibility with the vast market of AK parts out there. At the same time, solutions exist should you wish to use other parts as well. In this case, I wanted to run a SilencerCo Scythe STM because in its shorter configuration, it’s the perfect size to suppress 7.62×39. Additionally, the single-point anchor brake is almost the same color as the furniture, so there are cool points there as well. To make it happen, I used a Silencer Central HUB adapter that threaded to both the gun and the can without any effort.

Ammo has also changed over the years for the AK since we no longer just grab a few different steel-cased options (that basically all come from the same place). With their new platform, Bear Creek also announced their new ammunition line. For 7.62×39, they have a brass-cased variant topped with the classic 123-grain FMJ projectile. Prior to Bear Creek, I’ve been using Freedom Munitions’ 150-grain load FMJ, which also comes in a reloadable brass case. I’ve always had good luck with it, so I packed some of that. Last in the bag was Hornady’s new subsonic option. Featuring a whopping 255-grain pill, this load promises reliable expansion even at slower speeds.

Test Day

I began my day by punching 100-yard groups from the bench, which felt dangerously close to work. While Kalashnikov’s design isn’t built for top consistency, I was certainly happy with the results. I do have to point out that the Hornady ammo had a few short strokes, and it did break the sound barrier out of this gun. It was, though, the tightest-grouping load in the batch. Reliability was exactly what you would expect from the design, but I caution against 10-round polymer magazines as they didn’t seem to agree.

Here are the results from five five-shot group averages:

100-Yard Accuracy Test

Hornady Subsonic 255-grain SUB-X: 1.59 inches
Freedom Munitions 150-grain FTX: 2.71 inches
Bear Creek 123-grain FMJ: 3.26 inches

Stepping away from the bench, it was time to have some fun. I began by taking the pistol to my steel pit, where I worked on double-taps and transitions on a sea of Caldwell IPSC targets. The gun recovered well and was certainly flatter than most due to the straightened stock and suppressor. The reset was exceptionally snappy, which shaved time off my splits and helped me get through half a dozen standard-capacity mags in no time.

I finished my day by taking the gun through our woods walk, which consists of 10 Birchwood Casey Animal Silhouette Targets placed between 50 and 109 yards. Here is when I appreciated the gun’s svelte seven-pound composition. I also wished that I had slipped a sling through the stock swivels. Nonetheless, the rifle excelled, as the course forces you to shoot in a variety of field positions. I feel this also provides the best test method for any firearm, as it more closely resembles actual use.

Casing Up

Bear Creek’s new AK-47 proved to be more than just a reliable firearm; it showed us that the company is up to just about any task. Built with attention to detail and an eye on what lies ahead, it’s a great addition for anybody who’s looking to add this iconic design to their safe or even update their current collection of the famed platform. Being able to trick it out was a big selling point for me, and at 5’7″-ish, I thought it was a great fit.

At $899.99, it may not be one of the $300 WASRs of yesteryear, but it’s still one of the least expensive AKs on the market. Moreover, you’d be hard-pressed to find one that is built like this for any price.

What I Like

Plenty of ways to accessorize right out of the box. This put AKs behind ARs for decades; it’s nice to see this playing field leveling out.

What I Don’t Like

Not so much with the gun, but the website. Offering the proper scope mount would be a big help, or at least a link to find one, as variations do exist. I got lucky that the RS Regulate I had on-hand fit.

What I Would Change