PCC’s gained in popularity in 3Gun competitions for their manual of arms and component compatibility to standard 5.56mm ARs .While shooting 9mm is a lot cheaper than shooting 5.56mm ammo, PCC ARs have generally cost more than a basic AR.
Known for making budget price, yet reliable AR components, Anderson showed me their most budget friendly PCCs. Their AM-9 is priced under $900 and their UTILITY pistol AR at under $600; that’s the price some AR makers charge for just an upper receiver! Anderson brings their extensive AR manufacturing experience and skills into creating a solid and reliable Glock-compatible PCC.
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Anderson Manufacturing is famous for making budget build AR receivers and parts and whole rifles. But at SHOT Show 2023 their showcase product was a pistol. They launched their Glock-compatible Kiger 9C pistol a few months ago. For SHOT they brought out the Kiger 9C PRO model which incorporates lightening windows in the slide, a fluted barrel, and and RMR cut slide. You essentially get a Custom Glock for the price of plain vanilla.
Does a premium brand BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) shoot better than a budget BCG? I thought I’d find out. I picked up a new black nitride Aero Precision BCG on sale. I wanted to compare this premium BCG to a budget Anderson BCG I own.
For the test I used my AR which I built using an Aero Precision ATLAS 20″ complete upper (chambered in 5.56mm NATO), mated to a budget build Anderson lower receiver with a Timney 2-stage 4lb competition trigger, and a HERA CQR (California neutered) stock. Up until now, I’ve been shooting it with an Anderson black phosphate BCG for the last 3 years and about a 800-1000 rounds.
Swapping between the Aero Precision BCG and Anderson BCG while firing on a target at 100yrds. I found no significant difference in groups between these two BCG. And there were no reliability difference between the two.
The only appreciable difference between the two BCG’s is the glossy black-nitride finish of the Aero is easier to clean than the matte black finish of the Anderson. Or maybe it’s not really easier to clean? Maybe it’s just that shiny surfaces look clean after cleaning, whilst the rough phosphate surface looks the same either way.
Anderson makes completely MISPEC components for their AR’s and are used by thousands of gun owners and have earned a reputation for being a “as-good-as” budget brand. I originally chose to use many Anderson components in my AR build specifically for components that were not important for accuracy or durability. The BCG is a critical part of the function of an AR but apart from reliable firing, ejecting, and cycling of a round, it plays no normal role in the accuracy of a bullets trajectory.
Based on my test results, I feel vindicated in choosing a cheaper Anderson BCG in my original AR build. But for superficial aesthetics, I will keep the Aero BCG in the Aero upper because it just looks shiny and pretty.
