The updated Recce 5K and Gas Pocket BCG

[Bluedog82]

Two years ago I got the Recce 5K out for review on my (then) brand new YouTube channel. My can was a prototype version with an inferior flash hider to the final design. @green0 was kind enough to allow me to send my can in for both the final version of the flash hider, as well as their brand new Inconel blast baffle.

So, you can see my final thoughts 2yrs and 1500rds later, as well as updated flash performance, NV footage, and some backpressure testing. It’s a medium backpressure can, and pairs nicely with their Gas Pocket BCG. The BCG is the milspec version and definitely reduces gas to the face, especially with a Super Safety. It also makes a noticeable difference on sound with longer gas systems.

At some point I plan to do a comparison video of some of the recent “hybrid” medium backpressure can: I’ve got the Recce 5K, Stacy’s Mom, Anechoic, Rex ULBP, and awaiting approval on an EA Ferox. My brother will also be submitting on a TK RB come January. Interested to see how they all compare!

 

[alamo5000]

I have two regular Recce 5 and a couple of their .30 cal cans. I started using the enhanced gas pocket BCG right after they were released.

I love it. That BCG to me is a game changer. On Long gas systems it's insane how much quieter it is at the ear.

I've never really tested it for gas in the face. That seems like it's out of the original design parameters, but it could help.

Gas to the face is a function of several variables that I have tried to minimize and mitigate in all my rifles before that was ever invented.

If you ever do get a chance to try the 'enhanced' carrier with the shorter gas key it actually does make a difference. The only thing is you need to modify the actual buffer weight to take advantage of it.

None of my rifles are recoil monsters but I absolutely noticed an improvement on the recoil after setting up for that. Now it's super soft shooting.

It could be the WAY I set it up but the BCG helped for sure. (I used a heavy carbine 308 buffer that was a bit heavier than the one I used before. I put a spacer inside the buffer tube and then put the spring and buffer back in.)

I think it is a combination of .4oz heavier buffer and the longer stroke on the BCG. But it's now just better than before in the recoil department.

 

[Bluedog82]

I have two regular Recce 5 and a couple of their .30 cal cans. I started using the enhanced gas pocket BCG right after they were released.

I love it. That BCG to me is a game changer. On Long gas systems it's insane how much quieter it is at the ear.

I've never really tested it for gas in the face. That seems like it's out of the original design parameters, but it could help.

Gas to the face is a function of several variables that I have tried to minimize and mitigate in all my rifles before that was ever invented.

If you ever do get a chance to try the 'enhanced' carrier with the shorter gas key it actually does make a difference. The only thing is you need to modify the actual buffer weight to take advantage of it.

None of my rifles are recoil monsters but I absolutely noticed an improvement on the recoil after setting up for that. Now it's super soft shooting.

It could be the WAY I set it up but the BCG helped for sure. (I used a heavy carbine 308 buffer that was a bit heavier than the one I used before. I put a spacer inside the buffer tube and then put the spring and buffer back in.)

I think it is a combination of .4oz heavier buffer and the longer stroke on the BCG. But it's now just better than before in the recoil department.

The full system version with the proprietary carrier does look super cool!

 

[alamo5000]

The full system version with the proprietary carrier does look super cool!

The carrier is different in a couple of ways. Going off memory the main things are obviously the pocket and vent holes. The other big one is the gas key itself is not just sitting on a flat surface on the carrier. It's actually milled down a couple of mm so the body of the carrier itself supports the gas key on the front and back. Basically the flat surface where the key sits is sunk down a little bit. It's supposed to be way stronger than just relying on the shear strength of screws holding the gas key in place.

The gas key itself, where it mates to the carrier, is shorter so it allows farther rearwards travel without damage to the lower receiver. Again to do that you have to shorten up the buffer weight. There are more than one way to do that.

Btw I'm about to watch your video. I have not seen it yet.

 

[alamo5000]

For some reason I really enjoy nerding out on this type of stuff.

 

[Bluedog82]

For some reason I really enjoy nerding out on this type of stuff.

Same!

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I have one on order. Berelli has them cheaper than anyone right now.

 

[Wormydog1724]

I put a RCA Adjustable Gas Key on my milspec gas pocket bcg.

 

[Bluedog82]

I have one on order. Berelli has them cheaper than anyone right now.

Nice. I think you’ll like it.

 

[Bluedog82]

I put a RCA Adjustable Gas Key on my milspec gas pocket bcg.

Now that’s living in 3025!

 

[alamo5000]

I put a RCA Adjustable Gas Key on my milspec gas pocket bcg.

I've heard of those but never seen one in action. Where does the excess gas get vented to?

 

[SpeedyR]

just got a mil spec Gas Pocket bolt carrier to play with. I have a few spare BCG's but not a spare bolt around. Any particular bolt anyone recommends? I had been looking around for an LMT e-bolt or G$ just because I can always toss it in something else as an "upgrade".

 

[alamo5000]

just got a mil spec Gas Pocket bolt carrier to play with. I have a few spare BCG's but not a spare bolt around. Any particular bolt anyone recommends? I had been looking around for an LMT e-bolt or G$ just because I can always toss it in something else as an "upgrade".

Any bolt will work. I use RCA in my 6 ARC. Not sure what brand of bolt in the others (had em for a long time so I forgot)

 

[Bluedog82]

As mentioned you can use whatever. I like the HM bolt for a little added durability.

 

[Wormydog1724]

I've heard of those but never seen one in action. Where does the excess gas get vented to?

Idk. I'm sure restricting at the key still allows the gas tube to have higher heat/pressure like normal, so the excess is probably dumped into the receiver once the key is past the end of the tube. Where as a gas block actually prevents the heat and pressure from entering the gas tube at all.

But I think adjustable gas keys are still effective at reducing overgassed rifles like adjustable gas blocks. Restricting gas at the key or block results in less gas that reaches inside the BCG and drives the carrier, they just restrict flow in different places. Like pinching a water hose near the faucet or restricting flow with a nozzle, the result is still restricted flow. Upstream vs downstream restriction I'm sure have different effects on the location and propensity of heat/pressure/fouling.

I didn't notice any accuracy or consistency difference pre-or-post adjustable gas key installation. SD's still low teens or better, accuracy still MOA or better, fowling still appeared the same but I handle that before every match by wiping everything down and apply lubrication, no sense in going down midstage for a preventable aciton.

I'm using an adjustable gas key partly because this particular barrel (Bison Fulcrum) is on my competition rifle and has a proprietary gas journal size, .825". They do sell a custom SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block but the gas key was cheaper. I've used adjustable gas keys for many years.

 

[alamo5000]

Idk. I'm sure restricting at the key still allows the gas tube to have higher heat/pressure like normal, so the excess is probably dumped into the receiver once the key is past the end of the tube. Where as a gas block actually prevents the heat and pressure from entering the gas tube at all.

But I think adjustable gas keys are still effective at reducing overgassed rifles like adjustable gas blocks. Restricting gas at the key or block results in less gas that reaches inside the BCG and drives the carrier, they just restrict flow in different places. Like pinching a water hose near the faucet or restricting flow with a nozzle, the result is still restricted flow. Upstream vs downstream restriction I'm sure have different effects on the location and propensity of heat/pressure/fouling.

I didn't notice any accuracy or consistency difference pre-or-post adjustable gas key installation. SD's still low teens or better, accuracy still MOA or better, fowling still appeared the same but I handle that before every match by wiping everything down and apply lubrication, no sense in going down midstage for a preventable aciton.

I'm using an adjustable gas key partly because this particular barrel (Bison Fulcrum) is on my competition rifle and has a proprietary gas journal size, .825". They do sell a custom SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block but the gas key was cheaper. I've used adjustable gas keys for many years.

I was thinking about it from the aspect of port pop. The BCG we are talking about moves the gas vents to the left side with the pocket on the inside of the upper. I was wondering if that would help or hurt the sound reduction aspect of the carrier.

 

[Wormydog1724]

I was thinking about it from the aspect of port pop. The BCG we are talking about moves the gas vents to the left side with the pocket on the inside of the upper. I was wondering if that would help or hurt the sound reduction aspect of the carrier.

Oh yeah it most definitely does that. The excess gas that does reach the inside of the carrier is vented down into the magwell/magazine.

People will say it will cause the subsequent rounds in the mag to become dirty and foul and cause malfunctions. Those people are right and wrong and likely don't shoot enough to have formed a valid opinion. Every suppressed firearm makes my rounds in the magazine dirty and I haven't noticed any more with GA GP BCG than normal.

I have the enhanced GA GP BCG on an 18" KAC LPR Mod 2 with OCM5. It was quiet before but without the port pop now it's really nice and quiet. I did notice that difference with that setup.

 

[Bluedog82]

Oh yeah it most definitely does that. The excess gas that does reach the inside of the carrier is vented down into the magwell/magazine.

People will say it will cause the subsequent rounds in the mag to become dirty and foul and cause malfunctions. Those people are right and wrong and likely don't shoot enough to have a valid opinion. Every suppressed firearm makes my rounds in the magazine dirty and I haven't noticed any more with GA GP BCG than normal.

I have the enhanced GA GP BCG on an 18" KAC LPR Mod 2 with OCM5. It was quiet before but without the port pop now it's really nice and quiet. I did notice that difference with that setup.

Yup, they say that the longer the gas system, the more difference it makes.

 

[alamo5000]

Oh yeah it most definitely does that. The excess gas that does reach the inside of the carrier is vented down into the magwell/magazine.

People will say it will cause the subsequent rounds in the mag to become dirty and foul and cause malfunctions. Those people are right and wrong and likely don't shoot enough to have formed a valid opinion. Every suppressed firearm makes my rounds in the magazine dirty and I haven't noticed any more with GA GP BCG than normal.

I have the enhanced GA GP BCG on an 18" KAC LPR Mod 2 with OCM5. It was quiet before but without the port pop now it's really nice and quiet. I did notice that difference with that setup.

On my 6ARC I shot something like 90 rounds with zero discomfort. It's just stupid nice in that regard. I'm fine tuning it but I'm about 90% of the way to perfection.

It's just silly in the best way.

 

[alamo5000]

Yup, they say that the longer the gas system, the more difference it makes.

I tested this, and yes. I have two carriers. I tried it on a 10.5, 9" 300BLK, 16" 5.56, and a 24" 6ARC.

As far as sound goes, on the 6ARC it's just insane. On my 16" you could get away with maybe a mag, on the other two there is not a lot of sound reduction. That said I still need to test more to see if it mitigates gas better in other ways.

My rifles are definitely not bad on gas to the face (compared to some other ones I've shot) but I'm curious about the gas management aspect.

 

[Bluedog82]

I tested this, and yes. I have two carriers. I tried it on a 10.5, 9" 300BLK, 16" 5.56, and a 24" 6ARC.

As far as sound goes, on the 6ARC it's just insane. On my 16" you could get away with maybe a mag, on the other two there is not a lot of sound reduction. That said I still need to test more to see if it mitigates gas better in other ways.

My rifles are definitely not bad on gas to the face (compared to some other ones I've shot) but I'm curious about the gas management aspect.

There’s some footage in my video shooting it on a Super Safe build. Definitely reduces gas to the face.

 

[alamo5000]

There’s some footage in my video shooting it on a Super Safe build. Definitely reduces gas to the face.

I already have two carriers (enhanced). I'm going to be more meticulous and test on each rifle that doesn't have them yet. The last time it was just quick and dirty and based solely on sound. If I think it will help, later on I will get a few more BCGs.

 

[Wormydog1724]

I’m also using GA SNACH gen 2 with both of my GP BCG’s. I think it’s a very effective product as well.

 

[Deepwoods]

I have one of the gas pocket carriers in a 14.5" upper(standard buffer setup) that worked fine, but the one I put in my 11.5 had cycling issues. When I first puttee carrier in, it kind of got hung up when I pulled the charging handle back.

That smoothed out a bit, but during a day of shooting, I got double feeds on 3 occasions. I thought it might be the the magazine, but when I put a "normal" carrier in (Lantac E-carrier, and then on another trip, the OEM one), it functioned fine.

Im not sure what was happening, and I like the idea of less gas in face. So it will stay in the 14.5" upper but not the 11.5. I will try it in a 300 blk upper..

Ive got the KAK down venting carrier in some uppers too...