By Dan Meadows, The Shooting Channel
I´ve heard it said, all to often, that all lower or upper receivers (billets) groups are created equal. However, that thought is one that rages through debate forums, social media, print magazines, you name it.
Ranging from indifference (lack of knowledge) and scholarly debate among our industry peers, I must say that with my many years of reviews and personal reflection on the subject, they are definitely not created equal.
One of the fastest growing segments of the firearms parts and accessories marketplace is the custom- build-it-yourself´ Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR). Just take a look at the catalogues and you´ll find thousands of parts ranging from barrels to fore-ends to the latest flash suppressor.
We’re always looking for that magic part to personalize our dream AR. Many times, however, we overlook the core machinery, the upper and lower receivers. They are the centerpiece component to any AR build, the engine to our hotrod, if you will.
If all of these receivers were truly the same, then why do we shop around at all? Simple: We would be denying ourselves the immense pleasure of building and shooting our very own custom firearm. If you find it confusing just think of the component stereo and television systems available. The main component is the receiver then you choose the speakers, the monitors, etc. You will almost always choose those components that are of high quality and work well together, but rarely are they from the same manufacturer.
Recently I had the opportunity to research, build, shoot and perform a “put-it-through-the-paces” review for two great lowers and upper receivers groups, provided to me by A.J. Burr of BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC.
The BlackSheep BS-15 Lower receiver.
A.J. Burr has a special point-of-view about his companies BlackSheep6 Tactical (BS6T) AR-15 and AR-308 lowers and upper billets groups, “We strive to bring you quality products at a competitive price” he says. As a reviewer of many firearms, and as a consumer of the same, I found that these lower and upper billet receivers are priced well, built well, and perform well with many other commercial and mil-spec parts and components. Just like a fine stereo system.
The BlackSheep6 Tactical slogan is; “Home of the BS-15 Billet Lower.” Their dedicated staff is made up of battle hardened and military experienced active duty and retired military personnel, along with their very supportive spouses and friends.
They have a vast amount of experience in the field of military operations and in military weaponry. Their combined experience, through military service and in business operations, has proved to be a vital element in the development, production, manufacturing and marketing of some really great products from the BlackSheep6 Tactical family.
This was an intriguing opportunity.
The Shooting Whisperer’s Review
The Research (A+)
Researching a company and its product line is nearly as important as the review of the products itself. When investing in a product, like the 5.56 (BS-15) or .308 (BS-308) receivers, the customer wants to ensure that the product that they buy is worthy of their investment and that it will hold up to the rigors of testing and usage (even to the extreme). The company BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC along with their product lines are of high reputation and integrity and they are worthy of your investments or purchases of their respective product lines.
The Visual Inspection (A+)
Visually speaking, the BS-15 and BS-308 (upper and lower) were found to be well machined and well constructed. A microscopic review, using a 300 x portable microscope, and a series of magnifying glasses, calipers, scales, and other reviewing tools were used in the inspection of the BS-15 and BS-308 provided to me. Each product was found to be solid in material workmanship and construction and held “NO” visible signs of defects, fractures or metal fatigue noted on either product provided for this review.
BS-15
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The BS-.308 upper and lower group.
BlackSheep6Tactical BS-308 lower receivers (pictured with upper receiver set above) are machined from a block of 7075-T6 aluminum on state-of-the-art 5 axis milling machines, bead blasted to obtain a matte finish and then type 2 anodized (black). As with all of their lower receivers it includes a flared magwell and an oversized trigger guard.
It takes great components to add to the core receiver to make a great gun.
The build of the BS-15 and BS-308 with the accompanying parts and components progressed beautifully and with no problems. There was no forcing of parts, chiseling of edges, breaking of commercial parts or MilSpec components during the build. Better yet, there were no injuries reported from this build either. Good thing!
The ease of installation was made possible by the attention to detail that BlackSheep6 Tactical team made while ensuring that they had the exact design, measurements and machining correct, thus matching their products to commercially equivalent and MilSpec parts and other components.
You don’t have to be a gunsmith or an armorer to build an AR styled platform (firearm). However, if you are an amateur builder of guns I can`t stress enough the importance that you read all of the instructions (twice at a minimum) before you build your respective AR-15 or .308’s. I cannot tell you of how often I have been approached by others who attempt “self-builds” of AR15 or .308 platforms and at the end have extra parts lying on the table. Then, they wonder why it doesn’t work efficiently while on the range, or in the field. Again, read the instructions and, if it´s still not crystal clear, ask questions of an experienced gunsmith. Safety first.
The Shooting Events (A+)
You cannot test a product fully unless it is a whole unit. I built the BlackSheep6 Tactical BS-15 (5.56 / 223) and the BS-308 (.308) with Mil-Spec parts and equipment that were provided to me by BS6T. The parts and equipment provided assisted me in my overall field tests and review of these products. Although the subject matter and focus of my review was centered around the lowers and upper billets of the BS6T products, the functionality of those receivers groups and their matched parts or components helped to complete my reviews accordingly.
My shooting range events were spread out over a total of 6 separate event dates, using both indoor and outdoor range facilities. A variety of conditions were experienced during my reviews, to include, but not limited to outdoor weather conditions like; warm to hot weather, moderate fall weather, fog, rain and frigid snowy days. Our indoor shooting range events were held at three different indoor ranges and were all held in a temperate climate controlled environment at each location.
The Shooting Whisperer’s Range Events (A+)
RE#1 – BS-15 Review – Indoor Range 50 yards – Standing
- Temperature 75 Degrees F. (Filtered Climate Controlled Air)
- 100 Rounds Used – (20-Winchester 55 Gr JSP, 20-Hornady 55 Gr VMax, 20-Federal 55Gr SP, 20-Remington 55Gr GameKing, 20-American Eagle 55 Gr FMJ Boattail)
- MBus Front and Rear Sights and EOTech 512 Holographic Sight
- BS-15 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event.
Getting down to it.
RE#2 – BS-308 Review – Indoor Range 50 Yards – Standing
- Temperature 80 Degrees F. (Filtered Climate Controlled Air)
- 100 Rounds Used – (20-Hornady American Whitetail 150 Gr Interlock, 20-Winchester 150 Gr PMax, 20-Remington Marlin Express 150 Gr Core-Lokt, 20-PMC 177 Gr FMJ, 20-Hornady Marlin Express 160 Gr)
- MBus Front and Rear Sights and EOTech 512 Holographic Sight
- BS-308 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event.
RE#3 – BS-15 Review – Outdoors Range – 100 yards – Bench Rest w/ Sandbag
- Temperature 85 Degrees F. – Weather Clear Sky, Winds- Slight Breeze noted
- Tactical Polo and 5.11 Pants, Non-Gloved
- 100 Rounds Used – (20-Hornady 53 Gr VMax, 20-Fusion 62 Gr, 20-Federal Premium 69 Gr MatchKing, 20-American Eagle 55 Gr FMJ, 20-Winchester 55 Gr JSP)
- MBus Front and Rear Sights
- BS-15 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event.
RE#4 – BS-308 Review – Outdoors Range – 200 yards – Bench Rest w/ Sandbag
- Temperature 48 Degrees F. – Weather Partly Cloudy, 5-10 mph Cool Light Winds
- Fall/Winter Clothing, Fingerless Gloved Hands
- 100 Rounds Used (20-American Eagle 150 Gr FMJ Boattail, 20-Hornady Marlin Express 160 Gr, 20-Hornady American Whitetail 150 Gr Interlock, 20-Winchester PowerMax 150 Gr, 20-Remington Marlin Express Core-Lokt 150 Gr)
- M-308 4-16×42 Nikoplex Long Range Optic
- BS-308 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event.
The outdoor range.
RE#5 – BS-15 Review – Indoor & Outdoor Shoot House Engagement – Varied and Contained Distances
- Temperature 70 Degrees F. (Filtered Climate Controlled Air)
- Tactical Clothing and Gear, Ungloved and Gloved Hands
- 100 Rounds Used (20-Federal Premium 69 Gr MatchKing, 20-Hornady 55 Gr VMax, 20-Federal 55 Gr SP, 20-Remington 55 Gr PSP, 20-Fusion 62 Gr)
- EOTech 512 Holographic Sight
- BS-15 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event
Next, outdoor long range shooting
RE#6 – BS-308 Review – Outdoors Long Range Shooting Facility – 300 yards Elevated Hill SP Prone w/ Backpack
- Temperature 28 Degrees F. – Weather – Snowy Day with approx 8 “of snow covered ground. Winds 10-15 mph
- Winter/Cold Weather Clothing, Gloved Hands
- 100 Rounds Used (20-Winchester PowerMax 150 Gr, 20-Remington Marlin Express Core-Lokt, 20-PMC 177 Gr FMJ, 20-American eagle 150 Gr FMJ Boattail, 20-Hornady Whitetail 150 Gr Interlock)
- M-308 4-16×42 Nikoplex Long Range Optic
- BS-308 operated efficiently – No problems noted during review
- No malfunctions noted during this event.
The “let’s-put-it-through-the-paces” field tests and range events listed above were a part of a series of shooting reviews performed over a period of several months. Having the necessary armorer and inspection tools, magazines, equipment and several varieties of ammunitions available to me for these reviews, as well as my numerous range accommodations, assisted this reviewer in the overall and final review of these products from BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC.
Dan Meadows, the author
The Field Reviewer’s Notes (A Reviewers Point-of-View) (A+)
Usage conditions (indoors and outdoors) – A variety of usage conditions or weather conditions were experienced throughout these field tests and range events. Loading, unloading, magazine changes, grip and access to the trigger was made easy and no difficulties were noted.
· Gloves – Using shooters gloves, either fingered or fingerless, worked well with the flared magwells and enhanced or oversized trigger guards.
· Flared Magwell – Improved magazine loading and unloading functions for 10 round, 20 round and 30 round ammunition magazines used during these tests.
· Oversized Trigger Guards – Allows for gloved or larger fingers engagement inside of the trigger guard and onto the trigger.
· Tight Fit – The lower and upper receivers were found to fit tightly and securely with other commercial or MilSpec parts and components. A tight fit with no play noted assisted this reviewer in determining the overall performance and reliability of this product and its relationship with other parts and components manufactured by other companies.
· Color and Finish – Matched well with other components and parts added to the overall build.
· Competitive Prices – BS-15 and BS-308 – These receivers are competitively priced and are quite affordable to the AR-15 and .308 builders.
The Break-Down (Disassembly & Cleaning) (A+)
Building a quality firearm is just part of the fun you will have in owning such a great product. Disassembling, cleaning and maintaining your product after each shooting event is the next step to take in your long term enjoyment of the 5.56 or .308 receiver products and associative parts and components.
Once built, you do not always need to break down the lower receiver groups into individual parts or components for cleaning, however from time to time you may need to replace other parts or components that are worn, break or become unreliable in their use or performance. Maintain a regimented preventative maintenance schedule and have a replacement program available for additional parts or components of your AR builds. Follow any and all safety directions, rules or instructions for safe firearms operation, usage and ownership.
The Final Reviews of the BS-15 and BS-308 (A+)
As a long time shooter and instructor of military, law enforcement and civilian firearms shooters, I must say that I was impressed by the construction and design of the BlackSheep6 Tactical BS-15 and BS308 Receivers. I feel very confident that their products will maintain a high performance standard throughout the lifetime of their use.
Their tactically sound machining and construction methods used in the making of these receivers are quite durable and proven in use, as further found during my field tests and reviews. Their lower and upper billet receivers offers reliably efficient performance and dependable worry free builds. As a customer or vendor of these products, having confidence in a product manufactured by BlackSheep6 Tactical will go a long way in having satisfied and repeat customers.
The BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC company and product lines offers;
· Quality products for your lower and upper build needs
· Reliability and high performance product lines
· Integrated functionality with other manufacturers parts and components
· Receivers that fit with all commercial and MilSpec parts and components
· Materials and finish are high quality in design and construction
· Durable products made to take the rigors of extreme or extended use
· Dependability and confidence in a great product lineup
· Customer service brought to you by those who have served and who knows the business well
The Parting Shot – BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC (BS-15 and BS-308) (A+)
Although long in coming, this review was both a journey and a great privilege to perform. As previously mentioned, I continue to stand by the very first comments I made about the AR-15 and .308 upper and lower receivers are “not all created equally.” The BlackSheep6 Tactical products showed me once again that I was right in my observations and previous comments. To build such a quality product, a company like BlackSheep6 Tactical puts forth a vision to improve upon what has previously been built and then raises the bar of excellence in production. In my opinion, the BlackSheep6 Tactical family did what they set out to do by creating a quality company and a quality product line.
If you are interested in building your own AR-15 or AR-308 or simply want to add quality parts and accessories to your existing firearm, contact A.J. Burr at BlackSheep6 Tactical, LLC and purchase some of their fine products today.
Dan Meadows is the Vice President, Senior Editor and Host of The Shooting Channel. He is also the CEO and Owner of the TAP3X Group of Companies. FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/TheShootingWhisperer, TWITTER – https://twitter.com/TAP3Xtraining, TAP3X Website – http://www.tap3x-group.com/
EMAIL: dan.meadows@theshootingchannel.com or dan@tap3x-training.com
Need more info on the products? Visit http://www.blacksheep6tactical.com/ or Email: info@blacksheep6tactical.com