Range trip with my replacement Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper. This one is much better!

Published on October 25, 2023
Duration: 11:22

This video reviews a Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper receiver after a replacement. The reviewer notes significant improvements over a previous iteration, with the firearm now functioning much better. While feeding issues persist, they are largely attributed to magazine design and modification rather than the upper itself. The reviewer suggests the platform's inherent challenges in adapting to larger .410 rounds are a factor.

Quick Summary

The Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper has seen significant improvements, but feeding reliability issues persist, primarily due to magazine design. While the upper itself functions much better, magazines can cause rounds to fail to strip or the bolt to not close properly. Ammunition choice, such as Federal birdshot or specific reloads, can impact performance.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Platform Challenges
  2. 00:14Welcome to Cranky Gun Reviews
  3. 00:25Bear Creek Arsenal Replacement Upper
  4. 00:45Range Day Setup & Ammunition
  5. 01:15First Shots & Initial Impressions
  6. 02:00Performance Update: Much Better
  7. 02:12Magazine Feed Issues
  8. 02:45Magazine Issues Identified
  9. 02:53Testing 5-Round Magazines
  10. 03:39Continued Feeding Issues
  11. 04:04The Gun Isn't a Piece of Crap
  12. 04:31Platform Design Limitations
  13. 05:01Testing Reloaded Remington Shells
  14. 05:23Reloads Work Well
  15. 06:10Magazine is the Problem
  16. 06:225-Round Magazine Design Flaw
  17. 06:40Overall Positive Assessment
  18. 06:50Testing Buckshot Reloads
  19. 07:36Buckshot Feeding Challenges
  20. 08:18Not Perfect, But Better
  21. 08:36Magazine Reliability & Break-in
  22. 09:00Testing Birdshot Reloads Again
  23. 09:20Encouraging Progress
  24. 09:34Magazines Are Not Great
  25. 09:51Most Problems are Magazine Related
  26. 10:02Rifle/Shotgun Itself is Better
  27. 10:08Is It Fixed? Reliability Discussion
  28. 10:16Much Happier with Performance
  29. 10:22Way Better Than Before
  30. 10:31Buy or Not Buy Decision
  31. 10:40Enjoyment Despite Quirks
  32. 10:45More Shooting & Break-in
  33. 10:55Thanks for Watching

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main issues with the Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper?

The primary issues encountered with the Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper are related to feeding reliability, which is largely attributed to magazine design and capacity. While the upper itself has improved, magazines can cause rounds to fail to strip or the bolt to not close properly.

Does the Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper work with different types of .410 ammunition?

The reviewer found that Remington reloaded shells and Federal 7 1/2 birdshot performed more reliably. Buckshot reloads also worked well. However, some reloads, particularly buckshot, could be tight in the chamber, indicating ammunition choice is critical for performance.

Are the magazines the main problem for the .410 upper's reliability?

Yes, the reviewer consistently identifies magazines as the main source of feeding issues. Modified 10-round magazines performed better, especially when not fully loaded, while 5-round ATI magazines presented specific design-related problems that hindered reliable feeding.

Is the Bear Creek Arsenal .410 upper a good self-defense option?

The reviewer does not recommend the .410 upper for self-defense due to ongoing reliability concerns, even after improvements. While it's becoming more fun for range use, it's not considered 100% reliable with all ammunition types for critical situations.

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