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#1 |
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JRA BM59
Just picked up a new in the box JRA BM59 yesterday at J&G in Prescott. I was nervous after reading some of the on line review/horror stories but Damn if that gun ain't some fine lookin gunporn. I took it to the range today and ran 200 rnds of good 7.62 NATO surplus though it. I got 2 magazines with the rifle both in excellent condition. One worked flawlessly and one needs work. I expected that from what I read on line. I found the rifle to be very accurate, no problems with the working mag and just plain fun to shoot at 300 yards on steel. Zeroed the gun at the 25, took the sight up 10 clicks and to my surprise never missed the gong at 300 unless I pulled the shot. Recoil is different from a 7.62 Garand and an M1A. Very manageable but distinct. I love that gun.
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#2 |
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I would like to get one but am concerned about their receivers, they are cast but the receivers on their M14 rifles are from Bula & they are forged & by all accounts one of the best to be had. I don't know why they just don't get Bula to make them some BM59 receivers. People would be happier & I think they would sell very fast. I just bought one of the JRA M14's last week, haven't gotten it to the range yet but that thing is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Enjoy your new baby. |
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#3 |
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Yeah, cast receivers are junk. Just ask Springfield Armory.
![]() I have one of those junky JRA cast receivered BM-59s, and I agree that it is a finely built specimen. I haven’t even shot mine yet, so maybe it will put casting frags in my face when I do, but the teardown, clean & inspect, and reassemble went perfect and showed high quality surplus parts and nice attention to detail, too. Congrats on yours, especially the extra mag!
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#4 |
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Tulhman, I concur with your observations. Sintured and casting technology has come a long way. Springfield is not the only major firearms manufacturer that uses casting for receivers or other critical parts. Mine is almost all BM59 with a Springfield hammer and ww2 milled trigger guard. I don't know who made the barrel but that rifle shoots. 200 rnds of NATO 7.62 and the receiver looks unused. Let us know how yours does when you get it out to the range. I just hope the mags I ordered are useable. I have one that needs adjusting already.
Last edited by Kilo1122; February 19, 2018 at 00:35. |
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#5 | |
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#6 |
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Keep in mind that All Ruger rifles are cast. As much as I do not like Ruger I will give the credit, the receivers do not break.
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#7 |
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I've got one also and runs great and accurate. Have to love those integral bipods
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#8 |
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At this point I'm curious as to how many of you other Joe's ended up with a Bula cast receiver BM59 from JRA. Mine is stamped BULA DEFENSE SYSTEMS CLEVELAND OH on the right side of the receiver just under the op rod track. This can be seen by lifting the receiver from the stock. As I stated earlier, mine is a two digit serial number from JRA, BOOxx. The lady I talked to at JRA told me Bula cast some of the receivers as needed for JRA. Which raises another question to me and that's what other company is casting BM59 receivers for JRA? Perhaps some of you other JRA BM59 owners can chime in?
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#9 |
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I also have a 2-digit JRA with a Bula cast receiver & Bula made barrel dated 3/17.
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#10 |
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Prices have become very reasonable. If anyone is interested in a BM59E to add
to collection, http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/italiain-bm59---e-model.aspx |
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#11 | |
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Quote:
Eli |
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#12 |
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#13 |
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I guess I just don't understand when someone says "I am leary" of something. what would you be leary of. Because the receiver is cast? If so, why? Did you.experiance a.problem with your BM59? Did you experiance a problem with another cast receiver from this company? Pleas be spacific.
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#14 |
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#15 |
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I have one of the JRA Bm59’s built on a modified Springfield receiver and it runs great. While the ones built by Shuff’s are of another league, I believe JRA with their cast receivers reached a competitive price point and let more people enjoy one of the finest rifles ever built. But as usual , you get what you pay for, so do not expect to get the same level of workmanship for nearly half the price....
Now one thing that I wish JRA did not do is marking receivers so that they are not legal in some AWB states... including their M14. And yes, I know, moving is an option - it is in the works.
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#16 |
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Ok guys, I'll be more specific in my question. Is there a certain receiver manufacturer(Bula included) that has been used in the JRA builds that is "out of spec"? If so, which manufacturer of BM59 receiver, and does this fall into a specific serial number range, or are all said receivers "out of spec"? Details please. I haven't noticed any issue with my Bula cast receiver that JRA built on and sold, which I purchased new from Classic Firearms in North Carolina. Bula seems to be touted as the best on their receivers, but is there some proof that these cast BM59 receivers by Bula, are "out of spec" and their forged M14 receivers are "in spec" ? Or is this just common belief with no foundation other than rumors? I don't know, but I'd like to hear from the experts.
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#17 |
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For what it's worth, http://forum.shuffsparkerizing.com/s...-Firearms-nees
Have to join to read, but from Firearm News May 2017. Review of JRA BM59. Last edited by olddominion; February 20, 2018 at 22:31. Reason: Add info |
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#18 | |
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Quote:
JRA's finishing of said casting is, shall we say, lacking. The magazine well isn't quite right oftentimes, resulting in the need to hand-fit the magazines, and the other things outlined in the letter they enclosed with their receivers: ![]() As I've mentioned before, Item #1 is bullshit - it simply isn't true, the 8 mm pin has nothing to do with the full-auto function, it's the selector. Eli |
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#19 |
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Pictures of the Bula made BM59 receivers and barrels would be appreciated.
Early JRA BM59 receivers had teething problems. Hope the later receivers are better. |
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#20 |
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My Bula Cast BM59 receiver and barrel. Had to resize these, and this is my first picture post, so hopefully they appear ok.
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#21 |
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Heal stamp. And second pic of Bula stamping on the right side of the receiver. About as clear as the resize will allow.
Last edited by Southern 7.62; February 22, 2018 at 21:13. |
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#22 |
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Mine looks just like Southern 7.62's. Finish is fine on mine, and mags seem to lock up well, too.
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#23 |
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Sounds like they've fixed some of their issues, too bad they didn't get things in order before going into production! They still have that stupid (and unnecessary) pin-and-spacer arrangement for the front magazine catch, though.
Eli |
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#24 |
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Thanks for the photos. I wonder if the B prefix is only on Bula made receivers?
Picture of early receiver can be seen here; http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...=399711&page=7 , post #321. |
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#25 |
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Looks like the early receivers had no B prefix. http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412678
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#26 |
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Very good sir! Thanks for the links. Yes, I will assume the B prefix is only on Bula receivers, but I can't confirm this as truth. Perhaps someone with a Bula contact can inquire?
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#27 |
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So Kilo1122, have you gotten your BM 59 to the range yet?
I think a lot of us on the fence would love to see a range report. |
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#28 |
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About a year ago Bula milled a small batch of cast BM-59 receivers to help James River out when their own were in short supply.
Jeff tells me that he considered the possibility of doing some Forged BM-59s but that he did not think it worth while and that he would rather make M-14s anyway. |
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#29 | |
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Quote:
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#30 | |
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#31 |
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Yes I have. Have approximately 800 rnds in 3 separate range sessions with zero malfunctions. Using only NATO spec ball ammo. The rifle will hit all day at 300 yards and it's simply amazing how nice that rifle feels. I am extatic I got mine!
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#32 |
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Do you have a Bula receiver and barrel? Thanks
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#33 | |
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Quote:
Thanks Kilo |
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#34 |
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One of my dream guns
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#35 |
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Oldominon, yes Bula cast receiver and barrel. I also received my order for 12 BM59 mags from Sarco. Pretty nice stuff I might add. I plan on taking it out this weekend again too. I am gonna try to post some pics with the Sig 716. I am not good with computers or smart phones so it may take a bit.
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#36 |
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Thanks Kilo
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#37 |
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So it appears the JRA BM59 marked Bula are the improved rifles.
Good to know what to look for when picking a JRA BM59. Thanks |
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#38 |
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Seems to be some clarification is required regarding Bula sourced cast receivers. ArtBanks says that was for a limited run to help JRA to catch up. So are now all latest versions of the JRA BM59 guns supplied with Bula Receivers?
Those other cast receivers heel markings looked like hell. Looks like they scratched it into the wax with a scribe, which they probably were. I'm considering one but the receiver was a turn-off, but if they have improved, I'd consider it again. Can anyone take some close up pics of the Bula receivers and post them? Last edited by blfuller; March 09, 2018 at 16:44. |
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#39 |
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Anyone going to take some close up pictures of a Bula made JRA BM59 receiver?
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#40 |
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I posted a couple pics of mine a few posts up.
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#41 | |
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Quote:
+1 My JRA with Forged receiver has been flawless after 500 rounds. The early ones with the Springfield receiver were the best JRA offered. ![]() ![]()
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#42 |
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Dam Hansel, you really do have the best collection that I have ever seen!!!
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#43 |
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The j&g photo shows one with the long muzzle device but the sarco ad does not. It is it twist on or something?
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#44 |
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Sarco ad is a BM59E. The J&G ad is probably picturing a Tri comp. Tri comps are threaded I believe. I haven't seen J&G pic.
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#45 |
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Bula/JRA BM59 picture
Had some spare time to finally snap a pic of my Bula/JRA BM59 to share.
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