Most of the time, Jeremy Stone from GMW tackles different topics using a variety of test firearms to make a point. It’s a rare treat to see him bring along some personal gear. In this episode, Jeremy discusses the best AR he has ever shot and why it is the BG Defense Contractor Type A Rifle.
The BG Defense Contractor Type A
BG Defense produces custom handguns and AR-15-style rifles in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their rifles are made to order with a number of factory options. The Contractor Type A is available in 5.56x45mm NATO and finished in various Cerakote options. It is available in barrel lengths from 7.5 to 20 inches with either an adjustable direct impingement gas system or a short-stroke piston. BG Defense is also notable for controlling its supply chain by making most of its rifle’s components in-house, including the barrel, handguard, and both upper and lower receivers.
Although the Contractor is available with a direct gas impingement system, the rifle earns its name from the popular short-stroke version. Overseas contractors favor a piston-driven rifle in the dusty conditions of the Middle East. In addition, this design is particularly useful during suppressed shooting.
The BG Defense Contractor is made to order with a starting price of $2,699.
Additional Specs for the BG Defense Contractor:
Receivers: 7075-series billeted aluminum
Trigger: Two-stage
Bolt Carrier Group: Proprietary Titanium-nitride coated
Muzzle Break: Proprietary ASR-ready
Gas System: Mid-length adjustable DI or short-stroke piston
Finishes: Olive Drab, Multigray, FDE, Tungsten, Bazooka Green, Armor Black
Jeremy’s Take
It’s easy to become defensive about your gear selection — especially when you pay good money for it. But, Jeremy was frank in his assessment. Although he considers the BG Contractor the best AR he has ever shot, he didn’t spare criticism either.
The Contractor has an air of craftsmanship; not only in its fit and finish, but in the manufacturing process as well. BG Defense produces almost all of its components in-house rather than outsourcing to other firms. By doing so, the production cost increases, but their products are made to exacting specifications. These parts include the bolt carrier group, handguard, both receivers, and the barrel. Even the muzzle break is proprietary.
Jeremy’s particular rifle is the piston 14.5-inch barrel model. This model is concussive to shoot but may be the sweet spot between ballistic potential and compactness. For the legal minimum 16-inch length, the muzzle break is pinned and welded to the barrel. The break is ASR-ready and attaches a Silencerco 556k suppressor in a breeze. The short-stroke piston minimizes gas blowback into the bolt carrier group when shooting suppressed. The rifle shoots cleaner, and Jeremy was spared from shooting right-handed to avoid any blowback.
Ergonomically, Jeremy praised the slim contours of the handguard. The handguard still has plenty of rail to work with where your hand is not likely to touch. The rifle doesn’t come with any QD attachments, but the rail and buttstock setup made this modification easy. The BG Defense Contractor is close to fully ambidextrous. It does not have a bolt stop on both sides of the receiver but does have a magazine release, bolt release, and safety that is ambidextrous. Jeremy found the magazine release was too high on the right side of the receiver. In this position, his left trigger finger can’t get quite enough leverage on the release without breaking his grip to activate it.
The BG Defense Contractor may not be entirely lefty-friendly, but it was more than enough of a package to wow our resident southpaw. If you are considering a higher-end AR, particularly one that is easy to work with suppressed, the Contractor is worth checking out.
