Opinion
Within the trendy world of gun possession, no instance of the extremes of handgun pricing is extra evident than what is happening now. Shooters have by no means had it so good — if you wish to spend over a thousand {dollars} on a custom-made competitors pistol, they’re on the market. There are numerous pistols and revolvers priced between $500 and $1000, to make sure. They are usually well-made and dependable.
However what when you can’t swing spending that a lot on a gun? You need one thing for private or house safety, or one thing to ventilate the odd tin can with, every now and then. You would favor it to be a striker-fired pistol with no security lever (however protected nonetheless, with a set off security), and in 9mm since ammo is plentiful – plus, the caliber is straightforward on the shooter. What do you do?
Happily, you’re coated. Many corporations now make some good handguns at cheaper price factors. A kind of corporations is Bear Creek Arsenal in Sanford, North Carolina, and the particular pistol is their P-101 Grizzly 9mm.
Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 9mm – A Pistol?
Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) is understood for its AR platform rifles, carbines, and pistols. They promote full rifles, uppers, lowers, and all types of different stuff. They weren’t identified for making a 9mm striker-fired handgun till lately. The unique Grizzly was a well-made, cheap pistol launched earlier this yr in April. After a few months, BCA modified a number of issues concerning the pistol and that’s the model we now have earlier than us. Should you have a look at the BCA Grizzly web site, you’ll see two totally different pistols as of this writing. The one on the left has a cultured barrel hood, whereas the one on the precise has a hood that’s black. I feel that’s the quickest technique to distinguish between the 2. I’ve the latter, black-hooded one. It’s a doozy of a pistol.
One factor I observed concerning the gun and its field was its branding.
This has nothing to do with the gun’s perform, but it surely speaks volumes concerning the firm and its presence within the market. I used to be in gross sales a few years — bought pianos and organs and later computer systems — and I acknowledge good advertising after I see it. There is no such thing as a doubt who made, or despatched, the pistol you’re holding.
Full-Dimension Or Compact?
If you’d like a full, duty-sized pistol (17-plus spherical capability, 5-inch barrel), that is your huckleberry. I’ve additionally reviewed compact (15-round capability) funds pistols… they’re on the market. I used to assume that the compact was the way in which to go for hid carry, however my pondering has advanced to the purpose the place I just like the larger-framed gun over the smaller one. Even with my less-than-svelte physique form, it doesn’t take far more to hide a full-size pistol over a compact one.
These of you with bigger fingers might wish to contemplate sticking to the full-size body. Our oldest son has fingers that gained’t fairly match round a basketball, however… they’re fairly large. The compacts simply don’t match him… he went with a full-size, 18+1, 9mm when he lately acquired a brand new pistol. My fingers can go both means, so I went with the bigger grip and capability of the Grizzly. I actually like this pistol.
Specs
What with all of the poly-framed striker-fired 9s on the market, you’d assume that specs could be pretty customary throughout the body sizes. To some extent, that is true however each mannequin is a bit totally different. Listed below are the specs for the Grizzly. The burden, sights, and set off pull are from my measurements and observations.
Caliber: 9mm
Weight: 23.4 oz.
Journal Capability: 17; Two KCI mags included
Barrel Size: 5″, non-threaded
Twist: 1:16
Barrel End: Black Nitride
Materials: 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium
Flutes: Bear Claw
Set off Pull Weight: 5 lbs, 5 oz.
Sights: Picture-luminescent blue dot
MSRP: $295
Dwell Stock Value Checker
So, we see a duty-size pistol that weighs about as a lot as different compacts. It’s mild, carries properly, and sits very properly within the hand. It additionally prices somewhat greater than half of a number of different full-size 9mms. Typically, that low value can usher in some undesirable traits, however on this case, that hasn’t occurred. I used to be impressed with its development.
Professionals:
Full-size 9mm with two high-capacity magazines
Optics-ready
Very properly made – no machining marks or different manufacturing anomalies
Bigger magazines suitable
Dependable – no stoppages after I shot it
Correct with the precise ammo
Sights are photo-luminescent
Very inexpensive
Cons
Inner metallic surfaces might be polished somewhat extra
Texturing
The texturing is fascinating… BCA calls it “Bear Fur”. I’ve proven the pistol to a number of shooters, and each commented on the texturing. They prefer it as a result of it’s simply sufficient to maintain your grip strong — not too abrasive, not too clean. They put it throughout the grip – sides, entrance, and again. Additionally they put a texture pad the place your set off finger ought to relaxation when it’s not on the set off. Fortunately for lefties like me, the pads are on either side of the gun. The final remark normally made concerning the “fur” is that it seems good, higher than stippling. Choose for your self from the images.
Different Options
Body
The body has a 20-degree grip angle, inside a few levels to that of a 1911. It’s comfy in my hand.
And, simply as above, the left and proper sides of the slide – a lot of machining right here, with lightening cuts on the perimeters and high. All the higher to see the barrel’s “Bear Claw Flutes…
Above, you may see the optics minimize cowl plate – BCA calls it a “window minimize”. RMR-footprint optics will match it with out adapter plates. Bear Creek Arsenal sells optics… test it out right here.
And, below the slide:
The body’s high:
Sights
The barrel and its fluting…
And, one thing to information these magazines into the pistol…
Taking The Grizzly Aside
I gained’t go into an excessive amount of element right here — the Griz comes aside like about 90% of striker-fired pistols on the market.
Be certain that the gun is empty and pull the takedown tabs down. Pull the slide off the body and separate the barrel and captive, flat-wound spring. Clear as wanted and put it again collectively. One factor to concentrate to: be certain the spring is absolutely seated below the barrel, within the second detent. In any other case, you may’t get the slide on the body.
How Does It Shoot?
This wasn’t my first rodeo with the Grizzly. I had reviewed it earlier than and located that it actually preferred sure Fiocchi ammo. Sadly, I didn’t see this on their web site lately however I’m certain they’ll have one thing just like it in a special field. They make good ammo that gained’t break your capturing funds. They present 17 9mm hundreds, for all functions. I’d think about a 115-grain load from their Basic line would fill the invoice right here.
Anyway, the gun is enjoyable to shoot. A 5-inch, full-size 9mm won’t present a lot recoil and this gun isn’t any exception.
Listed below are three 25-yard targets. I shot what I had readily available, three manufacturing unit observe hundreds. Not one of the teams are earth-shaking, however that is coaching ammo and, as such, is adequate for the aim.
Barnaul steel-cased ammo was, as soon as upon a time when costs had been decrease, the go-to for observe ammo. I had some, so I attempted it… yawn… My Garmin Xero C1 Professional tells me that this load averages 1099 f.p.s with a Customary Deviation of seven.4 f.p.s. – that’s a formidable SD quantity.
One other yawn. excepting the 2 pictures in virtually one gap. The Blazer load wasn’t the perfect of the three. It, like a lot of the others, shot excessive. I’ll have to make use of a 6:00 maintain. It was good for 1177 f.p.s. with a Customary Deviation of 16.1 f.p.s.
Fiocchi’s Coaching Dynamics was (barely) the perfect of the three. At the least it shot nearer to point-of-aim. The typical velocity was 1119 f.p.s. with a Customary Deviation of 13.9 f.p.s.
I didn’t set the capturing world on hearth with these teams. The seek for correct 9mm ammo continues. My previous expertise with the Grizzly has proven that it may be very correct, given the precise ammo. I shoot what I’ve or have entry to… these with a extra assorted ammo locker ought to expertise higher outcomes.
To Sum Up
Should you’re available in the market for a full-size 9mm with a 17+1 capability, the Grizzly is unquestionably price a glance. I’ve reviewed a number of budget-friendly 9mm pistols, and the Grizzly stands out as my favourite. It’s not going again—I’m protecting it.
Constructed from high quality supplies and assembled with care, the Grizzly feels strong in hand. Whether or not you’re heading out for a hike or simply desire a reliable sidearm, that is the one I discover myself reaching for. Its beneficiant capability, dependable construct, and cozy ergonomics earned it a spot in my holster. Possibly it’ll earn a spot in yours, too.
Its real-world value of round $250 doesn’t harm, both. Test it out!
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About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged creator, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
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