All-American AK: The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-47
What Was Announced
Bear Creek Arsenal, a North Carolina-based company best known for its AR-15 components and complete firearms, has expanded into the AK market with the new BC-47. Though the company has spent years building barrels for other AK manufacturers, the BC-47 marks its first foray into producing a complete AK-pattern rifle. Announced for 2026, the BC-47 represents a significant milestone for the company and offers American shooters a domestically sourced option in the popular 7.62×39 mm caliber.
Key Specs and Features
- Caliber: 7.62×39 mm
- Barrel: 16-inch 4150 chrome moly vanadium steel with Parkerized finish, 1:10-inch twist rate
- Receiver: Stamped steel with nitride finish
- Muzzle Threads: M14x1 LH (left-hand thread) for common AK muzzle devices
- Sights: Front post with protective ears and rear adjustable notch
- Optics Rail: Soviet-pattern rail mounted to the left side of the receiver
- Bolt-Hold-Open: Notch incorporated into the safety lever
- Furniture: Polymer construction with ergonomic pistol grip, stock with storage compartment and recoil pad, and textured handguard with Picatinny accessory rails
- Variants: Three color options: black, gray, and flat dark-earth (FDE)
- MSRP: $899 (rifles ship without magazine)
- Magazines: KCI USA metal AK-pattern magazines available in 20- and 30-round capacities (sold separately)
What Makes It Different
The BC-47 distinguishes itself by combining traditional AKM esthetics with modern shooter-focused features. While retaining the classic stamped steel receiver and AKM-pattern sights, the rifle includes a left-side optics rail — a feature rarely seen on standard AK variants — and a bolt-hold-open notch on the safety lever. The polymer furniture set is a notable departure from traditional wood or standard polymer sets, offering an ergonomic grip and a stock with an integrated storage compartment. The addition of Picatinny rails on the handguard allows for modern accessory mounting, bridging the gap between classic AK design and contemporary expectations.
Availability and Pricing
The BC-47 is slated for release in 2026. With an MSRP of $899, it positions itself as a competitively priced entry into the AK-platform market. As a new product from a company better known for AR components, availability will likely ramp up following the initial release. The rifles will ship without a magazine, but Bear Creek Arsenal sells KCI USA metal AK-pattern magazines in 20- and 30-round capacities as separate accessories.
Keep an eye on our inventory at BT Gun Company as this model arrives…