Bolt Action Upper Question

kev74 · Mar 12, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
So this is something I've been pondering for a while now, and have not found a definitive answer to the question I keep wondering. If I bought a complete bolt action AR upper, can it go on any lower?

I mean, the lower would have nothing to do with the cycling of the rifle, and seeing it would be a dedicated complete upper there shouldn't be any altering the gas tube or anything. Should be drop and go correct?

Might depend on the upper, but if it says it works on mil-spec, you would be good to go.

None of the gas system is in the lower. It's all self contained in the upper.

Tisto · Mar 12, 2025

Disclaimer first : I am not a lawyer, so this advise is worth exactly nothing.

Technically speaking, if you had a standard AR type platform rifle and it contained a Kali-Key bcg or something like that, you could have any features including detachable mag, flash hider, bayonet lug, shoulder thing that goes up, or any other evil thing that would make an AR into an "assault rifle" and it would be legal here in PRNY.

Now, convincing the purple tie that has you in custody may be more difficult than simply telling him it's legal because it's not a semiauto. This could be fought and won in court. BUT, If you also had in your posession at the time a standard bcg that, if installed, would convert the rifle back to a semiauto, they would claim "constructive intent" and you could be screwed.

Other more traditional rotate and pull type bolt action uppers are available and could in fact be installed on any standard AR lower without issues. It would be far easier to convince a purple tie of the legality of these. ( still no guarantee )

What exactly are you trying to build while attempting to remain compliant with Hochul and her henchmen ?

Tisto · Mar 12, 2025

If your concern is simply the mechanics of it all, any standard AR upper would fit on any standard lower. 2 pins.

Tisto · Mar 12, 2025

A friend of mine has a traditional style bolt action upper that snaps onto a standard AR lower. His is a UINTAH. It seems to shoot ok, but he's not winning any benchrest matches with it. Then again, he might just be a shitty shot.

Loworange88 · Mar 26, 2025

FWIW, I bought a Bear Creek left side charge upper, and a heavy barrel. Built the upper with the gas block installed backwards and no tube. It functions as a straight pull bolt action. No semi auto, and the charge handle needs to be manually cycled every time.

Loworange88 · Mar 27, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
Thank you for the feedback. The only reason I would even consider a bolt upper would be for hunting. Pulling back the charging handle would mean having to break the cheek weld on a follow-up shot, to cycle. Going that route, it would be more cost-effective to just buy a Kali-Key at less than 1/3rd the cost of a whole new upper.

That’s why I got the lefty….can keep right hand on the grip and the cheek weld can stay as well. Operate with left hand. Works pretty good.

nortatoga · Apr 2, 2025

You could do something like I have here Ruger American Ranch in 5.56 ( or 762x39 takes mini 30 mags ) takes AR mags. The iron sights are from Nodak Spud which was bought by PSA not long after I bought them in early 2021, this is a good little shooting rifle. MSRP was $549.00 when I picked this up in Jan. 2021 now $729.00

That_FNG · Nov 25, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
So I had decided to go ahead and pick up a bolt action upper, but none of them are in stock and BCA doesn't know when they will be. Then I thought about the Kali Key, which I'm just not sold on. It seems like it would cause excess wear, blowing the gas back into the tube.

BCA has such bad QC that it is scary. Downright unsafe stuff that gets past and onto the market.

if you want a true bolt action AR15 or AR10 you can buy either an upper or complete rifle from this com

https://uintahprecision.com/product/upr15/

or you can do what I did and buy a side charging stripped upper and build your own. Just get a barrel with no gas system and you have a bolt action AR15 or upper, or get a barrel that has a gas port and install the gas block backwards with no gas tube to effectively block off the gas and render it bolt action.

FP1201 · Nov 25, 2025

I bought one of the BCA Bolt Actions and used it for a donor for a build and It works however, the bolt throw is very short and does not operate as smoothly as a traditional bolt action, does seem to operate smoother if there's a magazine inserted giving a little bit of upward tension. The Bolt and Carrier while appearing AR-15 have some very obvious changes and won't lend themselves to being refitted into a gas gun.

I have also bought BCA's "Side Charging" uppers with the second generation having a better charging handle design than the first which used a single 10-24 Screw through a knurled sleeve: As suggested above, I would prefer to reverse the gas block or remove it for an un-drilled one if I wanted a manual action.

Since a bolt action is not an "Assault Weapon" by definition, you can have all the evil features you want on it, the fact that it could be changed to a semi-automatic by the changing of the upper is a moot point. Current configuration is the key as one could do a lot of things, the ability isn't a crime.

The first two qualifiers for AW's: Must be semi-automatic with the ability to detach the Magazine. Bolt action by design disqualifies it as an AW, so none of the features (still must be 16" or longer barrel, 26" OAL) so build your rifle and enjoy it.

Tisto · Nov 25, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
So I had decided to go ahead and pick up a bolt action upper, but none of them are in stock and BCA doesn't know when they will be. Then I thought about the Kali Key, which I'm just not sold on. It seems like it would cause excess wear, blowing the gas back into the tube.

What caliber are you wanting to build ?

mullerjd · Nov 26, 2025

Get the side charger and remove the gas system. Turn the gas block around or have the port welded. I've done that to all my evil ones.

Brawny71 · Nov 26, 2025

AR-15 Kali Key LO-PRO - Kali Key

AR-15 KALI KEY LO-PRO BOLT-ACTION SYSTEM (B.A.S.) IN-STOCK. SHIPS WITHIN 1 BUSINESS DAY. The Kali Key Lo-Pro is our new sleek, minimalist design. We designed it for those who prefer a small footprint for transportation purposes and a more traditional, “tactical” look and feel. The user...

kalikey.com

You can also replace your bcg with one of these and its no longer semi. Then you can also have the harmful and scary features.

FP1201 · Nov 26, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
350 Legend.

I already have a complete rifle, currently with a Thordsen Gen 3 stock on it. My original thought was to pick up a complete upper in a bolt action. As I said as a fallback just in case scenario. But, BCA doesn't seem to know when they will be producing them again. I'm not looking to spend a lot and funds are very limited, so they are the only one to fit my budget, even buying parts to build the upper, I cannot do that for $200. I also know the action isn't as smooth as a regular bolt action, and it has a different feel and sound. I've shot bolt action modern sporting rifles before.
The Kali Key is around the same cost, 1/2 actually if I use the current BCG. But I'm just not sold on it. I've watched a bunch of videos and most seem to like it and it functions fine. But the one thing I've not seen anyone mention is how bad is dirties up the rifle since the gas is blowing back and not being used to cycle the action.

Unless it's cross pinned or you have very limited mechanical skills, removing the Gas Block is not difficult. One can purchase (maybe even from BCA) an un-drilled Gasblock, or perhaps even buy an un-drilled Barrel...the Blocks can often be had for well under $20.
I guess we're losing sight of your vision...perhaps you should study what's available a bit more and come back with more definitive questions.
FWIW: BCA has complete uppers on sale right now for under $200. in fact there's a half dozen .350's that are under twp hundred:

Caliber Gun Shop - Shop Every AR Caliber | Bear Creek Arsenal - Complete Upper Assembly - .350 Legend

Browse every AR platform caliber we offer here at the BCA online caliber gun shop! Great prices and high performance always guaranteed for every caliber! - Complete Upper Assembly - 350 Legend

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

Tisto · Nov 26, 2025

I have a Kali-Key. I use it in certain rifles for various hunting situations. It works well, but does increase the noise of the shot a tiny bit. Not really noticable with a .223 round, but it is with a .300 BLK sub round. It does increase the fouling in the upper receiver a bit, but I don't shoot all that much with the Kali-Key installed, so it doesn't really matter. The Kali-Key includes a BCG and CH. If you really wanted to do it right, buy the Kali-Key and replace the gas block with an adjustable. That way you could shut the gas off completely to prevent fouling, and the Kali-Key would be evidence that your gun is NOT subject to AW restrictions. It would also enable you to return your gun to full function any time you wanted to with very little effort.

FP1201 · Nov 26, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
Do you mind showing me a BCA bolt action rifle upper that is in stock? They have been out of stock for months. See, when you tell someone to study more you defeat your comment when you haven't properly done your own homework. I also stated I already have a complete upper, but to make it more clear for you, I do not want to alter that. Sorry, I am seriously not trying to be snarky but when people come at with incorrect facts it bugs me.

Everybody makes mistakes: AR-15 - Upper Assemblies - Bolt Action Style (in stock inventory of Bolt Actions as of 11/26/2025 18:29 EST)

Tisto · Nov 26, 2025

FP1201 said:
Everybody makes mistakes: AR-15 - Upper Assemblies - Bolt Action Style (in stock inventory of Bolt Actions as of 11/26/2025 18:29 EST)

There's no .350 Legend in stock.

Tisto · Nov 26, 2025

@Old Jalopy Where are you located ? Anywhere near Buffalo ? You're welcome to borrow my Kali-Key and try it out. I think you have to put your bolt in the carrier because the one I have fits .204/.223/.300B size cases.

FP1201 · Nov 26, 2025

Tisto said:
There's no .350 Legend in stock.

Order a .350 Barrel and swap them out... maybe call Customer service and ask them to assemble one?

Brawny71 · Nov 28, 2025

Old Jalopy said:
I think I'll end up going this route for now. Nitride BCG's can be found for around $50 if I decide to buy one to be dedicated to the Kali Key. As I've mentioned, I'm just wondering about how dirty it will run.

They sell the full bcg if you’re interested.
AR-15 Kali Key + BCG Bundle - Kali Key

I haven’t seen any difference in carbon or build up. Can’t explain it, just an observation.

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