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SHOP NOWGBRS Group’s Cole and DJ sit down with Classic Firearms to walk through their top five rifles and carbines. They explain how real-world use shaped their preferences in setups, parts, and accessories.
The video opens with Ka from Classic Firearms joined by Aaron and guests DJ and Cole from GBRS Group. They explain that GBRS started about five years ago, built on a SEAL team background, with a focus on transferring knowledge to people who carry firearms professionally, including SWAT, military, and responsible citizens. Their goal is to connect mental, physical, emotional, and tactical aspects so users improve incrementally. DJ describes “knowledge transfer” as the in-depth, experience-based instruction that is not on PowerPoint slides, but delivered through passion and clear communication. He jokingly calls himself a “knowledge transfer specialist,” borrowing the idea from “sandwich artists,” and notes that this applies to anything from teaching a child to ride a bike to instructing on CQB or firearm building.
The group transitions into the main topic: Cole and DJ’s top five guns based on their experience. Cole introduces his number five choice, a BCM carbine that has been with GBRS since the beginning. It started as a fairly basic BCM WKY 14 and was customized over time. Cole notes that it is probably the longest-running AR in their lineup and describes it as a very slick, dependable rifle that has become a go-to gun for both him and DJ. They emphasize that, unlike many heavily accessorized rifles, this BCM remains relatively simple and lightweight while still being configured to their preferences and operational needs.
Cole details the modifications on the BCM. The original barrel was replaced with a Proof Research barrel around 11–12 inches, paired with an Elevated Silence muzzle brake. He swapped the factory furniture for Magpul grips and buttstock, added an ambidextrous safety because he is left-handed, and installed a BAD lever to speed up bolt release. The rifle runs a high-rise optic mount, the GBRS Hydra Learner mount, with an Aimpoint model that uses the Romeo 4XT Pro. Cole likes that this optic can be set to a single dot or an EOTech-style reticle. The mount height is 2.91 inches, chosen to allow a more heads-up posture and easier use with gas masks and night vision, reducing the need to drop the head behind the gun.
Cole and DJ stress the BCM’s reliability, saying it goes bang every time and has never malfunctioned for them. Cole estimates around 10,000 rounds through the barrel while still holding its dope. DJ compares BCM carbines to a Toyota Hilux or Tacoma: a base model that will run for a very long time with minimal attention. He notes that once people shoot these rifles, they are impressed by how well they perform, and that BCM models can be hard to find because they sell out quickly. They mention subtle upgrades like Proof Research barrels and Geissele triggers to tailor the gun without overcomplicating it. When asked why the rifle wears a large brake instead of a flash hider, Cole explains that he prefers brakes for better recoil management, acknowledging they are louder but stating that they control movement more effectively than flash hiders.
Moving to the number four gun, DJ introduces a Cobalt Kinetics carbine built by Cole, highlighting its exceptionally tight fit between upper and lower receivers. He says the way the receivers mate up is hard to ignore and that it would be difficult to find a carbine that locks up tighter. Cole and DJ reference older solutions like orange receiver wedges used in Colts and HK 416s to remove slop, noting that this rifle eliminates the need for such add-ons. Cole mentions that despite the tight tolerances, the gun has been highly dependable, with roughly 7,000 rounds fired before its first cleaning and no issues. They demonstrate how a small protrusion on the buffer interfaces with the bolt to take up slack between the receivers, which they feel matters when gripping and running the carbine hard.
Cole outlines the Cobalt Kinetics build. The upper and lower receivers are 7075 aluminum, while the rail is 6061 to reduce weight. It uses another Proof Research barrel and a Dead Air muzzle brake with KeyMo interface. Cole notes that Proof barrels feel crisper when shooting and shed heat quickly, helping during high round counts. The rifle is equipped with an Arisaka light body paired with a Modlite head, and QD sling points on both sides to support left- or right-handed use during teaching. On top is the GBRS V2 Hydra mount with an Aimpoint Comp M5S and an NGAL laser. Controls include a BAD lever, ambidextrous safety, Magpul grip and buttstock, and a GBRS cheek riser. The trigger is a mil-spec Geissele unit. Cole says this was an original build where he did not change to a different style trigger, despite having tried both flat and curved variants on other rifles.
The discussion shifts to weapon light pressure pads. Cole recalls that early pressure pads lacked the protection modern designs have, leading to concerns about accidental discharges of white light. Because of this, they historically avoided pressure pads on white lights. He and DJ both praise Unity Tactical for improving pad design so that accidental activation is less likely, while still being usable when needed. DJ explains that in military use, carbines are often slung or stowed in awkward positions while climbing or negotiating obstacles, which can cause unintended activation. Under night vision, teammates might mistake white light for a laser spill, and a brief flash can compromise an entire element. For that reason, their SOP in the teams prohibited pressure pads on white lights. He notes that modern SWAT and NVG users must rapidly move between no light, IR, and white light, so pad placement and awareness remain critical even with better hardware.
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