Thanks for your inputs! I should clarify my original post by adding that I knew little or nothing about Tier 1 vs.Tier 2 (and Tier 3) ARs until AFTER I got my lower and ordered the RRA carbine kit. I have since been reading up on calguns.net and arfcom. I followed links from arfcom to M4Carbine a few weeks ago, and am now hooked.
In regard to my 25 yard indoor range time, that's what's reasonably available to me in North San Diego County. 99% of my shooting is pistols (Glocks, Kahr, P22) and revolvers (S&W) - I spend a lot of time in the desert during the cool season, and intend to join the Palm Springs Gun Club for outdoor work.
I'm leaning heavily toward the BCM option - I figure that if I buy everything I need from them, it would run about $830 (plus shipping, and without the RRA two-stage trigger). Couple more questions: What are (if any) the downsides of a mid-length 16" upper vs. the 16" carbine? Do you heed an H buffer for the mid-length? Is the Stag lower parts kit better than the DPMS parts kit that BCM carries?
Thanks again,
Vista

