Eric.

You mean barrel quality? The quality is fine, for your purposes. Should shoot between 1-2 MOA with decent ammo and last thousands of rounds. Just keep the bore lightly oiled, if it sits a while. Keep in mind, with the BCM, you still have to buy handguards, a BCG and charging handle. For that amount, I *personally* would go with the the suggestion High Exposure gave you. IT also comes with a BCG, free float handguard, muzzle device and flip up sights. All for $530. Much more bang for your buck... http://www.primaryarms.com/troy-industries-16-556-upper-w-13-m-lok-rail-and-flip-sights/p/supr-bf1-16bt-00-m/

With all due respect, I dont think this is proven or an established fact. If you have reports or research on this, I would be grateful for the info...

High Exposure suggested an upper form Primary Arms (Troy). Taht comes with flip up sights and a free float rail. To me, that is a lot of value for the cash. It should cover all of your requirements and then some. Let me know when you want to build a precision SPR. I'll help you spend the kid's college fund.

To a certain degree, you are right. With NP3, for instance, it does have self lubricating properties i.e. the PTFE mixed into the coating. I've run one dry, just to see what the failure point is. It nvr stopped cycling, although I didnt test it under full auto conditions. That said, if you run your BCG "wet", like you are supposed to (I use Mobil 1 motor oil), you may not need the extra layer of protection/function that the coated BCG's offer. I'm not a fan of Nickel Boron coatings. It's a heavier coating, almost like plating and can separate from the BCG (kinda like chrome plating).

Just to muddy the waters more, there are a lot of options. It would have helped if you gave a rough budget figure. Since you stated "range toy and HD gun", there isnt a need to over spend on premium barrels and such, unless you are into precision rifle shooting. That said, a complete upper, as others have mentioned, might give you the most bang for your buck. While AR's are very simple to assemble, you do need some special tools. You need an armorer's wrench, which can handle certain functions like: -tighten the standard barrel nut -tighten a castle nut (if you are going with an adjustable stock, that will be pinned) Also, you will need an AR assembly block. While it isn't a necessity, it does make life a lot easier, especially when torquing down a barrel nut. The assembly block provides support for the fragile upper section where the ejection port is. Without it, it is easy to bend the lower port area that can cause your BCG to bind or worse yet, split the upper receiver there. Aside from that, everything else can be done with simple hand tools (or, paperclips like Rick mentioned). Edit- For a BCG, NP3 is my preferred coating. Nitride and Nickle Boron are popular too. Then again, depending on your budget, it might be an unnecessary cost for a range toy/HD gun. butt stocks usually do NOT come with a buffer tube. There are 3 types of tubes-A2, mil spec and commercial. It all depends on what stock you are running. If you are not running an A2 (M16 looking" stock, then you need a mil spec or commercial tube. I would go with the mil spec tube. Make sure you buy a matching mil spec butt stock too, so it will fit properly.

Love the Henry-looking rifle. One of my favorite cowboy era guns. Eric

Unbelieveable deal for a range finder good to 1700 yards... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bushnell-7x26-Elite-1-Mile-FDE-Horz-ARC-VDT-ESP-VSI-Waterproof-Rangefinder-Box/36447032?sourceid=csesh01fd5699e0601942e080688c8bb244a971&wmlspartner=shoppingcom&affcmpid=1267077764&tmode=0000&bcfg=4932357359c95d0e0af19b9ac754a73c&veh=cse&affjs=1&affwt=popupBlank Eric

The Hackettstown deal is your best bet, if she wants a basic AR for plinking. Can't go wrong with a Windham (former Bushmaster guys prior to Freedom Group). Eric

If you decide to order one, you can have it shipped to an FFL that can do the compliance work. Most cases involve pinning the muzzle device and adjustable stock( if its collapsable) and cutting off the bayonet lugs. These mods do not diminish the function or looks much, if at all. It usually runs under $100. I would recommend Tier One Defense, in Mountainside. Mike also posts hete under T1defense. Eric

Tier One Defense. Mike is a great guy to deal with and does nice, tight work.

I still want to try one, but with all the positive reviews, I may just buy it and call it a day. After all, we're talking about $300. Another point, from all the reviews is that you are getting a TON of scope for that $300...

Thanks for the review, Vlad. I had a few questions- How do you like the horseshoe reticle and is it obtrusive? How would you compare it to a red dot optic,as far as how quick it is to acquire the target? Do you have any idea what the battery life is?

I had a chance to handle/shoot my buddies RPR (6.5C). I would say that it falls in the 11-12 lb range, with a scope and sling. I would say, weight-wise, that it's not much heavier than a varmint barrelled rifle. Very do-able, to carry it around for a bit, in my opinion. Eric

Hope to see a few forum members on Sunday. I'm driving a blue Infiniti 2dr coupe, have a tan/FDE rifle drag bag, shooting a custom 700 in a FDE McCree chassis and wear glasses, in case we happen to get squaded up...

I haven't seen anybody selling them for 1k. The best ive seen is in the 1100 to 1200 area. That said, like any other hot commodity, you can pay a premium or wait for prices to come back down. It all depends on what you value, right? I know, for me, if the choice was to shoot my 308 for another 6-12 months and waste hundreds of rounds while i wait to switch to a 6.5c RPR, then the couple/$300 extra bucks aint that big of a deal. Eric

Yep, agreed, but thats how things work around here. Look at it this way; if ya got to have one now, its only a couple hundos over retail list price. For that matter, yiu are getting a rifle that would cost about $2500 or more, if you built it yourself... Eric

My buddy bought one in 6.5c, sight unseen. We shot it a couple weeks ago and it was dead on, right out of the box, shooting 140gr Winchester match ammo. He literally had shot about 20 shots, getting his scope zero'd and met me at teh range. The RPR makes me almost regret building my custom Defiance 700 short action. Almost. BTW, my friend bought his off Gunbroker and paid $1500. Eric

Rick, I'd like to hear your opinion comparing the pros vs cons of the Vortex SE to an Aimpoint Pro with a magnifier. I know you don't have much variable scope experience, but I believe you have a lot of time on an Aimpoint? Thanks. Eric

This is supported prone. The is a sight in period where a spotter can be used. Im bringing a spotter that we can share, if you want. Once the match starts, no spotting scopes, etc. You have to spot your own hits. Eric

Glenn? Eric

Yes and no... To win or place high, you need to be able to hit a 3"x5" bullseye at 300 yds 19 or 20 times. That said, this is a somewhat casual match and you will see all kinds of rifles and level of shooter. If anything, its a good day to just try out your 1903 at 300 yds. Maybe we can have an NJ Gun Forum informal meet up at the same time? 8am coffee in the parking lot, lol... Eric

Sunday, Oct 25, $20 entry. Cherry Ridge, NJ. 300yd match on reduced size targets, 20 shots for score. Anyone else going? http://www.anjrpc.org/resource/resmgr/Competitions_/Carlos_Hathcock_Match.pdf Eric

Sunday, Oct 25, $20 entry. Cherry Ridge, NJ. 300yd match on reduced size targets, 20 shots for score. Anyone else going? http://www.anjrpc.org/resource/resmgr/Competitions_/Carlos_Hathcock_Match.pdf Eric

Glenn, I'll take one 8" and one 12". I can drive to Plainfield, to get them if you pm your address. I can always use an extra plate or two and hate to see you get stuck with em. Eric

Yes, thanks for clarifying. Eric