I don’t have experience with either but considering the BCM is half the price and in stock, I’d go with that. I don’t think you can go wrong with their product though. He may wait a while for the DD though.
I own two DD MK18 uppers and both are extremely solid. They are a bit over gassed but that isn’t a huge issue and they work with a variety of different ammo types reliably.
I would go with the BCM with a KMR…but I have become a pretty big fanboy of their ELW KMR line as I own a few now and the 11.5" will probably be my next.
I only have experience with the 11.5" BCM right now, but it shoots everything without a hiccup - with and without suppressor. - Federal .223, Freedom Munitions .223 reloads, wolf gold, brown bear, privi 5.56, XM193 and 855 etc.
11.5" BFH Barrel,
H1 Buffer, standard carbine spring.
I would start with whether your friend wants that DD rail. I personally wouldn’t so I wouldn’t buy a MK18. I wanted a 10.5, but the BCM 11.5 was such a great deal, and I’m completely happy with it. I don’t have a lot of rounds through mine yet but it’s been totally reliable and smoother than I expected. Only problem was there aren’t that many 10.5" Mlok rails out there. I’m pretty satisfied with the Midwest Industries rail though, even though I wish it had a better barrel nut lockup.
I have both. The BCM has the kmr and is bfh. Both are very accurate. I haven’t shot beyond 100 yards and I can’t see any accuracy advantage inside this range.
I shoot both suppressed with a surefire 556 rc and both cycle 556 without flaw (I don’t have or buy 223 to try out). I believe I have an h2 buffer in both. The DDMK18 is more overgassed than the BCM. I’ve since added a govnah on the mk18 but haven’t had the chance to shoot with it yet.
If I had to choose one, I’d choose the BCM. Reason, the KMR rail and I don’t feel like I need an adjustable gas block with it. The KMR makes it a pleasure to shoot because it’s so much more comfortable in my hands and most of all, it’s much lighter. The DD setup weighs a little over a pound more. While this isn’t much it just feels much heavier for some reason. Differences between the guns, (BCM has the KMR, is 11.5, and a Micro T1 on a Larue mount) (DD is 10.3, RIS II rail, and an EXPS3).
I’ve actually contemplated selling the RISII rail and buying a KMR rail but it looks like I’d have to modify the rail to use the three position govhah.
I was in a similar situation recently. I felt the need to have a 10.3 in the inventory since the Form 1 has 10.3" on it. I hate the RIS II. Be aware that Western Sport (westernsport.com) is a DD distributor that offers custom configured DD uppers (DD built, DD components, full factory warranty). They offer three different 10.3" DD uppers. One has the 10" RIS II (standard DD offering), one has the 10" Lite Rail II, and one with a 9" Omega X rail. I went with the 9" Omega X rail since I wanted to make sure I could mount a Saker without issue. None of those rails are “state of the art”, but the latter two 10.3" upper options can be had for $699 (with BCG and CH), and I do like the slimmer Omega X. I’ll likely change out the Omega for a keymod/M-lock whatever at some point. The Lite Rail II and Omega X offerings don’t have the “Mk18” and “5.56” laser engraving that some don’t like. There is a DD laser engraving however. I just received mine and I dig it. Put a few rounds through it yesterday. To me it’s all the good components of and build quality of the MK18 upper without the RIS II and $400 cheaper.
I can understand folks that want the official MK18 though. I just can’t get over that rail.
