Thank you to everyone who offered advice. I was initially going to go with a Del Ton or CMMG bargain bin I was going to be about $650-$750 for one of these rifles. I was steered towards BCM by someone and quickly realized for just a bit more I could have a really great rifle. I had everything ready to order from BCM and my total for the upper was $580 when I came across a Daniel Defense DDM4 upper for only $650. It is as follows:
Daniel Defense DDM4 upper
"The Daniel Defense DDM4 complete upper receiver groups come complete with, 16″ Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, and Omega X 12.0 FSP Rail System.
Upper Receiver: A4 Upper Receiver with M4 Feed Ramps
Barrel Characteristics: 16″ Cold Hammer Forged, 5.56 NATO Chamber, 1:7 Twist, Chrome Lined, Mil Spec Heavy Phosphate Coated, HP and MPI tested
Complete Upper Weight: 4 lbs 8 ozs
Bolt Carrier Group: F/A BCG, HP and MPI Tested, Shot Peened Bolt, Extractor Booster, Properly Staked Gas Key
Flash Hider: A2 Bird Cage Flash Hider
Rail System: Omega X 12.0 FSP"
$650 + $16 for shipping
Rock River stripped lower-$118 with shipping and FFL license
Rock River LPK -$70 shipping was included with upper
Magpul MOE Stock, hand guards, pistol grip and mil spec buffer tube kit for $120 + $10 shipping.
Total was 968 yet I will be able to sell hand guards and pistol grip since I ended up with the DD upper and be in the low $900’s
The total was $200 more than I thought I wanted to spend initially but i feel I got a fantastic gun in return. I view that as savings since I now don’t have to buy a $100-200 rail later or “upgrade” components as I go! It hasn’t even been one day and I’m wanting it all to get here!
Thanks again for the advice and I’ll get pictures up as they come.