If you're looking in that BCM / SOLGW price point it may also be worth considering:
- Midwest Industries - full builds and uppers with FN and Criterion barrels at a competitive price (and their rails are very light).
- Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) - long stroke piston design, various lengths available and suppress well.
- Triarc - great options for barrel lengths, add ons, and the tri-lock rails are very nice.
Weapon Outfitters does a good job on custom built uppers as well with lots of options from components (including Hodge barrels) to gunsmith services like pin/weld.
What are you looking to do with the rifle? General all-around? Home defense? Classes? Close quarters or mid distance capability? Suppressed or no? Red dot or LVPO? Do you care about proprietary parts?
All of these factor in to the choice. For example - if looking for a general all-around close-to-mid distance rifle that I don't want to SBR I'd probably look for a mid-length gas 13.9-14.5 pinned and welded. If weight is a concern such as with a LVPO or you're going to have the rifle slung for long periods, maybe a lighter upper is worth while - such as a hybrid profile Midwest Industries upper or a similar BCM. If using laser aiming devices, something with a sturdier rail may make more sense (such as Geissele super duty or wedge-lock type). If SBR or pistol is an option, 11.5" - 12.5" may suit your needs. If you don't want any proprietary parts, that rules out a bunch of companies (KAC, anyone making a piston upper, etc).
According to Triarc they're getting comparable velocities out of their 13.9 to a standard 14.5 barrel, which is kind of neat.
Personally, if I were looking for an all-around hard-use defense and training carbine I would probably spec:
- 13.9"-14.5" Pin/Weld to 16" direct impingement with quality barrel and choice of muzzle device
- Forged upper receiver
- Pinned gas block
- M-Lok Rail
- Quality BCG
- Quality trigger
- Quality red dot or LVPO
- Modlite or Surefire WML
- Quality sling
Of the companies listed that would leave Weapon Outfitters/other custom build, SOLGW and Triarc. That being said, you can't go wrong with BCM - some things just come down to personal preference and tradeoffs that are acceptable to your end use.