For milspec phosphate BCG: BCM, DD, and one LMT (the FA not the enhanced) For coated BCG: I moved away from coated BCGs after trying some years back and not being impressed with the long-term results. Then recently tried the Sionic NP3 coated BCG, and saw some more detailed testing on them online. Those IMO are worthwhile, have two of them now.
For comparison, a Colt 14.5” M4 barrel has a stripped weight of 1 pound, 9 ounces. BCM 14.5” ELW Colt 14.5” M4 barrel. (not stripped) I purchased this barrel as part of a BCM factory assembled upper receiver group with the MCMR 13” free-float hand guard. The barrel has BCM’s pinned and welded A2X flash hider.
BCM runs on much smaller margins and if you know how much they spend ensuring you get a top notch product, you would understand. A $1800 DD gun costs the same $1200 BCM gun costs to make, except BCM probably spent more in QC/QA and ensuring every part met spec.
I like BCM's stuff, I have their upper receivers, rails, gas block, charging handles, rail covers, etc...BUT from the reports and stuff that I've seen featuring their SS barrels, I'll pass. To be fair, maybe the shooter's experience and ammunition selection played a part in the reviews/reports but why take the chance...
I'm going to swap my 16" BCM BHF ELW standard upper for a similar 14.5" upper. Is it worth waiting for the ones with the MK2 uppers to surface? Are the MK2 uppers significantly better than the standard uppers?