My apoligies for starting the $600 price thing, as I said I was misinfromed. The reliability package is $150 the best I can tell.
You know carbines and rifles are 2 very different animals. Colt has the knowledge to make a fine gun and does. However, Colt has to build to the TDP defined by the MIL, there are things that can be done to make them better but they cannot deviate from the TDP. Ken Elmore knows these things as he worked with Colt for years. The general user doesn't need these enhancements as a rule but if you want the best why not spend $150 to get them?
Now for the $600 upgrade (or $695) add up a LaRue rail, BUIS and what ever else comes with the operator package and it evens out.
