In my opinion based on my limited experience, the modularity of the platform pretty much upsets the old paradigm about cost vs. quality vs. accuracy vs. etc. etc. etc. This is a totally different universe from the bolt-action world.
The way I see it, if you like your trigger, the barrel is accurate, the BCG is durable and reliable, and minor parts don't break then you've got yourself a perfectly useable rifle.
A crappy magazine can make a $2000 Daniel Defense AR look like a piece-o-schidt.
If I have a brand new BCA and a brand new DD rifle in comparable configuration and begin swapping parts between them, at what point does the DD become a turd? At what point does the BCA become a "good rifle?"
Considering the purposes and functions of various components or parts of an AR, I believe that it's the BCG, the barrel, and the trigger that make the gun. And it all depends on a good magazine to run right. Seems pretty simple to me.
Pretty close to my thoughts.
BCG weight vs gas port size and length of tube can be important combos. Then again an adjustable gas block covers some if not all of that.
Parts wise... what so many forget is these aren't battle rifles. And most dont' get a barrel burned out either. If I were going for either situation I tend to get a bit pickier about the rest of the parts too. But not totally anal either. LOL
