[What's the verdict on Ti and Al bolt carriers?]

Even JP states that their LMOS carriers should be considered consumables, especially the Ultra LMOS aluminum. Light recoiling and reliable (as long as it's kept clean and lubed), but according the part replacement schedule on my JP-15 it should be changed out at 10,000 rounds.

[FN-15 Competition vs. Colt Pro CRP-18 vs. Armalite M-15 Competition]

It sounds like the CRP-18 Pro might be the overall better-built rifle out of the box. I might yet see if my budget will allow just going straight for a JP-15, but it will probably crimp my glass and ammo budget too much.

Still curious about the FN. Might go back to the LGS and get them to pull the bolt out for me... the retail on that gun is $2250 which seems high, though street pricing is $1900 (was offered $1.8 on it if I bought glass there for it). It comes with the Timney trigger and NiB coated bolt and carrier, and it also uses a machined upper and lower from billet as opposed to the cheaper forgings, but that seems a strange thing to spend all that money on instead of a low-mass system and adjustable gas. If it was marketed as an incredibly tough duty rifle it'd make more sense.

Unless I'm missing something (and I probably am), it looks like a JP CTR with a full-mass operating system and non-adjustable gas, which makes it a weird duck indeed. In person it's an absolutely beautiful machine in terms of fit, finish, and feel, but I'm perplexed at the design choices. Not a fan of the blue anodizing, though I understand that's a long-standing FN mark for comp gear.

Thanks for the input.

[FN-15 Competition vs. Colt Pro CRP-18 vs. Armalite M-15 Competition]

I'm looking to pick up a quality AR for 2 gun (and eventually 3 gun) comps, and I don't have the tools to assemble one or the expertise to pick out individual components. A complete rifle is a simpler decision and is still driving me nuts.

I've shot USPSA and IDPA for a couple of months and am loving it. Got to try a club members JP SCR-11 in an informal 2-gun 'run and gun' afternoon and realized it was even more fun than straight pistol. I've got a good budget for a rifle, but it's not rich enough for a JP plus glass plus a couple cases of ammo. I can afford $1600 or so for the gun itself but can't go much more than that.

All three rifles above hit that price point, with the exception of the FN, and I can get it for right at $1800. They all seem very, very similar, but the FN doesn't have an adjustable gas system and has no current reviews that I can find. The Colt and M-15 are heavily (and very positively) reviewed. I've personally handled (but not shot) both the FN and the Colt. I'd love to see a complete review of the FN to see exactly why they want $200-$400 more for it than the other two.

I know the common consensus is typically to build a rifle with this kind of budget, but I'd much rather start with one already set up for flat shooting and rapid follow-up. The differences are likely small enough to make it a toss-up, but if anyone here has some wisdom to throw my way I'd be grateful.