To the OP:
The BCL 102 is similar to the original AR10/DPMS style rifles in size and weight. They have done a fairly good job thinning it out with the second generation to make it less bulky and also they seemed to have taken some weight off it. But it's still not a light weight. If you planned on using it as a carbine ie like an AR15 then I would recommend something like the DPMS Gii Recon instead. Of course the Gii is restricted. You can get the weight down with the 102 but you are still dealing with the original design that led to the AR10. You can still set it up and use it as a carbine, but there are compromises. Plus it will mean replacing the handguard along with trying to save those ounces everywhere you can.
Out of the box the BCL 102 is a multi purpose jack of all trades firearm. As it stands right now out of the box I would say it's best use is for hunters who want a semi auto and informal target shooters who want a fun semi auto. Mine will be setup as a Designated Marksman rifle/informal target shooting. I plan on going with a 3-9X Burris E1 scope. This will allow me to shoot groups decently at 100-200 yards on the range or out in the bush, plus plinking etc at range. While also allowing a low enough magnification to use it as a carbine if I want (My new work out program? ) or possible even as a hunting rifle some day.
That may change later on after doing some accuracy testing. Although for a target rifle or precision I prefer a 20-24" barrel with a thicker bull barrel profile. That being said if it shoots how I suspect it will with the right ammo (have seen two other owners confirm the reload formula with .5 to .75 moa 5 round groups) then I may up the magnification. Probably not though as I can still do small groups with 9X at 100 and 200 yards. Plus this being a non restricted, I want to give the rifle more options rather than just as a precision AR10 rifle. I already have a few of those.
With regards to reliability, QC etc as it's been mentioned. You will see a number of complaints online here and there. Some legitimate issues. Mostly with the early rifles. Not very many reports of issues with the latest ones. The common issues that were showing up seem to have been dealt with and the product improved fairly quickly. Also keep in mind that according to the serial numbers there are over 1000 of these rifles now in the wild. The other factor is that there is really no competition right now for a non restricted AR308 rifle.
If you want something very specific in purpose such as the lightest hunting rifle, carbine or dedicated precision rifle etc then get the stripped upper/lower and build off that or be prepared to have some parts changed. Just beware that the price will start creeping up. I generally try to buy as close to what I want out of the box as possible to avoid the prices going up quickly and significantly. Your optic choice will of course reflect the purpose you've specd out your firearm for.
I should be receiving my FDE BCL 102 before June 6th according to the tracking number. I did however get a chance to check out a BCL 102 that a buddy received a couple of weeks ago from the same pre order. This would be the third pre order with the latest of the so called Gen 2 rifles. I was actually very pleasantly surprised. No machine marks, the cerekote was perfect and the contours of the upper/lower along with handguard looked very good. The contours all matched, so no lines out of place between the upper/lower which I've seen even with big name stuff. Upper/lower fit was snug and perfect. I've always liked the gen 1 as it's standard AR10 looking, but the contours of this gen2 rifle were both good looking and made the rifle seem thinner/handier plus the weight seemed fairly light for an AR308 based on the AR102 receivers. The BCG looked really good as well unlike some of the earlier problem ones we've all seen photos of. The finish was smooth, no machine marks and the gas rings/bolt tension was correct. Now the bolt etc isn't MPI etc like LMT/KAC or some of the other military proven AR10/AR308 rifles but at least from an initial inspection it looked good. Trigger was gritty but break was clean and the weight while heavy for most was usable for me. I think I can work on it and not have to replace it. Anyways long story short, I was pleasantly surprised. It's still a consumer/hobby grade AR10/AR308 rifle but so is it's nearest competitor. Also the BCL 102 was looking fairly polished. I really was pleasantly surprised. Again, there is really no competition out there for the BCL 102 if you want a non restricted AR308 rifle that actually shoots like an AR308 rifle should.
