The mid-length refers to the gas system. The gas is tapped at a different place in the barrel, so there's a carbine, mid-length, and full-length gas system based on how far down the port is placed. This also determines where the front sight is located if you used a standard fixed front sight since it's integrated with the gas block. That in turn also determines how long handguards/rails you have. The carbine length is designed for a 14.5" barrel (so i don't quite know why you'd want a mid-length 14.5 upper; it'd also look a little odd with longer handguards), the mid-length for a 16", and the full-length for 20".
All of the above makes sense and jives w/ what I've read about on forums, but... On both BCM and DD company sites, they list a "14.5 barrel" and a "14.5 mid length barrel," hence my confusion. Here's an example (at the top, there's two seperate categories...carbine and mid length):
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Upper-Receiver-Groups-s/1.htm
Nope, and it is slightly handier than the 16". If your goal is an M4 clone, by all means go with the 14.5"
So sounds like a 14.5" Carbine is the way to go though for what I'm trying to do (which is to have fun while not looking like a poser).
mmx1 answered most of your questions.....and I agree with him that the 14.5 in barrel with a pinned flash suppressor does seem slightly easier to point. It feels right. Maybe it's the small amount of saved weight out on the muzzle. Anyway it's what I have on my go to weapon. Besides it really does look better. Just remember that removing the front sight assembly later won't be a good option. You probably will never need to do that unless you have to remove it to change rails. Drop in rails can be changed without taking off the FSA but many others can't.
Which is why I'm looking at some of the BCM uppers that don't have the front site. Honestly, I think I'm starting to get bogged down in the details. For a first time rifle, would it matter if it did or didn't have permanent front sites? Yeah, I know I'd have to buy a front site to put on the rail.
A 7in rail can get a bit crowded but you should be able to mount a Harris bipod and a vert grip with no problems. You wouldn't be able to mount the grip very far forward that way though. I'm guilty of using the mag well as a "vert grip" or if I mount a vert grip its usually pretty far back. That's a bad habit I developed before there even were vert grips! mmx1's got it right with a stubby grip way out front. That gives you better control of the muzzle. Also I'm not sure a bipod on a 14.5 or 16in carbine would be that useful anyway.
The bipod idea was more as a way to cheaply bench the rifle. But I understand what you're saying regarding length and the need for a bipod. As for the rail, sounds like maybe a 9" rail is a good compromise? I'm still trying to figure out how to determine whether a rail (like DD's system) is modular or if the whole thing slides over the barrel. I know different makes and models do it differently, just trying to keep that straight and figure it out is a challenge.
Are you sure you are looking at BCM's retail website? They have tons of stuff, lots of upper selections and mil spec parts. Their stuff is as good as can be purchased anywhere. When they are out of stock they restock fast and they have good customer service too.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
Yup, that's the site, I think some of my confusion w/ the mid vs carbine vs light-weight thing (and how some have huge long rails...I don't think I want or need a 12" rail). Plus, the way I had it sorted, I was only seeing the 9 in stock, which probably doesn't help.
I added some pics that might help you visualize different barrel configurations.....
Gatordev if you aren't already you'll want to check out the AR15.com industry forums for Daniel Defense and Bravo Company. They are great sources of info for their products. Arfcom gets a well deserved rep for having more that it's share of wannabes and loudmouths but the industry forums and technical forums are pretty damn good. Manufactures like DD and BCM are very active there because of the site's huge membership.
Thanks for all the reference links and pics. That helps. I'll have to dig around AR15.com when I can. But I want it now! Don't worry, my OCD when it comes to purchases will make me want to continue to research.
I think Rocketman is my new personal hero...
I may have missed some mention it previously, but rail length/style really depends on what you want to do with the rifle. There are plenty of manufacturers shoo make handguards that can have 1913 rails added into them in a modular fashion, so if you don't want a huge heavy rail system on your rifle, you still have the option to add accessories. If anyone's in the market for one, I've got a Magpul MOE set in FDE that you can have for shipping.
Are you talking a grip or a stock (or a rail)?
Thanks everyone for the help. I'm sure I'm going to be peppering this thread with more questions, especially after next week when I finally get an inspection behind us.
