You can purchase the lower anywhere, from a local dealer or online. If you purchase online, you must provide a copy of your dealer's FFL, and the retailer will ship the lower to your dealer. When you fill out the ATF paperwork with your Maryland FFL Dealer for the lower receiver transfer, they will require you to provide the WEB number you receive after completion of the online MSP safety course. Without that number, they cannot submit the paperwork. So yes, you need to complete the course prior to completing the transfer.
For lowers, BCM requires you to mail in their completed order form, a copy of your dealer's FFL, and payment (including shipping) in the form of a USPS Money Order. This is all explained on their PDF order form. Everything else can be purchased with debit/credit card, or mailed payment. Obviously the benefit of buying from a local retailer is you can see it first, and get it right away. The benefit of buying online is you avoid sales tax, but might pay some shipping (depending on who you buy from).
Don't be intimidated by buying the upper assembly (upper receiver with forward assist , dust cover, barrel, gas tube, and handguard already installed) and the bolt carrier group separate. The BCG slides right into the upper as an assembly, and removing it is part of the field strip/cleaning process anyway. The only other part you'll need is the charging handle, BCM has several sizes of their popular "Gunfighter" model you can choose from. I like the medium (Mod 4 I think). First timers sometimes are confused as to how the charging handle fits.. it starts low, slides in about an inch, then clicks up into the upper receiver before being pushed fully forward. The two "ears" fit into cutouts.. you'll understand when you see it.
Personally I really like the 12" Daniel Defense Lite rail system. It's stiff but light, doesn't touch the barrel (fully floated), has a full-length rail that matches up to a flat-top rail receiver perfectly. The rail is numbered for easy re-configuration. Strong durable finish and for what it's worth, I think it looks great too. BCM's complete upper with 16" cold hammer forged govt profile barrel and DD 12" rail is like $875. LaRue Tactical and VLTOR are also good options.
For lowers, BCM requires you to mail in their completed order form, a copy of your dealer's FFL, and payment (including shipping) in the form of a USPS Money Order. This is all explained on their PDF order form. Everything else can be purchased with debit/credit card, or mailed payment. Obviously the benefit of buying from a local retailer is you can see it first, and get it right away. The benefit of buying online is you avoid sales tax, but might pay some shipping (depending on who you buy from).
Don't be intimidated by buying the upper assembly (upper receiver with forward assist , dust cover, barrel, gas tube, and handguard already installed) and the bolt carrier group separate. The BCG slides right into the upper as an assembly, and removing it is part of the field strip/cleaning process anyway. The only other part you'll need is the charging handle, BCM has several sizes of their popular "Gunfighter" model you can choose from. I like the medium (Mod 4 I think). First timers sometimes are confused as to how the charging handle fits.. it starts low, slides in about an inch, then clicks up into the upper receiver before being pushed fully forward. The two "ears" fit into cutouts.. you'll understand when you see it.
Personally I really like the 12" Daniel Defense Lite rail system. It's stiff but light, doesn't touch the barrel (fully floated), has a full-length rail that matches up to a flat-top rail receiver perfectly. The rail is numbered for easy re-configuration. Strong durable finish and for what it's worth, I think it looks great too. BCM's complete upper with 16" cold hammer forged govt profile barrel and DD 12" rail is like $875. LaRue Tactical and VLTOR are also good options.
) website that is linked above... it was "used" but the guy I got it from bought it... never put an upper on it... put it in his safe.... then decided to sell it to finance another project. I paid $300 shipped.
