I used the term "level up". To me, that means getting a rifle with a better trigger from the factory, great barrel, nicer amenities (ambi safety), QD rail mounts, QD barrel systems (although not important to me) polygonal rifling (whether or not you buy the hype), other proprietary systems that help with cooling (rails, in some cases), piston system in some cases.
I mean, (as an example) there is a reason why Larue is taking over the AR10 market based on accuracy alone (not what im after, just saying that their 3500.00 gun is better than the 1500.00 dollar average ar10)
Anthony, a lot of the 2500+ dollar rifles leave that "milspec" arena with some of the refinements that they add based on innovation. Barrels, Billet pieces, geissele-or-similar triggers, custom or proprietary stocks, rails that QD and or have better cooling properties than most,...