I own a SLR-15, am a Defensive Edge AR armorer graduate, have handled and shot a Grail and have already given Sully a deposit for one. I won't discuss details regarding the internals of the Grail in small part because I'm not sure what is and isn't propriatary information, and in large part because I'd likely as not get some of the details wrong. I will say that building a Grail from scratch won't be accomplished with a RRA barrel and RRA internals. It also won't be done wihtout a lot of trial and error. Sully is a master gunsmith who has spent a lot of time perfecting the Grail. I know a bit about the months of work that have gone into perfecting the design, then figuring out how to consistently replicate it.
Browningguy, my SLR replaced a RRA tactical lightweight. The SLRs same plane rear apature, detachable carry handle without the snag knobs, Sully stock, textured magwell face, beefed up extraction system nad other features made it a much better carbine for my training junkie needs. I sold my RRA to a friend, and wouldn't have done that if I didn't think it was a decent rifle. However, you get what you pay for, and the SLR is a better carbine. The Grail is better yet. Depending on what you do with your carbines, a RRA may well be good enough. For a lot of AR owners, a $500 oly arms is perfectly sufficent. I've hit the point though where a lower tier carbine would be the limiting reagent in my carbine handling and shooting, so I'm willing to spend a bit more for the extra edge offered in the higer tier rifles.
Mr. Sullivan's business isn't mine to discuss, but there isn't anywhere near a $400 markup on the Grail. I'd also be startled to see it for sale via dealers for quite some time, as orders are already backlogged simply from shooters who have had a chance to shoot one at one of several courses where it's made an appearence. This is simply going t pick up pace for awhile, as the first few batches are already sold to training junkies who will be exposing other shooters to the Grail in class after class, garnering more orders. This rife sells itself.
As far as 'comprable rifles' goes, I've yet to see one. When I heard about the Grail, I assumed that it was hype. I already had several ARs, including a SLR, and there was no real way that a grail could be worth the further investment. Then I shot one, ~150 rounds at targets varying from 50 meters to 350 meters. It's unlike any AR I've shot before. The balance is perfect.
