FWIW, better depends on who you ask. I like the metric lower receiver with an inch selector, and all of my metrics have this mod. Two of them also have folding charging handles, but I don't find that to be much to write home about. My meeper quick change barrel carbine has an inch bolt/carrier, but only because I had a bunch of extras and I think they look "cool". I do like the way the inch rifle swings, as it just feels a bit less front heavy than do my metrics. I suspect furniture weight has something to do with it, but don't care enough at this point to verify. I don't so much like the inch pattern PG, as the angle is off or the grip is too square. Minor, but to my mind the metric wins in that regard.
Many inch receivers will function with metric mags, but it's not designed that way and you may have feeding issues. Inch mags will not lock up in a metric mag well due to the differening styles of mag catch cut.
At this point, I only have metric rifles. The only particular reason is that they all started out as kits, which once were cheap.....I did have an inch pattern rifle, but traded it off to a guy so he and his son could have matching rifles. That one was a Brit kit on the made in Canada Imbel/century receiver. I liked it, and if I were to find another cheap one, I'd buy it.
I openly admit bias though, because I love my STG and wouldn't trade it for any inch pattern gun.
