I'm in the US, and like Chris, I've heard the words pronounced both with and without the L sound. I pronounce the L.

Longman Dictionary and Oxford New American Dictionary give two standard pronunciations with the omitted L being most common and the pronounced L being less common but also standard. I have heard them both ways in the US and Canada.

Yes, it’s silent.

I would say it is usually pronounced, but rather subtly, i.e. with the L sound at the back of the mouth near the throat..

Your correct- they are pronounced like carm parm and barm