[CamaroKid300]

Originally Posted by kalimus

Well, I'm a Sig fan so I'm partial, but I actually don't own a Sig AR. My room-mate does though, and those parts fit very snug. On sale, I think the M400 is actually right at the top end of your price range.

As for plastic, you've got to understand that a lot of AR parts are plastic/polymer. Buttstock, handguards, buffer tube, pistol grips, foregrip (if you get one)... they're like that to keep them light weight. That second AR picture you showed probably weighs far too much for a "battle rifle", and tbh most of that crap is just for show. The first one, as gawdy as it looks, will be the lightest.

What you could do is build your own (even if you don't know how). There are many ways to do it, so that you can put it together how you want. You can buy lower receivers that have no parts (stripped) or a lower that has all the parts you need (complete lower). Then you can pick the upper, type of barrel, type of system (gas or piston), type of hardguard/rail, bolt carrier... etc. You don't even need to put the pieces together, although learning how would help you greatly understand your firearm.

This way you're not paying for things you don't want/need. For instance, my favorite mod on my AR is the BCM charging handle. It's like 40 or 50 bucks. I replaced the factory one, and now it just sits there. What you can do, is buy an upper without a bolt carrier/charging handle, and buy them separate. See what I mean? Lots of people here can help you with this process.

I absolutely agree with what you are saying. I did some research last night on putting one together myself and its absolutely doable. It would also help me out cause I could slowly buy the parts and assemble as I go instead of dropping the whole amount up front!

Originally Posted by shank0668

It's simple. Like previously stated go for mil spec parts. You'll need an upper with the barrel, lower, lower parts kit, buffer tube, bolt carrier group, stock, grip, hand guard, charging handle, and optic. (I think that's it)
I am partial to non polymer lowers and uppers. My brother and I are both happy with PSA uppers and barrels. I believe their barrels are FN.

This upper would probably suit you just fine.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...ng-handle.html
I went with an LMT full auto BCG. It was either that or BCM and at the height of Sandy Hook I took what I could get. Personally I think a good BCG is the way to go.

Lower... really doesn't matter. Get mill spec. There are only a handful of manufacturers anyway. I went with the only thing I could find at the time. I have a mag tactical lightweight lower.

I went with Magpul plastics.

I used a Colt carry handle for optic.

I also used PSA's LPK
I don't have the greatest AR, but it shoots well (the few times I've shot it) and should last a while. Maybe forever since I've shot 10 rounds through it since I built it in September

Thank you for the advice! I think that will probably be the route I go I just need to find which lower and what not I want to buy.

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

Just a fair warning, unless you intend to bolt on a lot of crap to your quad rail, it is unnecessary weight and bulk. Holding a quad rail is not very comfortable for very long and if you add on the cover panels, it makes the hand guard that much bulkier. Stick with a regular hand guard or something like the Magpul MOE. No unnecessary rails and weight.

Yeah really just want to have an EOtech type sight and possibly canted iron sights and thats about all I want...probably a fore grip.