I research almost everything I buy. I'm mulling over a gun purchase myself at the moment. When I was a kid we used to shoot .22 rifles for fun. I've never had many handguns so I can't speak a lot on them.
Currently, I'm eyeing an AR-15 for an extremely low price.
Doing some research lessens the chance of getting it wrong and with firearms that's usually costly.
I never did the .22LR rifle thing when I learned, I went straight to centrefire with handguns and rifles and the rest is history as they say. Hopefully that AR works out for you, nice shooters and if it's cheap, even nicer.
The current PSA $100 lower+$230 upper with BCG (go mid-length) deal is a pretty good deal for a basic no-rail AR. If that's what you're looking at, I'd send it. Otherwise the Andro one with M-LOK rail that Primary Arms throws up for $400 every couple months or so seems like a budget winner.
I saw an Anderson for around $350. What's your opinion on them? I have buddies that buy the lowers all of the time for low cost builds. Never saw anyone with the complete gun.
I haven't used an Anderson but I probably wouldn't get one fully assembled by them. Their reputation is too low.
Andro is apparently at least a step above. Although some reviews for the one PA sells for $400 every few months say that certain parts started rusting so I'd give it a once over with some gun oil right after I got it.
PSA's reputation isn't spotless but they in theory warranty everything they sell. I don't have any PSA stuff myself and I don't know how easy it is to get warranty service with them though.
The best values for a bulletproof AR-15 right now are probably the IWI Zion-15, if you can deal with its heavy barrel and handguard, or a BCM MK2 BFH Enhanced Lightweight Upper with free BCM bolt carrier group and the lower of your choosing. Both are going to be a lot more than ~$400 though.
I debating all of it. One thing I'm thinking too (at least to my knowledge) is if I get a full lower, I'll have to register it. I really would prefer not doing that. I could always buy something peer-to-peer. We'll see.
80% and a jig?
I think that's the ticket. Thanks for all of the advice homie.