I could go on for ages about AR parts. However, there are so many brands that it could take weeks/months/years to get a fully comprehensive list of the good, the bad, and the ugly here.
Here is my recommendation/s.
1. What material do you want your lower made from? Aluminum, steel, poly, carbon-fiber, titanium, etc.? If you choose the common aluminum you have to decide between cast (the cheapest), milled, or forged. If you choose poly, carefully research what`s available (and avoid Tennessee Arms).
2. What type of rifle are you looking for? Hunting? Target/fun? Competition (doubtful since competition and budget are two words that don`t mesh well)?
3. Since we`re going with budget, that takes a side-charger out of the picture. Do you want an ejection port cover or no? Forward assist?
4. Classic AR-15 styling or something different?
5. Fixed stock or collapsible?
6. What type of grip would you like? I`m not even going to try to list the different styles/choices available here.
That should cover most of it. Honestly, based off of my personal experience, wait until you have the money for the whole thing. However, if you are determined that you will finish it I will follow that with another recommendation and an explanation for that.
I always recommend one of two paths for new AR-15 buyers. Path one: Find a complete AR that you like - better yet - that you love and buy it. It definitely takes a higher initial investment but will give you something that you can, and will, have fun with and hopefully keep the "change" bug at bay until you can get a better grasp of what you like. Path two: Do excessive amounts of research and build it from the ground up. Assembling a lower isn`t too difficult (I`d actually say it`s pretty easy) and, if you`d really like you can even purchase lower kits which would allow you to find a lower and stock that you like.
A few brands that I feel I can recommend without any worry (though price may be quite a bit too high on a few.)
- Lewis Machine & Tool
- Daniel Defense
- Spikes Tactical
- DS Arms
- DPMS
- Bushmaster
Really, the list could go forever. However, all but the first three (which is in no particular order - except LMT, I want one) have pretty budget friendly options.
Hope that helps some. If not, enjoy the babble.
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