I've got a number of 1:9-barreled ARs. Barrels were cheap, and I was building multiple rifles. I've also got one with a 1:8 24" bull-profile Wilson barrel (from FBT, of course, lol). So if I want to shoot heavy boolits to long distances, it's not a problem.
That's the beauty of ARs.... you can swap parts, mix-and-match all day long.
Or, be like me and just collect a dozen or so in different configurations so you can just grab the one you want that day!
I think the key is to sit down, figure out what you WANT to spend (not CAN), and what specific features you WANT. A free-float handguard? Nitrided/chrome-lined? Special stock? Flip-up sights? Optic/red dot/scope/etc.? If you want it all out of the gate, then build from scratch. If you want to add later as you go, then get a ready-built, or slap a made upper and lower together and go plink a while before you decide what you want long-term.
You really can't go wrong, unless you go buy something like a Rijas. You're looking here, you're budget-conscious, you're asking questions and reading and learning. That's the best start. You won't likely get taken in by fancy name brands or overblown hype. Any quality kit or full rifle will get you where you need to be. Honestly, for me, the quality is pretty good on most of the stuff out there, so aesthetics ends up being a big factor, plus price, since I like to build multiples.
Just my $0.02.
That's the beauty of ARs.... you can swap parts, mix-and-match all day long.
Or, be like me and just collect a dozen or so in different configurations so you can just grab the one you want that day! I think the key is to sit down, figure out what you WANT to spend (not CAN), and what specific features you WANT. A free-float handguard? Nitrided/chrome-lined? Special stock? Flip-up sights? Optic/red dot/scope/etc.? If you want it all out of the gate, then build from scratch. If you want to add later as you go, then get a ready-built, or slap a made upper and lower together and go plink a while before you decide what you want long-term.
You really can't go wrong, unless you go buy something like a Rijas. You're looking here, you're budget-conscious, you're asking questions and reading and learning. That's the best start. You won't likely get taken in by fancy name brands or overblown hype. Any quality kit or full rifle will get you where you need to be. Honestly, for me, the quality is pretty good on most of the stuff out there, so aesthetics ends up being a big factor, plus price, since I like to build multiples.
Just my $0.02.
