FITASC said:
I am LH so an ambi safety is a must. I am not interested in building one from parts as I can't cut a straight line with a chop saw (a man has to know his limitations)
I am going to suggest that you revisit that as to the lower. It doesn't take specialized tools to build a lower and as a leftie an aftermarket ambidextrous safety on an inexpensive lower will serve you and leave more money for the upper.
If I can build a lower from parts, almost anyone can.
FITASC said:
I am LH so an ambi safety is a must. I am not interested in building one from parts as I can't cut a straight line with a chop saw (a man has to know his limitations) I am NOT going to drop over $1K (but up to that is OK)
I don't profess to be an expert in your preferences, but I'd prioritize a $1000 budget without any upper assembly as follows.
Lower
Anderson Manufacturing closed trigger lower $50
Palmetto State EPT lower build kit (uses a polished GI sort of trigger) $80
Shipping and FFL transfer $40
TOTAL $170
You could also get a lower build kit without a trigger for $70 and shop for a nicer trigger. I like Hiperfire EDT triggers and those are generally less than $100. That's a total of $220.
If you are OK with a heavy and rough trigger, a Palmetto State complete lower for less than $150 could make sense. Changing the safety would be easy enough.
With the remainder of $780-ish to $830 you can pursue a lot of assembled uppers I'd consider pricey but that should have good barrels. The range of choices is bewildering. I recently used a Ballistic Advantage Hanson profile barrel. It isn't heavy but groups Black Hills 55gr so well I had difficulty counting my hits at 50 yards through my 6x scope. It is sold in a 16" configuration assembled.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/ballis...receiver.html?_iv_code=29M-URC-BATL-BAUR10006 You'd still have to buy a BCG and charging handle, but maybe you would find a CH you like as a leftie, and you'd still be under $1,000.
I will note that if you have any friends who offer to show you how to build an upper on their tools, you should take them up on it. I declined several offers like that a long time ago because I thought the process would be complex and I'd be a frustrating student. I shouldn't have. It takes someone else's bench vise (or maybe you already have one) and is simple.
The advantage to you is in the ability to select the components you value most. To me, the best value is any in spec forged 7075 upper receiver and a $50 one is no worse than a $175 one. I like a free floated handguard, but a $250 handguard isn't going to have me shooting any better than a $70 one. People spend a lot of money on muzzle devices, but a $6 A2 protects the threads on my barrel well enough, and I don't care to fire side discharging brakes around others anyway.
The important parts for me are the trigger, barrel and safety.
You may come to different conclusions, but I hope some part of that was helpful.
