if you are sure you want an AR... i had ok experience with my bushmaster, the main thing i didnt like was the slight amount of play between the upper and lower. they make a tension adjustable lower receiver pin that eliminates this, but i never installed the one i bought. i ended up with about 2000 rounds through mine before i sold it. i had probably 8-10 stoppages total. one stovepipe severe enough to convince me i never wanted to use that weapon in a real fight. but to be fair this was during the ban and i was using crappy aftermarket magazines. who knows? i also had a professional ordnance, before they were bought by bushmaster. unimpressed. good concept poorly executed, but i have been told bushmaster has since made it work. mine had several malefunctions with good ammo and quality magazines.
actually had good experience with my brothers oly arms, we abused the hell out of it but always took care to clean it well... and after thousands of rounds no problems. it was the cheapest of all the ARs and it was probably the best. also have good things to say about DPMS, weapon felt very tight (no play between upper and lower) and shot well. i never used it hard though, so i cant really attest to its capability as a tactical gun. hope that helps.
