[Tim Hancock]

I built up mid length handgrip, 16" barreled, flat top RockRiverArms Ar-15 recently and had about $600.00 in it including an A2 carry handle.

I looked at Eagle Arms, Bushmaster, Colt, DPM, Olympic, M&A, JTDistributing etc etc.

I found similar pricing from most of the kit supplier type companies once you start comparing similar configurations. Most of the cheaper kits or completed weapons had the A2 style upper receiver (carry handle/sight actually part of the upper receiver). I wanted the flat top picatinny style upper (some companies designate as A4, some as A3) so that in the future, I could add a holo sight or scope etc etc. You can add a scope or holo sight on top off the standard A2 carry handle, but it ends up being higher than optimum. Most of the above named brands all seem to work fine and you will not hear many complaints of jamming or poor quality with any of them.

I have fired about 500 rounds (mostly cheap dirty Wolf ammo) thru my self assembled AR15 thus far without any hiccups whatsoever.

Tons of info and active forums can be found on AR15.com. I spent a couple weeks researching before I settled with Rock River Arms (Rock River Arms FWIW, is known for making match grade AR's and 1911's and they are always at the national matches at Camp Perry to provide assistance to their customers at the event).