Haven't owned an AR since George Bush I was in office, and I've bought 2 since April.
Figured prices have bottomed out, the market is saturated, and deals about, so today is what we'll be calling the "good old days" in 10 years.
First $500 got me a complete PSA rifle w/ 20" barrel and A2 stock and some funky mlok hand guards. The hand guards gotta go... Still working on accuracy, haven't had the time or $ to spend sending lead down range, I've been counting my pennies...
But when I was looking at PSA's site to buy this thing, they had a complete lower w/ collapsing stock setup for a Glock mag fed carbine build. Checked with a buddy, he was sure I could finish it for under $400 more, I took it as challenge to get it to $300 more, and got half way...
PSA complete lower $205 after FFL
New Frontier 16" barrel and no-forward assist upper from aimsurplus for $150 delivered
Spinta blem bolt for $115
Free float tube hand guard, barrel nut, and end cap for $39 off ebay
$25 riser for dot
$25 charging handle
$35 factory Glock 33 round mag
Already owned the dot ($75 to get another one ... soon...) and the shop I bought the mag and charging handle from torqued the barrel nut on for me. Muzzle device will run $20 shipped (next paycheck), going with a basic A2 style bird cage.
Wally has Federal ammo for $20/100 after tax, a local gun shop had some good brass ammo for $19/100 after tax. And a buddy who has a few machine guns to feed has one of the automated dillon presses in 9mm set up...