I don't consider myself an AR expert, but I am experienced. My 1st AR was an early Bushmaster, from their first generation.
Didn't shoot it much, as it had a fixed carry handle & mounting a scope was iffy...and my ability to shoot groups with iron sights was more
of a challenge than I liked. I bought a PSA "Kit" AR ( assembled upper, all other parts except frame included) Assembled the lower parts,
on a separately purchased receiver following a couple of YouTube videos. Next, having an understanding of the lower pieces, I started modifying that AR. Since it was a flat top, scope mount & glass,, later a better drop in trigger. A bipod improved my shooting quite a bit, and a brass catcher mount & bag kept me from having top pick my brass off the ground.
Things went "downhill" from there. I had a Mini 14 & a Mini 30, didn't like either much, but did like the 7.62 X 39 rnd., so bought an AR upper in that caliber, then another lower for it. Found a local manufacturer that made & sold uppers had then on sale cheap, decided to try one ( Combat Armory) it was impressively accurate when combined with a lower with a decent trigger. Next I decided I wanted to try an AR-10...
see what happens ? Like I said, I'm still going downhill... with a safe full of AR's..I really like the platform.
Many caliber options, easy to work on, very reliable and accurate, not to mention, quite inexpensive to purchase & easy to modify with a wide variety shopping of options for accessories.
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