I really appreciate everyone's input. I said I wanted either the M&P Sport II or the Ruger 556-- I didnt really want to hear how I could build one cheaper, but I got that anyway...and for the I am grateful. I just could not settle on which one to pick, and I think that may have been my gut telling me...or maybe just gas, but either way, I got an excellent deal on a complete upper and lower parts kit, a small parts kit (which I needed), and 5 mags for $500. Out of ten local shops, I finally found a lower stripped Anderson. They are cake to put together. It wasn't hard at all.
When I got to the gun shop to get my lower, I got an earfull from one of the owners; a sexual intellectual of sorts (a f**king know-it-all). He tried to tell me what a mistake it was to piece it together from these online places and that they wouldnt be any better than what he carries--and he carried everything needed to build one from scratch for under $700-800. He said mil-spec is mils-spec and there is absolutely no quality difference between the Ruger, S&W, and what I purchased. I wasn't going to argue. I knew that what I had was better! Better metal. Better BCG. Better barrel. And there is some pride in "building" it. Now, the only thing I need is a rear sight. I don't care if it's a magpul or not. It's a SHTF rifle. So practical is ideal. There are SOME local, but they are $90 or more. Any ideas? Anyone here have a stock one they removed that they'd be willing to sell? Anyway, in the end, I am glad I made the choice I did. Thanks again to eveyone for their insight.
Trying to figure out how to add a pic...