Newbie to class 3. Looking for a car type m16 lower around 18-20K  have it narrowed down to a few, was wondering if our knowledge base would give me their ideas on my finalists

2 frankford arsenals:

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/forums/index.php?/topic/12154-wts-frankford-arsenal-xm-177-m16/

http://chestercountyarmory.com/products/?prodID=127

some from reuben

https://dealernfa.com/shop/zx16a1-m16a1-like-new-paws-p0214a/
like new Olympic/paws

https://dealernfa.com/shop/m16-m4-small-arms-weaponry-excellent-z3545/
looks to have had sear hole redone by US anodizing? originally olypic/sgw

https://dealernfa.com/shop/swd-m16-with-fn-hammer-forged-barrel-5569/
partial mag fence palmetto/sgw

and a flyer on a ar15 colt conversion, but not sure of the  work from company, just used a paint dot for the auto position :(
https://dealernfa.com/shop/colt-ar15-m16a1-factory-carbine-sp120062/

It will be for shooting and want to be able  use a 9mm upper as well so want to stay away from large hole uppers... I know a lot of people have brand/base receiver preferences and may have some good stay away advice for me on a few..

I would say it's a toss up between the PAWS marked safe/semi/auto for $19,995

Or

The colt SP1

Personally I don't like the look of SP1 or any lowers without the fence. I would avoid large pin lowers but that SP1 had small pin. Colts are nice because you know they will be in spec. Oly arms are decent quality but they sometimes are a tight fit with modern uppers, but that can be fixed.

For your first purchase I would buy from a reputable dealer like Reuben, I would avoid private sales, so many scammers out there to give $20k to someone you've never met for a gun you've never seen and won't get to touch for a year or more. Also MGs from dealers are usually on a form 3 So that first transfer to your in state dealer will go quick usually a month. Have it transferred to a gun range if you can so you can text fire when you get it.

Best of luck, in sure you will be happy with any of those. And the great thing about an M16 is you can strip the thing and rebuilt as a brand new firearm. I had my oly arms lower reabizides at USAnodizing and it looks brand new.

You have a really good budget. For just a couple thousand more you can get a factory Colt. That would be my recommendation with your budget being so close.

Might look for a colt 614. I got a great condition one for less than most of the ones you listed. Factory colt receiver. Just doesn’t say M16 if you can live with that. I can.

It sure would nice to get a 614 or a colt, but they look to get $6-$8000 more for them. I'd like to get out for 16K-18 if possible, but I would probably have to look for a deal for many months from what I'm seeing for that price wise, unless you think people are open to offers

If you're only going to look at CC or Ruben, then your budget isn't going to get you very far, those guys are for people who have more money than time/patience.  Open up your search to dealers who don't add 20%+ to the market value of their guns and it'll go further.  A nice SP1 sold on gunspot auction (Midwest Tactical) for ~$15k last week.

David Spiwak has a bunch for sale as well. I bought my I MI Uzi and Olympic M16 from him. I did send the Olympic off to M60Joe and US Anodizing. I chalk that one up to me not asking the right questions and doing my homework.

https://www.davidspiwak.com/guns/