I'm in the process of my first AR build and wanted to get some feedback. This will be my only firearm (had to liquidate my humble collection a couple of years ago due to financial troubles). It's intended for general range plinking and home defense.
Budget is a serious consideration, but I want to ensure the quality it's sufficient for home defense. I also am dead set on certain features, including non-reciprocating side charging, a linear comp, and a full length M-lol handguard. That said, the harshest environment this rifle will see is the range, and I'm the kind of guy that cleans after every outing (field strip + wipe down, serious scrubbing every few months) so I don't need something that can survive a war zone or serious abuse. I've done a good amount of research and feel that I've selected parts that offer acceptable quality at reasonable prices. I'm trying to keep it at right around $1k.
Many parts have already been acquired thanks to black Friday deals and a couple of early Christmas presents, but I'm not opposed to replacing parts that are totally inappropriate for a defensive weapon.
My plan so far (already acquired parts will be marked with an asterisk):
Adcor Defense stripped lower*
X-products side charging upper* (The 7075 one with mil-type forward assist, dust cover, and brass deflector. It appears identical to the Matrix Arms side charging upper but was $40 cheaper.)
PSA LPK w/ EPT trigger and A2 grip*
PSA 5.56 16" 4150V nitride 1/7 Hbar barrel w/ carbine gas system* (as a Maryland resident any AR must be an hbar so I chose the carbine gas system to reduce weight, and because PSA had a smoking deal @$79)
PSA BCG w/ 9310 bolt*
Anderson carbine buffer/spring kit w/ mil-spec tube*
Magpul CTR*
JoeBob outfitter's adjustable low profile gas block
Spikes melonite gas tube
Guntec 15" lightweight free float M-lol handguard
Black River Tactical Covert Comp
Mbus
Primary Arms advanced micro dot w/ absolute cowitness riser
Still to be selected flashlight w/ M-lol mount and tape switch.
I know the red dot isn't exactly trust-your-life-to quality, but it's reviews are good enough for me to accept while I save for an Aimpoint PRO, and the mbus is there in case something goes bump in the night and my optic isn't working.
ETA: Certain parts (including the barrel, handguard, optic, BCG, trigger, and pistol grip) may be upgraded down the road, but for now my goal is to get a functioning, reliable rifle with the features I want at a reasonable cost.