I have three. Fit and finish of the uppers and lowers are generally not the cleanest considering what's available these days (Mega, etc.), but is more than suficient for a working-class firearm. Barrels are generally very good to *excellent. I'm inclined to believe that the Olympic barrels are generally better than anything else you will find in that price range. My (2) 16" Olympic barrels (HBAR w/ free float) shoot better than moa with good ammo and a 9x optic. Aside from the upper receiver, lower receiver, and barrel, ARs are pretty much small (semi) generic parts - easy to swap out as needed/desired.
Check
www.carricozarmory.com/olympic.htm for the K16 (about the middle of the page), it seems to be in your price range and is a pretty good value. I've also seen them with an HBAR instead of the bull barrel - which may be more desirable for most.
Every experienced AR shooter that I personally know would prefer a flat-top receiver over an A1/A2 (I think the Oly Plinker is an A1; the K16 mentioned above is a flat-top) due to the greater options afforded by the flat-top. I would encourage one *not to think: "but it's got no sights AND it's MORE expensive!?", but rather: "yes, it is a little more money, but it has desirable features that I'll want after I've had an AR for a..." (week, month, year, depending on your use).
Good luck,
ac
ps - I don't have any experience with the dealer I linked to - just found the photo handy and included it for informational purposes. Please don't take the link as an endorsement. I have no financial interest in Olympic - DPMS may have a comparable product at the same price point.