It depends on what you call "Cheap". If you are willing to shell out cash to purchase a gun that is restricted to on duty use by your dept, (Don't EVER take the thing prairie dog hunting!) and which you may have to give up at your dept's whim without compensation, than it's probably ok. For us, the dept will approve AR's, but only certain brands/configurations. Carried in a certain kind of hard case, after training, only with dept approved ammo in 20 rd magazines. All this at officer expense. To me, I don't think it's worth saving 42$. (The price difference locally between a LE-only and regular post ban Bushmaster.) I'd like to point out the post bans are allowed and has only the training and ammo requirement. As far as mags go, for some of the more exotic whiz bangs out there, it might be worthwhile. However, since I carry a Beretta (on duty) or a Colt Commander (off duty) I don't have to go that route for mags.