Deniro, I wanted an Armalite, but ended up getting an Eagle lower with the match trigger, and an Armalite 20" A4 upper. The match trigger is very nice compared to my other non match ARs, and I've been very happy with this setup. This rifle does .5 moa pretty much all day with my handloads, and I don't think I've ever had an FTF or FTE in this rifle. I've shot Wolf ammo, SA surplus, and handloads with nary a hiccup.
I have the detachable front sight and handle, they work fine. I got mine from Armalite, but there are others out there that are just as good and a few $$ cheaper.
The recoil check on my 20" makes the rifle shoot very well, and doesn't seem to be very loud compared to my non braked M4. I think the shorter barrels are a little squirrely anyway; I just had my M4 at the indoor NRA range last weekend, and forgot to bring ammo...so I bought some cheap ass federal .223 ball they had...the report was punishingly loud...everyone stopped and turned around...and there was 2' of flame coming out ot the muzzle. I don't know what the hell kind of powder Federal uses in those rounds, but they are nasty.
I've got 2 16" RRAs, and both of them have noticeably more recoil than the 20" Armalite, even the varmint barreled one.
I paid $350 for the lower with the NM trigger, and $450 for the upper. Quantico arms has Eagle lowers with the NM trigger for $325, but the uppers have gone up, I think they're all $500...use these prices for reference.
Armalite makes a fine rifle, in my limited experience. I don't know why some people hate 'em so bad, but I love mine.
edit: I think the reason my upper was only $450 is I didn't want the carry handle/front sight combo...I think they knocked $50 for that.