I want to get my first black rifle, but I don't want to sell the farm in order to get it. Also jamming will put me off on a style of gun faster than grease through a goose. Right now I'm torn between a S&W M&P , and a Sig 556. But I could be swayed to 308 as that is a caliber I love. I need help.....
Both of these are pricey versions of the hi-tech rifles - I have the Sig 556. If you're looking to get started with an AR, go more basic. I picked up a DPMS M4 clone for $700 and it is lovely. It was also little more than half the cost of the Sig. 308 versions are a little more but still less than the Sig or S&W - which is actually a Stag Arms under the skin, or so I'm told.
So keep the farm, maybe sell a cow. If the cow's a good one, you can get enough to get the AR, magazines and ammo and still have range fees left over and take the sweetie to dinner.
I got a stripped lower for Christmas, and yup - I am building my own, this time a 6.8. Scary for a guy who is just now figuring out what a selector detent is. Thanks to AR15.com I am learning.