What is your intended use for the rifle? Is this at least partially a ITSHTF rifle?
If so, what is your expected engagement distance? Do you live in the country, in flat desert or prairie, where long engagement distances are to be expected? If so, a long barrel AR optimized for the long distances you would expect to encounter might be a good choice.
If you’re in wooded, hilly, suburban/urban areas where shorter distances are more likely, a shorter barrel configuration that is quicker-handling might be more appropriate.
Since you’re obviously a relative AR newbie (so am I, by the way), I would recommend buying a complete rifle, despite all the calls you will likely get to “build up your own”. Unless, that is, you are already mechanically inclined and want to go this route for that bit of a personal challenge.
It’s not too soon to start considering optics. Start budgeting up to a like amount as you have already budgeted for the rifle for those. Also, you may want to buy a rifle that comes with flip up sights so that it “plays well” with the optics you add later.
Here’s a great article on optics by our own Travis McGee:
Fastest M-4gery in the East (Friday Night Gun Thread)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2537681/posts
Anyone looking for an AR-15 needs to read “THE CHART”
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA#gid=0
hit the tab on the bottom of the page that says “Specs”
That shows you what each manufacturer includes with each of its M4 clones. I would personally get either the BCM or Daniel Defense with a 16” mid length barrel.
Ya gots $1300 to spend on a plinker?
Of course you need to ask advice!
C’mon, man...
Ok folks. Looks like H & K has redone their USA website since I was last looking for a compliment to my USP & USP Compact .45acp. Was looking for info on the HK416 that was on Future Weapons on the Military Channel.
The HK416 is awesome. Bury in sand, submerse in water, pull out & start shooting.
http://hk-usa.com/civilian_products/mr556_general.asp
The MR556A1 - A direct descendant of the HK416, the MR556A1 is a semi-automatic rifle developed by Heckler & Koch as a premium level commercial/civilian firearm.
Like the HK416, the MR556A1 is a major product improvement of conventional AR-type carbines and rifles.
*** Using the HK- proprietary gas piston system found on the HK416 and G36, the MR556A1 does not introduce propellant gases and carbon fouling back into the rifle’s interior, making it the most reliable of any AR-type firearm. ***
The MR556A1 uses many of the same assemblies and accessories originally developed for the HK416 including the HK free-floating four-quadrant rail system.
This handguard system allows all current accessories, sights, lights, and aimers used on M4/M16-type weapons to be fitted to the MR rifles.
*** The HK rail system can be installed and removed without tools and returns to zero when reinstalled. ***
The MR566A1 will be produced in the USA from both American and German-made components.
Like the famous HK416, the MR556A1 uses a barrel produced by Heckler & Koch’s famous cold hammer forging process.
The highest quality steel is used in this manufacturing process, producing a long life barrel that provides superior performance with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity after prolonged use.
**** Additionally, sub assemblies like the MR556A1’s upper receiver will be fully interchangeable with other high quality AR-style firearms. ****
*** Projected availability on the MR556A1 rifle and the accessory MR556A1 Upper Receiver Kit is late 2010/early 2011. ***
Suggested Retail Price: $2,995.
Yeah, 3 grand. But H&K’s are never cheap. :-(