For a first rifle, and looking for a decent price in a midlength 16" than I'd go with a new Armalite from Wolverine. You get a lifetime warranty from a quality manufacturer at a decent price.
Like has been said, once you get into the black rifles a little more you'll have better knowledge to wade into the used parts gun arena. The fact is, it is impossible to tell who the manufacturer is on most aftermarket parts since they aren't marked.
Like has been said, once you get into the black rifles a little more you'll have better knowledge to wade into the used parts gun arena. The fact is, it is impossible to tell who the manufacturer is on most aftermarket parts since they aren't marked.





























Now the parts guns from back in the 80s and early 90s...those were a whole other story....
























