There's nothing wrong with running knock off gear, its your coin and your choice. Being a "poser" is nothing to hide from. Some folks prefer gear that works and work their gear. Others are satisfied with a range toy and save a lot of money by running a lower cost item.
My stance on knock offs and the "poser" look is the same as that of Norinco products. Enjoy your toys, but don't get out your soapbox and try selling the rest of us the BS line that your knock off kit is just as good as the real thing or that it serves a functional purpose. Its not, and it does not. There's reason why they're called knock offs.
I sense you feel offended by my poser comment. If that's the case then I guess I hit the nail on the head. I'll admit I'm a part time member of the poser club as well. I fully intend to run a cheap Tasco red dot on my 10/22. Does it offend me if someone called me a poser? Nope. I don't see the logic in spending huge coin on a red dot for a gopher gun. Would I like to run the real deal, you bet! From a practical stand point, a high dollar red dot is simply a waste of money for my intended role. However, I fully understand that when my cheap red dot fails it is time for a new one, not an excuse to whine and b*tch to the manufacturer or attempt to return it. You get what you pay for and can't expect anything else.
As for transforming your AR into something "more practical." That all depends on what you intend to do with it. Does it make sense to build an 11" AR with a Magpul PRS stock, bipod, A2 carry handle upper and slap a $50 optic on it for long range shooting? No, it doesn't. The entire setup contradicts itself. Sh*t like that is always present at the range and its sh*t like that which makes me shake my head and wonder. Is the guy a poser, or a complete retard? Mission drives the gear. Depending on your mission/intended use your gear should match. Your comment about the 9mm conversion kit is another example. How that would make your AR more practical I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps if you only had access to a range rated for handguns then a conversion would be practical. If your intended role was home defense or SHTF gear, then you're handicapping yourself with a shoulder controlled 100 yard pistol that offers zero weight savings over the original 300 yard .223/5.56mm offering. Again, your mission/intended role drives the gear.
Fun is always a key ingredient with anything an individual participates in as a hobby. Without fun, its not a hobby, its a chore.
TDC