If you really want to build your own AR-15 you can add one of their 80% lowers for $45.troglodyte wrote:Ceratac has a carbine kit (less lower) for $299 ($323 assembled) plus free shipping. Comes with a keymod handguard and collapsible stock.
Depending on what lower you can find and how much assembly you're comfortable with you could have a budget AR near your budget with a couple of little upgrades.
