True, there is a certain something to be said for having an inexpensive upper that will be annoying when it breaks rather than at stroke level because it's got the equivalent of a house payment (or several) tied up.
I think what's driving this is my need to tinker. I should just to buckle down and gather the last of the bits I need to assemble a whole new upper or pick up a quality upper assembly that just needs my choice of furniture, optics, etc. I think I'll be money and satisfaction ahead going that route so I'll leave this one as-is to be my training upper.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits - Mark Twain
Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy / Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
One of my 40+ AR’s is a complete PSA with a 14.5 FN chrome lined barrel and welded DD flash hider. The rifle was bought to abuse and abuse it has received with the barrel smoking more than once...no crap steel cases used in this rifle and it has yet to break.