I get it. I carried an M16A2 and an M4 in the late-90s and early-00s but I have no burning desire to replicate either one. If I have anything that's similar in style, it's a coincidence and not anything done out of nostalgia. Do you think you would have a different opinion if you'd had more positive experiences with them?
This build and getting quality parts into my "good" carbine are the priorities on my AR to-do list. They are also probably the only things on that list that stand a realistic chance of getting done despite all my ohhing and ahhing over and want of an AR45, something in .450 Bushmaster and a 6.5 Grendel.