Been out of the loop for a bit, and frankly haven't bought a new AR in at least a decade myself.
Curious to know what today's "go to" for a first complete* AR-pattern carbine would be. In my mind it should be <$1,000 but maybe that's not realistic in 2024?
Also should be "readily available" as I don't think most people are up for buying online and dealing with the transfer (at least not most people I talk to about a first AR).
Colt CCU still a thing?
S&W M&P15 still a thing? Still a decent thing?
Seems like everything from BCM is $1500+ these days.
*if you're answer is "build it", or even just "buy an upper and lower separate" this is not the thread for you