Originally Posted by
rob_s
I see no advantage to a 14.5" pinned over a 16" and plenty of disadvantage. Couple with being a first/only AR and I think it makes even less sense.
There is a good point in there, wrapped in advice I don't agree with. That is that if you don't know what you want, I'd buy the platform with the most flexibility now, and get out and actually shoot the thing so that you can discover what you do want based on actual use. Focus on a quality barrel and BCG, and a basic configuration for the gun, and spend that handguard/flash hider/fancypants money on mags, ammo, and training.