I agree completely, building can be very addicting. Mainly because you can pick up the parts as you go and it doesn't take a big bite out of your wallet, not all at once anyhow. However; if I was going to own only one AR it would be a quality factory rifle such as Colt, BCM, or LMT. If I wanted to drop some serious coin I would buy a factory Noveske, Wilson Combat, or POF.
Like everyone else has already stated, do your homework and make a wise choice. And don't trust the gun shop owner who says "yeah this brand is just as good as the high end manufacturers and its half the price". Thast how I learned, and it sucked.

