Invest in a laser cartridge to zero your weapon, then fire three shots to verify. Then learn to shoot 25 meters with your 300 meter zero so you know how to hunt deer.
If you go with an unpopular chambering, you are more likely to find guns and ammo.
Example:
https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bca-ar-15-complete-side-charging-upper-16-4150-parkerized-heavy-barrel-450-bushmaster-carbine-length-gas-system-1-24-twist-w-15-mlok. (Upper assembly only)
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/winchester-deer-season-xp-centerfire-rifle-ammo
Both are in stock now in the caliber listed
I don’t know anything about guns but if I did know something about guns I would recommend a Colt model le/cr 6920.
Build your own, 80 percent lower and complete kit is $600-$700
That is SUCH a smart move!!!
What a joke. Your 18 months too late. You still asking who will win the 2018 World Series since you haven’t been paying attention.
It depends upon what and where you are defending against. AR15's in a closely populated neighborhood could be hard on your neighbors. But, for a run-and-gun scenario with some room to move, they are great.
Your weapon, or the lady’s?
3 bushmaster lowers, 3 bushmaster uppers, 1 stoner upper here.
The carbon fiber lowers (ex bushmaster carbon-15) are incredibly light. Don’t pimp it out, unless you want to carry that shit while it does nothing for you.
Plan on $500 or so for a decent optic that the shooter likes. I like the trijicon accupoint 3-9 scopes.
The lady preferred the trijicon 42mm red-dot before she passed.
Shooter needs to try the rig before you buy it.
If you have time to find one and the $$ for it ($2400 or so), the Barrett REC7 / REC10 are good options. Awesome machines.
Otherwise, there’s tons of other suggestions already in here :p
Your choices are now extremely limited. Buy what you can.
If you are wedded to an AR platform, get a stripped lower receiver with serial number, buy an upper, lower parts kit, stock, optics, then hope to be on back order for ammo. I just purchased a few more large capacity AR magazines, but lots of places are sold out.
Springfield Armory Saint, right now, about $1,100. When I “stole” mine about a year ago from PSA, $650.00 with a soft case and five magazines.
Have you found one yet?