Any AR style rifle is light with minimum recoil. Supplies are plentiful with all the add ons and mags are cheap. Plus you can get different uppers so besides the standard .223 round you could get .22 platform for cheaper shooting.
As for specifically what AR I’ll leave that to the experts as I run the AK system though my understanding of ARs there are varying tiers of quality — lower priced Bushmaster to higher priced better quality Bushmaster, etc. I’ve read to lube AR’s with motor oil and terminal damage more effective with 75 grain bullets. I figure there will be plenty of AR’s laying around or obtainable from domestic enemy combatants.
Also other options are the SIG 516 (or 556 in 7.62x39), FN FS2000, FN SCAR as supposed to be phenomenal.
Great-Thank you!