I'd like to build an AR15 carbine. Something along the lines of an M4gery. I'm no gunsmith, but I'm pretty sure I can assemble the bottom end from a kit. I just need a good barreled upper to go with it. I think an A2 receiver would be best for me. I'd like to keep the project under $600. Show me your resourcefulness!

essential arms lower, $70
rock river mid-length upper parts kit from M&A $500

of course it was 4 years ago when i put it together.

How's this look?

http://www.ar15-kits.com/index1.html

Ranier Arms has Noveske cosmetic blem stripped lowers right now for $150.00.

Stag Arms complete uppers with BUIS for $535.00

chrome lined barrel with M4 handguards, options include bolt carrier group and charging handle & flip up rear sight.

or...

Stag A-4 upper with Picatinny gas block for $465.00

Let's see 465 and 150 will put you at 615 but you'll still need a parts kit for the lower and a stock.

Rainier is good to do business with too.

http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-ZM4-Forged-7075T6-A3-AR15-Upper-Receiver---DSZM4CBU/productinfo/DSZM4CBU/ 275.00 upper receiver with 16" bl, flat top

http://www.dsarms.com/Model-ZM4-Complete...ctinfo/DSZM4R2/ 180.00 complete lower with mil-spec buffer and m4 stock

http://www.dsarms.com/ZM4_AR15-Alloy-Charging-handle-Complete/productinfo/ZM48518/ 18.00 charge handle

http://www.dsarms.com/ZM4_AR15-Semi-Auto-Complete-Bolt-Group-Assembly/productinfo/ZM4BCG/ 110.00 bolt and carier

583.00 before shipping and a FFL transfer for a all DSA AR-15. They also have different upper receivers that are a bit more for the mid-length (my favorite gas system for a 16" brl).

CMMG "Bargain Bin" M4. $599 complete. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

CMMG Bargain Bin

Good point PBL, I thought they were sold out of those. I saw some of them a few years ago at a gun show in Tulsa and most looked like new or very little wear.

+ $50-$100 for carry handle or flip up sight. Not bad.

Tell me about mid length and Dissipator style gas systems and their advantages over carbine systems. I have a vague idea, but it would be nice to know more.

The mid-length system helps with recoil, reliability, allows a longer handguard, and balances a little farther further.

longer gas systems, suppose to be less wear and tear than a carbine on parts, longer sight radius, less felt recoil(but come on it's an ar, if recoil is a problem go back to shooting bb guns), and you can use a normal ar bayonet on a middy. on the downside mid-lengths have less toys made for them, though more and more makers are putting out midlength rails.

i got both a middy and a carbine, i like the carbine more.

There are plenty of toys/add-ons for the middy now. Daniel Defense, Troy, LaRue, Knights, Yankee Hill, and several other quality manufacturers make handguards now. I like the Middy better because of the balance but that is me.