Building AR.

I'm building an AR - 5.56/.223 with an FDE lower from Tennessee Arms. I'd like to make it FDE if I can across the board.

But I won't lie, friends - I'm confused and very overwhelmed with the options.

What do you prefer to low-end to low-middle level for an upper, barrel, etc?

I have a Magpul stock already and the lower. I was thinking a 16" stainless barrel. I have mags already and a lower parts kit.

I have never been much of a fan of "lower" anything. One of the main reasons to build an AR is that you can build a serious piece for a lot less money than it would otherwise cost you. But if you are in the low-end market, look at Buds Gun Shop, at CDNN, at GunBroker. Stuff out there these days is running about $6-700 for the complete gun.

OTOH, if you want a really neat AR that will shoot really well, then pick and choose at least the important parts. So. Mag release and bolt catch are pretty standard and can be bought for about $20 individually. BAD makes neat pivot and take-down pins, with the detents and springs. They also make the ambi-safety that I happen to like, but there are others. I like an endplate with a place for a quick-release swivel. Tube is milspec 6-position. Stocks are also not a big deal. I happen to like the slightly more expensive MagPul (with the lock).

Triggers! THERE is a place to spend some cash. My preference is Geissele - I have them on all my AR's and I love them. So does pretty much anyone who shoots them. There is the top line version, then there's a mildly cheaper that is every bit as good. You can find these on Brownell's. The "cheaper" versions will run you about $175. Worth every penny.

The money is in the upper. If you want a good rifle, you need to start with a really good upper, then add a really good barrel, and then a free-float handguard. This takes a low-profile gas plug. The BCG is as bit generic. You can buy a fancy bolt at Sharps. You can buy an NP3-coated BCG from Wilson. You can buy a matched BCG and barrel from Noveske. PYMTYC.

You might read the thread here about "Building an AR Puppy". It has about 7 or so pages, and there is some good stuff to read there.

Barrels.

Stainless - if you are looking for accuracy. This is what the competition barrels are made of.

Chrome lined - if you are looking for longevity. This is what the military uses. It will withstand a whole lot of rounds, getting hot, etc. It will even accept sustained automatic fire.

My .300Blk is stainless from Wilson, but that's only because that's all that Wilson offers, so I didn't get to choose. Else I would have taken the chrome-lined. This is an AR. Unless you are building one with a 20" barrel and 1"7 twist for competition shooting in Service Rifle, chrome-lined would be the way to go, IMO.

AR's can be built for different purposes.  First step in building/buying an AR would be to determine the primary purpose of the rifle.  Is it going to be a heavy, bench-type rifle for shooting long distances and small groups?  Is it going to be a nice and light weight rifle which is easy to carry around?  Hunting?  Home defense? etc...  After you have decided on the purpose, you can start looking at the parts.  The barrel is one of the most important parts.  I also agree with Dev that a good trigger can make a big difference--I, however, took a different approach and use stock single stage triggers that I polish and smooth out a little.  One website you might want to check out, which has some crazy deals, would be palmettostatearmory.com.  I've built a few AR's from parts I got from palmetto.  Some of the stuff they sell is good, some not so much.