Thanks so much for your advice! Just wanted to clarify a few things:
So it would be okay to buy a 16" barrel and run the mid length gas line?
I will definitely look for a better barrel! I am in no rush to get my gun assembled; was actually going to wait until Black Friday but I found the completed receiver for $75 today so I bought my first piece :D Slow and steady wins the race; I'm now looking at a $720 price point but I figure if I wait it out I will be able to buy most if not all my parts for less than they currently are! However, if my main uses for the gun are mostly plinking and a bit of home defense (just in case), what should I look for in a barrel? Chrome-lined better? For the record I obsessively clean my guns after every use so maintenance isn't an issue!
I thought adjustable stocks weren't CA legal? Also I just feel like adjustable stock=more moving parts=more things that can break. I guess I just wanted a solid workhorse that isn't going to break on me :P And fixed stock is also cheaper?
What is LOP?
Trigger: I really want the alg defense combat trigger due to its decent reviews for price point, but trying to keep initial costs down I figure I will make do with the trigger for now! The Stag trigger seemed to have the best reviews for the price?
Rail: I was wondering if the rail I wanted was too short? I should probably mention that I want to cowitness with a red dot and iron sights! But I'm not sure if my question is too basic so everyone already knows, but... Can I mount a red dot to my upper receiver? And I'm pretty confused about where the sights go, etc. I don't even know what a rail is for. Everyone just seems to advise getting one. But if I can mount a red dot and rear sights to my receiver, I could just get a grip instead of a rail.
Rail cont;d: Is the only real purpose of a rail to make your AR tacticool? I.e. flashlights, scopes, etc. etc. I am positive I will never mount a scope on my AR. I've got my 30-06 for hunting game, and it'll be used only for plinking and home defense. Then do you think a rail isn't really worth it?
I was planning on getting a low pro gas block, but it seems like if I get the standard A2 with the fixed sight could I then mount a red dot on my receiver and cowitness?
Once again, thanks so much!!!