I completely agree with you, buy quality the first time.I completely disagree (respectfully) on all of these points. Personally, I think of an AR as something I may have to stake my life on. The lower end crap suggested in this thread has proven to be less reliable in every reliable instructor's classes. The OP can buy crap for $500, but he has stated a budget of $750-800. Why buy low end junk when he has a budget that allows him to start out right with a rifle that will not let him down? We're not talking boutique rifles here. We're talking upgrading from junk to extremely good quality with the extra $250-300.
And by "premium" BCM, I believe you're talking about standard mil-spec. That should be the LOWEST grade BCG anyone utilizes in something they may have to stake their life on. Don't skimp on the BCG.
However ive talked on ingo till I was blue in the face with people on here that think they know better and tell me their PSA is just as good as a BCM and that I'm just being a fan boy or a brand whore or looking down on them. Facts are facts but people here don't want to listen to facts and experience. Their range trips shooting paper qualify them as experts.
so I don't even care anymore. I do but I'm done wasting my time.
when I see someone asking advice looking to just punch paper, let them buy low end. Save the good **** for me