If Jose goes the cheap AR15 route I mentioned, he can get the ZZP short stack intercooler and an AR. Not as good a full one, but it's pretty damn close to getting your cake and eating it too.
Framos, an RIA. I keep hearing about people ranting and raving how good they are, for a cheap price (about $100 under the Springfield GI). From there I can customize it with new hammer, saftey, etc. and mold it to my taste. I wouldn't ever buy anything from Colt, they're politics are a turn off.
Alex, interesting fact: 600 people died for accidental shootings in 2000. During the same year:
-16,200 died from accidental falls.
-11,700 accidental poisoning fatalities (solid/liquid).
-5,300 accidentaly died while walking down the street.
-3,900 deaths from accidental drownings.
-3,600 accidental deaths by fire.
and.... In 2000 43,000 died in car accidents.
http://guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvacci.html I'm sure your post was tongue in cheek, but sarcasm never really transfers across written words.
For anyone else, whenever someone quotes gun accidents as a reason for regulation/restriction of firearms, just remember the above.