Same here, I paid around $1,200 for mine years ago. I didn’t realize they had gotten as inexpensive as they are now.
Andrew came out with the Basic Patrol Carbine at a more price friendly point by doing a few things ... go with a 5.56 chrome moly steel barrel vs the .223 stainless steel (the SS barrel is more accurate but more cost to use but the BPC still is plenty accurate), basic GI grip and buttstock vs Magpul furniture, GI trigger vs a polished trigger group, no BUIS or mag and a cardboard box vs a nice poly case. You still get the same receivers, NiB BCG, indestructible rail and top notch fit and finish but he thought the $750 price point for a carbine was about spot on and considering most buyers swap out furniture for what
they like, most run some form of optic or red dot so BUIS are a choice so let the buyer decide what type if any and as to case ... another personal choice hard or soft.
I look also see it if I were to build an AR to that level ... just say low balling the prices ... $200 for the upper and lower w/that tension screw feature, $150 barrel, $150 NiB BCG and $250 Indestructo rail and you’re at $750 already for just those pieces
not including innards/lower parts kit, gas block and tube, charging handle, buffer tube, spring, buffer and furniture along with damn good fit and finish in its assembly. That’s why I always point to a BPM when someone asks about their first AR ... dollar value it beats the hell out of anything I know of, I’d count on it if ever needed and
it’s made right here in NC.
Oh yeah, BPM might not be a big commercial name but they supply a boat load of law enforcement departments across the country as well as some “special guys” with firearms, even some with fun switches, that we hear little if any about.