IMHO DPMS uppers are fine, their lower parts, especially the Mil-Spec lower parts kit is less than desirable. the trigger pull is horrible.... so if you want a nice crisp trigger DPMS isn't for you. now the Stag lower parts kits i got that was "Mil-Spec" is GREAT. nice crisp with very little over travel.

Got a friend of mine that said he could build me one for around $650 or so.

that is very doable if you don't use all the nice name brand parts and want something you can just shoot. i have AR's that i have less than $500 in and i have one that has over $1300 in. it all depends on what you want.

He has a friend that owns a gun shop so he gets stuff at cost. He got me a Ruger Black Hawk Colt .45 for like $300.

nice AR:tu:

:tu:

Its DPMS upper and lower, 16" (as you said) .223. I thought the trigger pull was fine but I would not know any better... :D