Buy the rifle you REALLY want.
Well that's the rub isn't it? How does a new shooter know what they want until they get something and shoot it?
I bought my first AR because it was cheap (for the time) and I just wanted to get-in-the-game, as it were. No one would pay what I paid for that rifle now. Even so, that rifle looks nothing like it did. I'm pretty sure I've replaced everything. One piece here, another there, a new (used) upper, etc. and all because I didn't know what I wanted/needed until I tried it.
I've used iron sights, red dots, variable magnification optics, fixed magnification optics, offset sights, drop in forearms, free float forearms, GI triggers, modified GI triggers, cartridge type triggers, fixed butt stocks, collapsing butt stocks, plastic grips, rubber grips, 16"-20" barrels, 1:7, 1:8 and 1:9 twist rates, muzzle brakes, no muzzle brakes, Carbine, mid and rifle gas systems,...the list is endless. I choose not to tally the cost of all that. Of course I've sold off parts too.
The don't call these "Barbie dolls for men" for no reason. Just when you think you've got the perfect configuration, there's some new gadget or methodology or whatever.
The only advice that is consistently good is to just buy the gun you can afford and that makes you smile. Then go shoot it. You'll change stuff, everyone does. The closer you get to what you want in the first place, the less you'll change, but how will you know until you try?
As I said earlier, think hard on what you think you'll use the gun for. We can help with the model that will best fit that need. Then just go shoot. You'll change something, I guarantee it.
