Aw, rickyrick, all I've ever done with any of my ARs is just do a little lube and go shoot. I can't recall any problems from the five I've had. The only price I really recall was from 1984 when I gave $300 for a like-new Colt A2.
Same basic story for the four Mini-14s I've had, and they were all early models. I didn't gripe at paying around $260 for a stainless...
Nowadays? Lordy, the sticker shock!!!