Gunner, can you build one yourself, yes. Will it be good and reliable, yes.
Has there been a big price drop on AR's, yes. Just about everyone builds them today and they build good and reliable rifles.
The advantage of building one youself, is that you get to pick and choose what parts will go on the rifle (quad rail, free floated or not, type of butt stock, etc, etc.....).
Telling you to purchase one brand or another is not helpfull since most of the parts no matter the brand is made by two or three companies and sold under someone elses name with mninor changes. The only company that makes all their own parts for the whole rifle is Oympic Arms.
Who's good, they all are but it is a long, long list.
Alexander Arms
www.alexander arms.com
Armalite
www.armalite.com
BMC
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
Bushmaster
www.bushmaster.com
CMMG
www.cmmginc.com
Colt
www.colt.com
Daniel Defense
www.danieldefense.com
Del-Ton
http://www.del-ton.com
DPMS
www.dpmsinc.com
DSA
www.dsarms.com
Double Star
http://star15.com/basic_rifles.html
FNH USA
http://www.fnhusa.com
H&K USA
http://www.hk-usa.com/civilian_products/civ_rifles.asp
J.P. Enterprises
www.jprifles.com
LaRue
www.laruetatical.homestead.com
Les Baer
www.lesbaer.com
Lewis Machine & Tools
www.lewis-machine.net
LWRCI
www.lwrci.com
Mossberg
www.mossberg.com
Noveske
www.noveskerifleworks.com
Olympic Arms
www.olyarms.com
Para USA
www.paraord.com
Patriot Ordnance
www.pof-usa.com
Rock River Arms
www.rockriverarms.com
Remington
www.remington.com
Ruger
www.ruger.com
STI International
www.stiguns.com
Smith & Wesson
www.smith-wesson.com
Stag Arms
www.stagarms.com
Wilson Combat
www.wilsoncombat.com
Vltor
www.vltor.com
Jim