to be honest, if you are looking for a first cheap AR then it is you making the decision. You will see people on both sides, and will include vendors not even part of the original comparison. None of the answers are wrong. Different strokes. I will tell you, Obi-Wan Clandestine is the premier AR expert. I have taken a number of armorer and build classes from him. I had a few ARs of varying prices. damn boating accident. . I have a cheap AR I build with a complete New Frontier Lower and a complete 5.56 upper from Texas Precision. I wanted one under $500 and did it. Not saying it is the best. Not expecting it to be. I like shooting it. The top end in price is my Primary Weapons System Mk116 Mod1 long piston AR Wylde.
If you are looking at the two mentioned in the beginning, the Ruger may be better. Personally, I do not look down upon people like a snob. Not what I do. Go for it. They do tend to multiple like Tribbles. The Ruger will get you used to how an AR works. Then get a second or build one.
Whichever you get, I would suggest Clandestine's AR 15 Armorer's class and then his build class. You do not need AR parts to build. A lot of us take our existing complete ARs to a build class. You and Clandestine will take it apart completely, then go over stuff and start to put it back together, during which you measure everything and fix crap from the factory build. You end up with the cheaper AR but it is like an engine being blueprinted. That, plus you get to meet others from here and see there are a lot more like you than you think.
One more thing, doing a build class will get you familiar with many versions, including AR pistols, SBRs, etc. One build class had one of each. One member here had an older AR from a Prison that was well loved. It was neat to look at the bore scope and head space checks, as well as what makes it tick, buffer spring, etc. I was more excited about the other guys' builds than my own.
If you are looking at the two mentioned in the beginning, the Ruger may be better. Personally, I do not look down upon people like a snob. Not what I do. Go for it. They do tend to multiple like Tribbles. The Ruger will get you used to how an AR works. Then get a second or build one.
Whichever you get, I would suggest Clandestine's AR 15 Armorer's class and then his build class. You do not need AR parts to build. A lot of us take our existing complete ARs to a build class. You and Clandestine will take it apart completely, then go over stuff and start to put it back together, during which you measure everything and fix crap from the factory build. You end up with the cheaper AR but it is like an engine being blueprinted. That, plus you get to meet others from here and see there are a lot more like you than you think.
One more thing, doing a build class will get you familiar with many versions, including AR pistols, SBRs, etc. One build class had one of each. One member here had an older AR from a Prison that was well loved. It was neat to look at the bore scope and head space checks, as well as what makes it tick, buffer spring, etc. I was more excited about the other guys' builds than my own.