THIS thread is putting my limited ability to remain neutral and only pass the facts to the extreme test. all these toys are great and the joy's unlimited no matter what you choose. if the bug bites after your first choice, its likely you will end up with at least 2 maybe 3 in the herd and that's when it gets really serious but you will be more prepared. my tastes run the same in all things , things need to look and taste like what drew me to them in the first place . muscle cars with auto trans ? not in my garage. WW II mgs with pic rails and AR folding stocks not on my wall. I understand why folks like the LAGE uppers but they are not for me. one of my 60's is an E-6 but I hate to use it, too many sharp edges and things in the way so I only shoot the one in the original configuration. again my personal opinion on that has no place here because you are trying to get started and not shoot your self in the foot with the wrong choice. a new player will choose from 3 main types, subgun , assault rifle, belt fed. now do you want just a shooter in each or a little more . so the 3 types have at least 2 things to consider, the "shooter" will cost less, be easier to find , while the "collectable shooter" will cost more and a harder search. in subguns the M-11/9 is in a class all its own I have 2 but never use them because of the damned magazines! and they will certainly go when I have time to deal with all the emails and pic requests. my number one is a reg'td receiver UZI , next would be the REISING, then a GOOD MAC 10. all the others are good choices for the second subgun. ASSAULT RIFLE ? M-16 ,BM-59,FNC sear, HK-sear. all the .223 guns getting expensive and too close in cost so a HARD search for a deal on a M-16 is well spent these days . I bought 2 NIB BM-59's at auction last year under $10k and deals are still possible. at full retail not in the chase. in belt fed the 1919 if you don't want to mess with a W/C is top dog. if W/C fits, I prefer the Vickers. the past 4 years fantastic deals way under a 17 have been easy and common but at the same money pretty much equal. the units I suggested when clean with good ammo and support equipment will run all day and be tons of fun. at the big shoots, I find it disgusting how much people have to "fiddle" with drop in AR sears, Hk sears not tuned to the gun, stens with bad mags etc. as always there are exceptions to the rule and many manage to stick with it and work things out. but over all solid good examples of systems with proven parts is the way to fly and avoid grief . over the years , many of the new people have so much trouble they don't come back and the guns just sit until finally dumped to someone else. CHEERS!