The AR-15 is very expensive. From anywhere between $799 to $1000 and up. The .223 cal. it shoots is junk. Look at Vietnam. The round tends to tumble in the air and rips through anything it hits.     Now I have Yugoslavian M59/66 SKS, 7.62x39. Excellent gun. Fairly cheap at $200+. The ammo cost (for a box of 20 rounds) $2.99 at Academy Sports & Outdoors. I am not an expert marksman. It shoots tight groupings and I have never had any problems with this gun. It accepts 10 round stripper clips, has a bayonet, and can be used as a grenade launcher (if you have some way of getting grenades, I don't).    I also have a M-44 that I play with. And a Marlin .30-.30.