I should note that it's technically a pistol, as the lower receiver was purchased and built as such with the pistol receiver extension (does not accept stock, has never been fitted with a stock). I'll probably pay the $200 to SBR eventually, but it's fun for what it is (AR Pistol).
100% legal and NFA compliant unless you add a stock or a true vertical foregrip. BATFE says the Magpul AFG is okay. Complicated rules in order to have a < 16" barrel.
Well, I should say legal in free states. Everything in that pic would be illegal if I lived in California
In WA, we don't yet have SBRs yet - totally illegal.
To me, finish depends on the application. If its a survival type rifle, I want something that will last through abuse. Long term storage, infrequent cleaning, temperature differentials, etc.
I have weapons for survival and weapons for fun or because I like them. To me, there is no "one size fits all".
Unless the application is a show case gun, I'd say tenifer (what Glock uses) is about the best that exists. My Glock 21 has yet (well, "mine" even though I gifted it to a family member, I speak of the gun in the very present tense as I still see it at times) to receive a single blemish on the finish, despite the gun seeing use. Glocks have the most AWFUL trigger I have EVER seen and that is in of itself reason to hate Glocks in my book (even modded, it was pretty awful compared to my 1911) and the guns look like a giant lego block...they're functional durable reliable guns that I would not hesitate to bet my life on.
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As for pictures...
Top: M1A in a Sage stock
Below, my 1903
Below, my Garand, minus a stock (booo)
Below that are my revolvers and my 1911.
My revelation I just really had: all of my guns are based on designs that are >50 years old, pretty much. Who needs any of that plastic crap anyway?
Next gun: M1 Carbine, non-folding stock, with a top guard that has a rail on it for a red dot scope. Yay for 30 carbine as a CQB rifle.