Radical Firearms RF-15 16" (15" RPR)

The Radical Firearms RF-15 with the 15-inch RPR rail is the most rifle you can get for $600 from a domestic manufacturer. Where the Anderson AM-15 ships with an A2 polymer drop-in handguard and A2 furniture, the RF-15 in this configuration ships with a 15-inch free-float M-LOK rail (Radical's RPR Thin Rail), a B5 Systems Bravo six-position stock, and a B5 Type 23 grip; the kind of furniture that costs $200+ as an aftermarket upgrade. The barrel is a 16-inch 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium SOCOM profile in 1:7 twist with a Melonite (QPQ) finish, and the gas system is mid-length rather than carbine-length, which means smoother cycling and less wear over time. The receivers are forged 7075-T6 mil-spec with M4 feed ramps and Type III hard-coat anodizing. The trigger is mil-std single-stage (the weakest point of the build, like every value-tier AR), so plan to swap it. Quality control is a notch above Anderson but a notch below BCM/Daniel Defense: inspect the BCG and gas key staking on arrival, and don't be surprised if the supply chain turns up a different handguard branding (Radical sources rails from multiple suppliers). Lead time can run 6 to 8 weeks direct from Radical, and street pricing typically falls in the $549 to $649 range depending on retailer and configuration.