Kirk Freeman
Grandmaster
What I want is something that is going to run straight out of the box, be of high enough quality that it's going to run every time for decades to come, be of reasonable accuracy ("average" AR accuracy would be fine) and doesn't weigh a ton in case I should ever have to actually carry the thing around
On this alone: Knight's Armament SR-15E3, Mod II
https://www.knightarmco.com/12010/shop/commercial-firearms/sr-15-e3-mod-2-m-lok
I think we are fortunate to have many good options: Colt, Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense, LWRC, Les Baer, LMT, Wilson, KAC, inter alia.
I like Colt; I believe them to be the gold standard. I have standardized (partly because of my age) on M6721s and AR-15A4s. However, I know Colt is not long with this world unless they leave CT and management changes.
I am sweet on that BCM Recce16. I like several models from DD, M4A1 and the DDM4V7.
If I could have one, it would be the Knight's SR15 E3 Mod II. That's just one gun nut's opinion.