re: Official AR-15 thread

Now I don't know of every mfg out there but I can't recall seeing any pre-pinned and welded 14.5" uppers that are less than around $400 for just the upper. The cheapest option is to build your own upper, you can get a cheap parkerized 14.5" barrel in the low 100's on up.

$110 for an Anderson 14.5" Carbine gas parkerized barrel is about as cheap as you can get. Prices go up quickly from there. A Faxon 14.5" mid length gas barrel is around $165.
$40 for a upper receiver
$20 for an ejection port cover and forward assist
$8-10 for an A2 flash hider
$20+ for a gas block and tube, set screw or clamp on style.
$15 for a Delta Ring assembly

So you are looking at minimum $215 for a bottom of the barrel cheapest components out there upper + the cost to get the muzzle device pinned and welded and that is before you add a handguard. Then add $15 for a chraging handle and $80+ for a BCG.