re: Let's talk semi auto rifles

All ARs have a considerable amount of "plastic" but it was designed that way. No need to worry. Make sure your lower is metal and pretty much anything else that can be plastic is fine. Google forward assist. Don't buy anything without it. Not generally needed but it will keep you away from the bottom of the barrel guns for the most part. Smith and Wesson bushmaster and a few others make a decent gun for not much money so you don't break the bank getting into something new.