"You can save a ton of money if you have any mechanical skills using top end Noveske, Wilson Combat, Larue etc., components."
This is true to a degree, I can't remember exactly but when I built my first faux Rogue Hunter, I might have saved $100 by the time I added shipping from a half dozen companies.
I do like to use parts of my choosing and enjoy putting them together and don't see myself buying a built upper ever again.
