Colt and Palmetto State Armory, for that price. I'd say go with a PSA Patrol carbine. It ships with an Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) for a total of $1000. Their 14.7" hammer-forged mid-length is also a very good out-of-the box rifle, perhaps a better choice if you're a bigger guy (mid-length=longer gas system, softer shooting and easier on the parts, and longer handguard for a guy with longer arms). It's currently out there for $600, add the Aimpoint PRO which can be found online for $400 and you have a complete system again for about $1000.
The Aimpoint is regarded by those in harm's way as the best of the best. I'm not making that up, I'm not saying that as an attempt to justify my ownership of Aimpoints, I'm saying it as a fact. Ask on a website like lightfighter.net about red dots, you'll see what I mean. With either of these packages, you're getting the Aimpoint quality right there. Any red dot sight I'd put on any of my rifles would cost at least $150 (Vortex), I'm assuming you aren't going to spend $900 on a rifle and put a $25 airsoft optic on it, so assuming you're going to spend at least $100 on an optic, and the best of the red dots out there right now are Aimpoint, then you're spending your money most efficiently buying a $600 rifle and a $400 optic as opposed to a equal or lesser $900 rifle and a lesser $100 optic.
To make both of these combat-viable, in my mind complete weapons systems and not just range toys, just add a good sling (one- or two-point, pick your preference) and a flashlight. I'd suggest a VTAC padded two-point sling with a VTAC two-to-1 slider, and an Elzetta ZFL-M60 light in the Elzetta ZFH1500 mount. Magpul MOE furniture is another potential addition, if you don't like the stock handguard, pistol grip or stock.
That totals out, if I'm not mistaken, to about $1300 total for either system.
Now, assuming you've followed me on this (I ramble, so it's unlikely) you have a $1000 or $1100rifle/optic combo, $150 flashlight, a $30 flashlight mount, and $60 sling system. This totals out to approximately $1240 or $1340 before shipping and the FFL transfer fee you'll incur unless you're in good with your FFL (or you are an FFL). So call it $1300 or $1400 for a complete weapons system. If you add MOE furniture, you might be up another $50-$100, though used MOE furniture can be found on many firearms boards in decent shape for next to nothing.
SO for the cost of a Daniel Defense complete rifle, sans optic/light/sling (albeit, equipped with a free-float rail system, but most shooters will never need the rail system's capabilities, they don't shoot far enough), you get a complete weapons system with a high-quality optic, a great light, and a sling.
I'd suggest the PSA because you get near-Colt-level quality (far closer to mil-spec than RRA, Bushmaster, S&W or DPMS) for S&W Sport prices, and for the price of a Colt you can get that package with an optic. You're closer to a complete, reliable weapons system for a lot less money than any other offer out there, unless you build the rifle of course.
Of course, I'm making this suggestion on the assumption that this rifle may become a defensive carbine for you, and that you want the best. If you just want a range toy, maybe you don't need all this. But, just in case.
