While there are those perpetuating "Brand snobbery", mostly because they just regurgitate what they hear or read, but in reality from what I see "brand snobbery" is often blown out of proportion and perpetuated more by those giving it that label.
The fact is that not all parts or weapons are created equal and to the same standards. Either parts or weapons parts and assembly are made and done to certain levels of quality or standards or they are not. It really is that simple. This applies to any product in our everyday lives, not just firearms.
The key is to understand what your applications, needs, or uses are for the weapon and be an informed consumer about the products and make your purchase accordingly. If your only killing paper or cans, not a problem, buy accordingly and have fun with whatever your choice. If your using a weapon that sees heavy usage or more importantly perhaps a weapon intended for critical use situations then you might, or should look into certain parts or manufacture features that are known to increase overall reliability of function and performance on this weapon platform. Some manufacturers do that much better than others.
As an example, I can drive my Neon around and I can get from A to Z, or even have some fun racing around in it even beating the piss out of it from time to time. But I definitely don't get it confused with a Corvette Z06 in quality of parts or performance. But then again maybe I can't afford a Vette and am just as content killing cans in my Neon. Can my Vette have a problem? Sure it can, it happens. But in the grand scheme of things, you will have much more problems across the brand with the Neon. Am I disillusioned that my Neon is "just as good as" the Vette? Not a chance but I don't care, because it suits my needs and that is what matters to me.
For the OP, if you check out my signature I have a pretty in depth build tutorial that is geared at someone with no prior experience building this platform. If you can't build it from that series than perhaps you should find another hobby.
It will also give you an idea of everything needed from parts to minimal tools.
Oh btw, I don't actually own a Neon or a Vette......not that there is anything wrong with it. Just don't want to be accused of being a car snob.